Breast Surgery

Many women with breast disease or breast cancer need surgery as part of their treatment plan. We understand the prospect of breast surgery isn't quite what you had planned. You may be asking questions like:

• How long does breast surgery take? What is the recovery like after breast surgery?
• Are there different types of breast surgery?
• Does breast surgery affect breastfeeding?
• Why do I need a total mastectomy?
• Does insurance cover breast reconstruction surgery? 

Stamford Health's breast surgeons are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. Our breast surgeons, trained by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, perform the highest quality surgery with the best possible outcomes.  

Because we're committed to you, we work with dedicated breast radiologists, oncologists at the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, skilled genetic counselors and laboratory experts. These relationships help us make the best decisions and assess the best course of treatment for you.

Our surgeons are available to meet during business hours and sooner in the event of an emergency.

• Benign Breast Disease

• Fibrocystic breast changes, nipple discharge, mastitis, abnormal breast imaging, benign breast masses

• Breast Cancer: Today, there are many options for treating breast cancer. If you need breast cancer surgery, our surgeons will work with you to review the options.

Prevention and Treatment of Lymphedema

Hear from Helen Pass, MD and Leo Otake, MD on the surgical options to prevent and treat lymphedema.

Breast Conserving Procedures

•  Lumpectomy or Partial Mastectomy Surgery: Removes cancer tissue and some healthy surrounding tissue
  

Breast Removal Procedures

•  Total (or simple) mastectomy surgery: Removes entire breast
• Modified radical mastectomy: Removes breast and lymph nodes
• Radical mastectomy surgery: Removes breast, lymph nodes and chest wall muscles
• Nipple and skin sparing mastectomy surgery: Removes the breast while saving the nipple and chest wall skin
• Prophylactic mastectomy surgery: Removes one or both breasts. Sometimes performed for very high-risk women as a preventative measure
  

Lymph Node Procedures

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Removes select armpit lymph nodes to test to see if the cancer has spread
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: Removes most armpit lymph nodes, usually after the cancer spreads
  

Lymphedema Surgery

•  Lymphedema Surgery: Breast cancer can often spread to surrounding lymph nodes. That's why there's a strong connection between breast cancer surgery and lymphedema.
  

Breast Reconstruction Surgery
If you have a mastectomy, you may want to have breast reconstruction surgery. Our team of breast surgeons will talk about your options.

Second Opinion Program
When you're diagnosed with breast cancer at another hospital, it’s normal to want a second opinion. We'll work with you to get you the answers you need.