Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction has been shown to improve the emotional well-being of patients who have had mastectomies. Our goal at Weill Cornell Medicine is to make you feel whole and complete again and to allow you to continue your journey without constant reminders of your treatment.

Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons offer the most advanced breast reconstruction surgery options and techniques and have been leaders in the evolution of breast reconstruction. Nipple-sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction have been performed at Weill Cornell Medicine for the past 20 years, and this experience has positioned us as leaders for this technique. From the preparation to the healing process, our team is here to support you throughout every step.

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine for Your Breast Surgery and Reconstruction?

Exemplary surgeons: Our surgeons are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery and our care team is equipped to promote your comfort throughout the process.

Individualized breast reconstruction for your unique body: Your body is uniquely yours. Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons are exemplary because of their ability to reconstruct the breast as each patient wishes.

Our multidisciplinary team helps patients of all races, ethnicities, genders and gender identities feel wholly themselves and confident in their appearance with breast reconstruction.

Weill Cornell Medicine partners with NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S.

Focus on your comfort: Our team prioritizes your comfort at every step in the process. Before your surgery, you will have time to ask your doctor questions so that you can fully understand what to expect with your procedure. In state-of-the-art surgical suites, our surgeons use the latest anesthetics and medications that help you recover more quickly and heal faster.

After the surgery, our care team will manage your pain with medication and teach you how to care for yourself as you heal and recover.

Breast Reconstruction Options

Almost all breast reconstructions are performed on the same day as the mastectomy. The breasts are reconstructed using your own skin tissue or with breast implants. Most patients leave the hospital within 24 hours of having implant-based reconstruction or 48 to 72 hours after completing a flap reconstruction. During a mastectomy procedure, the nerves that innervate the breast skin and nipple are removed resulting in diminished sensation. Breast reinnervation can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy and reconstruction to improve sensation.

Autologous reconstruction (your own tissue): This type of reconstruction uses your own tissue from different areas of your body to make the breast, which is then usually hidden under your breast skin. Nerves can be reconstructed to increase your sensory recovery in breasts, which may be numb after the mastectomy. We offer state-of-the-art breast reconstruction from all over the body, including the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. 

Breast Innervation during autologous reconstruction: The novel reinnervation procedure can be performed during breast reconstruction and only takes about 20 minutes. To reinnervate a reconstructed breast, a nerve in the abdominal flap is reconnected to a nerve in the chest. Preservation of the nipple and mastectomy skin sensation following mastectomy is associated with improved patient quality of life.

Breast Innervation during implant reconstruction: Our surgeons developed a new technique for breast reinnervation during expander and implant-based reconstruction. During the mastectomy, the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected to the breast skin and nipple. This has been shown to improve sensation and patient quality of life.

DIEP flap reconstruction: DIEP stands for “deep inferior epigastric perforator artery.” This is the artery that runs through the abdomen. DIEP flap reconstruction is an innovative breast reconstruction technique that uses a flap of complete tissue from your abdomen to reconstruct your breast. This procedure creates a slimmer abdomen and breasts that look and feel natural.

Implant-based reconstruction: We perform breast reconstruction using tissue expanders and implants based on your unique needs. Current practice guidelines discourage the use of textured implants, however we utilize both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers to best meet your clinical needs. We have pioneered techniques including direct-to-implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without use of drains.

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