Breast Reconstruction | Can You Get Breast Reconstruction at a Local Clinic?

Should I get my mastectomy and reconstruction done at once at a university hospital, or have the reconstruction later at a local clinic? I'm torn.

This is a question that many people around me who have been diagnosed with breast cancer ask me.

They ask whether it's better to have reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy, or to finish cancer treatment first and have reconstruction later. They also ask whether it's okay to have reconstruction at a local clinic.

I often hear people say that university hospitals are larger and have more doctors, so they must be better.

I suppose I get so many of these inquiries because

I started out doing breast reconstruction at a university hospital,

and now I also perform breast reconstruction at a local clinic.

Since I imagine many people want to ask the same question,

I've decided to write about it on the blog.

Today's post is about reconstruction at local clinics.

I'll walk you through the consultation at a plastic surgery clinic that does breast reconstruction, the surgery itself, recovery, and Melon's own surgical journey.

A breast care doctor who offers solutions,

I am Kim Ju-won, Director of Melon Plastic Surgery.

Breast Reconstruction | University Hospital Reconstruction vs. “Local Hospital Reconstruction”: What's the Difference?

The term “local hospital” usually refers to a hospital in your neighborhood, but within the reconstruction community, “local hospital” means a private plastic surgery clinic rather than a university hospital.

University hospitals and local clinics each have distinct strengths.

First, university hospitals offer immediate reconstruction, in which the mastectomy and reconstruction are performed in one go with carefully timed steps. They also have the infrastructure to respond right away to emergencies in high-risk patients.

The strength of local clinics is that one-on-one consultations between doctor and patient can continue over enough time to allow fine adjustments, and patients tend to be highly satisfied with the cosmetic aspects, such as shape, feel, and size.

In a way, you could say university hospitals handle the treatment side, while local clinics handle the aesthetic side. What's clear, though, is that both types of hospitals continue to treat reconstruction patients.

The same holds after surgery. University hospitals track the progress of breast surgery, including cancer treatment and recurrence, while local clinics monitor changes after reconstruction and work with patients on the care needed for a satisfying result.

Should I get my mastectomy and reconstruction done at once at a university hospital, or have the reconstruction later at a local clinic? I'm torn.

Here's a breast care doctor's tip for anyone who finds it hard to decide:

If a beautifully restored result is your top priority, consider a local plastic surgery clinic. If the infrastructure of the setting matters more than how fully the breast is restored, consider a university hospital.

Melon Breast Reconstruction | Why We Examine the Tissue First

When planning breast reconstruction surgery, the first priority is to review the patient's history and condition. We look at treatment history, whether there have been previous surgeries, and whether any treatment is still ongoing. We also check the extent of the breast removal, the amount of remaining tissue, skin thickness and elasticity, scar condition and adhesions, and blood flow.

After a mastectomy, we also carefully check whether the remaining skin is sufficient to cover an implant and how far the skin can be stretched. Even among people who received the same treatment, the capacity of the remaining tissue and skin to hold up varies from person to person.

If the skin lacks sufficient elasticity, staged breast reconstruction may be considered. If the skin and blood flow allow it, reconstruction can be completed in a single surgery. Implant size is selected with the condition of the skin and tissue in mind.

For patients who have received radiation therapy, fibrosis makes the skin firm and reduces its elasticity. Placing a large implant in this condition can increase the risk of rippling, where the edges or surface wrinkles of the implant become visible.

Once the changes and condition of the breast that occurred during cancer treatment have been thoroughly checked, the next step is to assess the physical conditions needed to shape the breast. In breast reconstruction consultations, we check not only the width and left-right height of the rib cage and the existing breast volume, but also any asymmetry in the shoulders, shoulder blades, and spine.

These physical conditions, along with the state of the skin and tissue, form the basis for implant selection. For example, implants of different sizes may be placed on each side to achieve balance. In Gangnam breast reconstruction care, what matters most is choosing an implant that can settle stably within the patient's breast tissue and designing the surgery around it.

The role of consultation at a breast reconstruction plastic surgery clinic is to thoroughly explain what can be restored within each patient's physical conditions, and where the limits are.

Melon Breast Reconstruction | What Happens After Surgery?

The advantage of breast reconstruction at a local clinic is that one breast care doctor handles everything from consultation through surgery to post-operative recovery care on a one-on-one basis, continuously monitoring the changes that occur during healing.

With implant-based breast reconstruction, you can't judge the result by the shape on the day of surgery. Swelling usually rises in the early stages and subsides over time, but it's good to know that the two breasts may settle at different rates.

At Melon, we view the consultation, surgery, and post-operative recovery care as one surgical journey. The same goes for breast reconstruction cases. We regard surgery as complete once the breasts have fully stabilized, and the breast care doctor personally manages the progress. This is because the most satisfying results come when the doctor personally and thoroughly monitors everything, from the reduction of swelling and pain, to the position of the implant, to changes in the capsule and in how the breast feels.

In post-operative recovery care, we provide compression garments adjusted to the speed of recovery, and check whether the implant is settling properly and how the surrounding tissue is healing. Rather than applying the same program to everyone, we provide the care that is needed at each stage.

One thing to keep in mind: if, after breast reconstruction, one breast suddenly swells to the point that it feels abnormal, feels hot, or is very painful, it could be an emergency, so tell your medical team right away.

From the initial consultation to surgery and recovery care, local breast reconstruction is one continuous surgical journey

At Melon, we call the process from consultation through surgery to post-operative recovery care the “surgical journey.” Breast cosmetic surgery takes shape through consistent monitoring and care, and the fact that it isn't over once you leave the operating room is the core of Melon's surgical journey.

This is especially true for breast reconstruction. We believe that when the doctor you spoke with during consultation performs the surgery and stays with you through recovery, the surgical plan you originally designed is more likely to become reality.

When choosing a local breast reconstruction plastic surgery clinic, don't just ask whether they can perform the surgery. It's also worth checking who makes the diagnosis and performs the surgery, whether the doctor has breast reconstruction experience, and whether one person oversees the entire process.

Local Breast Reconstruction | Rebuilding Not Just the Breast, but Everyday Life

Breast reconstruction doesn't restore only the breast. As it rebuilds lost volume, it also has the power to rebuild how you see yourself, your comfort in everyday life, and your confidence in relationships.

If the shape of the breast was altered during cancer treatment, concerns about your breast can remain even after you have overcome the cancer.

If you have unresolved concerns about your breasts, talk to your doctor and check your current condition first. We will be with you on this surgical journey, from consultation through surgery to long-term follow-up care.

Thank you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get breast reconstruction at a university hospital or a local clinic?

It depends on your priorities. The post suggests considering a local plastic surgery clinic if achieving the most beautiful possible restoration is your priority, and a university hospital if the infrastructure of the setting matters more.

Can I have breast reconstruction done in one go at a university hospital?

Yes. The post explains that university hospitals can perform immediate reconstruction, in which the mastectomy and breast reconstruction are carried out together. Their infrastructure to respond immediately to emergencies in high-risk patients is also presented as an advantage.

What is checked before breast reconstruction surgery?

The first things reviewed are treatment history, whether previous surgery was performed, and whether any treatment remains. The post also covers the extent of breast removal, remaining tissue, skin thickness and elasticity, scar condition and adhesions, and blood flow. It adds that for patients who have had radiation therapy, the skin may harden, which increases the risk of rippling with large implants.

Can I tell the result from the breast shape right after surgery?

No. The shape on the day of surgery doesn't show the final result. Swelling usually rises early on and subsides over time, and the two breasts may settle at different rates.

Are there any warning signs after breast reconstruction that count as an emergency?

Yes. If one breast suddenly swells so much that it feels abnormal, feels hot, or is very painful, it may be an emergency, and you should tell your medical team immediately.

What should I check when choosing a local breast reconstruction clinic?

Rather than only asking whether surgery is possible, it's good to check who makes the diagnosis and performs the surgery, whether the doctor has breast reconstruction experience, and whether one person oversees the entire process.