351 Hospital Rd #415 Newport Beach, CA 92663
Call Us (949) 612-8632

Author page: Brian Dickinson

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Breast cancer reconstruction is one of the most challenging aspects of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. The surgery often involves an oncologic component that requires close attention and may require chemotherapy before and/or after surgery that needs to be completed in a timely manner. The DIEP flap uses microvascular soft tissue transplantation to transfer the skin and fat from the abdomen…

Read more

Bilateral Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap

Bilateral Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap

Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction is challenging. Mastectomy reconstruction in some patients can involve using the patient’s own tissue rather than implants for breast reconstruction. In the DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the lower abdominal tissue that is usually discarded in a tummy tuck is used to reconstruct the breast. The deep inferior epigastric artery and vein provides the blood supply to the…

Read more

Bilateral Implant Reconstruction for Mastectomy

Bilateral Implant Reconstruction for Mastectomy

Breast implant reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer or BRCA-1 positivity can be challenging. After a mastectomy, there is less blood flow to the skin and there less soft tissue coverage available for an implant. Some patients may experience cellulitis, gross infection, or significant capsular contracture after mastectomy reconstruction. In some patients that experience this we remove the implants…

Read more

Secondary Mastopexy Augmentation after Having Children

Secondary Mastopexy Augmentation after Having Children

Secondary mastopexy augmentation is a mastopexy procedure in the previously augmented patient. After childbirth or breast feeding the breast becomes ptotic and occasionally the nipple areola complex can widen. In some patients depending on the strength and position of the pectoralis major muscle, the implants can become laterally displaced. After children, patients usually desire the nipple areola complex to be…

Read more

Breast Cancer Treatment: Oncoplastic Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects and Radiation Therapy

Breast Cancer Treatment: Oncoplastic Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects and Radiation Therapy

Breast cancer reconstruction can be different depending on the surgical oncology plan. Certain breast cancers depending upon the size of the tumor and the size of the breast can be treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Radiation often has a positive impact on breast scars making them less apparent than the non-radiated side. Radiation may produce a small color change…

Read more

Oncoplastic Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects and Aesthetic Tattoos.

Oncoplastic Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects and Aesthetic Tattoos.

Breast cancer can often be successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Often as part of mastectomy or lumpectomy reconstruction patients will get either a nipple areola complex tattoo or pattern tattoo placed on the breast. Pink ribbons, vines, flowers, etc. are often excellent patterns that can be placed to complete a reconstruction or conceal incisions. The photograph demonstrates before…

Read more

Unilateral Mastectomy Nipple Removing and Reconstruction

Unilateral Mastectomy Nipple Removing and Reconstruction

One of the more common questions that comes up during a mastectomy reconstruction– “Should I save my nipple or should I have it removed during the mastectomy”. There are oncologic, anatomic, aesthetic, and psychological reasons to remove the nipple areola complex. It is important to understand that after a mastectomy the nipple will not have sensation and will not function…

Read more