Breast Reconstruction in Inverness, Illinois (IL)

The loss of one or both of your breasts from cancer-related mastectomy can be devastating, but reconstruction surgery is available to restore the appearance of your breasts and nipples. Breast reconstruction can involve a combination of implants, transplanted tissue, and medical tattooing to achieve physically and aesthetically pleasing results.

How breast reconstruction is performed

There are two types of breast reconstruction—implant reconstruction that uses silicone or saline implants placed under your chest muscle, and autologous/flap reconstruction that uses transplanted tissue from other areas of your body to recreate your breasts.

Breast reconstruction surgery can involve one or both of these techniques, and can be done during your mastectomy or in later surgeries. Your health team will help you decide which options are best for you.

Breast implant reconstruction
can be a shorter and less complex surgery, and may be a better option if you want to avoid the extra incisions and scarring from flap reconstruction. It may be difficult matching your implant with your natural breast, and implants can sometimes cause future complications. It’s not unusual to require some type of revision or implant replacement surgery after ten years or so.


Autologous/flap reconstruction
can produce a more natural feeling breast, and most women won’t need any future surgeries. Flap reconstruction surgery is more involved though; it requires tissue to be transplanted from areas such as your abdomen or buttocks to your chest. This can mean more scarring and a longer recovery.

Nipple and areola reconstruction

Nipple and areola reconstruction is performed by making small incisions at the site of your nipple and building up the tissue with careful stitching. Your areolas, (the darker circular areas around your nipples), can be recreated with medical tattooing for a very convincing appearance.

Recovery after surgery

Recovery after breast reconstruction may be a significant determining factor in your decision, especially after the difficulty of undergoing breast cancer treatment and mastectomy. Breast implant reconstruction typically has a shorter recovery time compared to autologous/flap reconstruction, but your pain, discomfort, and down-time can vary. Your surgeon can help you with recovery expectations.

Costs

Breast reconstruction is usually covered by health insurance. Factors such as your area, surgeon, and any related anesthesia or facility fees may affect costs. You can speak with your health insurance provider and surgeon to learn what is covered and what your best options are.  


About Christopher Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgery, Ltd. offers a full array of reconstructive and aesthetic surgical procedures. Dr. Christopher Pelletiere performs the full spectrum of plastic surgery procedures including hand surgery, reconstruction after trauma or cancer, skin cancer treatment and repair, burn treatment, wound reconstruction, and the full spectrum of aesthetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical.

Consultations are available Monday through Friday, depending on the schedule and request. There is a fee for consultations; however, this is waived if surgery is scheduled. There is no time limit during consultations, or even follow-up visits, since each visit is very personal in nature. Patients are never rushed and are encouraged to take as much time as they need when discussing their problems, surgery, follow-up, etc. All consultations are done with the doctors themselves - there are no patient coordinators, aesthetic consultants, etc. that come between you and the doctors.

Surgery is performed in our in-office surgical suite, a day-surgery center, or a local hospital, depending on the health of the patient, the extent of the procedure, and the type of anesthesia required.
For reconstructive procedures, we are contracted with most insurance companies. For those companies we are not contracted with, we will still work with them to ensure that the majority of a patient's reconstructive work is paid by insurance and not the patient.

For aesthetic procedures, payment in full is due on the day of surgery.

As a practice, we believe that mutual trust, respect, and attention to detail are critical for providing the optimal surgical result for each patient. We also believe in patient privacy and strict confidentiality. We do not advertise in magazines, newspapers, etc. - we let word of mouth from our patients be our referral base, since excellent work and patient rapport speaks much more than any advertisement can. We take pride in the fact that we have an extraordinarily high number of returning patients, with a patient base that encompasses not only the entire Chicago area, but also nationally and internationally, from Europe to South America.

Featured Specialist for Breast Reconstruction in Inverness, IL

Christopher Pelletiere, MD

Call Now: (847) 496-0733
1602 Colonial Parkway

Inverness, IL 60067

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