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Center for Breast Reconstruction

Options for Breast Reconstruction

The prospect of losing a breast - or two - is difficult for any woman. Often this is due to a breast cancer diagnosis or discovery of a high-risk genetic mutation. Breast reconstructive surgery is a way for women to regain some of what they’ve lost by reclaiming their bodies’ near-normal contours.

ChristianaCare‘s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute now offers many options for breast reconstruction at Delaware’s first Center for Breast Reconstruction. Whether you are facing single or double mastectomy, or a large partial mastectomy, our leading plastic surgery team can counsel you on your options to restore your breasts in shape, size and balance.

Old woman in nature

To pick the option that is right for you, it is best to start talking to your care team about reconstruction options before you’ve had surgery to remove all or part of your breast. If you would like to explore options for reconstruction, lead breast plastic surgeon Stephanie Caterson, M.D., director of the Center for Breast Reconstruction, and her team will discuss your goals and which procedures can best help meet them.

These may include:

  • Breast implants.
  • Flat Aesthetic Closure.
  • Flap surgical procedures, which use parts of your own body - skin, tissue, fat and sometimes muscle - to rebuild natural-looking breasts.
  • Combination procedures, involving both implant(s) and flaps.
  • Oncoplastic surgery, in which breast reconstruction surgery will occur during the same surgery as a lumpectomy.
  • Symmetry surgery. If only one breast is affected, it alone may be reconstructed. In addition, a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation may be recommended for the opposite breast to improve symmetry of the size, shape and position of both breasts.

Why ChristianaCare?

For years, patients have turned to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, the leading provider of cancer treatment in Delaware. Now patients can count on the team at the Center for Breast Reconstruction for expert care and compassion when they seek breast reconstruction.

Dr. Stephanie Caterson is one of the country’s leading breast reconstructive surgeons with over 14 years’ experience performing all types of complex breast reconstructive procedures.

She specializes in the care of those who:

  • Need mastectomy or lumpectomy due to a recent diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • Want breast conservation but need plastic surgery tissue rearrangement at the time of their lumpectomy (oncoplastic surgery).
  • Have chosen to have a double mastectomy due to genetic mutations that put them at high risk for breast cancer.
  • Have been previously treated for breast cancer and are ready to explore options for reconstruction.
  • Have had prior reconstruction but are not happy with the results.
  • Have breast asymmetry.

Dr. Caterson brings her extensive experience to ChristianaCare, where we now offer microsurgical flap breast reconstructive. These procedures are considered state-of-the-art when a patient chooses flap reconstruction. To date, Dr. Caterson has performed more than 1,500 microsurgical flap procedures.

Dr. Caterson is joined by Kerry Gregory, PA-C, and John Przybylski, PA-C. Kerry is a highly accomplished physician assistant with extensive experience in managing breast cancer and breast reconstruction patients. Kerry is also trained in state-of-the art professional nipple and areola 3-D tattooing techniques. John joins the team with over eight years of concentrated operating experience and surgical care. He has received many academic awards and is adjunct teaching faculty at Drexel University. Together, they help guide their patients toward the best possible solution.

Request a Consultation

Your office consultation will be performed by one of our experienced medical providers. They will take a thorough history and perform a physical exam. Photographs will be taken to assist us with pre-operative planning. You will then have a long discussion to review the pros and cons of all breast reconstruction techniques. We will help you narrow down your choices by considering your personal goals and lifestyle. The consultation often takes between 1 -2 hours.

Complete the form below to get started, or call us at 302-623-3605.

Please note: our practice provides reconstructive surgery for those who have or had cancer and is not a resource for plastic reconstructive needs.

Collaborative Care

Dr. Caterson and her team collaborate with experts across the entire spectrum of breast care at the Graham Cancer Center, as well as other experts throughout ChristianaCare. These may include breast surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, radiologists, and specialists in rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapists. The team also works with physicians and other medical professionals outside of the ChristianaCare system, to coordinate care in a seamless fashion. Dr. Caterson represents plastic surgery in the weekly Helen F. Graham Cancer Center Multidisciplinary Breast Conference, where coordinated plans for individual breast cancer patients are developed.

Breast Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

  • Breast Implants with/without Tissue Expander.
  • DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) Flap.
  • Pedicle/Free TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle) Flap.
  • SGAP (Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator) Flap.
  • PAP (Profunda Artery Perforator) Flap.
  • Latissimus dorsi Myocutaneous Flap with Implant.

Providers

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 302-623-3605.

Center for Breast Reconstruction A-Z Services List

B
Breast Implants with/without Tissue Expander

Breast reconstruction utilizing implants is the most commonly performed surgical procedure following a mastectomy.

D
DIEP Flap

DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap is a type of breast reconstruction surgery.

L
Latissimus Flap with Implant

The latissimus flap with implant might be a good procedure for you if you have had radiation to the chest in the past.

P
PAP/TUG Flap

The procedure requires a longer surgery and recovery time than some other reconstructive procedures.

S
SGAP Flap

SGAP is a free flap procedure that requires your surgeon to detach the tissue from your buttock and reattach it to blood vessels in your chest.

T
TRAM Flap

TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap is a type of breast reconstruction surgery utilizing the lower abdominal tissue.