Bedford Breast Center
436 N Bedford Dr, Ste 308
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 278-8590
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Sensation-preserving mastectomy is an innovative solution that preserves feeling in the breast and nipple after mastectomy surgery, improving the patient’s quality of life. Bedford Breast Center is one of the first practices in California to offer this option as part of immediate breast reconstruction procedures at our Beverly Hills practice.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer or who have a high risk of getting breast cancer often choose to get a mastectomy, which removes all breast tissue. During a traditional mastectomy, surgeons sever nerves that provide sensation to the breast skin and nipple as they remove the tissue. The resulting numbness means women never regain sensation in their nipples or breast skin after the mastectomy and reconstruction.
Some women aren’t aware of this side effect and believe that reconstruction results in breasts that look and feel like natural breasts. Losing sensation in the breast and nipple can profoundly affect a patient’s life, both psychologically and physically.
Using the sensation-preserving technique developed in recent years, our expert breast surgeons perform nerve grafting as part of the direct-to-implant breast reconstruction surgery to ensure you retain feeling in both the breast and the nipple.
Dr. Richardson and Dr. Memsic are two of the top breast surgeons in Los Angeles, using innovative techniques to create excellent clinical and aesthetic outcomes.
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Nerve sensation encompasses 4 categories:
Changes to any type of sensation in the breast or nipple can affect a woman in various ways. Not only will she lose the pleasurable sensations during intimacy, but the loss of pain and temperature sensations increases the risk of injuring the breast. A woman may suffer burns to the breasts because they cannot feel heat or may not be aware of a bra wire penetrating the breast until she sees blood.
Specialists, including our renowned breast cancer and plastic surgeons, work closely together to perform this 3-stage technique. During the first stage, one of our oncological breast surgeons, either Dr. Leslie Memsic or Dr. Heather Richardson, carefully dissects the breast around the area of the intercostal nerves to remove the necessary breast tissue. After removing the breast tissue from the nerve, the surgeon preserves and protects the nerve root for the graft.
During the next stage, plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Cassileth performs breast reconstruction with an implant placed over the chest muscle. Ideally, this occurs during a direct-to-implant breast reconstruction procedure. In the final stage of the procedure, Dr. Cassileth locates the recipient nerves under the areola-nipple complex and reconnects them with nerve grafts. By performing all 3 stages in a single session, you only have one recovery process.
The recovery after sensation-preserving mastectomy is similar to other mastectomy procedures. You may spend 1 to 2 days with expert nursing care before going home, although some of our patients return home the same day as their surgery. You will be sore and tired for a time after your procedure and will need plenty of rest to allow your body to heal fully. Always contact our medical center if you experience any concerning side effects.
Most women return to their regular schedules within about 4 weeks, but this timeline varies from patient to patient. We will provide you with all the information needed to prepare for your surgery and recovery process once we are familiar with your unique case. We will also support you throughout the recovery to minimize potential complications and help you heal.
“Dr Richardson is incredible. I don’t think I could find could find a comparable level of care anywhere else. She is a world class surgeon, but she never reduces you to just your diagnosis. She delivers both bad and good news herself and helps you choose the best treatment options. All the support staff at Bedford Breast Center is also great.”
Lily L. – Google
It takes time for nerves to regenerate and for feeling to return after undergoing the procedure. With sensation-preserving mastectomy, most patients can expect to experience some sensation within 6 months after the surgery. Sensation can continue to spread throughout the breast and improve for up to another year.
Sensation-preserving mastectomy is an incredible option for women who don’t want to lose feeling in their breasts after a mastectomy. We can determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure based on the location and size of the cancer, as well as your expectations for your reconstruction results. Implant size may be limited for this procedure based on your specific anatomy and goals.
Our surgeons take the time to explore all of your avenues in breast reconstruction, including sensation-preserving mastectomy. As one of the few breast centers in the Los Angeles area offering this procedure, our team has the level of expertise necessary to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. You are never just a number at Bedford Breast Center—we work intimately with you to find the best path to your wholeness and healing.
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Our breast surgeons at Bedford Breast Center in Beverly Hills are innovative physicians who provide compassionate, personalized patient care. Dr. Richardson and Dr. Memsic are considered among the top mastectomy surgeons in Los Angeles. Dr. Cassileth is one of the leading plastic surgeons in the region. Our world-class facility serves patients from Los Angeles from throughout Los Angeles, Southern California, and across the country. To learn more about our center and if breast reconstruction with sensation-preserving mastectomy is a good option for you, call us at (310) 278-8590 or contact us using the online form to schedule an appointment.
