Surgical Procedure

What is a breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a specialised area of reconstructive surgery focused on restoring the breast after cancer treatment or trauma.

The most appropriate reconstruction approach depends on several factors, including your overall health, previous treatments, expected recovery time, and what options are most suitable for your body and goals.

Ideally, breast reconstruction is planned alongside breast cancer treatment and aims to rebuild what has been lost. It can be carried out at the same time as cancer removal (immediate reconstruction) or as a separate procedure later on (delayed reconstruction).

In many cases, additional surgeries may be needed to refine shape, improve symmetry, and achieve the most natural result.

What is treated with breast reconstruction?

It is performed after the removal of breast tissue, typically following a mastectomy (total removal) or a lumpectomy (partial removal) due to cancer.

Reconstruction can be performed immediately, at the time of the cancer removal surgery, or as a delayed breast reconstruction sometime (even years) after the mastectomy or cancer treatment is complete.

Breast reconstruction procedure often involves more than one surgery for further adjustments to create the best possible symmetry and aesthetic outcome.

Types of breast reconstruction in Dubai: Options and techniques

Dr Rory McGoldrick offers a comprehensive range of breast reconstruction options, customising the surgical plan based on your body, health, previous treatments, and suitability for the given procedure. The main types of breast reconstruction Dubai are:

1- Autologous or Flap reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction is a sophisticated type of breast reconstruction that uses the patient’s own tissue, often referred to as a “flap,” to rebuild the breast mound. This method is preferred by some patients because the reconstructed breast tissue behaves and feels more like natural breast tissue.

This approach uses excess tissue, including skin and fat, transferred from one area of the body to the chest to create the new breast. This offers a “like-for-like” tissue replacement.

Understanding DIEP Flap

The most advanced technique described in the provided information is the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator) flap surgery. The tissue is taken from the lower abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck procedure. This has the added benefit of contouring the abdomen.

The flap of tissue is surgically removed from the abdomen, carefully maintaining its crucial blood supply (the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator).

The tissue is then transferred to the chest and shaped to recreate the breast form. The tissue’s blood vessels are meticulously reconnected to blood vessels in the chest using microsurgery.

2- Implant-Based Reconstruction
This method uses implants to restore volume and shape, often following a mastectomy for breast cancer. The goal is to achieve a natural and proportional aesthetic result.

Implants: The procedure involves the surgical placement of Motiva silicone implants, with the final size and type being chosen by the patient in consultation with Dr Rory to ensure a desired natural and proportional outcome.

Placement: Implants can be placed in a new pocket. Depending on the patient’s individual needs and the reasons for surgery (especially if it involves exchanging or removing an existing implant), the placement may involve positioning the implant underneath the chest muscle (pectoralis major muscle).

Best implants for breast reconstruction: Dr Rory uses Motiva silicone breast implants, which are considered advanced sixth-generation implants. They are designed to reduce the risk of common complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, and rippling.

Your breast reconstruction journey with Dr Rory: The best breast reconstruction specialist

Dr Rory’s consultation is focused on providing evidence-based surgical advice, ensuring you understand all aspects of the patient journey, including realistic expectations, recovery, and potential risks.

Your breasts are accurately measured, and advanced imaging technology may be used to visualise potential outcomes.

The final size and type of reconstruction are chosen by you, guided by Dr Rory’s expert surgical advice.

What happens on the day of surgery?

Prior to the day of surgery, you will be given the following information, and it is critical to know these details ahead of time:

Surgery day, exact time of arrival, and where to report.

Pre-surgery instructions for food, drink, and medications.

Organise transport to collect you from the hospital on the day of discharge.

Provide contact details of friends or family.

To organise toiletries, sleepwear (if overnight), and a suitable change of clothing.

Your list of medicines and allergies (if known).

The nature of your particular surgery, recovery details, and follow-up plan.

How to manage your surgical garment and dressings if there is a problem.

On the day of surgery, you will be checked in by a nurse, and all your details will be confirmed, and you will be changed into a surgical gown.

Dr Rory will see you before your surgery to review all the details, including the consent forms, and perform all your surgical markings. Multiple ID checks and procedure confirmation will be performed prior to your operation, as safety is a priority.

After your surgery, Dr Rory will notify your friends or family to let them know the procedure has finished and put their minds at ease. Depending on the procedure, he will see you after the surgery and discuss the procedure.

When you are feeling comfortable, the team will then allow you to be discharged as planned that morning. All medicines and instructions will be provided to you upon discharge. You will be discharged with a binder, a type of adjustable support garment.

How long will the surgery take?

If done in isolation, the surgery takes approximately four to five hours. This is highly variable as other procedures are performed in conjunction with DIEP flap reconstruction. This does not include anaesthesia time. In total, the whole procedure may last longer.

How long will the results last?

There are changes in the breast tissue with age, weight gain, exercise, weight loss, and also pregnancy. The results of the breast reconstruction will withstand well over time, but the above factors will inevitably have effects on the tissues, especially untreated breast tissue.

This varies from patient to patient and can be difficult to predict. It often involves more than one surgery for further adjustments to create symmetry.

Recovering from breast reconstruction procedure

Recovering from breast reconstruction is a major procedure requiring careful adherence to post-operative instructions.

Initial recovery: The recovery period for a major procedure is typically two weeks for initial mobilisation.

Activity: You can fully mobilise and are encouraged to walk around and use your arms with care.

The golden rule: No heavy lifting for the first month following the surgery or any abdominal (core) exercises.

Final result: The final appearance of the reconstructed breast takes time, often settling at around four months.

What should I consider when recovering from the procedure?

There will be a specialised skin glue placed on the surgical areas of the breast and the abdomen, and a splash-proof dressing. This will allow you to shower with care. The garment should be removed before showering.

No heavy exertional activity that will cause excessive sweating, heavy lifting, or jerking abdominal movements in the four weeks. This is to protect the repair of the abdominal muscles and also avoid tension in the scar.

The specialised skin glue will peel off in week three to four. At this time, a silicone-based strip or gel should be applied to the dry healed scar to minimise the final appearance of the scar.

The garment should be worn for four to six weeks after your DIEP flap reconstruction. The final results, in terms of swelling resolution, are expected to be apparent approximately four months after treatment. Additionally, the new breast shape will develop due to gravity over the next six to twelve months.

As you attend your wound check appointments, you will see the skin glue as purple, and very often the skin can appear gathered at the wound edges. This gathering of the skin will flatten over time.

The final appearance of your scars will be at eighteen months. The scar from a DIEP flap is similar to that of an abdominoplasty scar in that it is like the handlebars of a bicycle and curves down at the edges. This is to ensure your scar is hidden by the bikini line.

Is there anything in particular one should know about the procedure?

It’s a lengthy and technically demanding procedure requiring a three to five-day stay in the hospital, with very high satisfaction rates if you are willing to accept the scarring, which will fade over time. It’s critical not to lift weights in the first four weeks.

The back pain experienced during recovery is a common issue for many people, often due to the inability to stand up for the first few days. Very often, you can feel bloated after the surgery, and there can be a change in your bowel habits.

The final results in terms of resolution of swelling will be at approximately four months. This varies between patients. It is most commonly performed in conjunction with other procedures over time.

What is the follow-up after the breast reconstruction procedure?

Each patient has a unique follow-up schedule. Dr Rory and his team will advise you about your particular follow-up journey. Typically, it involves seeing the team a week after surgery for a wound check, then protective dressings until the glue falls off.

Thereafter, scar checks are performed at the six-week point. This schedule will differ between individuals. You will have a separate follow-up for cancer surveillance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’S)

What is the aim of breast reconstructive surgery?

To reconstruct missing breast tissue. This can involve skin, breast gland ( volume), areola, and nipple tissue on one or both sides.

How much does a breast reconstruction cost?

The cost of the procedure starts at 125,000 AED (excluding VAT). The final cost is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on complexity and any additional procedures.

Combination surgeries will lower the price of individual surgeries if done together. A comprehensive, no-commitment surgical consultation with Dr Rory will provide all the necessary details for your specific case.

What are the risks of the procedure?

These include some discomfort, infection, risk of bleeding, seroma (collection of fluid), swollen abdomen, degrees of asymmetry, back pain, dog ear (bumps at the ends of wounds), recurrence of the muscle gap due to activity in the healing phase, wound breakdown, delayed wound healing, flap failure, and other additional procedures.

Very often, you can feel bloated after the surgery, and there can be a change in your bowel habits. This varies between patients. The final results in terms of resolution of swelling will be at approximately four months. This varies between patients.

Smokers face increased risk of flap failure, delayed wound healing, and poorer quality scars generally from most surgeries.

Dr Rory is therefore very strict when it comes to smoking and DIEP flap surgery. You are advised to stop smoking one month before and after this surgery.

In the event of DIEP flap failure, other techniques using implants and muscle and skin from the back are used. There is also the risk of stretching of the scar and excessive scarring, such as hypertrophic or keloid scarring.

What are the precautions in breast reconstruction surgery regarding smoking?

Dr Rory is very strict regarding smoking. Smoking is associated with poor wound healing and increased risk of complications like fat necrosis and interruption of blood supply to the flap or nipple. You are advised to stop smoking one month before and after this surgery.

Will the procedure be painful?

No, one of the primary aims of any procedure performed by Dr Rory is to create a pain-free experience.

A long-acting local anaesthetic agent is injected at the end of the procedure within the tightened muscle (if performed) and the wound to make you comfortable, and a garment will be applied to help minimise swelling and add support.

In terms of recovery, there will be some tenderness in the surgical areas and some discomfort. As your abdomen has been tightened, you will inevitably be hunched over for the first few days, and your back will start to ache.

This resolves once you stand up straight. The point at which you can stand straight varies from individual to individual. Dr Rory does not use drains, which again makes the procedure more comfortable. He uses a drainless abdominoplasty/DIEP flap technique with internal stitches.

What are the best implants for breast reconstruction?

The best implants for breast reconstruction are typically Motiva silicone implants ( as they offer a soft, natural feel. The choice of implant shape (e.g., round) and size is determined during your detailed consultation using specialised sizing tools to ensure a natural and proportional aesthetic outcome.

Who is involved in my care?

Dr Rory is one of the best breast reconstruction surgeons in Dubai. He is the primary physician in charge of all your care. He performs all procedures himself and is meticulous about every aspect of your care.

Once he has performed a procedure on you, he is available for you as your on-call doctor. He will provide you with contact details and will be available for you. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, he is available to support you.

He has trained his team around him to an exceptionally high standard, from his aesthetic coordinators to aesthetic nurses.

In some instances, for example, for photography, garment fitting, wound dressings, checks, or removal of stitches, his highly trained team will perform their duties directly with Dr Rory with real-time updates.