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Archives for September 2015

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Events

September 29, 2015 by

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October is a big month for the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction team and our wonderful patients—and we’re making it a celebration!

In case you didn’t get the hint from the pink ribbons taking over Charleston, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Supporting this cause is so dear to our hearts, and we want to let our readers know about some fantastic events happening in our area this month.

We can’t wait to see what great things October brings!

October 2—Susan G. Komen Lowcountry’s Swing for the Cure

This year we are a proud sponsor of the October 2 Susan G. Komen Lowcountry’s Swing for the Cure event—a tennis and golf fundraiser that supports the fight against breast cancer.

The weekend festivities will be kicked off with an Oyster Roast and Barbecue at The Lettered Olive Restaurant in Wild Dunes.

Click here for more information.

October 5, 12—Dr. Kline Talking Natural Breast Reconstruction

On October 5 and 12, you may see our very own Dr. Kline on Channel 4 talking all things Breast Reconstruction!

Click here for a sneak peek.

October 17—KOMEN LOWCOUNTRY RACE FOR THE CURE®

This event is always a BLAST. 100% of the net proceeds are allocated to supporting the local breast cancer community.

There are a variety of walks and runs for every skill level—even one for kids!

The race takes place at the Family Circle Stadium, and the gates open at 7 a.m.

Click here for more information.

October 23—Pink Day with Panera Bread

Be sure to head to one of the 3 Panera Bread locations participating in Pink Day. The Tanger Mall, Citadel Mall, and Main Street locations will be decked out in pink and providing pink ribbon bagels available for purchase. Delicious food and supporting a good cause are two of our favorite things!

Click here for more information.

For more on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit our Facebook page.

Filed Under: Breast Cancer Awareness Tagged With: , , , ,

Ask The Doctor-Will my breasts ever be symmetrical?

September 25, 2015 by

6868671738_8a02cc2447_zThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I live in Florida. I had breast cancer 15 years ago and had lumpectomy (r) breast and radiation. My right breast is much smaller than the left and is scarred . I would like to make both breasts symmetrical even and lifted. I have been told because of radiation treatment the right breast would not heal properly?

Answer: Thank you for your question. You  are correct that after radiation the breast tissue will not heal normally following surgery to correct asymmetry. Because the radiation impairs healing attempts to lift or change the breast shape often don’t work. Using an implant to increase the breast size is high risk for implant related problems. If surgery is attempted and a healing complication occurs, then the scaring and the result is often worse.

Two possible options for someone in general include:

1) Fat grafting to the radiated breast 

2) Completion mastectomy to remove the radiated tissue and reconstruction of the entire breast with your own fatty tissue. Option 1 would only be helpful for mild to  moderate shape problems and option 2 would be more involved but in my opinion the most helpful approach.

Let me know if you would like more information about these approaches.

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

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Our Top 5 Breast Cancer Articles

September 22, 2015 by

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With breast cancer being a big part of life’s journey for our patients and their family and friends, we always strive to provide useful information to help them throughout the process.

From debunking breast cancer myths, to fundraising tips, to caregiving advice, we want to be a partner with you each step of the way.

Below we’ve compiled a few of our favorite articles that we hope you’ll find useful, informational, and inspirational.

Preventative Measures: Staying Healthy to Stave Off Breast Cancer

Have you ever heard that wearing a bra with underwire increases your chances of breast cancer? According to health.com, this has been totally debunked by the scientific community.

There are a lot of myths about what does and doesn’t cause cancer. That’s why we’re sharing 5 ways that the Mayo Clinic has listed as being proven to decrease the risk of breast cancer—and every slight decrease counts!

Read more…

The Importance of “Thinking Pink” 365 Days a Year

It’s important we not just “think pink” in October, but every month of the year by spreading the word and becoming an advocate.

Traditionally, October is a time of great momentum for Breast Cancer Awareness, but the excitement of all the October events doesn’t have to end there! You can support these efforts, to increase breast cancer awareness right in your own backyard—and beyond—365 days a year.

Here are some creative, original ways to “think pink” all year long.

Read more…

5 Myths About Breast Cancer

There’s a lot of false information swirling around these days about what causes breast cancer.

It can be really confusing and overwhelming to sift through what information is valid and what is just plain untrue. Not only that, but some of this information can make the difference in early breast cancer detection.

That’s why we’re debunking these 5 myths that you may have heard about breast cancer.

Read more…

How to Organize, Prepare, and Host a Breast Cancer Fundraising Event

Breast cancer fundraising events are a fantastic way to show support for someone you know who has breast cancer, or support awareness breast cancer awareness and research. Like most events, fundraising for breast cancer requires important event planning steps, such as organizing, preparing, and hosting.

However, unlike most events, breast cancer fundraising requires a few key, specific steps for raising money and registering your event with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Read more…

How to Positively Support Someone with Breast Cancer

On average, 1 out of 8 women will get diagnosed with breast cancer. This statistic puts the harsh reality of this disease into perspective. Because you might not know how to react to a friend who says she has breast cancer, we put together some suggestions for you should this unfortunate situation happen.

Read more…

Like these articles? Be a regular follower of our blog!

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Ask The Doctor-Can my daughter do mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time?

September 18, 2015 by

1562198683_8cd8cb5876_zThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: My daughter was diagnosed with DCIS and Stage 2 in lymph nodes. She’s taking 6 rounds of chemo. She may need a mastectomy and then radiation. If she needs reconstruction, can she do mastectomy and reconstruction at same time?

Answer: Thank you for your question; I’m sorry to hear your daughter is going through treatment for DCIS. If she needs to have radiation after her mastectomies, then it is possible to start the reconstruction process at the time of the mastectomies. In general, most would recommend immediate reconstruction with an implant or expander. After the radiation, the reconstruction can be continued with a permanent implant, or her own tissue depending on what option is best for her.

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

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Healthy Lifestyle: Why Deep Breathing Is Essential

September 15, 2015 by

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You’ve heard the phrase, “Just take a deep breath.”

But what does deep breathing really do for your health?

According to the American Institute of Stress, abdominal breathing for 20 to 30 minutes each day will reduce anxiety and stress.

Additional benefits include added energy, better digestion, overall relaxation, and an increased ability to focus.

And guess what else?

Deep breathing is FREE (bet you were expecting the secret to great health would involve a pricey gym membership or therapy session!).

Here are 4 more benefits of why deep breathing is incredibly beneficial for our bodies:

Oxygen provides energy

By drawing in a deep breath, your blood flow increases. When your blood flow increases, the oxygen level in your blood provides added stamina and energy. This is why runners are encouraged to breathe deeply into their abdominal region (or abdomen) when they run in order to provide their bodies that extra needed energy.

Less stress

Increasing the flow of oxygen to your brain helps stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system. This helps give you the overall feeling of calm and relaxation. In addition, deep breathing helps you connect your mind and body by bringing awareness to the flow of your breath and taking your mind off worries and negative thoughts. This is why yoga is such a great exercise for those who wish to lessen their stress level, because the exercise focuses on breathing while holding poses. 

Better digestion

When you increase your intake of oxygen, your organs are able to perform at their best. In addition, you’re able to calm down and activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body to digest food more efficiently.

Focus

Being mentally present in the moment gives your brain added focus. When you breathe and bring yourself back to your center, your productivity and decision-making skills are greatly improved. When you’re having trouble getting through a task at work, take a moment to close your eyes and take 20 seconds to breathe deeply and slowly, and then try the task again.

Interested in discovering more calming techniques? Read this article.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,

Ask the Doctor-When should a patient should have a flap procedure to rebuild a breast?

September 11, 2015 by

pink flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I have been undergoing reconstruction with implants for the last couple of years. My last surgery was January 26, 2015. I have a z-plasty across the breast under the nipple reconstruction scar, not very aesthetically pleasing. Also left with a left small B, right D and pain when I sneeze in the right implant rib cage area. The small B is fine with me. One other issue that has come up is the outbreak of skin blistering which my doctor cannot account for and is ongoing. My question is how do you determine when a patient should have a flap procedure to rebuild a breast given previous medical history?

Answer:  I’m sorry you are having problems with your reconstruction. The issue of when to abandon implant reconstruction and pursue natural tissue reconstruction is sometimes very straightforward (for instance, if you put a tissue expander in a radiated mastectomy wound, and it falls out during expansion), and sometimes less obvious. Although the majority of non-radiated patients reconstructed with implants do well, a significant minority have problems, some such as you have described, and ultimately pursue reconstruction with their own tissue. The decision is often not just a straightforward medical one, but often is very dependent on what your specific goals are for your reconstructed breasts. We would be happy to talk with you more about the specifics of your specific situation, if you wish. Thanks for your inquiry.

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

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The Actual Difference Between Yoga and Pilates

September 8, 2015 by

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Stones vs. Beatles, Yankees vs. Red Sox…yoga vs. pilates?

There are some brand warriors who swear by yoga or pilates.

But we want to know what’s the actual difference between the two?

To us, they both look like a bunch of spandex wearing people contorted into impossible positions—okay, so sometimes we are those people (although, we never seem to look quite like Kate Hudson in the those new Fabletics commercials…).

Even for those of us who have dabbled in yoga and pilates, we still want to know: what is the real difference?

We’ve sent in our private, yoga-pant sporting, detectives to get to the bottom of this never-ending debate.

Yoga

We’ll start with yoga since it’s been around for a couple thousand years. Yoga focuses on flexibility, strength, endurance, and spirituality. Rooted in ancient Indian culture, yoga unites your mind, body, and spirit through movement, breathing techniques, and meditation. Yoga’s primary goal is to concentrate on your breath while deepening into poses.

Pilates

Pilates has been around for about a century, and is also rapidly growing in popularity. Pilates focuses on core strength and precise movements. The majority of pilates takes place lying horizontal on the floor working abdominal muscles, whereas yoga is primarily done remaining vertical—although both include certain exercises that involve the contrary.

PiYo

Here’s a curveball for you—PiYo is an exercise that combines the flexibility of yoga with the muscle sculpting of pilates. Unlike yoga and pilates, PiYo speeds motions up so that you’re not holding positions for a long period of time. For those who get a little impatient with slow movements, this may be the workout for you!

Our Conclusion: Mix it up! Why not reap the benefits of all three? By regularly alternating exercises, you are less likely to get bored and you receive a full body workout.

We’d love to hear your favorite workouts in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,

Ask The Doctor-What can I do about my painful scar tissue?

September 4, 2015 by

501787321_335f8e09c7_zThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I have implants over the muscle. One has extreme scar tissue around it that has made it hard and very painful. If I remove them and go under the muscle, is there less chance that this will happen again, and would I need a mesh material to have that procedure performed?

Answer: Thank you for your question. I am thinking that your implants were placed for breast augmentation, please correct me if I’m wrong. In general releasing the scar and repositioning the implants under the muscle may help the problem. Placing the implant under the muscle mainly provides more of your own tissue to cover the implant, which can be helpful for some people. Unfortunately it does not guarantee the problem wont recur. Depending on the cause of the problem this approach may be successful 50% of the time. The use of any type of mesh is not a recommended treatment specifically for scarring around an implant but there are some types of mesh like materials that can help for other types of implant problems. I would need more information about your situation to be more specific. Let me know if you would like to give me some more details. Thanks again.

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

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Mastectomy: Your Questions Answered

September 1, 2015 by

pink flowerYou just found out that you might need a mastectomy.

First, we’re so sorry to hear that. We understand what an overwhelming and emotional time this is for you and your family.

A lot of thoughts and feelings start to rush through your head when you hear the diagnosis, and it’s difficult to focus and ask the questions you need to ask.

In this article, we’re sharing some common questions patients ask about mastectomies so that we can help you get all of the necessary information that you need.

What are the three levels of mastectomy?

Let’s start with understanding the three levels of mastectomy:

1) A total mastectomy removes the breast tissue, nipple, areola, and some skin around the incision. This procedure commonly follows cancers that occur in two or more areas of the breast or those that extend beyond a biopsy’s edges.

2) A modified radical is similar to a total mastectomy, but includes an axillary dissection or sentinel node biopsy. This is now the most commonly performed mastectomy.

3) Previously, the radical mastectomy was the most common procedure—removing muscle, lymph nodes, and skin. However, now this is rarely performed.

Do I really need a mastectomy?

In some cases, a lumpectomy with radiation is as effective as mastectomy.

Given the choice, most American women choose a mastectomy—even when the outcomes of the two procedures will yield the same result. As with any surgical procedure, it’s always advisable to get a second opinion from a surgeon in a different practice.

Recent advances in the mastectomy procedure help save normal body tissue, such as the breast skin and areola, that doesn’t necessarily need to be removed in every patient. Every patient’s circumstances are unique and so are mastectomies. For instance, preventive mastectomies are different than mastectomies for cancer or when lumpectomies don’t work.

Will my nipple be removed, and will there be scaring?

It depends on the individual’s situation, however, it is possible to have a mastectomy and save the nipple.

There are also situations when a mastectomy is done with a “hidden” or “scarless” approach.

Advances in microsurgery and breast surgery allow surgeons to perform mastectomies with hidden scars, similar to a breast lift or augmentation procedure, without leaving scars on the breast skin. Patients who are candidates for this surgery preserve their breast skin—including the nipple and areola.

This technique begins with an incision under the arm, under the breast fold, around the nipple, or down the bottom of the breast below the bra line. Reconstruction involves using a one of the perforator flap techniques (DIEP, SIEA, or GAP), where the relocated tissue fills in and shapes the breast.

Ask if your plastic surgeon works with a breast surgeon who considers these options when planning your mastectomy. Also if a reconstruction is scheduled immediately following mastectomy and you have completed chemotherapy and/or radiation, the mastectomy may be done in a way to make the overall result of your reconstruction better.

Have more questions? Our doctors are happy to provide their expertise.

Filed Under: Breast Cancer Awareness, Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,