Breast Surgery Options
Personalized, Comprehensive Care — From Cancer Treatment to Restoration
Being told you need breast surgery can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to provide expert cancer care while preserving your sense of self, comfort, and confidence. We offer the full spectrum of breast surgical options — from minimally invasive lumpectomy to advanced reconstruction — all guided by your goals, your health, and your values.
Our breast surgeons and plastic surgeons work together as a unified team, ensuring that oncologic safety and cosmetic outcomes are addressed simultaneously, not as an afterthought.
Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy)
A lumpectomy removes the breast cancer along with a small rim of surrounding normal tissue, allowing most of the breast to remain intact. This approach is often combined with radiation therapy and provides excellent long-term cancer control for many patients.
Minimally Invasive & Hidden Scar™ Techniques
Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive, cosmetically sensitive approaches that do not compromise cancer outcomes. When appropriate, incisions are carefully placed in natural skin creases — such as along the areola or beneath the breast fold — to minimize visible scarring. This is often referred to as a Hidden Scar™ approach.
Not every patient is a candidate for this technique, but your surgeon will evaluate whether it is appropriate for you.
Oncoplastic Surgery
When a larger area of tissue must be removed, our surgeons may use oncoplastic techniques to reshape the remaining breast tissue at the time of lumpectomy. This helps prevent contour irregularities or indentations and allows the breast to maintain a natural appearance.
Oncoplastic surgery may be performed by your breast surgeon alone or in collaboration with a plastic surgeon, depending on the complexity of the case.
Mastectomy (With or Without Reconstruction)
A mastectomy involves removal of the entire breast. For many patients, reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy, though this is always optional.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
In select patients, a nipple-sparing mastectomy may be an option. This technique preserves the nipple and areola while removing the underlying breast tissue, often resulting in a more natural appearance after reconstruction. Incisions are typically placed in discreet locations to reduce visible scarring.
Your surgical team will carefully determine whether this approach is oncologically safe for you.
Choosing to Go Flat
Many women choose mastectomy without reconstruction, sometimes referred to as “going flat.” Our surgeons are specifically trained in aesthetic flat closure techniques to ensure the chest wall heals smoothly and comfortably, often in a single operation.
Breast Reconstruction Options
If you choose reconstruction, our board-certified plastic surgeons offer both implant-based and tissue-based reconstruction, using the most advanced techniques available.
Implant-Based Reconstruction
Implant reconstruction replaces the breast tissue with a silicone or saline implant. This may be done in one of two ways:
- Two-stage reconstruction, starting with a temporary tissue expander placed at the time of mastectomy and later exchanged for a permanent implant
- Direct-to-implant reconstruction, where a permanent implant is placed at the time of mastectomy in selected patients
Your plastic surgeon will guide you through the options based on your anatomy, treatment plan, and personal preferences.
Tissue-Based (Flap) Reconstruction
Tissue-based reconstruction uses your own tissue to recreate the breast. The most common approach is the DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator), which uses excess abdominal tissue while preserving muscle strength.
These procedures are performed by highly specialized microvascular surgeons and can provide natural appearance and long-lasting results. Other flap options may be available depending on your anatomy and prior treatments.
Advanced Lymphedema Prevention & Treatment
Lymphedema — swelling caused by lymphatic disruption — is a concern for some patients undergoing lymph node surgery. Our program offers lymphovenous bypass techniques that may be performed at the time of cancer surgery or later for treatment.
This advanced microsurgical approach can help:
- Reduce the risk of developing lymphedema
- Improve symptoms in patients who already have lymphedema
Not all patients are candidates, but evaluation is available as part of our comprehensive care model.
Nipple Sensation Preservation
Where appropriate, we offer nipple sensation–preserving techniques designed to maintain nerve pathways during mastectomy and reconstruction. While sensation outcomes vary, these approaches reflect our commitment to addressing not just cancer control, but quality of life and long-term well-being.
Axillary (Lymph Node) Surgery
Some patients require lymph node surgery as part of breast cancer treatment. This is typically performed through a small incision in the underarm.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy removes only a few key lymph nodes
- Axillary lymph node dissection removes more lymph nodes when necessary
Your surgeon will explain whether lymph node surgery is needed in your case and discuss the risks, benefits, and modern strategies to minimize side effects.
A Team-Based, Individualized Approach
No two patients — and no two cancers — are the same. Your treatment plan will be developed collaboratively by breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and supportive care specialists, with you at the center of every decision.
We are here not only to treat breast cancer, but to help you heal — physically and emotionally — with confidence and compassion.