Post mastectomy breast reconstruction is one of the most important factors for breast cancer patients’ overall well-being and long-term health. Yet while rates of breast reconstruction in the U.S. have increased over time, they still remain relatively low. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, less than 20% of women who require mastectomy elect… Continue reading Mistaken Beliefs about Breast Cancer Restruction
Tag: breast reconstruction
Using Fat Grafting for Breast Reconstruction
Fat grafting is an innovative form of breast reconstruction that avoids both the artificiality of breast implants and the scarring and complexities of flap surgery. A form of natural tissue breast reconstruction, fat grafting is an option for women with the time and patience to accept its limitations. The most common type of breast reconstruction… Continue reading Using Fat Grafting for Breast Reconstruction
Restoring Breast Sensation After Mastectomy
Each year in the United States, more than 100,000 women have mastectomies. Advances in surgical techniques today offer women the hope of a soft, warm breast that may look similar and feel much like her original breast, especially if she undergoes natural tissue breast reconstruction. As a result, more and more women now choose breast… Continue reading Restoring Breast Sensation After Mastectomy
Post Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction Basics: Understanding Your Options
Breast reconstruction has come a long way. Although breast cancer was known to the ancient Egyptians as far back as 1600 B.C., it was not until the 18th century that it was understood to be a localized disease whose spread could be contained by isolating and removing the affected cells, and it was not until… Continue reading Post Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction Basics: Understanding Your Options
Putting a New Nipple on a Reconstructed Breast
More and more women who have lost a breast to mastectomy now choose breast reconstruction. Reconstruction can be performed either at the time of the mastectomy, called “immediate reconstruction,” or later, called “delayed reconstruction.” Breast reconstruction can also be performed either via breast implants or with a woman’s own natural tissue. Using her own tissue… Continue reading Putting a New Nipple on a Reconstructed Breast
Advances in Breast Surgery: Correcting Failed Implants
Among women who opt for reconstruction after losing a breast to mastectomy, 80% undergo reconstruction with implants. Many women see implants as the quickest, simplest reconstructive option. Their other choice – natural-tissue reconstruction – requires a more complex surgery and longer recovery time. However, studies have shown that the risk of cosmetic and health problems… Continue reading Advances in Breast Surgery: Correcting Failed Implants
Breast Cancer Surgery: What to Wear When You Come Home
While planning for breast reconstruction surgery, many women wonder about what they should wear during the recovery period. In the first weeks home, you may want to avoid tight-fitting, restrictive clothing and anything that requires you to lift your arms over your head. Clothes should be loose and comfortable, and they should slip on easily… Continue reading Breast Cancer Surgery: What to Wear When You Come Home
Less Pain, Quicker Recovery: ERAS Is All About Improving the Patient Experience
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based, patient-focused protocol that reduces hospital stays, minimizes postoperative pain, and speeds overall patient recovery after surgery. “Frankly, ERAS has transformed the mentality of many health providers who used to just accept the status quo. For breast surgery patients, my multidisciplinary team and I have implemented ERAS to… Continue reading Less Pain, Quicker Recovery: ERAS Is All About Improving the Patient Experience
Managing the Emotional Aspects of Breast Reconstruction
More than 268,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2018, according to estimates by the American Cancer Society. Many of these breast cancer patients need to decide whether or not to undergo undergo mastectomy and breast reconstruction. A breast cancer diagnosis is difficult, and coping with decisions about surgical treatment and its aftermath… Continue reading Managing the Emotional Aspects of Breast Reconstruction
How to Give Yourself the Best Chance for a Normal Breast Shape After Mastectomy
Many people who have seen a woman’s chest after mastectomy have been exposed to the bold horizontal line that marks the spot where the breast existed before it was amputated. The preoperative markings for a traditional mastectomy look like an eye drawn on the breast to indicate the area of skin that will be cut… Continue reading How to Give Yourself the Best Chance for a Normal Breast Shape After Mastectomy
Advances in Breast Reconstruction: Fat Grafting to Improve Outcomes
For many women who have lost one or both breasts to mastectomy, achieving the ideal breast reconstruction may take time and patience. While it is tempting to opt for short-term quick fixes, the reality is that breast reconstruction after mastectomy should be considered a process rather than a single procedure. Even with the most advanced… Continue reading Advances in Breast Reconstruction: Fat Grafting to Improve Outcomes
Advances in Breast Reconstruction: The PAP Flap Reduces Visible Scarring
Women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy have many options. The gold standard of breast reconstruction is natural tissue breast reconstruction, in which a woman’s own tissue is used to reconstruct the breast. Unlike implant-based breast reconstruction, a restored breast made of your own tissue is soft, warm, and grows or shrinks as you gain or… Continue reading Advances in Breast Reconstruction: The PAP Flap Reduces Visible Scarring
Correcting Breast Asymmetry after Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction: Understanding the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
A diagnosis of breast cancer profoundly impacts a woman’s life. In addition to coping with overwhelming emotions, she must make important choices about treatment and all of its implications. One of those is the financial ramifications of her illness, particularly if she will need surgical treatment of her breast. She will need to learn all… Continue reading Breast Reconstruction: Understanding the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
Breast Reconstruction: Why Going Out-of-Network Might Work for You
A diagnosis of breast cancer turns a woman’s life upside down. Despite roiling emotions, she must make crucial decisions about treatment and figure out how to manage her life in the face of a new reality. Not least among her concerns are the financial ramifications of her illness, particularly if she will need a mastectomy.… Continue reading Breast Reconstruction: Why Going Out-of-Network Might Work for You
Short-Scar Breast Reduction Surgery
Many women with very large, heavy breasts suffer years of physical and social discomfort: neck, back, and shoulder pain, rashes under the breasts, difficulty finding clothes that fit, unwanted attention. Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, effectively addresses these problems and improves appearance. Breast tissue and breast skin is resected and the nipple-areola complex is… Continue reading Short-Scar Breast Reduction Surgery
Secondary Breast Reconstruction: Getting It Right
For many women, breast reconstruction is a process rather than a single procedure. Some women have experienced complications, particularly with implants, that require additional surgery. And many women are simply unhappy with the results of their breast reconstruction. The goal of breast reconstruction after mastectomy is to create a natural breast with the shape, softness… Continue reading Secondary Breast Reconstruction: Getting It Right
Restoring Sensation to the Breast after Mastectomy
More than 100,000 women have mastectomies in the United States every year. And, with surgical advances that promise a soft, warm breast that will look and feel like her original breast, more and more women now opt for breast reconstruction, either at the time of the mastectomy or later. But many of these women who… Continue reading Restoring Sensation to the Breast after Mastectomy