Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about what we do or any services we offer?
We have answers to the most commonly asked questions about Breast Oncology and Reconstruction.
RECENTER
ReCenter is a state-of-the-art surgical hospital that specializes in breast cancer and reconstruction procedures. Our surgical staff members are highly skilled and extensively trained. The environment was designed with optimal healing in mind, as our staff caters to patients' needs on multiple levels to achieve ideal outcomes and a speedy recovery.
Our address is:
6330 Mourning Dove Drive,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70817
Clinics for the following doctors are located at Entrance C
- Dr. Bonner, The Baton Rouge Clinic
- Dr. Bowie, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
- Dr. Cusimano
- Dr. Theunissen
Hospital for Surgical Procedures is located at Entrance A
- Visiting Hours are between 8 AM and 5 PM
- Up to 3 visitors at a time during visiting hours
- 1 person is allowed to stay with the patient overnight
- Visitors must check in with registration for a guest pass
- Guest passes are worn and visible at all times
If you are please/displeased with the service, treatment, and/or care rendered while at ReCenter please email compliance@recenterhospital.com. Your input is very valuable to us and will be addressed immediately.
RECONSTRUCTION
We offer both autologous (tissue-based), implant-based, and hybrid breast reconstruction options. Our procedures include DIEP, PAP, TDAP, IGAP, SGAP, TUG, Hybrid Stacked Flap, and APEX. Each is tailored to meet individual patient needs and goals.
In almost all cases, yes. Under federal law (Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998), insurance plans that cover mastectomy are required to also cover breast reconstruction.
Autologous reconstruction uses your own body fat and tissue, usually from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or back, to rebuild your breast(s). These procedures often result in a natural look and feel and may offer additional body contouring benefits, such as a tummy or thigh lift.
The DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen without removing any muscle. It results in a natural-looking breast, offers a flatter stomach, and reduces the risk of abdominal complications compared to older methods like the TRAM flap.
These techniques are ideal for women who don’t have enough abdominal tissue for DIEP reconstruction. They use skin and fat from the upper thighs (PAP) or the inner thighs (TUG), offering a natural breast shape and an added thigh-contouring effect.
The TDAP (Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator) flap harvests fat and skin from the upper back near the bra line, while preserving all muscle tissue. It’s a good choice for women with limited abdominal or thigh tissue, and it helps maintain back strength and mobility.
These gluteal-based flap techniques use fat and skin from the upper (SGAP) or lower (IGAP) buttocks. They’re excellent alternatives for women who can’t use abdominal tissue due to previous surgeries or a lack of volume. These options also preserve muscle and leave scars that are easily hidden.
This approach combines natural tissue (flap) with a breast implant to achieve both softness and desired volume or projection. It’s especially useful for women who don’t have enough donor tissue for a full flap-based reconstruction alone.
Implant reconstruction involves placing silicone or saline implants to recreate the breast shape. It’s a quicker surgery and can restore body image and self-esteem for many women. It’s also customizable with various implant shapes and sizes.
Yes. A nipple-sparing mastectomy removes only the underlying breast tissue, preserving the nipple, areola, and skin. When combined with reconstruction, it offers a very natural final appearance and is safe for many patients, depending on tumor size and location.
The best option depends on your body type, medical history, cancer treatment plan, and personal preferences. Our experienced surgical team will work closely with you to evaluate all factors and create a personalized plan that meets your goals.
Yes, most of our flap techniques, including DIEP, PAP, TDAP, SGAP, and IGAP, are muscle-sparing, meaning no major muscles are removed. This helps preserve strength, improve recovery, and reduce postoperative complications.
For many patients, sensory nerve repair can be performed during procedures like DIEP to help restore feeling to the reconstructed breast over time.
Yes. A Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNT) can be done alongside some flap reconstructions to address arm lymphedema caused by lymph node removal during cancer treatment.
Bilateral reconstruction is possible with all techniques. For complex cases (such as double SGAP or IGAP), some surgeons may recommend staged surgeries or dual-surgeon teams to ensure optimal results and minimize recovery time.
Breast Cancer
To learn more visit:
https://www.breast360.org/topic/2015/02/03/breast-self-examination-bse/
To learn more visit:
https://www.breast360.org/topics/category/breast-cancer/
To learn more visit:
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer/
To learn more about Breast Issues (lumps/bumps, breastfeeding and pregnancy, infection, gynecomastia, treatment, breast pain, and nipple discharge) visit:
https://www.breast360.org/topics/category/benign-breast-issues/
To learn more about breast imaging and diagnosis (Thermography, Mammography, Density, MRI, Ultrasound, PET Scan) visit:
https://www.breast360.org/topics/category/breast-imaging-diagnosis/
To learn more visit:Â
https://www.breast360.org/topics/category/risk-prevention-genetics/
To learn more visit:
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-brca/