Breast Reconstruction in Chandler, AZ

Rebuilding your breast after a mastectomy is one of the most personal decisions in your cancer journey — and you deserve a surgeon who treats it that way. At her Chandler office, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rimma Finkel helps women throughout the East Valley understand every reconstruction option available to them, from implant-based techniques to flap procedures using their own tissue.

Whether you are planning ahead of an upcoming mastectomy or exploring reconstruction months or years later, Dr. Finkel will build a surgical plan around your body, your health history, and your goals. Call our Chandler office today to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

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Call (480) 963-3034

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION 101

What Is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild the shape, contour, and (if desired) the nipple and areola of a breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Some women choose reconstruction immediately during their cancer-removal surgery, while others prefer to wait until they’ve finished chemotherapy or radiation, or even years down the road. There is no single right timeline — only what feels right for your body and your recovery.

Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act, most health insurance plans that cover mastectomy are required to also cover breast reconstruction and procedures to achieve symmetry, including on the opposite breast. Dr. Finkel’s Chandler office can help you understand what your specific plan covers before you commit to a surgical plan.

Reconstruction is always optional. Some patients choose to forgo it entirely, others opt for a flat closure, and many pursue full reconstruction. Whatever direction feels right to you, Dr. Finkel is here to give you honest, unhurried guidance.

Conveniently Located for East Valley Patients

Our Chandler office is located at 1727 W. Frye Rd., Suite 250, Chandler, AZ 85224 — easily accessible for patients throughout Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and the greater East Valley. Call (480) 963-3034 to ask about scheduling, insurance coverage, or what to bring to your first visit.

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YOUR RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS

Types of Breast Reconstruction We Offer in Chandler

Dr. Finkel performs the full range of breast reconstruction techniques, and will help you weigh the pros and cons of each based on your anatomy, prior treatment, and lifestyle.

Implant-Based Reconstruction

The most common approach starts with a tissue expander, placed either under or over the chest muscle, that is gradually filled over several weeks or months to stretch the skin and muscle. Once the desired size is reached, the expander is exchanged for a permanent saline or silicone implant.

Flap (Autologous) Reconstruction

Flap reconstruction uses your own skin, fat, and sometimes muscle — most often from the abdomen (TRAM flap) or back (latissimus dorsi flap) — to rebuild the breast mound. Because it uses your own tissue, the results can look and feel more natural over time, though recovery is generally longer than implant-based reconstruction.

Prepectoral vs. Subpectoral Placement

Traditional subpectoral reconstruction places the implant beneath the chest muscle, while newer prepectoral techniques place it above the muscle. Prepectoral reconstruction is less invasive and often means a shorter, more comfortable recovery, but it isn’t the right fit for every patient. Dr. Finkel will help determine which placement suits your body.

Nipple & Areola Reconstruction

Once the breast mound has healed, many women choose to complete their reconstruction with nipple and areola reconstruction — typically a straightforward outpatient procedure.

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting transfers a patient’s own fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs to refine the shape and contour of the reconstructed breast, smoothing out irregularities for a more natural result.

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Your Personalized Breast Reconstruction Journey

From Your First Consultation Through Recovery, Every Step Is Built Around You

Your First Consultation

Your journey starts with an unhurried, one-on-one conversation with Dr. Finkel about your diagnosis, your health history, and what matters most to you. She’ll walk you through which reconstruction techniques are realistic options for your body, whether immediate or delayed reconstruction makes more sense for your treatment plan, and what results you can reasonably expect.

Timing: Immediate vs. Delayed Reconstruction

Some women choose immediate reconstruction, performed during the same surgery as their mastectomy, to wake up with a breast contour already in place. Others choose delayed reconstruction, waiting until after chemotherapy, radiation, or simply until they feel ready. Both approaches are medically sound; the right choice depends on your cancer treatment plan and personal preference.

Surgery Day

Most reconstructive procedures are performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, with an overnight stay or short hospitalization depending on the technique used. Dr. Finkel and her team will walk you through exactly what to expect before, during, and immediately after surgery.

Recovery Timeline

Recovery varies by procedure. Implant-based reconstruction patients often feel significantly better within one to two weeks, while flap reconstruction — which involves surgery at a donor site as well — typically requires four to six weeks before returning to normal activity. Additional procedures, such as nipple reconstruction or fat grafting touch-ups, are usually scheduled months later, once your body has fully healed.

Ongoing, Personalized Care

As one of the few female plastic surgeons in the greater Phoenix area, Dr. Finkel brings a unique, empathetic perspective to reconstructive care. She and her Chandler team remain available throughout your recovery to answer questions, address concerns, and adjust your plan as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reconstruction in Chandler

When should I have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy?

It depends on your treatment plan and personal preference. Many women choose immediate reconstruction during the same surgery as their mastectomy, while others wait until after chemotherapy or radiation, or pursue reconstruction months or even years later. There’s no deadline — Dr. Finkel will help you decide what timing makes sense for you.

How long does recovery from breast reconstruction take?

Recovery depends on the technique used. Implant-based reconstruction patients often feel noticeably better within one to two weeks, while flap reconstruction typically requires four to six weeks of recovery since it involves a donor site as well. Most patients need several months before reconstruction is fully complete, especially if additional procedures like nipple reconstruction are planned.

Will my insurance cover breast reconstruction?

Under federal law, most health plans that cover mastectomy must also cover reconstruction and procedures needed to achieve symmetry. Coverage details vary by plan, so our Chandler office can help you verify your specific benefits before scheduling surgery.

What’s the difference between implant and flap reconstruction?

Implant-based reconstruction uses a tissue expander followed by a permanent saline or silicone implant, while flap reconstruction uses your own tissue — typically from the abdomen or back — to rebuild the breast. Implants generally mean a shorter initial recovery, while flap procedures often provide a more natural, lasting result since they use your own tissue.

Is breast reconstruction painful?

You will have some discomfort after any of these procedures, but it’s manageable with medication and typically improves significantly within the first couple of weeks. Flap procedures tend to involve more initial discomfort than implant-based reconstruction because they involve a second surgical site.

Do I have to get breast reconstruction after a mastectomy?

No. Reconstruction is always optional. Some women choose a flat closure instead, and that decision is just as valid as choosing reconstruction. Dr. Finkel supports whichever path helps you feel most confident and at peace with your body.

How do I choose the right breast reconstruction surgeon in Chandler?

Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with specific experience in breast reconstruction, and don’t hesitate to ask about her training, how many reconstructive procedures she performs, and her approach to complications. Reading patient reviews can also help you gauge what to expect from her care and her team.

Why Chandler Patients Choose Dr. Rimma Finkel

Dr. Rimma Finkel is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated much of her practice to helping women navigate breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy. As one of the few female plastic surgeons in the greater Phoenix area, she brings a perspective to this work that many patients find puts them immediately at ease.

Every consultation with Dr. Finkel is relaxed, unhurried, and centered on your questions — not a sales pitch. She’ll walk you through your realistic options, answer the questions you may feel hesitant to ask, and build a plan that reflects your body, your treatment history, and your goals.

“Confidence is at the center of how we present ourselves to the world. A breast reconstruction procedure that addresses a source of insecurity can be the first step toward feeling like yourself again — and I’m honored to help my patients get there.” — Dr. Rimma Finkel

Dr. Finkel sees patients at two convenient Valley locations, including her Chandler office at 1727 W. Frye Rd., Suite 250, serving women throughout Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and the surrounding East Valley.