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Mastectomy

A mastectomy can be effective for treating cancer or as a preventative measure for those at high risk of developing breast cancer.

If are undergoing a mastectomy, Dr. Oren Lerman can coordinate your procedure to segue into natural-looking breast reconstruction. 

Learn about your surgical and reconstructive options at our Manhattan, NY, practice...

Types of Mastectomy

Depending on the reason for your surgery, our patients in the Manhattan, and greater New York region, have a number of options...
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Simple Mastectomy

This surgery removes all of the breast tissue without affecting muscles or lymph nodes. It is typically recommended to women who are seeking preventive surgery for breast cancer or who have multiple large tumors in their breasts.

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Partial Mastectomy

A partial mastectomy removes only the cancerous part of a breast and some of the surrounding unaffected tissue. This option is usually recommended if a patient has only a few small tumors.

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Radical Mastectomy

The most extensive option, a radical mastectomy completely removes the entire breast, lymph nodes, and underlying muscle. Because it is so extensive, it is only recommended when breast cancer has spread to the muscles and surrounding tissue.

Modified Radical Mastectomy

This surgery is a less extensive version of the full radical procedure. While the breast tissue and lymph nodes are removed entirely, the muscle is left alone. It is usually recommended when it is not clear if cancer has metastasized. Because breast cancer typically spreads through the lymph nodes, removing them allows your surgeon to confirm whether it has done so: if cancer is found in the lymph nodes, then it has likely made its way elsewhere, as well.

We Select The Most Beneficial Option  For Your Long-Term Health...

Many of our procedures remove only the fat tissue, connective tissue, ducts, and milk glands (collectively called breast tissue) in order to minimize damage to surrounding tissue. We will only recommend procedures that more extensively target the entire breast, underlying muscles, and lymph nodes if it is necessary for your case. 
Naked breast with hand covering nipple and areola

Contact Dr. Lerman to Learn More About Your Options

Either immediately after mastectomy or at a later time, Dr. Lerman can perform reconstruction by placing implants or through autologous reconstruction (using the patient's own tissue to rebuild the breast mound) for one or both breasts.

Dr. Lerman has extensive training and experience in breast reconstruction, including microvascular techniques that make transferring tissue to the breast mound less invasive, with a shorter recovery period than traditional methods. These techniques make it possible to connect the tissue to blood vessels at the surgical site, rather than having to keep the original blood vessels intact.

Dr. Oren Lerman works with oncologists and other healthcare providers to help his patients achieve the most satisfying mastectomy results possible. You can set up a consultation online or reach our Manhattan, NY, office at:

(212) 434-6980

Dr. Oren Lerman

"Dr. Oren Lerman's expertise and skill  are of the absolute highest caliber..."

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Lori Festa

2019

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Had a double mastectomy with reconstruction on January 3, 2018. Dr Lerman did an amazing job. After all the healing has been completed, I look even better than I did before surgery. My breasts look and feel perfectly natural. My scars are minimal. Found Dr. Lerman to be caring, warm and very professional. You can't miss having Dr. Lerman operate on you. He is awesome.

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Kimberly del Gaizo

2019

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Dr. Oren Lerman's expertise and skill are of the absolute highest caliber. He masterfully navigated my demanding journey with breast reconstruction following my cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy. As my body persisted in presenting formidable challenges, Dr. Lerman never wavered in his thoughtful and methodical decisions and treatments.  His empathy and humanity gave me reassurance and hope throughout the  five surgeries he performed on me. Dr. Lerman is the ideal doctor. I feel lucky and blessed to call him my doctor.

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"I feel so beautiful because of Dr. Lerman."

Marie, a breast cancer survivor, chose Dr. Lerman for reconstructive surgery because of his confidence that he could provide her with beautiful results. Dr. Lerman performed a double mastectomy and then placed breast implants to restore Marie's feminine figure. She says she appreciates the time Dr. Lerman took with her every step of the way, and that her outcome makes her feel beautiful.

Tissue-Sparing Techniques

Tissue-sparing techniques focus on removing only internal tissue while leaving the skin and, if possible, the nipple intact. Using tissue-sparing techniques better preserves the breasts and lays the foundation for more natural-looking results, while also potentially eliminating the need for procedures such as nipple reconstruction.
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​Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

During skin-sparing mastectomy, the surgeon removes only the breast tissue, the nipple, areola, and the original biopsy scar, sparing the pouch of skin covering the breast mound. This is an option for patients looking for the most aesthetically pleasing results from immediate breast reconstruction. Typically a temporary implant is placed under the pectoral muscles of the chest wall. If you require radiation therapy after your procedure, the doctor can insert tissue expanders in the chest wall to hold the skin in place for reconstruction at a later time. 

Diagram of breast with dotted line running from outer edge of breast to areola

​Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy

A nipple-sparing mastectomy keeps the areola and nipple and areola intact along with the breast skin, removing the underlying breast tissue. This technique involves an incision under the fold of the breast or from the areola extending horizontally outward. This technique is also intended for patients receiving immediate reconstructive breast surgery.  While a nipple-sparing mastectomy will not preserve the nerves and sensation of the nipple, the technique provides highly natural-looking reconstruction results.

A Closer Look At a Tissue-Sparing Procedure

This illustration depicts a patient undergoing a skin-sparing mastectomy. 

Diagram of skin-sparing mastectomy procedure
During the Procedure The surgeon removes the nipple and extracts tissue through the opening while preserving the skin of the breast mound.
Diagram of results after skin-sparing mastectomy
After the Procedure We preserve the shape of the breast through tissue expanders or temporary silicone implants, and can preform nipple reconstruction at a later date. 

Candidates for  Tissue-Sparing Techniques

Not everyone is a good candidate for tissue-sparing mastectomy. We will perform thorough examinations to determine the conditions and extent of your cancer to see if you qualify. The best candidates include patients who...
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Plan on Reconstruction

Tissue-sparring is not intended for patients who are unsure about reconstructive breast surgery or intend to delay reconstruction for a significant amount of time.

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Have Clear Margins

The surgeon must have margins of cancer around the skin in order to preserve the tissue of the skin and nipple.

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Do Not Have Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Patients must be free of inflammatory breast cancer, and not have advanced cancer that involves the nipple or tissue under the areola.

Recovering From Your Procedure

A mastectomy is an in-patient procedure with an average stay of three days at the hospital, or longer if you undergo immediate reconstruction. Here is what you can expect during your recovery after the procedure at our Manhattan, New York, facility...

Dr. Oren Lerman works with oncologists and other healthcare providers to help his patients achieve the most satisfying mastectomy results possible...

Undergo Mastectomy

Dr. Oren Lerman works with oncologists and other healthcare providers to help his patients achieve the most satisfying mastectomy results possible...

Days 1-3
 

We monitor your heart rate blood pressure, temperature, and other vitals while you recover under doctor's supervision at the hospital. You are fit with surgical tubes to help drain excess fluids and shown some simple exercises to prevent the formation of scar tissue. 

Days 3-14

Patients return home to recover with detailed instructions for handling their surgical drain, bandages, and prescription medications. Allow yourself plenty of rest in the first few weeks following the procedure. Expect discomfort and swelling in the chest area which can be managed through pain medication. Your first follow-up visit takes place one to two weeks after surgery where we check the status of your recovery and remove your drain.

Week 2-6
 

Patients typically begin to feel well enough to start performing simple exercises to prevent stiffness in the arms and chest. You can switch from sponge baths to showers once your drain and any staples and sutures are removed. Continue to get plenty of rest, take medications as prescribed, and have a friend or family member assist with chores and daily tasks.

Weeks 6-Onward

Most patients will take six to eight weeks off from work after their procedure. You and the doctor can discuss your progress and when it is safe to return to your daily schedule. As nerves regrow you may experience pains or "phantom sensations" in the chest where breast tissue was removed. Dr. Lerman will help you move forward in your treatment and plan necessary additional surgeries and reconstructive procedures. 

"​Dr. Lerman is an amazing doctor...

...and a very kind and carrying individual. His attention to detail and ability to explain complicated surgeries make his patients and their families very comfortable. It is important to trust your doctor and Dr. Lerman is trustworthy! Thank you Dr. Lerman for your expertise and amazing care that you provide!" Yelena Bernstein

Schedule a Consultation To Learn More About Treatment Options...

We strive to help you return to a feeling of normalcy after your breast surgery with innovative, efficient techniques that yield the most aesthetically-pleasing results. Contact our Manhattan, office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lerman.  In the meantime, you can explore some frequently asked questions about breast reconstruction to better understand the process and options available to you.  

Dr. Oren Lerman

Oren Z. Lerman, MD

Dr. Oren Lerman performs a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures with a specialty in reconstructive breast surgery. In fact, he is the director of breast reconstruction at Lenox Hill Hospital's Institute for Comprehensive Breast Care as well as the Microvascular and Cosmetic Breast Fellowship. In addition to the hospital, Dr. Lerman is affiliated with:

  • The New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons (Past President)
  • The American Board of Plastic Surgery (Diplomate)
  • The American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • The American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery

You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Lerman by filling out our online form or calling (212) 434-6980.

Contact Us Today

"The one thing that is most important when we're doing cosmetic surgery and aesthetic surgery of the face or the body is to make sure that the patient is happy afterwards..." Dr. Oren Lerman

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