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Matching A Natural Breast
When it comes to breast reconstruction, the Naperville-based Dr. John Bull believes that the surgery is one of the most rewarding procedures he performs. He strives to deliver the best breast reconstruction Naperville has to offer. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for him to construct a breast that can come very close in form and appearance to matching a natural breast, creating new opportunities and improving quality of life for patients from the Western Chicago area and beyond. The breast reconstruction process is typically rather lengthy, but can help a patient to feel confident and feminine after mastectomy surgery to remove one or both breasts. In many situations, Dr. Bull can provide his breast reconstruction patients with this surgery directly following a mastectomy. As a result of combining the two surgeries into one session, the mastectomy/breast reconstruction patient wakes up from anesthesia with a breast “mound” already in place, bypassing the emotional experience of seeing herself with no breast or breasts at all.
Renew Your Self-Confidence
As soon as you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you can begin talking about breast reconstruction. The best way forward is for your oncologist, the surgeon performing the mastectomy, and Dr. Bull to work together to develop a strategy and plan that will put you in the best possible condition for breast reconstruction. After evaluating you and discussing your goals, Dr. Bull will explain which options are most appropriate for you. Breast cancer and mastectomy can be very sensitive topics, but be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Bull. Being open and honest will allow him to get the best idea possible about what you hope to achieve, as well as set your expectations accordingly. Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction can improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence, but it is important to know that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.
Dr. Bull will also explain the anesthesia required for your specific breast reconstruction procedure. Usually general anesthesia is necessary for reconstruction of the breast mound. In many cases, health insurance policies will cover most or all of the cost of post-mastectomy reconstruction. The breast reconstruction itself is completed in stages after the breast is removed. First, Dr. Bull reconstructs the breast mound. Depending on the technique he is applying, he will make the new nipple and areola during a second operation scheduled at least three months after the initial breast reconstruction. This is done so that the tissues can heal and settle into a natural position.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment for breast reconstruction for Naperville, all of Western Chicago, and beyond. Call (630) 339-4555, or send a message online.
A Positive Perspective
Most mastectomy patients are appropriate candidates for breast reconstruction, and many are able to have their breast reconstruction at the same time that their breast is removed. The best candidates, however, are women whose cancer, as far as can be determined, appears to have been successfully removed by the mastectomy.
Women with other health conditions—such as obesity or high blood pressure—or a history of smoking may be advised to wait and let their body fully heal before having breast reconstruction. In any case, being informed of your breast reconstruction options before surgery can help you prepare for a mastectomy with a more optimistic outlook for the future. Such a positive perspective can have physical benefits, too, by lowering stress levels, which in turn promotes healing.
Visit our photo gallery to see the results possible with plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments at The John Bull Center in Western Chicago.
View More“Doctor Bull and the office staff are very kind and comforting. I feel like they listen thoroughly and have your best interest in mind.”*
- Jennifer, Patient
*Individual Results May Vary
Other Options
Dr. John Bull is a very experienced plastic surgeon, especially when it comes to breast surgery. His work on a range of procedures—including breast augmentation, breast lifts, and breast reduction—allow him to create natural-looking breasts for mastectomy patients. He can also employ the techniques from these other procedures in his breast reconstruction surgeries. Some Naperville breast reconstruction patients, for example, may have one breast rebuilt and the other reduced or augmented. No matter what, the goal is customization so that patients feel comfortable and confident with their silhouette.
It is likely that you will feel tired and sore for a week or two after reconstruction. Your discomfort can be controlled by medications prescribed by Dr. Bull or your breast surgeon. Depending on the procedure, you will be released from the hospital in one to five days. Many reconstruction options require a surgical drain to remove excess fluids from surgical sites immediately following the operation. These drains are removed within the first week or two after surgery.
Usually, the stitches are under the skin and dissolvable and the incisions are covered and protected with an adhesive tape for up to two weeks to help the incisions heal. It may take you up to six weeks to recover from a combined mastectomy and reconstruction. Reconstruction cannot restore normal sensation to your breast, but in time, some feeling may return. Most scars will fade substantially over time, though it may take as long as one to two years. Follow Dr. Bull’s advice on post care and returning to normal activities as this varies depending on the exact procedure performed and each individual’s healing process.
It is quite likely that your reconstructed breast will not have the same contour as your original breast, nor will it exactly match your opposite breast. Many of our Naperville breast reconstruction patients find that these differences are apparent only to them and no one else. For some mastectomy patients who have only one breast removed, Dr. Bull will also alter the size or shape of the remaining breast so that it better matches the newly constructed breast.
Board-certified and highly accomplished plastic surgeon Dr. John Bull is not just committed to providing beautiful cosmetic surgery results in a safe and comforting environment. He also wants every patient to feel heard, understood, and confident in their choice.
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To schedule your consultation and learn more about breast reconstruction cost, results, and other details in Naperville and the Western suburbs of Chicago, please contact us online or call The John Bull Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Medispa at (630) 339-4555.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you! Call us, send an online message, or stop by our offices to talk to a member of our team and arrange a consultation.
1307 Macom Drive, Naperville, IL 60564