Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction can help Mississauga and Toronto women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as those who have had other significant breast surgery or have experienced breast asymmetry or injury. Dr. Michael J. Weinberg derives tremendous satisfaction in helping his patients restore a sense of wholeness and normalcy to their body image. He brings innovation and artistry to his breast reconstructions, and the results are remarkably natural in appearance.
To learn more about breast reconstruction surgery, call our office at 905-273-3045 (Mississauga) or 416-207-9090 (Toronto) or request an appointment online. Dr. Weinberg looks forward to meeting with you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.
A Better Breast Reconstruction
As Chief of Plastic Surgery at Trillium Health Centre, a teacher for University of Toronto Medical students and a researcher in breast cancer, Dr. Weinberg is qualified and experienced in the field of breast reconstruction. Further benefits of surgery with Dr. Weinberg include:
- Options – Dr. Weinberg offers both the autologous method and tissue expander method of breast reconstruction, and will help you choose the best option for you.
- Comfort – From the down to earth manner of Dr. Weinberg and his staff, to their expertise in pre and postoperative care, our team makes your comfort a priority.
- Experience – In practice since 1995, Dr. Weinberg performs hundreds of breast surgeries annually and is innovative in breast reconstruction techniques.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
To perform your breast reconstruction surgery, there are 2 main methods employed which include:
Autologous Method: A new breast is fashioned from your own tissue, usually from the abdominal wall. This method is used for women who have undergone radiation therapy. The initial surgery is performed under general anesthetic and takes about 4 hours. Six months after the procedure, an additional 30 minute surgery is required to fashion the nipple, also often from the patient's own tissue or by means of tattooing.
Tissue Expander Method: A tissue expander is implanted in the chest wall in a 1 hour procedure performed under general anesthetic. The expander is gradually inflated with fluid over 6 to 12 weeks to allow the skin of the chest wall to stretch to achieve the desired size. A second surgery about 6 months later is then performed to place the breast implant. A subsequent procedure is again required to fashion a nipple from tissue after another 6 months, or by means of tattooing.
As with all surgical procedures, there are possible complications that can occur with breast reconstruction. Potential complications specific to your surgery will be discussed in detail at your consultation. For a discussion of general risks of surgery see http://www.mississaugacosmeticsurgeryclinic.com/our-practice/expect.cfm.
Breast Reconstruction Cost & Related Procedures
In Mississauga and Toronto, breast reconstruction surgery is usually covered under OHIP; therefore, the surgery is performed in hospital at Trillium Health Centre where Dr. Weinberg is Chief of Plastic Surgery. You can discuss this with Dr. Weinberg during your consultation.
After Your Procedure
When using the autologous method, patients report that they can typically return to work in 4 to 6 weeks, and when using the tissue expander method, recovery generally takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Dr. Weinberg will discuss and answer questions about specific possible side effects and complications in detail during your consultation.
