Breast reconstruction is one of Dr. Larson’s greatest passions. He stays up-to-date on the latest techniques, has studied under pioneers in the field, and is the only plastic surgeon in Tucson that is fellowship-trained in microsurgical reconstruction.
When our Tucson patients meet Dr. Larson for the first time for breast reconstruction, they are going through an emotionally and physically challenging time in their lives.
Whether you have survived a traumatic accident or are facing a recent cancer diagnosis, Dr. Larson understands your journey. You can rest assured that our entire office will deliver compassionate care and the highest level of service as we help you restore your body.
Dr. Larson offers two primary breast reconstruction surgical options to his Tucson patients: the DIEP flap and breast implants. During your initial consultation, he will thoroughly explain each of these approaches and help you determine which one is in your best interest, depending on your physique, needs and preferences.
The DIEP flap procedure is a form of microsurgical breast reconstruction. Although it is extremely safe and produces exceptionally natural results, only a very elite group of surgeons know how to perform the procedure. Dr. Larson is the only surgeon in Tucson who is fellowship-trained in the technique.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction is a highly effective way to restore your breasts after a mastectomy, but it’s not right for every patient. If you are very thin, have small blood vessels, or have already had certain abdominal surgeries (such as a tummy tuck), you may not be a candidate for the procedure. During your initial consultation at our Tucson office, Dr. Larson will assess your anatomy and review your medical history to help you determine your candidacy.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction involves taking fat, skin and blood vessels from the lower belly and transferring them to the chest to rebuild natural-looking breasts. The approach frequently spares the muscles completely, so our patients recover more quickly and retain more abdominal strength when compared to other flap reconstruction options.
Many of our Tucson clients choose to have their breasts reconstructed using silicone or saline implants like a breast augmentation. This procedure can take place at the same time as a mastectomy or at a later date. Dr. Larson offers both pre-pectoral and retro-pectoral reconstruction. He will help you to choose which of these is right for you.
If enough breast tissue is present to camouflage your implants, Dr. Larson can simply place them beneath the chest muscle after the cancerous tissue has been removed. In this case, you will only need one surgery – which is a substantial perk for many of our Tucson clients.
However, if a large amount of skin needed to be removed, or you simply want time to heal and process your experience before reconstructing your breasts, your procedure will need to be done in stages. First, Dr. Larson will insert a tissue expander in your chest, which is designed to stretch the skin to ensure ample room for the implant. This process typically takes about two to six months to complete, at which point you will have another procedure to place the final implants.
Dr. Ethan Larson is celebrated throughout Tucson for his unmatched technical skill and the breadth of his knowledge. By embracing innovation at every turn, he continues to raise the bar in Southern Arizona for top-quality cosmetic care. Known as one of the best plastic surgeons Tucson has to offer, he is highly trained and experienced in all aspects of plastic surgery, including reconstruction of traumatic, oncologic and surgical defects. Dr. Larson is Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and is also a member of the Arizona Community Surgeons (ACS) group.
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In some cases, revision surgery of previous breast reconstruction is necessary. The surgery can be performed to fine-tune, enhance or correct the results of your first reconstruction or to address side effects such as scar tissue or to improve the appearance of your reconstructed breast or breasts.
About three months after a breast reconstruction surgery, second revision surgery may be performed. If your reconstruction was done using an implant, the tissue expander placed during your first surgery will need to be exchanged for an implant. Your doctor will also perform other steps to maximize results and enhance the cosmetic appearance of your breasts. If only one breast was reconstructed, this is the time for your doctor to take steps to ensure your breasts are symmetrical. In other words, your breast reconstruction revision surgery is the final step taken to make sure you get the best possible results, and you are fully satisfied.
If you have previously undergone breast reconstruction surgery from another surgeon and have noticed imperfections, you may be a candidate for corrective surgery. If you are experiencing any of the following after a breast reconstruction surgery, you may want to consult with Dr. Larson regarding a breast reconstruction revision in Tucson:
Breast reconstruction revision surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure, performed under local or general anesthetic. The length of your surgery will vary depending on what needs to be revised, but in most cases, you can return home the same day and will be able to return to your usual activities within two to three days.
