breast RECONSTRUCTION
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Your Reconstruction Journey: What to Expect
Every woman’s journey is unique. That’s why your reconstruction plan is built around you, your body, your cancer treatment plan, and your aesthetic goals.
Every woman’s journey is unique. That’s why your reconstruction plan is built around you, your body, your cancer treatment plan, and your aesthetic goals.
- Consultation & Planning
- Surgical Options
- Recovery & Refinement
At our practice, breast reconstruction is more than a procedure—it's a deeply personal journey toward healing and self-confidence. Whether you're facing breast cancer treatment or choosing prophylactic surgery, Dr. Park and her team are here to guide you through every step with compassion, precision, and personalized care.
We offer a comprehensive range of breast reconstruction options to fit your body, goals, and cancer treatment plan. From oncoplastic techniques to advanced microsurgical reconstruction, our goal is to help you feel whole again—in the way that’s right for you.
Restoring Confidence, Comfort and Wholeness
4. Goldilocks Closure Technique
For women with large, ptotic breasts who do not want implants or full flap surgery or are not great candidates for either procedure, the Goldilocks technique may offer a satisfying middle ground. This method uses the patient’s remaining skin and tissue after mastectomy to sculpt a small breast mound, eliminating the need for implants or donor site surgery.
Ideal for:
For women with large, ptotic breasts who do not want implants or full flap surgery or are not great candidates for either procedure, the Goldilocks technique may offer a satisfying middle ground. This method uses the patient’s remaining skin and tissue after mastectomy to sculpt a small breast mound, eliminating the need for implants or donor site surgery.
Ideal for:
- Women seeking a simpler reconstruction
- Those with high surgical risk
- Patients preferring to avoid foreign materials
Autologous (Flap) Reconstruction
For patients seeking a natural, implant-free option, we specialize in DIEP flap reconstruction—using your own abdominal tissue (without sacrificing muscle) to rebuild the breast.
DIEP Flap Benefits:
Dr. Park completed advanced microsurgery training and offers expert care in these complex, muscle-sparing techniques. All of our patients will follow an Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which will allow you to recover more quickly and with less pain.
For patients seeking a natural, implant-free option, we specialize in DIEP flap reconstruction—using your own abdominal tissue (without sacrificing muscle) to rebuild the breast.
DIEP Flap Benefits:
- Natural look and feel
- Long-lasting results
- Tummy tuck–like effect at the donor site
Dr. Park completed advanced microsurgery training and offers expert care in these complex, muscle-sparing techniques. All of our patients will follow an Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which will allow you to recover more quickly and with less pain.
Implant-Based Reconstruction
A two-stage process that begins at the time of mastectomy or after healing.
Stage 1: Placement of a tissue expander beneath the chest muscle or skin
Stage 2: Replacement with a silicone or saline implant for a natural breast shape
Implant reconstruction is a shorter operation and may be ideal for women who prefer a less invasive approach without a plan for radiation. However, implant-based reconstruction will require routine monitoring and may require revision or replacement down the road.
A two-stage process that begins at the time of mastectomy or after healing.
Stage 1: Placement of a tissue expander beneath the chest muscle or skin
Stage 2: Replacement with a silicone or saline implant for a natural breast shape
Implant reconstruction is a shorter operation and may be ideal for women who prefer a less invasive approach without a plan for radiation. However, implant-based reconstruction will require routine monitoring and may require revision or replacement down the road.
We offer a full spectrum of reconstruction techniques designed to match your individual needs:
For patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT), Dr. Park offers oncoplastic breast reduction, combining cancer removal with aesthetic breast reshaping. This approach removes the tumor while also reducing and lifting the breast—often creating a more balanced, lifted appearance.
Great option for:
- Oncoplastic Reduction (for Lumpectomy/Breast-Conserving Therapy)
For patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT), Dr. Park offers oncoplastic breast reduction, combining cancer removal with aesthetic breast reshaping. This approach removes the tumor while also reducing and lifting the breast—often creating a more balanced, lifted appearance.
Great option for:
- Women with moderate to large, ptotic (sagging) breasts
- Those seeking symmetry with the other breast
Your Options
Is Autologous Reconstruction Right for You?
Autologous reconstruction is suitable for many patients, but individual factors such as body type, medical history, and personal preferences play a crucial role in determining the best approach.
During your consultation, we will discuss all available options to develop a personalized surgical plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office. We are here to support you every step of the way on your reconstruction journey.
Autologous reconstruction is suitable for many patients, but individual factors such as body type, medical history, and personal preferences play a crucial role in determining the best approach.
During your consultation, we will discuss all available options to develop a personalized surgical plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office. We are here to support you every step of the way on your reconstruction journey.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol
We are committed to optimizing your recovery through the implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. This comprehensive approach includes
Implementing ERAS protocols has been shown to decrease postoperative pain, reduce opioid use, and shorten hospital stays without increasing complication rates
Benefits of Autologous Reconstruction vs. Implants
Choosing autologous reconstruction offers several advantages over implant-based methods:
Better Outcomes Post-Radiation: Patients who have undergone radiation therapy report higher satisfaction and fewer complications with autologous reconstruction
We are committed to optimizing your recovery through the implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. This comprehensive approach includes
- Preoperative Education: Detailed information about the surgical process and recovery expectations.
- Intraoperative Anesthetic Blocks: Utilization of regional anesthesia techniques, such as paravertebral and PECS blocks, to minimize postoperative pain.
- Multimodal Pain Management: Combination of non-opioid medications (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs) to reduce opioid consumption and enhance recovery
Implementing ERAS protocols has been shown to decrease postoperative pain, reduce opioid use, and shorten hospital stays without increasing complication rates
Benefits of Autologous Reconstruction vs. Implants
Choosing autologous reconstruction offers several advantages over implant-based methods:
- Natural Appearance and Feel: Autologous tissue provides a more natural look and feel compared to implants .
- Long-Term Durability: Unlike implants, autologous reconstructions do not require replacement over time.
- Lower Complication Rates: Reduced risk of complications such as capsular contracture and implant rupture.
Better Outcomes Post-Radiation: Patients who have undergone radiation therapy report higher satisfaction and fewer complications with autologous reconstruction
Flap Options We Offer
1. DIEP Flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator)
The DIEP flap uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast, preserving the abdominal muscles.
Benefits include:
Studies have shown that patients undergoing DIEP flap reconstruction report higher satisfaction and perceive their reconstructed breast as a natural part of their body compared to those with implants.
2. PAP Flap (Profunda Artery Perforator)
The PAP flap utilizes tissue from the upper inner thigh, making it an excellent option for patients who are not candidates for abdominal-based flaps.
Advantages include:
Research indicates that PAP flap reconstruction yields high success rates and excellent cosmetic outcomes, with donor site morbidity comparable to DIEP flaps.
3. Latissimus Dorsi Flap
This technique involves transferring muscle, skin, and fat from the upper back to the chest. It can be performed with or without an implant.
Benefits include:
The latissimus dorsi flap is associated with high patient satisfaction and low complication rates .
1. DIEP Flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator)
The DIEP flap uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast, preserving the abdominal muscles.
Benefits include:
- Natural look and feel of the reconstructed breast
- Preservation of core muscle function
- Reduced risk of abdominal weakness or hernia
- A flatter, more contoured abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck
Studies have shown that patients undergoing DIEP flap reconstruction report higher satisfaction and perceive their reconstructed breast as a natural part of their body compared to those with implants.
2. PAP Flap (Profunda Artery Perforator)
The PAP flap utilizes tissue from the upper inner thigh, making it an excellent option for patients who are not candidates for abdominal-based flaps.
Advantages include:
- Hidden donor site scars in the groin crease
- Preservation of thigh muscle function
- Suitable for patients with insufficient abdominal tissue
Research indicates that PAP flap reconstruction yields high success rates and excellent cosmetic outcomes, with donor site morbidity comparable to DIEP flaps.
3. Latissimus Dorsi Flap
This technique involves transferring muscle, skin, and fat from the upper back to the chest. It can be performed with or without an implant.
Benefits include:
- Reliable blood supply, making it a good option for patients with compromised chest tissue
- Suitable for patients who have undergone radiation therapy
- Can be combined with fat grafting to enhance volume and contourVerywell Health
The latissimus dorsi flap is associated with high patient satisfaction and low complication rates .
Rebuilding with Your Own Tissue for Natural, Lasting Results
At our practice, we specialize in autologous breast reconstruction, utilizing your body's own tissue to recreate a breast that looks and feels natural. This approach offers long-term durability, avoids the use of implants, and often results in higher patient satisfaction.
What Is Autologous Reconstruction?
Autologous reconstruction involves transferring skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from another part of your body to your chest to reconstruct the breast. This method is typically performed as a delayed procedure (tissue expander first on the day of mastectomy, followed by final reconstruction later), but can be performed immediately in select cases. This reconstruction does not involve any foreign materials (i.e. implants) and therefore negates any need for routine surveillance imaging or potential replacement surgery down the road. If your cancer treatment involved radiation, this method also allows us to bring in healthy tissue into radiated, damaged tissue and therefore helps it heal better with a more natural shape and feel.
At our practice, we specialize in autologous breast reconstruction, utilizing your body's own tissue to recreate a breast that looks and feels natural. This approach offers long-term durability, avoids the use of implants, and often results in higher patient satisfaction.
What Is Autologous Reconstruction?
Autologous reconstruction involves transferring skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from another part of your body to your chest to reconstruct the breast. This method is typically performed as a delayed procedure (tissue expander first on the day of mastectomy, followed by final reconstruction later), but can be performed immediately in select cases. This reconstruction does not involve any foreign materials (i.e. implants) and therefore negates any need for routine surveillance imaging or potential replacement surgery down the road. If your cancer treatment involved radiation, this method also allows us to bring in healthy tissue into radiated, damaged tissue and therefore helps it heal better with a more natural shape and feel.
Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Navigating breast reconstruction is both a medical and emotional journey. These local and national resources offer education, support, and community.
Local Support Groups & Programs:
Find a Support Group
Inova Support Groups
Offers free programs and support for individuals and families affected by cancer.
Life with Cancer
Provides integrative cancer care methods including gentle yoga, cancer retreats, and more.
Smith Center
Offers support groups and wellness programs for individuals with cancer and their loved ones.
Hope Connections
Walter Reed Support Groups
ASPS Breast Reconstruction
Komen Support Groups
ACS Support Programs
Local Support Groups & Programs:
- Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF)
Find a Support Group
- Inova Health System – Support Groups
Inova Support Groups
Offers free programs and support for individuals and families affected by cancer.
Life with Cancer
Provides integrative cancer care methods including gentle yoga, cancer retreats, and more.
Smith Center
Offers support groups and wellness programs for individuals with cancer and their loved ones.
Hope Connections
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Walter Reed Support Groups
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
ASPS Breast Reconstruction
- Susan G. Komen Foundation
Komen Support Groups
- American Cancer Society (ACS)
ACS Support Programs
Educational and Support Resources in DC/MD/VA
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