Breast Surgery

If you need a breast surgeon, you can find professional and personalized care at the office of skilled breast surgeon Thomas G. Zorc, MD.  Dr. Zorc can diagnose your condition and perform breast surgery if needed.   He performs surgery for all types of breast problems including for cancer and non-cancer diagnoses.  If you need a biopsy, he recommends evaluation by a breast surgeon first to determine the type of biopsy that is right for you.  Most breast surgery can be done as an outpatient in a comfortable, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery suite.  Whether you need a biopsy or breast removal surgery, you can rely on Dr. Zorc’s expertise and patient-centered approach to care. Call the Chevy Chase, Maryland, office to schedule a breast surgery consultation or request an appointment online today.

What is breast surgery?

Breast surgery can diagnose and treat different types of breast diseases.  Surgery may be needed to treat cancer or to remove tissue from the breast.  Sometimes a breast surgery will find you are at increased risk of developing cancer in the future, which can be monitored closely.

As a highly skilled breast surgeon, Dr. Zorc offers several types of breast surgeries, including:

Breast biopsy

A biopsy can be performed with a minimally invasive or open surgical technique to remove part or all suspicious areas of breast tissue. Dr. Zorc sends the tissue removed from the breast to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope to check for abnormal or cancerous cells.

Lumpectomy

A lumpectomy is a surgery to remove a portion of breast tissue to diagnose or treat cancer and for removing noncancerous lumps.  Dr. Zorc may also need to remove nearby lymph nodes to assess whether cancer has spread away from the breast.

Mastectomy

Mastectomy is a procedure to remove the entire breast to treat cancer and stop it from spreading outside of the breast.

A preventive mastectomy might also be recommended for women who have a high risk of breast cancer due to their genetic history.

Dr. Zorc performs breast surgeries in area hospitals if an overnight stay is required. Dr. Zorc, performs many outpatient breast surgeries at Private Surgical Suite, LLC, a fully accredited ambulatory surgery center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, adjacent to his office.

What can I expect during my breast surgery?

During surgery, Dr. Zorc makes an incision in your breast to access noncancerous or cancerous tissue. He uses precise surgical techniques to remove cancerous or noncancerous breast tissue without damaging healthy tissue nearby. He routinely uses plastic surgical techniques to minimize scarring and achieve optimal cosmetic outcomes. 

You can expect to spend time in recovery after an outpatient procedure before going home. If you have a mastectomy or other complex breast surgery, you may need to remain in the hospital for a day or two for observation.

How long does it take to recover from breast surgery?

Recovery from a breast biopsy is generally quick. You may have some discomfort and noticeable bruising for several days but can expect to go back to your routine of light normal activity 24 hours after surgery.  In some cases, you may need several weeks of healing time before returning to all types of activity.

After surgery, you will be instructed on how to care for the surgical site and prevent infection.  You can expect to schedule routine checkups in the office so Dr. Zorc can monitor your healing process.

Call the office of Thomas G. Zorc, MD, to schedule a breast surgery consultation or request an appointment online today.