What to Expect
We are here with you every step of the way. Whether you're local to Mount Pleasant or traveling from another state, our team has developed a streamlined process to make your reconstruction journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
On this page, you'll find everything you need to prepare, from your first consultation and pre-surgical planning to your hospital stay, recovery, and follow-up care.
Your Journey With Us
Our process is designed to minimize the number of trips you need to make to our area while ensuring you feel fully prepared and supported at every stage. Here's what you can expect from your first point of contact through your recovery.
Getting Started
Reach out to our office any time Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by phone, through our website chat, or by emailing us at info@naturalbreastreconstruction.com(opens in a new tab). A member of our clinical staff is available every weekday, and our surgeons personally respond to questions submitted through the Ask the Doctor(opens in a new tab) feature on our website within 48 hours.
The process starts with a telephone or virtual consultation with one of our surgeons. Before that appointment, we'll ask you to share relevant records and imaging through secure methods so your surgeon arrives fully prepared to give you their best recommendation.
Pre-Surgical Planning
Once you've decided to move forward, we'll help you choose a surgery date and finalize your surgical plan. We send information and orders directly to your physicians at home so that most of your pre-operative testing can be completed in your own city. If you haven't had your mastectomy yet, we'll coordinate with our trusted team of breast surgeons to arrange that portion of your care while you're here. You'll have a consultation with them when you arrive.
Our administrative team handles all pre-certification, pre-determination, and insurance benefit verification, and will provide an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses before surgery. We're in-network with most major insurers and work only with in-network facilities, including the hospital, imaging centers, and breast surgeons we partner with. In the rare case that we're out of network with your plan, we'll contact your insurer on your behalf to request an exception.
You'll receive a surgical booklet outlining every appointment date and time once your surgery date is confirmed.
Arriving for Surgery
Plan to arrive in the Mount Pleasant area one to two days before your procedure. During that time, you'll complete a pre-operative MRA, a pre-op marking appointment and surgeon consultation, a breast surgeon visit if needed, and a pre-admission visit at your chosen hospital.
Your Hospital Stay
Most patients stay three to four nights as an inpatient. There's no ICU stay involved. You'll be placed on a dedicated women's service floor in an area specifically designed for our breast flap patients, cared for by nurses who specialize in post-operative breast reconstruction.
After Discharge
We may ask you to remain in the Mount Pleasant area for a few additional days after discharge before traveling home. Our team stays in close contact throughout your recovery and remains available if any questions or concerns come up after you leave our care. You're never on your own once you head home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to make a long drive home after surgery?
Driving home after your procedure is possible, but it does require some planning. Long drives after surgery call for frequent stops to get out of the car, stretch, and walk around. Your care team will provide clear post-operative travel guidance before you leave, so you'll feel confident and comfortable on the road.
If there's a complication, when would it typically be identified?
If a procedure is going to encounter a complication, it most often becomes apparent during the hospital stay itself rather than weeks later. That's one of the reasons we monitor patients so closely during their inpatient recovery. A complication of this nature would require a revisit, but our team is experienced in managing these situations, and we'll be with you every step of the way.
Can any follow-up work be done in partnership with my plastic surgeon at home?
Yes, as long as your local surgeon is willing to collaborate, we're happy to coordinate with them. Many of our out-of-state patients appreciate having a familiar provider involved in their ongoing care.
What's the likelihood that I'll need a second surgery?
A second procedure is quite common and should be expected as part of your overall plan. The first surgery is the major reconstructive step and requires an inpatient hospital stay. A follow-up procedure focused on shaping and contouring is typically performed as an outpatient surgery three or more months later. We'd love to see you back at our Mount Pleasant office for that stage, but if working with a surgeon closer to home is more practical for you, we fully support that decision.
Does your practice offer payment plans or financing?
We don't offer in-house financing, but we work with Cherry, a patient financing company that can help cover surgeon fees for patients who need support with out-of-pocket costs.
What's your success rate for bilateral DIEP flap reconstruction?
Our surgeons have maintained a 99% success rate for bilateral DIEP flap procedures for over 25 years.