Oncoplastic

Breast Surgery

is a combination of the best and latest techniques in plastic surgery and surgery for

Breast Cancer

. The aim is to provide the best cosmetic outcome. At the time of a lumpectomy, the plastic surgeon will perform a bilateral breast reduction or lift, removing breast tissue from the cancerous breast as well as modifying the normal breast. These procedures generally involve an incision around the nipple and areola, a vertical incision from the nipple to the lower fold of the breast, and a horizontal incision in the fold of the breast. Sometimes surgeons have difficulty preserving blood supply to the nipple during surgery. In these cases, a “free nipple graft” is the only way the nipple may be preserved. This involves removing the nipple and replacing it after the breast reduction or lift is complete. The disadvantage of this procedure is the resulting nipple numbness and inability to lactate. This technique is used only as a last resort if your surgeon feels that the nipple may not be saved otherwise. You should talk to your surgeon about this prior to the procedure.