Archives for September 2013

What Is My Best Reconstructive Surgery Option After Lumpectomy and Radiation?

Sometimes, the answers we need are found in unexpected places. Our team is happy to share our information…wherever we go!

This week, Dr. Richard Kline of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.

Q: I had a lumpectomy on my right breast in 2007. My oncologist has given me the green light to plan reconstructive surgery. I’m hoping to have some sort of reconstructive surgery to balance both breasts. I’m 69 years old. The odd part of this request is that a close friend of mine sat next to Dr. Kline on a flight from Louisville to Charleston!

A: It was a pleasure talking with your friend on the plane, she seemed extremely nice, and immediately mentioned you when she learned what I do for a living.

There are potentially several reconstructive routes one can go after lumpectomy with radiation, depending on your present situation and your goals. As you probably know, your chances of successfully tolerating a breast implant in the radiated breast, while not zero, are much diminished due to the radiation.

If it’s OK with you, I’d like to have our nurse Chris or P.A. Kim call you, and get a few more details about your situation. After that, we can chat by phone, and I’ll give you my honest opinion about which potential interventions might be best for you.

Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr.

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

Soothing Remedies for Menopause Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are sudden and unexpected sensations of warmth or heat, typically along the upper body. They are part of menopause for many women and can occur at any time of day. They can be uncomfortable, and they can cause profuse sweating and irritability. Several remedies exist for hot flashes, and here is a partial list. Hope these help!

Hormone therapy and antidepressants

Many women are uncomfortable with this, but supplementing with estrogen and/or progesterone can reduce hot flashes. The trick is to use the lowest dosage that works. Your doctor can test your hormone levels and determine the best course of action.

If you’d rather go a more natural route, a compounding pharmacy can create bioidentical creams if you’d rather not take pills. Eating soy, which contains a plant estrogen, is a common remedy in Asian countries.

Some common antidepressants at low doses, such as Prozac and Paxil, can reduce hot flashes, but they may have more side effects than simple hormone therapy.

Staying cool wherever you go

Simply wearing layers of light clothing can help hot flashes. Thin t-shirts or tank tops keep you covered but allow air to get to your skin, cooling you off. Keep ice-cold water handy to sip on if you feel a flash coming on. If you can, keep a personal fan with you, and stay near open windows.

While sleeping (a common time for hot flashes), sleep on a cool pillow, and keep the room at a low temperature. Reduce bedcovers to only a couple of layers in case you need to get rid of them.

Any way you can alter your environment to stay cool will reduce the severity of hot flashes.

Avoiding hot flash triggers

Hot flashes can be triggered or worsened by anything that causes inflammation or heat in the body. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, heat sources, and stress. If you smoke, quit.

Health-food store remedies

Hot flash herbs and natural remedies are available in most health-food stores. Kava, dong quai, and black cohosh help with those feelings of heat.

If you’ve been through menopause, what helped you with the hot flashes?

Happy Labor Day!

Our booth at the recent Survivors Conference in Tennessee!

 

 

Happy Labor Day from the team at Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction!

We hope you have a relaxing Monday with friends and loved ones.

Our Center is so grateful for the doctors and staff that keep it running every day. Let’s take a moment to thank those who stand by us as we work, those who support us in our hardest moments, and those who wait for us at the finish line.

“Hard work and togetherness. They go hand in hand. You need the hard work because it’s such a tough atmosphere… to win week in and week out. You need togetherness because you don’t always win, and you gotta hang though together. ”\

–Tony Dungy
Former Professional Football Player And Coach