For twenty five years, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has been at the forefront of providing breast reconstruction, and that trend continues. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is one of the first hospitals in the Greater Washington area to perform Fat grafting as part of breast reconstruction.
What is Fat Grafting?
It is an extremely safe procedure usually performed during the second stage of breast reconstruction when the balloon or expander that was placed at the first stage (Mastectomy) is removed and a permanent implant is placed. At the same time, fat is removed by liposuction from areas where we all have a little extra to spare: the tummy or thighs. The fat is then injected under the skin at the upper and inner areas of the “new” breast allowing the surgeon to shape the breast, making it appear very natural. It also allows the surgeon to better match the other breast, especially after “Lumpectomy” for early stage breast cancer. Fat grafting has also been shown to improve the tissues in patients who have received radiation therapy. This may be due to the stem cells present in the grafted fat. And more good news: Insurance will cover fat grafting.
Dr. Gregory Dick, a previous president of the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Unit, and one of the key developers (founders) of the Comprehensive Cancer Program at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, is the first plastic surgeon at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital to perform Fat grafting in a Breast Reconstruction. He now recommends this in nearly all of his patients. Not only are the results superior, but patients get the added benefit of moving fat from where they don’t want it, to where they can use it!
