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Surgery for Breast Cancer: Options for New York patients

In recent years, advances in breast cancer surgery give NYC-area residents greater options in their treatment of the disease. Most people who are diagnosed with breast cancer will eventually undergo one or more surgical procedures, each of which has its own unique purpose:

  • Remove cancerous cells in the breast or surrounding tissue
  • Determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
  • Reconstruct one or both breasts following mastectomy
  • Restore breast appearance and contour following partial mastectomy
  • Provide relief for painful symptoms of advanced breast cancer
Closeup of woman's chest/arm with pink ribbon tied onto bra.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Let's Talk

Breast Cancer Awareness: Let's Talk.

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Why Choose Cosmoplastic Surgery For Breast Reconstruction?

At Cosmoplastic Surgery in NYC and Long Island, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh has extensive experience performing breast cancer surgery and has developed unique surgical approaches to improve the experience and outcome. As Professor of Plastic Surgery at New York Medical College, Dr. Alizadeh conducts research and participates in clinical trials related to breast cancer surgery, including advanced dermal matrices, autologous fat transfer, and new-generation breast implants. Additionally, Dr. Alizadeh underwent extensive subspecialty training specifically in breast reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, allowing him to provide superior care to his patients.

A distinguished Professor of Clinical Surgery at New York Medical College, Dr. Alizadeh stands at the forefront of his field. His accolades include training over 100 plastic surgeons, serving as the oral examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a wealth of peer-reviewed articles alongside 100+ international lectures. His pivotal role as the primary clinical trial investigator for the FDA has resulted in advancements in devices used in breast implants and other surgical interventions. 

Dr. Alizadeh has shared his knowledge and techniques with surgeons in over 25 countries. He has also made great strides as a philanthropist, providing free healthcare through his nonprofit, Mission: Restore. For those patients going through the sensitive journey of finding life after breast cancer, Cosmoplastic Surgery is not just a surgical facility—it is a well-rounded support system for every aspect of your life. Both our surgical staff and our administrative staff adhere to a set of core values, including openness and inclusivity, our commitment to innovation, and absolute transparency with our patients. Please see our Mission Statement for more information.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, schedule an appointment with Dr. Alizadeh to discuss your options. His practice has three convenient office locations: Long Island, Manhattan, and Westchester, New York. Request your appointment online, or phone 212.348.0100 (Manhattan) / 516.439.5010 (Long Island).

Why Choose Cosmoplastic Surgery For Breast Reconstruction?

At Cosmoplastic Surgery in NYC and Long Island, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh has extensive experience performing breast cancer surgery and has developed unique surgical approaches to improve the experience and outcome. As full Professor of Plastic Surgery at New York Medical College, Dr. Alizadeh conducts research and participates in clinical trials related to breast cancer surgery, including advanced dermal matrices, autologous fat transfer, and new-generation breast implants. Additionally, Dr. Alizadeh underwent extensive subspecialty training specifically in breast reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, allowing him to provide superior care to his patients.

For those patients going through the sensitive journey of finding life after breast cancer, Cosmoplastic Surgery is not just a surgical facility—it is a well-rounded support system for every aspect of your life. Both our surgical staff and our administrative staff adhere to a set of core values, including openness and inclusivity, our commitment to innovation, and absolute transparency with our patients. Please see our Mission Statement for more information.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, schedule an appointment with Dr. Alizadeh to discuss your options. His practice has three convenient office locations: Long Island, Manhattan, and Westchester, New York. Request your appointment online, or phone 212.348.0100 (Manhattan) / 516.439.5010 (Long Island).

The First Step: Breast Cancer Removal Options In Nyc

New York City is home to some of the world's leading breast cancer treatment centers, staffed by highly trained and experienced medical professionals. The first step is to consult with a surgical oncologist who can help you understand the risks and benefits of each treatment option and develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

Mastectomy

In a mastectomy, the entire breast is removed, along with some surrounding tissue, even if cancerous cells have been discovered in only one or two areas. Surgical oncologists may suggest this method based on the following:

  • Size of tumor
  • Type of cancer
  • Stage of cancer
  • History of prior breast cancer
  • Likelihood of cancer recurring

Patients who choose this option may be able to avoid radiation therapy.

Partial Mastectomy, Lumpectomy

During a partial mastectomy, also known as breast-sparing surgery or lumpectomy, a surgical oncologist removes all signs of cancer while retaining as much of the healthy tissue as possible. Most women who choose this type of breast cancer surgery have small, non-aggressive, early-stage tumors and no history of breast cancer. However, they will likely require radiation therapy.

Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Surgery

Dr. Alizadeh specializes in NYC breast reconstruction, a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon after a mastectomy or lumpectomy to restore the shape and size of the breast. Dr. Alizadeh completed subspecialty training in breast reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center, the premier center worldwide in cancer reconstruction. He has also served as primary investigator and has published papers on the use of implants and tissue support for breast reconstruction. Patients have the option of delaying the reconstruction or combining it with the mastectomy. Dr. Alizadeh and his team use the latest innovative technology such as the SPY technique to determine the viability of the skin flaps prior to proceeding with reconstruction. Specific reconstruction options are explained below.

Black and white photo of woman posing lying down.

Flap Surgery

Flap surgery for breast reconstruction involves transplanting healthy tissue from one area of the body to the area that has been damaged by mastectomy breast cancer surgery. The healthy tissue may come from a completely separate part of the body, called free flap surgery, or from an area close to the injured tissue, called pedicle flap surgery. Dr. Alizadeh performs both pedicle flap and free flap breast cancer surgery for breast reconstruction. Dr. Alizadeh employs techniques such as latissimus dorsi flap, TRAM flap, DIEP flap, and SIEA flap for autologous breast reconstruction.

Autologous Fat Grafting

For one of the best breast reconstructions Long Island has to offer, Dr. Alizadeh may recommend NaturaGlow™ Fat Grafting to correct minor irregularities in the shape, size, or position of the reconstructed breast so it more closely resembles the other breast. For patients who have smaller breasts or prefer a more natural reconstruction, he may recommend rebuilding the entire breast with fat cells harvested from their own body. He has utilized and reported many innovative techniques including the use of hydrosolve vs power assisted fat harvest and cell-assisted vs puregraft fat processing techniques.

Preview The New You From Every Angle

Explore your options and outcomes using real images of yourself and VECTRA® 3D's advanced simulation.

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Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh

Implant-based Reconstruction

Women who elect to have implant-based reconstruction typically must begin by expanding the skin that will cover the breast implant. For this stage of breast cancer surgery, Dr. Alizadeh first releases the pectoralis muscle from the chest wall and positions the tissue expander underneath it.

Over time, he adds small amounts of saline to the expander to gradually stretch the new breast skin so that it will eventually accommodate an implant or autologous fat. Once the expander has reached its desired size, it is removed and replaced with a silicone or saline breast implant or fat harvested from the patient's own body.

When needed, Dr. Alizadeh also utilizes bioengineered surgical scaffolds which are designed specifically for breast reconstruction to help create a supporting pocket for both the expander and the eventual breast implant. He has led multiple clinical trials in this arena and has published his results making him an authority in this area.

Nipple-sparing Mastectomy And Reconstruction For Brca Carriers

Dr. Alizadeh works within a multidisciplinary team of physicians who perform a single-step nipple-sparing reconstruction, popularized after Angelina Jolie’s editorial in the New York Times, which enables a woman to complete the entire mastectomy and reconstruction with just one breast cancer surgery, one exposure to anesthesia, and one recovery period.

For women who carry the BRCA gene mutation, this approach presents a reasonable option. The breast cancer surgery involves just one incision in the crease under the breast. The oncology surgeon performs breast cancer surgery by removing all breast tissue while leaving the breast's outer layer of skin, nipple, and areola intact. Dr. Alizadeh then places the implants into the breast pocket created by the mastectomy and closes the incision. Dr. Alizadeh is a sought after expert in the field of “prophylactic” breast reconstruction since he is able to deliver a result that is better than what the patient started before the diagnosis of cancer.

Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh

Schedule A Consultation

To discuss your options for breast cancer surgery, schedule your consultation with Dr. Alizadeh today: Request your appointment online, email our office, or phone 212.348.0100 (Manhattan) / 516.439.5010 (Long Island).

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