Can I Have My Current Implant Removed to Receive a Muscle-Sparing Free Flap Breast Reconstruction?

dr. richard kline

Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr.

The below question is answered by Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D., of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

I had reconstruction with implants after my breast cancer diagnosis in 2009. How hard is it to go back and do breast reconstruction with a flap? What would the recovery time be?  Also, does insurance give you a hard time about taking out the implants and revising having a flap?

It’s no trouble at all to remove implants and replace them with a muscle sparing free flap breast reconstruction. We’ve done it successfully hundreds of times. Unfortunately, roughly 30% of women who come to us are seeking conversion from a failed or unsatisfactory implant based reconstruction. Recovery time after flaps is usually 6 – 8 weeks, although some ladies recover much faster. I don’t think insurance usually gives you a hard time—once you’ve started the reconstruction process, they seem to follow through until you are finally content with your reconstructed breast.

—Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D