Summary
The Goldilocks procedure is a type of breast reconstruction that is performed immediately after a mastectomy. A surgeon uses fatty tissue and skin preserved at the time of mastectomy to form a breast shape. This typically creates a small volume breast mound. The Goldilocks procedure requires sufficient skin after mastectomy to recreate a breast contour. It may not be possible in people with smaller breasts. Ideal candidates are individuals with large volume breasts before mastectomy who might otherwise have considered breast reduction surgery.
Fatty tissue and skin that were preserved at the time of the mastectomy are used to form a breast mound.
Procedure details:
- Markings are made for a planned breast reduction pattern
- Mastectomy is performed removing breast tissue and the nipple areola
- Breast skin and fat under the skin are preserved
- Within the planned breast reduction pattern marked prior to surgery, epidermis is removed, leaving only the underlying deep layer of dermis and fat
- The remaining tissue is reconfigured to create a breast shape within a breast reduction incision pattern
- The final breast size depends upon the original breast size and the amount of skin preserved after mastectomy
- Nipple areola tattoo or reconstruction may be considered once the patient has healed
Risks & Benefits
A goldilocks procedure achieves a breast shape in one operation where recovery is limited to the breast surgical site. Unlike other natural tissue procedures which require the use of tissue from other parts of the body, there is no donor site at risk for wound healing complications. Goldilocks procedures avoid donor site scarring as well. This procedure does not require implants, and breast reduction pattern scars tend to heal well. However, some patients may wish to undergo secondary procedures to improve breast contour or add volume with fat grafting.