Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Larry Pollack at Del Mar Plastic Surgery has been performing breast reconstruction for over 20 years. With over 2000 breast reconstruction procedures performed, he is an acknowledged expert in the field.

Breast cancer is a devastating diagnosis for any woman and her family to receive, but with earlier detection and improved treatment options, survival rates are excellent. Because of this, breast reconstruction is now an integral and critical component in the treatment and healing process.

At Del Mar Plastic Surgery, Dr. Pollack offers a full range of breast reconstruction options, including tissue expander/implant reconstruction, latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction, and TRAM flap reconstruction. Tissue expander and implant reconstruction is the most common and least invasive method for breast reconstruction. An empty silicone implant acts as a “stretcher” and is placed under the chest muscle and skin immediately after the mastectomy. Over the next 3 to 4 months, it is gradually filled with saline (saltwater) to stretch the tissue to a size large enough to accommodate the appropriate permanent implant.

Dr. Pollack also performs reconstruction using your own tissue, either from the back using the latissimus dorsi muscle and skin (the “swimmer’s muscle”) or the TRAM flap, which is skin, fat, and muscle from the lower abdomen. These are more complex procedures with longer recovery times.

Some women choose to have lumpectomy and radiation to treat their cancer, and this can also lead to deformities of the breast. Dr. Pollack has treated many patients using fat transfer from the tummy or hips to smooth irregular contours or fill concave or depressed areas on the breast.

In almost all cases, breast reconstruction requires 2 or 3 surgical procedures to complete, the final one being nipple reconstruction. This is done using your own skin, which is later tattooed to a natural color. Most of these procedures can be done on an outpatient basis, with about a 2 to 3 week recovery. Insurance covers most breast reconstruction procedures, including any surgery required on the non-cancer side to achieve symmetry and balance.

Dr. Pollack is part of the accredited Breast Cancer Center at Sharp Memorial Hospital. He works closely with surgical and medical oncologists to provide personal and comprehensive care for each breast cancer patient. For more information or to make an appointment, call 858-450-9100 or email us at kate@delmarplasticsurgery.com. Also see our photo gallery for before and after photos.