East Cooper Plastic Surgery offers the latest technologies and most advanced treatments for breast reconstruction, breast enhancement, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation. For more than 20 years, the expert medical team at East Cooper Plastic Surgery has been dedicated to providing its patients with the highest-quality medical care and the most natural-looking results. We are proud to offer breast reconstruction to residents of Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, North Charleston, and the neighboring communities of South Carolina.
What is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction at East Cooper Plastic Surgery refers to the use of advanced microsurgery techniques to restore the natural look and feel of the breasts following trauma or mastectomy. Our medical team understands that any trauma to the breasts is difficult, especially after a mastectomy. We are proud to offer a variety of cutting-edge procedures that surpass the abilities of traditional implant-based reconstruction, so you can finally get the breasts back that you deserve. At East Cooper, we are dedicated to helping you restore your natural shape, so you can focus on restoring your psyche.
How Much Does Breast Reconstruction Cost?
The cost of your breast reconstruction is going to vary depending on the extent of treatment needed to achieve your desired results. To get a better idea of how much your breast reconstruction will cost, we encourage you to come in for a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We are also happy to offer financing options through CareCredit® for your convenience.
What Types of Breast Reconstruction are Available?
Dr. James Craigie and Dr. Richard Kline Jr. are experts in the following breast reconstruction techniques:
- DIEP Flap. This type of reconstruction surgery is most frequently used by patients who wish to restore the natural shape and size of their breasts while simultaneously benefitting from a tummy tuck.
- GAP Flap. This type of breast reconstruction is best for patients who have little tissue to use around their midsection. Perfect for thinner women, the GAP Flap uses tissue from the buttocks to restore the breasts.
- PAP Flap. This type of breast reconstruction uses tissue from the upper thigh to restore the natural look and feel of the breasts. This is a great option for women who do not wish to take tissue from their midsection or buttocks.
- ReSensation™. This cutting-edge technology allows our board-certified surgeons to use donated nerve tissues to repair damaged nerves in the reconstructed breasts. This allows patients to regain lost sensations in the breast and nipples following reconstruction.
- 3D Nipple Tattooing. This advanced tattooing technique allows patients to restore the natural look of the nipple without using excess skin. Pigments matched to your natural skin tone provide a three-dimensional effect to restore your nipples following surgery.
- Innovative Procedures. Our innovative reconstructive techniques allow our expert microsurgeons to use excess tissues in the love handles, upper arms or other areas of the body to restore the natural appearance of the breasts.
Is Breast Reconstruction Right for Me?
If you've suffered trauma to the breasts or have undergone a mastectomy and are looking for a way to restore the natural look and feel of your breasts, breast reconstruction with the experts at East Cooper Plastic Surgery may be right for you. The best way to find out if breast reconstruction is right for you is to schedule your private consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons. They'll be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, evaluate your current features, and develop a fully personalized treatment plan to help you reach all of your aesthetic goals. Ideal candidates for breast reconstruction are in good general health and have realistic expectations of their potential results.
For more than 20 years, the professional medical team at East Cooper Plastic Surgery has been dedicated to providing its patients with the latest treatments for breast reconstruction, breast enhancement, body contouring, and non-invasive facial rejuvenation. Contact us today to schedule your private consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons. We are proud to serve residents of Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, and the neighboring communities of Charleston, South Carolina.
Breast Reconstruction FAQs
Can belly fat be used for breast reconstruction?
Yes, we routinely use the abdominal tissue to perform deep inferior epigastric perforator breast reconstruction – commonly referred to as “DIEP”. No muscles are sacrificed, no implants used, and patients often refer to it as “natural” reconstruction in both feel and appearance.
Which type of breast reconstruction is best?
There is no simple answer to that question. The one you choose for you based on your research, health status, and comfort level is what is best for you.
How much does breast reconstruction cost?
Breast reconstruction costs vary and factors such as insurance coverage always play a part. We are in-network with most major insurers in the United States so we can confidently tell patients that their deductible, coinsurance, and the out-of-pocket maximum is the limit of what their cost would be with providers that participate in their insurance network.
Can you get breast reconstruction without implants?
Yes, there are natural breast reconstruction procedures that do not require artificial implants. The abdomen (DIEP), buttocks (GAP), and upper thigh (PAP) are excellent locations to harvest tissue for microsurgical breast reconstruction.
What is the most common breast reconstruction procedure in the US?
Implant reconstruction is the most common however, many women prefer not to have implants or have had a failed attempt at breast reconstruction with implants and choose to convert to a natural tissue breast reconstruction later. Roughly 30% of the patients we treat have had failed implant reconstruction and opt for a delayed natural tissue breast reconstruction.
How long does it take for breast reconstruction to heal?
The typical healing time after the first stage of DIEP breast reconstruction surgery is 4 to 6 weeks.
Can you have breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy?
Yes, immediate reconstruction is an option for many women. However, there are some instances when that is not practical or contraindicated based on the patient’s cancer treatment plan and current health status. Delayed reconstruction is always an option for women who cannot have immediate reconstruction.
Is breast reconstruction covered under insurance?
If your insurance company provides coverage for mastectomy, they must also provide coverage for breast reconstruction. You can find more information about the federal law that protects a woman’s rights after mastectomy here: Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA)
