Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast surgeons in Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Dr. John Boskind
General Surgeon
Summit
Dr. Mark Cooper
General Surgeon
Downtown Nashville
Dr. Alex Fruin
General Surgeon
Summit
Dr. Mark Hinson
General Surgeon
Columbia
Dr. Chad Moss
General Surgeon
Columbia
Dr. Tyson Thomas
General Surgeon
St. Thomas West
Breast cancer is a common disease, affecting around 200,000 people a year. Thankfully, there are multiple treatment options. The primary treatment option for breast cancer is surgery. After the surgeon removes affected tissue, some women choose to have reconstructive breast surgery to restore the natural look of their breasts. With multiple options for treatment and breast reconstruction surgery, we’ve dived into what you want to know about breast cancer and surgery in order to make the best personal decision.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Identifying what may be happening in breast tissue sometimes will involve biopsies. A biopsy can be taken from the specific area of the breast or lymph system in which suspicious areas were found in your mammogram. This surgical procedure is designed to remove small tissue samples so that they can be identified in a laboratory.
There may also be an interest in examining your genetic makeup which can give information about whether you may have a gene that tends to lead to breast cancers in the future. All of this information will help you, your doctors, and their assistants, develop a plan to treat breast disease and support your health. Breast cancer surgery is often an effective treatment many people choose.
Breast Reconstruction in Nashville
At The Surgical Clinic, surgeons specializing in breast cancer work collaboratively with breast reconstruction surgeons and cosmetic surgeons to make sure you understand your options so, together, you make the choices that are right for you.
What Happens After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis?
Your team of oncologists, breast cancer specialists, and care specialists will create a treatment plan. Usually, surgery is the very first line of the battle plan. Whether you have a smaller area of tissue removed or have a mastectomy, skin-saving mastectomy or nipple-saving mastectomy, the goal is the same. Your surgeon will want to take as much tissue as needed to get “clean margins” or evidence that they have removed the cancer cells. Since some forms of cancer will be defined and other types will branch out in the tissue (like a tree) the approach to surgery and the options will vary.
Your approach to surgery will depend on a number of factors including the stage of your cancer, the ‘personality’ of the cancer and what you decide is best for your long-term peace of mind. At The Surgical Clinic, your physician and the entire surgical team is focused on supporting you with the most advanced approaches to Breast Cancer surgical techniques.
Breast Surgeons
Learn More About Breasts
Breast Surgery
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
- Skin Sparing Mastectomy
- Breast Reconstruction with Implants
- Breast Reconstruction with Flap
- Mastectomy with Reconstruction
Breast Cancer Options
What type of surgery do they do for breast cancer?
With a diagnosis of breast cancer we know that you want both the best surgical options for getting rid of the disease and the best options for what you can do to heal. Many times healing will involve reconstructive surgery. Sometimes the reconstruction and cosmetic surgery can begin at the same time as the diseased tissue is removed. In some cases you may want or it may make the best sense to recover from the first surgery and deal with cosmetic surgery later.
What is breast reconstructive surgery for breast cancer?
With a diagnosis of breast cancer, we know that you want both the best surgical options for preventing breast cancer, early detection, getting rid of the disease and the best options for what you can do to heal. Many times healing will involve reconstructive breast surgery. Sometimes the reconstruction and cosmetic surgery can begin at the same time as the diseased tissue is removed. In some cases, you may want or it may make the best sense to recover from the first surgery and deal with cosmetic surgery later.
At The Surgical Clinic in Tennessee, breast specialist cancer surgeons work collaboratively with reconstruction and cosmetic surgeons and you to make sure that you understand your options so that, together, you make the choices that are right for you. Women who have lost one or both breasts due to disease can elect to have reconstruction surgery. Often reconstruction surgery will take place at the same time the natural tissue is removed, but it can occur at a later date.
There are several types of breast reconstruction. Sometimes tissue is taken from your tummy, back, or buttocks to create a breast, sometimes an implant filled with saline or silicone gel may be used. There are procedures that will combine your body tissue with implants. Your surgery will depend on your body, your lifestyle, and your preferences.
TYPES OF BREAST Reconstruction SURGERY
The board certified aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons in Nashville perform all types of breast cancer reconstructions, while several our breast surgeons specialize in the removal of breast cancer. Together, our network of surgeons work collaboratively to ensure each patient is treated with the most personalized care available today.
Breast implant surgery versus tissue based reconstruction
Which type of reconstruction surgery you choose is a personal choice. You may also opt for a mix of different reconstruction methods or reconstruction over a period of time. Talk with your surgeon about any concerns you have, and they will help you decide the best option.
What is implant based breast reconstruction?
Once the breast cancer is removed, patients may opt to have breast implants to replace the lost breast tissue. Breast implants restore shape and volume to the chest, and there are several options of implants to choose from. The surgeon will place the implant either over or under your chest muscle and cover it with your original breast skin or using a skin graft.
While breast implants are fairly popular choice, the procedure can also be done with a tissue reconstruction, where the surgeon uses both implants and a flap to reconstruct the breast.
What is tissue based breast reconstruction?
Tissue based breast reconstruction is often referred to as a ‘flap’ reconstruction. This is when the surgeon uses tissue from another area of the patient to reconstruct the breast. The surgeon will take skin, fat, and muscle from your belly or buttocks, which resemble breast tissue, to reconstruct the breast. Combining tissue based reconstruction and implants produces a more realistic result.
Some plastic surgeons, like Dr. Garza, specialize in a highly advanced tissue reconstruction known as DIEP flap surgery.
How long does it take to recover from Breast reconstruction surgery?
Recovery in the hospital typically lasts about 2-8 hours. Following surgery, patients will require plenty of rest, limited movement, and bandages which help minimize movement of the breast area. Pain medication will be used as needed. A special surgical bra may be required for several weeks once the bandages are removed.
About one to two weeks after your surgery, your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to check in on your healing progress. They will look at your condition, inform you about test results, like negative margins, and map a plan for your next recovery steps. However, if you experience unexpected or extreme symptoms, contact your doctor to examine possible surgery complications.
Breast Surgeons at The Surgical Clinic in Nashville, TN
Most types and stages of breast cancer require surgery as part of the treatment plan. We at The Surgical Clinic are committed to helping you find the best treatment option and guide you along every step of your treatment journey. For more information about our Middle Tennessee clinics and breast surgeons, watch the videos below and click on our surgeon profiles.
We have multiple skilled surgeons across the Middle Tennessee area. Find the one best suited for you and book an appointment today!
Watch Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Watch Patient Testimonial
Learn More About Breast Cancer
New Technologies in Types of Mammograms
By Dr Mark Cooper New technologies have given patients many choices about what types of mammograms to have and the difference between the types of studies can be confusing. As a surgeon at The Surgical Clinic who specializes in Breast Surgery, I am often asked what...