Goldilocks Mastectomy Option

For patients who do not feel complicated methods of formal reconstruction are a good fit for their bodies or their lifestyle, yet also do not want to have an amputated appearance after having their breast removed, a Goldilocks mastectomy may be a good option.

A Goldilocks Mastectomy is no different from any other mastectomy in that glandular tissue is removed from the breast while preserving healthy fatty tissue and skin. However, many patients have enough residual healthy skin and fat left behind recreate a smaller “breast.” The healthy tissue is carefully preserved and reconfigured, instead of being discarded. The final result is a residual fullness that is very much like a breast reduction, but no breast glandular tissue will remain and the final size is dependent on the size of the original breast. Often, this allows a ‘shelf’ of soft tissue to allow one to fit a breast prosthetic bra better. Only one surgery is required. Recovery is minimal with no other sites to heal. There is no donor site that may have associated risk of numbness, infection or hernia in healthy party of the body. There is no requirement for artificial implants.

The Goldilocks Mastectomy was developed by Dr. Grace Ma and Dr. Heather Richardson to give women facing mastectomy surgery an option that takes the best features of having and not having reconstruction and combining them into a single procedure.  While not every patient is suited for a Goldilocks mastectomy, for the women who decide to make it their treatment of choice, it is just right.