Autologous Breast Reconstruction
In cases of breast cancer or other conditions, it may be necessary to remove the breast (mastectomy). Breast reconstruction aims to restore shape, symmetry and body image following such an operation. Reconstruction can be carried out either using implants or the patient’s own tissue. In reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue, skin and fatty tissue are removed – for example, from the abdomen or thigh, depending on the individual’s body type – and transplanted to the breast using microsurgical techniques (free tissue graft). This allows a particularly natural breast shape with a soft tissue structure to be achieved. In the case of cancer treatment, the costs are covered by health insurance.
Duration of the procedure
4 to 6 hours
Anaesthesia
General anesthesia
Stay
4 to 6 nights
Post treatment
Sutures removed after 2 weeks; support bra and abdominal binder for 6 weeks
Recovery time
2 to 3 weeks
Key Information
Personalised restoration of the breast shape using the patient’s own tissue to achieve the most natural and long-lasting result possible.
Consultation
During a personal consultation, we will discuss your individual circumstances as well as your functional and aesthetic requirements. Together, we will develop a bespoke restoration plan. I will provide you with detailed information about the various procedures, the process involved and the expected outcome.
Preparation
To ensure optimal wound healing, you should stop smoking around four weeks before the operation. Blood-thinning medication should be stopped or adjusted a few days before the procedure, following consultation with your doctor. Depending on the type of operation, an outpatient imaging procedure may be required to visualise the blood vessels.
Surgery / Injection
Before the operation, the breast and the intended donor site are carefully marked whilst the patient is standing, so that the subsequent shape, symmetry and position of the reconstructed breast can be planned with precision. The procedure is then carried out under general anaesthesia. Depending on the individual’s specific circumstances, the required autologous tissue is usually harvested from the abdomen or thigh and connected using microsurgical techniques to the corresponding blood vessels in the breast area, ensuring that the transplanted tissue receives a permanent blood supply and remains viable. The amount of tissue harvested is adjusted to achieve the most natural symmetry possible with the opposite breast.
Aftercare
After the operation, you will stay in hospital for several nights. A small ‘monitoring patch’ may be left on the skin to monitor blood flow. This allows for reliable monitoring of tissue vitality after the operation and can either be left in place permanently or removed during a minor procedure at a later date. Following the operation, the tissue graft will be closely monitored so that a rapid response can be made in the event of any circulation problems and to ensure optimal conditions for healing.
Result
A restored breast shape with as natural a contour as possible, a soft tissue texture and harmonious integration into the body’s proportions. By using the patient’s own tissue, it is often possible to achieve a particularly natural feel to the touch as well as a stable long-term result.