• Mommy Makeover
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Asymmetry
• Inverted Nipple
• Breast Cancer
• Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
• Reduction Mammoplasty
• Gynecomastia

Glossary

ALTERNATIVE BREAST IMPLANTS
Implants that have different exterior shells and are filled with different materials.

ANESTHESIA
A loss of feeling or sensation as a result of drugs or gasses. General anesthetic causes loss of consciousness (puts you to sleep). Local and regional anesthesia numbs only a certain area and makes the patient comfortable.

AREOLA
The darker area surrounding the nipple.

BREAST CONSERVATION SURGERY
Procedure aimed at removing a breast cancer and a small area of normal tissue around the cancer without removing any other parts of the breast. Lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed and radiation therapy is often given after the surgery.

BREAST IMPLANT
A sac used to increase breast size or restore the contour of the breast after mastectomy. Because of the concern about possible (but as yet unproven) side effects of silicone implants, they are currently available only to women who agree to take part in the study (Clinical Trial).

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY
Rebuilds the breast contour after mastectomy. A breast implant or the woman’s own tissue is used. If desired, the nipple and areola may also be reconstructed. Reconstruction cam be done at the time of the mastectomy or at a later date.

CAPSULAR CONTRACTION
Scar tissue formation around the implant that tightens and squeezes the implant. We have basically 4 grades of contraction – Grades 1 through 4 (that range from normal and soft to hard, painful and distorted)

DELAYED RECONSTRUCTION
Delayed reconstructive breast surgery is done at later date; not at the time of the original mastectomy surgery.

FREE FLAP PROCEDURES
The tissue for reconstruction is moved entirely from another area of the body and the blood and nerve supply is surgically reattached with special microscopes.

GYNECOMASTIA
An abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in the male.

HEREDITARY
A condition that is inherited from your parents or other family members

IMPLANT LEAKAGE
The release of the fluid within the breast implant following damage to the outer shell of the implant.

IMMEDIATE OR ONE STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Reconstructive breast surgery that is done at the same time as the mastectomy when an entire breast is removed.

LATTISIMUS DORSI FLAP
Procedure tunnels muscle, fat and skin from the upper back to recreate a breast mound.

MAMMOPLASTY
A surgical alteration of the breast.

MASTECTOMY
Excision or removal of the breast.

MASTOPEXY
A surgical procedure to lift and mold the breast.

MEDICAL TATTOOING
The implantation of a sterile dye into the skin to resemble the dark skin surrounding the nipple.

MICROVASCULAR SURGERY
Procedure that uses microscopes and fine surgical instruments to reattach blood and nerve supply to tissues.

NECROSIS
Cell death from lack of blood supply to tissue.

NERVE
an anatomical feature which sends the sensation of touch to the area that it is connected to.

NIPPLE AREOLA COMPLEX
The nipple and the surrounding dark skin.

NIPPLE AREOLAR RECONSTRUCTION
The reconstruction of the nipple and the surrounding dark skin (areola).

NOT OPERATED ON LOOK
The natural appearance attained to the skin or soft tissue following an operative procedure.

OUTPATIENT
The surgery is performed and the patient goes home the same day.

PATHOLOGIC EXAMINATION
A microscopic examination of tissue to rule out any unwanted conditions

PECTORALIS MUSCLE
The chest wall muscle that extends from the middle of the chest to each shoulder.

PEDICLE
A segment of tissue whose purpose is to introduce tissue for reconstruction.

PTOSIS
Breast sagging

SALINE SOLUTION
A sterile nontoxic salt water solution.

SALINE FILLED IMPLANT
has an external silicone shell and is filled with sterile saline (salt water)

SCALE OF 1 TO 10
The current pain scale used in most health care settings. 1 represents no pain and 10 would represent severe pain

SENSATION
The ability to feel pressure to touch. The amount of sensation will vary from area to area on the reconstructed breast.

SILICONE GEL FILLED IMPLANT
Synthetic material used in breast implants. Because of its flexibility, strength and texture, it is similar to the natural breast. Silicone gel breast implants are available for women who have had breast cancer surgery, but only if they participate in a clinical trial.

SKIN SPARING MASTECTOMY
A new procedure to save as much of the skin while making sure the margins of the specimen are free of cancer cells and to allow for less scarring in reconstruction of the breast tissue either with an implant or tissue flap.

SUSPENSION SUTURE TECHNIQUE
The suture used to recreate the fold beneath the breast, so as to give an over all well contoured reconstructed breast mound.

SYMPTOMS
The physical signs caused by a certain condition. Ex. Bra strap irritation is a symptom of enlarged breast.

TRAM FLAP RECONSTRUCTION
The use of the skin, fat and muscular tissue in the lower abdomen for breast reconstruction.

TISSUE FLAP RECONSTRUCTION
Tissue that is surgically removed from a reconstruction or in another area of the body, it can be a pedicle (attached) or free flap (unattached) Transverse rectus abdomenis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap uses extra tissue and muscles from the lower tummy wall to reconstruct a breast mound.

TISSUE EXPANSION, TWO STAGE RECONSTRUCTION
A two step procedure that is performed if your skin and tissue wall are tight and flat. An implant tissue expander is placed beneath the skin and chest wall muscle. It is like a balloon that inflates with saline over time and the implant is surgically placed when the desired fullness of the expander is achieved.