What is Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction?

Oncoplastic reconstruction is breast reconstruction technique which optimizes healing when a lumpectomy (or partial mastectomy) is performed in a larger, droopy breast. Essentially, it offers patients the benefits of a breast lift or reduction while removing only part of the breast that contains cancer. By preserving your breast tissue, this can lead to quicker physical and emotional healing. There are many benefits associated with having oncoplastic breast reconstruction surgery at the same time as a lumpectomy. These include:

  • Breast reconstruction is performed at the time of lumpectomy, in one surgery
  • Is ideal in women with larger breast volume who would benefit from a breast reduction or breast lift
  • Preserves a woman’s natural breast tissue, while removing only the cancerous area

Who is a Good Candidate for Oncoplastic Reconstruction?

Patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and who would like to reduce the size of their breasts during lumpectomy can often benefit from oncoplastic surgery. However, women with small breasts or those who have undergone multiple lumpectomies may not be eligible. The best way to determine if this surgery is right for you is through a consultation at our office.

Oncoplastic Reconstruction Before & After

Breast reconstruction surgery is often a life-changing experience for our patients. Our goal is to help our patients feel whole again after undergoing breast cancer treatment. View our gallery to learn more about the various reconstructive surgeries performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons at Tucson Plastic Surgery.

View More Oncoplastic Reconstruction Results

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Oncoplastic Reconstruction Procedure

Oncoplastic surgery usually begins with a lumpectomy. During this procedure, your surgeon will remove the tumor and possibly the lymph nodes. The plastic surgeon will then perform a BREAST REDUCTION or breast lift, removing cancerous tissues from the breast as well as modifying the healthy breast. There are a variety of oncoplastic surgery techniques, depending on the patient’s health, the type of cancer they have, and the desired outcome. Some of the most commonly used techniques include:

Local Advancement Flap

During this technique, a local advancement flap is used which allows surgeons to take the remaining tissue after the tumor has been removed and use it to reconstruct the breast. This results in no additional defects to the breast for a more natural-looking result.

Bilateral Breast Lift

This procedure is a minimal form of the bilateral breast reduction and is a good option for those who do not want a significant change in the shape and size of their breasts. During this procedure, only tissue from the original excision is removed. Tissue from the other breast is also removed to ensure symmetry between the two breasts.

Bilateral Breast Reduction

In cases where a lumpectomy is performed on only one breast, it can lead to asymmetry between the two breasts. During a bilateral breast reduction, the healthy breast is altered in shape and size as well to match the appearance of the breast that underwent a lumpectomy.

Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

For women with advanced-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy may be needed. In these cases, a skin-sparing mastectomy can help to conserve the appearance of the breast. During this procedure, breast skin, nipples, and areola are removed. Then, the breast tissue is taken out through the same incision. The breast will then be reconstructed using the removed skin, nipple, and areola for a more natural outcome.

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Reviews

You could not dream of a better team than Tucson Plastic Surgery. From the minute you walk in the door, every person you encounter is compassionate and welcoming. For going thro...

— CC

You could not dream of a better team than Tucson Plastic Surgery. From the minute you walk in the door, every person you encounter is compassionate and welcoming. For going through such a scary process, they were patient, informative, and made it so much easier to digest. It truly feels like you have a team fighting for your health and advocating for your well being. Both Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir are caring, confident, and masters of their craft. Doctors and nurses alike were there at the drop of a hat for any issues that arose post-op, and were always more than happy to take calls/emails and reassure me. I felt extremely taken care of and cannot recommend them enough. Bonus: their advocacy efforts are commendable and the office is gorgeous! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The office is beautiful and the staff were very welcoming. I felt instantly at ease with Dr. Mahabir. He listened carefully to my concerns and answered all of my questions. My s...

— DP

The office is beautiful and the staff were very welcoming. I felt instantly at ease with Dr. Mahabir. He listened carefully to my concerns and answered all of my questions. My surgery results were better than I would ever expected. I highly recommend Tucson Plastic Surgery.

I cannot say enough about the level of care and concern from the team at this facility. They were all so kind and patient as they helped me achieve the results I wanted post mas...

— JM

I cannot say enough about the level of care and concern from the team at this facility. They were all so kind and patient as they helped me achieve the results I wanted post mastectomy. They made the experience so much less traumatic then I had anticipated. I was stunned at how amazing I looked post surgery. I would HIGHLY recommend both doctors! They are amazing!

I had the pleasure of working with both Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir for my mastectomy to implant reconstruction and revision with fat grafting. I cannot say enough about Dr. Ku...

— KP

I had the pleasure of working with both Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir for my mastectomy to implant reconstruction and revision with fat grafting. I cannot say enough about Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir along with Virgina and the rest of the Tucson Plastic Surgery staff during what was certainly a fast and frightening year of my life. Both surgeons and staff were so positive, reassuring and compassionate from the minute I walked in for my first consultation. Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir put my nerves at ease with their warm care and attention to detail in every aspect of their practice. I was lucky to have both surgeons of this amazing practice be the lead surgeon of my two procedures. I am so thankful to Tucson Plastic Surgery and the work they do. I am extremely happy with the results, and I can safely say with the help, support and guidance of Dr. Kurtovic, Dr Mahabir and Tucson Plastic Surgery, I’m ready for the next year and to be on the other side. I cannot thank you enough for your care and gratitude.

Met with Dr. Mahabir to discuss reconstruction options. Walking into his lobby, my husband and I immediately found comfort as the area is inviting and beautifully designed!! The...

— MR

Met with Dr. Mahabir to discuss reconstruction options. Walking into his lobby, my husband and I immediately found comfort as the area is inviting and beautifully designed!! The rooms are just as beautiful and tranquil. I loved his confidence and his knowledge in breast reconstruction. He gave me my options and we selected 2! Double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (implants), once I finish chemo, we'll go back in for my final surgery (DIEP flap). Dr. Mahabir was professional, kind and compassionate which is what you want from your surgeon! His staff were also very welcoming and kind. I highly recommend Dr. Mahabir for your reconstruction needs!!

What an amazing surgeon and staff. Dr Mahabir and Nicole Baca were awesome!! My experience with a breast reduction/reconstruction due to breast cancer 17 years ago was perfectio...

— KL

What an amazing surgeon and staff. Dr Mahabir and Nicole Baca were awesome!! My experience with a breast reduction/reconstruction due to breast cancer 17 years ago was perfection. I'm so happy with the results and I'm just 6 weeks out. Did a Tummy Tuck for fun and can't wait to see final results in a few months. Fabulous all the way around from scheduling, to surgery to post op visits. Worth the 5 hour round trip drive from N Scottsdale to Tucson. Thank you...happy beyond words!

Both Dr. Mahabir and Dr. Kurtovic are health care providers who care for patients with dignity, and quality care. My mom was Dr Mahabir's patient, and she was treated with respe...

— AS

Both Dr. Mahabir and Dr. Kurtovic are health care providers who care for patients with dignity, and quality care. My mom was Dr Mahabir's patient, and she was treated with respect, humility and patience as we were trying to understand reconstructive surgery after my mom's breast cancer diagnosis. I am in deep appreciation for Dr. Mahabir and the care he provided to my mom; he practiced active listening, and treated both of us as human beings (something you rarely see in the health care system; especially, managing a cancer diagnosis). All staff at Tucson Plastic Surgery, since the moment you walk in are attentive to patients' needs. Both my mom and I felt welcomed and in positive spirits as soon we walked into Tucson Plastic Surgery's space. I am specially grateful for Virginia Van, Patient Care Coordinator at Tucson Plastic Surgery for always answering our questions promptly, and making sure we fully understood everything regarding my mom's care pre and post surgery. After the cancer diagnosis, every visit with Dr. Mahabir became a positive experience, and a break from the myriad of testing and doctor visits my mom and I had to attend. Tucson Plastic Surgery created a space for my mom and I to find relief and look forward to a life after cancer. Thank you for all your work!

Highly recommend Dr. Mahabir and his team! He listens well, is excellent at what he does and overall my experience was nothing but positive.

— IH

Highly recommend Dr. Mahabir and his team! He listens well, is excellent at what he does and overall my experience was nothing but positive.

Tucson plastic surgery has been so kind to me. From the ladies at the front desk to the surgeons. I felt extremely comfortable around them all. Very professional.

— TR

Tucson plastic surgery has been so kind to me. From the ladies at the front desk to the surgeons. I felt extremely comfortable around them all. Very professional.

I saw Dr. Mahabir for reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy. His skills are unsurpassed-- I couldn't be happier. His staff is also fantastic: warm, welcoming, knowled...

— SL

I saw Dr. Mahabir for reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy. His skills are unsurpassed-- I couldn't be happier. His staff is also fantastic: warm, welcoming, knowledgeable. Ten stars.

Nothing but good things! Dr. Mahabir and his staff have been wonderful throughout my surgeries and recovery. I had a preventative double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction ...

— JC

Nothing but good things! Dr. Mahabir and his staff have been wonderful throughout my surgeries and recovery. I had a preventative double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in June and just this week had an implant exchange. The pre-care and after care has been nothing short of excellent!

I won’t have enough room to say everything good I have to say. Dr Mahabir changed my life. I have lived with neck and upper back pain for over 20 years. It’s gone no...

— DL

I won’t have enough room to say everything good I have to say. Dr Mahabir changed my life. I have lived with neck and upper back pain for over 20 years. It’s gone now. Gone. Thanks to not taking advil for the pain my GERD is gone now too. As a side benefit one of the supplements I was given for better surgery outcomes has virtually eliminated my post nasal drip due to allergies. There is virtually no scars tissue from the procedure. The only thing left after three months are red lines. Much less than I was told to expect. On my skin these red lines will be gone on less than a year. My only regret is that is did not do this procedure sooner. This office is so professional. Staff answer calls immediately. I never felt like I couldn’t call and get answers to questions or concerns. The recovery was a breeze and I did listen to Dr M when he told me not to over do things because I felt so great. I followed directions with great care and had an incredible outcome. Dr M has a detailed preparation and post op protocol. He really knows what he is doing.

Oncoplastic Reconstruction Recovery Process 4-6 Weeks

Recovery from oncoplastic breast reconstruction surgery will vary depending on the procedure performed. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on how to best care for your surgery sites during recovery, as well as how to properly take any medications. Do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any post-surgery questions or concerns.

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Silvia Kurtovic, MD & Raman Mahabir, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we have a patient-centric approach that sets us apart from the rest. We take the time to really get to know you and your aesthetic goals during one-on-one conversations which help us to fully understand your motivations.

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