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Archives for September 2019

Q&A: Ask the Doctor

September 27, 2019 by
Ask the Doctor: Q&A
Q: Three years ago, I had a double mastectomy and am now cancer-free. Unfortunately, my
plastic surgeon did a terrible job with the reconstruction. The left side implant is way off to the
outer side and looks larger than the right. The right side is way too far to the outside. There is
zero cleavage. Is there any way to re-position the implants to the more natural position of the
breast? I do not expect perfect but don’t like looking like a botched job. Please let me know if
your team can help. Thank you.
A: Congratulations on becoming cancer-free. At the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction it
is part of our mission to help women move on with their lives after breast cancer. We focus our
efforts on helping women get their bodies back together with permanent “natural results.”
I’m sorry you are disappointed with your reconstruction results. If you have had radiation
previously, then it may be more difficult to have your breasts match with implant reconstruction.
If you have not had radiation then perhaps your implants could be revised or adjusted for an
improved appearance.
It is possible that using your own fatty tissue would be a more permanent option without
implants. Sometimes it is hard to start over with another approach but it may be necessary if
you desire a more natural and permanent result. If you would like more information about
natural breast reconstruction with your own tissue let me know.
We are here to help!
James Craigie MD
Filed Under: Ask the Doctor, In Her Words

Q&A: Ask the Doctor

September 13, 2019 by
Ask the Doctor: QA’s
Q: I have a history of benign proliferative breast disease with associated atypical ductal
hyperplasia. I have had two needle biopsies and three surgical biopsies in my left breast. I took
Tamoxifen for five years and currently am taking Evista. Last year I completed the Myriad My
Risk Test resulting in a 37.9% remaining lifetime breast cancer risk. My monitoring plan since
2006 has been alternating diagnostic mammogram and breast MRI.
My most recent MRI located an enhancing nodule in my right breast. My oncologist has referred
me to a local surgeon to begin the process for prophylactic double mastectomy. I am interested
in natural breast reconstruction. I would like to schedule an appointment to discuss my options
with your plastic surgeons. I also will need to set up an appointment with the surgeon you use
for the actual mastectomy. I am not sure which appointment should be first.
A: Hi Stacy,
Thank you for contacting us. I am sorry you are having to make very difficult decisions in order
to prevent getting breast cancer. I commend you for being very vigilant with screening. As you
are aware screening alone won’t prevent breast cancer unless you act on the results of the tests
that indicate your risk is high.
Many women would consider preventive mastectomy in your situation. For many women
knowing that they can have immediate natural breast reconstruction for a permanent natural
result makes the decision a little easier to make. If you feel like you have any amount of extra
fatty tissue anywhere on your body then chances are you can use your own natural tissue. I’ll be
glad to answer any other specific questions just let me know.
James Craigie MD
Filed Under: Ask the Doctor, In Her Words

Benefits of Autologous Reconstruction vs. Implant Reconstruction

September 9, 2019 by

When considering breast reconstruction, a woman is faced with a few options — she can

choose autologous reconstruction — which is the use of her own skin and tissue to

create a breast mound, implants, or go flat.

Recently, the recall of certain breast implants has made the news, as the FDA reported

their connection to 573 rare cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma and 33 patient

deaths. As a result, the FDA asked Allergan to recall its BIOCELL textured breast

implants and tissue expanders and they obliged.

We are sure that this news is upsetting and leaves questions in the mind of patients

who wonder about implants and their safety, as well as the choice they should make for

their own breast reconstruction procedure.

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we educate our patients on the

differences between all types of procedures and their risks, but our emphasis has

always been on autologous reconstruction. Here’s a little about each autologous

procedure that we do:

DIEP flap: This is the most popular type of perforator flap reconstruction due to its high

success rate and its ability to reconstruct the breast without the patient having to

sacrifice much needed abdominal muscles. In addition to reconstructing the breast, the

contour of the abdomen is often improved – much like a tummy tuck.

GAP flap: Similar to the DIEP, tissue is taken from the buttock area instead of the

stomach.

PAP flap: The Profunda Artery Perforator Flap (PAP) utilizes the tissue of the upper

thigh just below the buttock to reconstruct the breast following mastectomy.

So now that you know the difference between each procedure, why should you choose

autologous reconstruction over implants?

● Autologous reconstruction lasts a lifetime: Breast reconstruction using tissue

from someplace else on your body will last a lifetime. There is nothing synthetic

that can break or cause illness or other major issues. On the other hand,

implants will normally have to be replaced between 10 and 20 years.

● Breasts made by autologous reconstruction feels more natural: When your

breasts are reconstructed, you want them to feel just like your old breasts.

Implants do not always feel real, but since the tissue on your belly, buttocks, and

upper thighs is very similar to your breast tissue, it makes for a good, more

natural substitute.

Deciding what kind of procedure is best for you is a big decision. The best thing to do is

to gather all of your facts, talk with your doctor and your surgeon and weigh all of the

pros and cons before deciding on what’s right for you.

Filed Under: Breast Cancer Awareness, Health and Wellness, In Her Words

Woman to Woman

September 6, 2019 by

 

When you’re going through something big in your life, there isn’t anything more comforting than talking to someone who has been through it before.

For women who are having breast reconstruction surgery, a doctor is certainly available to answer many of your questions, but it’s also helpful to hear from another patient who has had the same surgery. What should you expect? How should you prepare at home? How will you feel when you wake up after surgery? What clothes are best to wear? When will you feel like yourself?

Meet Shirley. She’s a patient at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction who had a double mastectomy, followed by DIEP breast reconstruction surgery. She wanted to have a ‘girl-to-girl talk’ with other patients, so she wrote a 31-page booklet filled with raw, honest tips and advice that could help others. “No offense to the medical team that put together a technically comprehensive document, but boy did they leave out a lot of information that would have been helpful!” she wrote. “The kinds of things that, really, only a patient would know.”

Here is just a sampling of her tips and advice:

It’s a process, not a procedure:After the initial surgery, Shirley reminds patients that they will have one or two more minor procedures for final “sculpting.” “It’s important that you look at your reconstruction as a process, not one procedure and it’s done,” she writes. “Some healing is required between steps, and so there will be months between each step.”

Be vigilant at following instructions: Shirley made sure she followed her doctor’s instructions completely. That means that she ate a high-protein diet, made sure to exercise and took her vitamins. “I wanted to do whatever necessary to make sure everything went smoothly,” she writes. “Getting in shape prior to surgery will set you on a path to stay in shape, which will preserve your new body! Now that I have a flat tummy and perky “girls,” I’m more motivated than ever to stay fit.”

Go shopping before your surgery: It’s not just about retail therapy that will make you feel better. Shirley is advising patients to find specific clothing that will help with recuperation. “I would recommend that you get a very good idea of where your incision line will run and try to find some clothing that will be comfortable and not hit right on it for when you get home,” she writes. “And have large shirts at hand so that your drains will fit under. They need to button up the front, too, because it will be uncomfortable to raise your arms at first.”

Arrange help: “Another thing about showers — you have to dry off with a towel. So, here I was with limited arm movement juggling four drains and trying to dry all of my pieces and parts,” she writes. “I wasn’t supposed to be alone for showers the first couple of days. Dizziness and lightheadedness are common. My husband stayed with me and even helped me towel off, dress me and blow dry my hair. Naps usually followed showers.” If you don’t have a spouse, a trusted family member or friend should be available to help you.

Paint your toes:“Everyone will see your feet,” she writes. “I got so many comments on how pretty my toes looked. For some reason, that was comforting to me.”

Shirley also provides a day-to-day synopsis of her recovery, including her challenges such as sitting up after surgery and her accomplishments. Her booklet is helpful and inspiring to other patients who also may be struggling with finding the “light at the end of the tunnel.”

From one woman to another, Shirley gets you there.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction would love to send Shirley’s book to anyone who like to receive it! Requests can be made via email, Facebook message, website chat, or phone at 843-849-8418. 

Filed Under: Breast Cancer Awareness, Health and Wellness