Breast Reconstruction Surgery in Columbus

Name: Breast Reconstruction
Brand: pēkomd®
Rating: 4.9 (1019 reviews)

For patients who have undergone a mastectomy or breast removal surgery due to breast cancer, breast reconstruction surgery offers a path to restoring the natural appearance of the breasts. At pēkomd® in Columbus, Dr. Peter Koltz, a board-certified plastic surgeon, provides advanced breast reconstruction procedures to help patients regain their sense of femininity and self-confidence.

Restoring Your Natural Appearance

Breast reconstruction surgery can renew a patient’s self-image by recreating a natural-looking breast after mastectomy. Many patients experience significant physical, emotional, and psychological benefits from this procedure, making it a worthwhile option for the right candidates.

woman smiling with her hands on her hips

Benefits of Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery offers numerous benefits, including:

Restoring Natural Curves: Achieve aesthetically pleasing breast contours.
Enhancing Breast Size and Shape: Improve the overall appearance and symmetry of the breasts.
Recreating a Realistic Nipple: Reconstruct the nipple for a natural look.
Improving Physical Balance: Correct physical balance and body alignment.
Boosting Self-Esteem: Renew self-confidence and a sense of femininity.
Wearing Desired Clothing: Enjoy the freedom to wear swimsuits and form-fitting clothes.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Koltz considers the following factors to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for breast reconstruction surgery:

Having undergone a mastectomy
Desire to restore a natural breast appearance
Clearance from a physician as a cancer-free patient

Physical and emotional readiness for surgery
Commitment to the stages of reconstruction

Willingness to quit smoking for a specified period
Clear aesthetic goals and realistic expectations

Types of Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Koltz offers several breast reconstruction options in Columbus to cater to different needs and preferences:

Autologous Breast Reconstruction

This method uses the patient’s tissue from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, back, or buttocks, to create a new breast. This approach can offer more natural-looking results.

Breast Reconstruction with Implants

Breast implants are another option for reconstruction. This procedure can be performed in stages, starting with a tissue expander to prepare the area for the final implant.

Flap Surgery

Flap reconstruction involves using tissue from a donor site on the patient’s body to create a breast mound. Techniques such as DIEP flap, TRAM flap, gluteal flap, or latissimus dorsi flap may be used, depending on the patient’s needs and body type.

Before & After

Implant Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction Techniques

Implant-Based Reconstruction

For patients preferring implants, the reconstruction can be done in stages. Initially, a tissue expander is placed under the skin and muscle to stretch the area. Once sufficient space is created, the expander is replaced with a permanent implant. In some cases, a permanent expander can serve as the final implant, avoiding the need for a second surgery.

Flap Reconstruction

Flap reconstruction involves using tissue from other parts of the body to form a new breast. This technique is more invasive but can produce more natural results. Common flap techniques include:

DIEP Flap: Uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen, preserving the abdominal muscles.
TRAM Flap: Involves transferring muscle, fat, and skin from the abdomen.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap: Uses muscle, fat, and skin from the upper back.
Gluteal Flap: Harvests tissue from the buttocks.

Schedule Your Breast Reconstruction in Columbus

If you’re considering breast reconstruction surgery in Columbus, contact pēkomd® to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peter Koltz. Our team is here to support you through every step of your reconstruction journey, ensuring you achieve the best possible results.

Recovery and Results

Recovery time varies depending on the type of reconstruction. Implant-based procedures generally have a shorter recovery period, while flap reconstructions may require more time. Most patients can expect to return to work within two weeks, with full recovery taking about six to eight weeks.

woman looking over her shoulder and touching her arm with her hand

Secondary Breast Reconstruction: Solutions for Refined Results

Breast reconstruction doesn’t always end after the first procedure. Some patients may experience complications, unwanted scarring, implant issues, or simply desire more natural or refined outcomes, leading them to explore additional surgical options.

At pēkomd®, we specialize in secondary breast reconstruction, offering sophisticated techniques to improve, repair, or redo previous breast surgeries to achieve enhanced results.

One of the most advanced options available is the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap procedure. This technique uses tissue from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast, while sparing the abdominal muscles. Because it utilizes living tissue, the DIEP flap offers a soft, natural look with durable, long-lasting results, often outperforming implant-based methods.

Secondary reconstruction can also include:

Replacing implants with autologous tissue flaps, particularly when implants cause discomfort or complications
Correcting asymmetry or addressing radiation damage using advanced microsurgical methods
Hybrid techniques that combine implants with tissue flaps to add volume and enhance natural contours
Fat grafting (lipofilling) to improve shape, refine skin texture, and smooth out transitions

With two fellowship-trained microsurgeons on staff, pēkomd® offers unmatched expertise in Ohio for even the most complex revision cases. Our advanced microsurgical skills provide patients with the opportunity to achieve results that feel genuinely their own, helping them move forward with renewed confidence.

Revolutionizing Breast Reconstruction with Surgical Expertise

What makes pēkomd® stand out is its team of fellowship-trained microsurgeons, a rare distinction among practices. Microsurgery requires a high level of precision to reconnect tiny blood vessels and nerves under a microscope, a skill vital for successful breast reconstruction. This level of expertise is especially important for free-flap procedures, where a patient’s own tissue is used to create a natural, durable breast.

Dr. Peter Koltz, based in Toledo, furthered his education with a fellowship at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. He spent two additional years in clinical research, ensuring he stays at the forefront of the latest surgical innovations. His dual fellowship background allows him to tackle even the most complex cases with both technical expertise and an artistic approach. Dr. Koltz’s exceptional work has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Joseph M. Serletti, MD, Resident Award for Excellence in Academic Plastic Surgery, as well as through contributions to textbooks, international lectures, grants, and presentations. This highlights his ongoing commitment to advancing the field of microsurgery and enhancing patient care.

You Have a Legal Right to Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction

It’s important to know that you have the legal right to pursue complete breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Under federal law, women who have undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer are entitled to unlimited coverage for reconstruction.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) ensures that health insurance plans covering mastectomies must also cover all stages of breast reconstruction, including symmetry procedures, prostheses, and related treatments. Importantly, there are no limits on the number of surgical revisions that can be covered.

Thanks to this law, most insurance providers are obligated to offer extensive reconstructive benefits following a mastectomy. Our dedicated team is here to help you with the process, assisting with prior authorizations, appeals, and claims support.