Secondary Breast Reconstruction
Most breast reconstruction practices are oriented around primary reconstruction: the surgery that takes place at the time of mastectomy. That work is essential, and most of the volume in the field is concentrated there.
But primary reconstruction is rarely the end of the journey. It is one chapter. Patients return months or years later wanting refinement, correction, or sometimes a complete change of approach. They come in with concerns about shape, symmetry, or position. They come in after radiation has changed what was once a good result. They come in because what was acceptable at the time of cancer treatment no longer feels acceptable now that they are well.
Secondary breast reconstruction is the work that addresses all of this. It is what takes a reconstruction from medically successful to genuinely restored.
We built Altris around this work specifically.
What secondary reconstruction includes
Secondary reconstruction is a broad category. It can be a small refinement to an otherwise good result, or it can be a complete reconstruction undertaken years after mastectomy. The right approach depends entirely on what you have been through and what you want from here.
The procedures we perform most often include:
- Revision of an existing reconstruction - Whether you had implant-based or autologous reconstruction originally, refinement procedures can meaningfully improve shape, symmetry, position, and the appearance of donor sites.
- Conversion from implants to natural tissue - For patients who are no longer satisfied with their implant-based result, removing the implants and reconstructing with the body's own tissue is often a transformative step.
- Repair of a failed reconstruction - Reconstruction that did not heal as planned, that has become painful, or that has been damaged by radiation can often be restored with the right combination of techniques.
- Delayed reconstruction - For patients who chose to go flat after mastectomy, or who were not candidates for reconstruction at the time of cancer treatment, reconstruction is still possible years later.
Why this work matters
Patients arriving for secondary reconstruction have often been told their result is fine. They have been told reconstruction is a one-time event, that this is as good as it gets, that they should be grateful to be alive. All of this may be technically true. None of it is sufficient.
Secondary reconstruction is the difference between surviving and feeling like yourself again. We treat it accordingly.
Finding the right approach for you
Every patient's situation is different. Some need a single revision. Others need a complete change of approach. Many need a combination of procedures performed in sequence. We work with each patient to build a plan that reflects their goals, their anatomy, and their reality.
If you are considering secondary reconstruction, we encourage you to come in for a consultation. We will give you an honest assessment of what is possible, and what we believe will give you the best result.
Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Implant Based Breast Reconstruction
Secondary Procedures
Cosmetic Procedures
our philosophy
After years in clinical practice, we have watched patients complete treatment, receive a clean bill of health, and still feel like strangers in their own bodies. Fragmented care, time-pressured appointments, and a healthcare system focused on disease management rather than whole-person recovery leaves too many people stranded between surviving and truly living.
Survivor Stories
Testimonials
Why Choose Us
Elite Surgical Expertise
Expertise
Whole-Body Care
Whole-body
Secondary Reconstruction Specialists
Specialists
Personalised, Unrushed Care
Personalized
