Reconstruction without Compromise:

As tissues are removed during a mastectomy, nerves are often damaged. This often leads to numbness or loss of sensation in the breasts and nipples. Even after breast reconstruction, this feeling loss in the breasts can have a profound impact on some patients’ ability to feel like themselves again or fully enjoy their life post-treatment.

As tissues are removed during a mastectomy, nerves are often damaged. This often leads to numbness or loss of sensation in the breasts and nipples. Even after breast reconstruction, this feeling loss in the breasts can have a profound impact on some patients’ ability to feel like themselves again or fully enjoy their life post-treatment.

What is Resensation Breast Reconstruction?

With Dr. Leo Otake, breast reconstruction with resensation is a surgical technique that connects peripheral nerves throughout the body using specialized products. Resensation can be performed during your free flap reconstruction (at the same time as your mastectomy or later) using autologous tissue. During your procedure, your surgeon will re-establish nerve connections using allograft nerve tissue.

Over time, the new and existing nerve tissues will combine to provide a path for nerve signals, restoring sensation. For some patients, resensation can be performed during a breast reconstruction with implants. Depending on your desired results, Dr. Leo Otake can help you develop a treatment plan designed uniquely for you.

What are the benefits of Resensation Breast Reconstruction?

A mastectomy is not only an involved surgical procedure but also a life-altering experience with the potential to profoundly impact patients physically and emotionally. There is an inevitable period of adjustment following a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Resensation can be a valuable tool for regaining a sense of normalcy during a time that can feel anything but. You will be able to focus on your future and live your most fulfilling life without the emotional effects of sensation loss in your breasts.

Am I a good candidate for Resensation Breast Reconstruction?

You are likely a candidate for resensation if you have had or are going to have a mastectomy and plan to undergo free flap breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, patients who are not candidates for free flap reconstruction are not eligible for resensation.

Your Breast Reconstruction with Resensation Procedure

Free flap or autologous breast reconstruction uses your own tissue to sculpt symmetrical, natural-looking breasts without the use of implants. During your free flap breast reconstruction, your surgeon will use allograft nerve tissue to bridge the gap in severed nerve paths. Your procedure may also involve grafting fat, muscle, or skin tissues from other areas of the body to achieve the desired results. Free flap breast reconstruction may also include nipple and areola reconstruction.

Breast Reconstruction with Resensation Recovery

One of the advantages of resensation is that it does not prolong recovery after free flap breast reconstruction. Most patients return to their regular activities within six to eight weeks after their procedure. During your recovery period, cellular regeneration will begin to restore the connections between the nerves that were severed during your mastectomy and the nerves within the transferred tissues.

Even after you are healed from surgery, these connections will continue to strengthen. You should expect it to take several months before you begin to notice enhanced sensation in your breasts. As this occurs, you will first experience short periods of tingling, hot/cold sensations, shooting pains, or other sensations. These will continue to increase and then level out to ultimately produce normal breast sensation.

Breast Reconstruction with Resensation Results

Your nerves will continue to undergo repair for up to two years after your procedure, gradually increasing the sensation in your breasts and nipples. Ultimately, you can look forward to a restored sense of normalcy, with breasts that look and feel natural.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering plastic surgery in Darien or anywhere in Connecticut, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

722 Post Road, Suite 202, Darien, CT 06820