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Ask the Doctor: Q&A

April 22, 2019 by

 

Q:

What is the success rate for someone with:
• a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in 2011;
• encapsulation in 2016 with several fat graft attempts;
• failed implant on radiated left breast site, removed in December 2016; and
• removed right implant in February 2017?
I am now am searching DIEP options.

Thanks,

C

A:

Hi C,
I am sincerely sorry you have had so much trouble. Fortunately, none of your prior problems affect the success rate of DIEP flaps in our practice.
We recently tabulated and presented our 15-year flap experience. After 1,362 DIEP flaps, the overall survival rate was 99 percent. Neither radiation nor previous failed implant reconstructions affects the flap survival rate. Many, many, many patients with a history of radiation and multiple implant failures have gone on to have successful DIEP flap reconstructions.
I would be happy to meet with you and review your options, or chat with you by phone, just let us know how we can help.

Sincerely,

Richard M Kline Jr MD

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor

Ask the Doctor: Q&A

April 15, 2019 by

Q:

I had a mastectomy in 2008 with implant reconstruction. I had the implants exchanged during additional procedures to help improve the look of the breast. I am very unhappy with how I look as it is very unnatural. I am not opposed to a procedure with another implant if done correctly. Is this something you do? Otherwise I may need to consider alternatives as I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin.

Thanks,

V

A: Hi V,
Thanks for your inquiry.
We frequently revise implant reconstructions to improve patient satisfaction. For several years, we have done essentially all of our implant-based reconstructions in front of the pectoralis muscle, which confers a number of significant benefits in terms of comfort, appearance and naturalness (compared to behind-the-muscle). I also have converted a number of patients with older behind-the-muscle reconstructions to modern in-front-of-the-muscle reconstructions, and they all feel the result is much nicer.
If implant reconstruction still proved unacceptable to you, using your own tissue is another powerful option. We have completed more than 1,800 natural tissue reconstructions – many in women who previously had unsatisfactory implant reconstruction – with great success.
I would be happy to see you in consultation, or discuss your situation in more detail by phone, if you wish. Please let us know what works for you.
Best,

Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor

When is the Ideal Time for Reconstruction Surgery?

April 11, 2019 by

Some breast cancer patients require a mastectomy, the removal of a breast affected with cancer. Many choose to then have reconstruction surgery in an attempt to rebuild the breasts back to a normal look and shape. But when is the best time to have this surgery – at the same time you are having your mastectomy or at a later time?

Well, it depends on a variety of factors.

During the Mastectomy

Ideally, reconstruction begins at the same time that you have the mastectomy. This is especially important for earlier stage breast cancers. There is an advantage to having immediate reconstruction: Breast cancer patients do not have to wake up to the stark change of a removed breast. Instead, the reconstructed breast is already in place. This often helps with the breast cancer patient’s self-esteem and recovery.

Months After the Mastectomy

However, breast cancer patients who must undergo chemotherapy or radiation may choose to delay their breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction cannot be performed until around six months after a patient’s final radiation treatment. However, chemotherapy varies. Some women have mastectomy and reconstruction immediately and do not start chemotherapy until after that is completed. Some women have to do chemotherapy first and then have mastectomy and reconstruction. Others have their mastectomy, have chemotherapy and wait to have reconstruction. Planning and timing is based on the type of cancer, pathology, oncology recommendation and the patient preference.

You might also decide to have reconstruction at a later time because, as a breast cancer patient, you are also dealing with a lot and may just want some time to make this decision and prepare for the surgeries.

Preparing for a Delayed Reconstruction

For those who do choose delayed reconstruction, the surgeon can put expanders in during the mastectomy that will help to keep the skin preserved to accommodate an implant or autologeous breast flap at a later time.

There are many decisions to make when you are undergoing breast cancer treatment and possible reconstruction. Patients and their team must consider timing and which reconstruction procedure is best. The patient can choose from implants or autologous breast procedures. Autologous breast reconstruction uses the patient’s own body tissue to recreate the breast. The tissue can come from the belly, buttocks or thigh.

It is important to note that if radiation therapy is indicated it’s best that occur before undergoing autologous breast reconstruction. Whether you decide to have autologous breast reconstruction or implant reconstruction will also depend on several factors, including your age, health status, location of the tumor, previous surgeries and the availability of extra tissue in your body. There are pros and cons of each procedure, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about which one is best for you.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction believes in good health for everyone. If you or someone you know is in need of breast reconstruction, contact them at NaturalBreastReconstruction.com or toll-free at 866-374-2627.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness

Know the 5 Steps of Breast Reconstruction Before Your Mastectomy

April 9, 2019 by

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a mastectomy, your doctor has probably discussed what comes next. Often, if you choose breast reconstruction, the process starts at the time of your mastectomy, but it can also be done at a later time – even years later.

Once the reconstruction process starts, it’s typically two or three stages – restoring the breast, refining the shape of the reconstructed breast and then reconstructing the nipples if desired. But every breast reconstruction procedure should start with a consultation with your physician.

Step One: Consultation with Your Team
Not every woman chooses to have reconstruction after mastectomy, so it’s important to weigh your options with your team, which should include your breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist and anyone else who is part of your treatment.

If you do choose reconstruction, your physician should discuss whether you will have your procedure at the same time you are having your mastectomy or at a later time. Your physician may recommend delaying your breast reconstruction based on the course of your treatment. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiation can delay the ability to have immediate reconstruction. Your surgeons should discuss the risks and benefits associated with all breast reconstruction procedures to allow you to make the choice that is best for you as well as helping you understand when the right time is for you to successfully complete the procedure of your choice.

Step Two: Mastectomy and Reconstruction

Choosing immediate reconstruction, at the time of mastectomy, is a great choice if it’s possible for the patient to do so. Those who opt to have breast reconstruction at a later time and have their mastectomy completed first can still choose from the wide variety of breast reconstruction procedures offered to all patients. At the time of mastectomy, tissue expanders can be inserted to help preserve the shape of the breast and conserve breast skin should definitive reconstructive surgery be scheduled for the future.   

Step Three: Restoring the Breast

Now it’s time to rebuild your breast. The two most common reconstruction procedures are autologous breast reconstruction and implant reconstruction. During autologous reconstruction, a plastic surgeon uses your own tissue, skin and fat from another place on your body – typically from your buttock, abdomen or thigh – to recreate your breast mound. Should you choose implant reconstruction, our surgeons at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction utilize the most state of the art techniques to achieve the most natural result. Direct to implant and above the muscle implant reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix are examples of the procedures we offer. 

Step Four: Refinement
Sometimes the shape of the reconstructed breasts need to be refined a bit, so another surgical procedure might be necessary. Some patients also choose to have the unaffected breast modified to achieve even closer symmetry, and that can be done at this stage.

Step Five: Nipple Reconstruction

If you have chosen to have a nipple-preserving mastectomy, you may only need one or two stages of surgery to complete the restoration process. However, if you need nipple reconstruction, it can be done either during Stage Two or Three. We typically like to wait at least three months between all procedures if possible to allow for healing before making further modifications. A few months after the nipples are reconstructed, you may also undergo a tattooing procedure to add more natural coloring to the nipple. Some women choose only 3-D tattooing as their definitive choice for nipple reconstruction.

Recovery time will vary from patient to patient. Your individual surgery timeline may also differ depending on your particular needs.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction believes in good health for everyone. If you or someone you know is in need of breast reconstruction, contact them at NaturalBreastReconstruction.com or toll-free at 866-374-2627.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness

Finding the Right Surgeon

March 18, 2019 by

5 Key Attributes to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon

 

You’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Now you’ve made the important decision to have reconstructive surgery to rebuild your breast. Your next important decision is to make sure you have the right plastic surgeon to do the job.

Finding the right surgeon isn’t always easy. But you need to put the same time and effort into it that you would put into hiring a real estate agent to find you a home or finding the right school for your children. After all this is your health we’re talking about and you deserve the best.

So what should you look for when choosing a surgeon?

1. Make Sure the Plastic Surgeon Specializes in Your Procedure

Some plastic surgeons specialize in implants, while others do tissue flap procedures, such as TRAM or the newer microsurgical procedure, the DIEP flap. Perhaps you already had a reconstruction procedure and need it revised. You need someone who has extensive experience with revision surgery.  Ask how many procedures the surgeon has performed and the success rate for the specific procedure you are considering.

2. Make Sure They are Board Certified and Well Trained.

Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)  which means that they have completed residency training specifically in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at an accredited institution.  They have passed comprehensive written and oral examinations covering all plastic surgery procedures. You can visit the ABPS website to find out if your plastic surgeon is an up-to-date certified member.  Fellowship training in a specialized field such as Breast Microsurgery is desirable if you are considering muscle sparing autologeous reconstruction procedures such as DIEP, GAP, PAP etc.

3. Make Sure the Surgeon’s Record is Clean

There are licensing boards for each state where you can check a surgeon’s background for any malpractice judgments or disciplinary actions. Visit the Federation of State Medical Boards’ website for more information.

4. Make Sure You are Comfortable

Once you find a plastic surgeon that specializes in your chosen breast reconstruction procedure, make sure to meet and ask a variety of questions. For example, how many procedures have you performed? What is your success rate? What is your background? What will the surgery entail and what is recovery going to be like?

Even if you have done your research and know the answers, see if you are comfortable with how the doctor communicates with you during this meeting. Does the surgeon answer your questions thoroughly and address your concerns?  If the answers are off-putting or you feel uncomfortable in any way, that surgeon may not be the one for you.

5. Make Sure They Take Your Insurance

It might sound like an obvious thing to ask, but some surgeons will require that you pay out-of-network fees. You don’t want to be surprised with a big bill at the end of the procedure, so make sure that your plastic surgery procedure and the surgeon’s fees are covered at in-network rates by your insurance plan. Work with the surgeon and their staff to make sure everything is covered and you know all of the out-of-pocket costs prior to the procedure.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction believes in good health for everyone. If you or someone you know is in need of breast reconstruction, contact them at NaturalBreastReconstruction.com or toll-free at 866- 374-2627.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: ,

Ask the Doctor: Q&A

March 11, 2019 by

Q: I had a lumpectomy and radiation for breast cancer. I would like to know if I can get reconstruction surgery.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jones

A: Ms. Jones,
Thank you for your question. You can absolutely get reconstruction after lumpectomy and radiation. Some of your options depend on the extent of deformity/radiation damage and asymmetry between breasts, and whether you want to proceed with a complete mastectomy.
If you are looking to just improve the appearance of your radiated breast, different things that can be done to adjust that breast to achieve a better cosmetic result and symmetry. Often modifying the non-cancer breast with a reduction and/or lift can create better symmetry.

With true breast reconstruction, you need a complete mastectomy for an implant or your own tissue to replace the breast mound. Implants are often not recommended for and do not work the best in a radiated breast, but it is not impossible. Having had a lumpectomy with radiation has no effect on your ability to have the breast reconstructed with your own tissue by using your abdomen, buttocks or thighs as the most likely donor sites.

We work with multiple excellent breast surgeons in our area who could do the mastectomy immediately followed by reconstruction in the same surgery. Depending on your overall risk and preference, you could also have the non-cancer breast removed and reconstructed, but we leave that decision up to you and your oncology team.

Our reconstruction procedures are most commonly a staged process that involves at least two surgeries to achieve something close to a satisfying result. We would be happy to meet you in the office for a consult with one of our surgeons, Dr. James Craigie or Dr. Richard Kline, to discuss your best options and give you more information on the different procedures. If you live out of town, we can often offer a phone consult first to help you better understand the process before you make a long trip here. We also can set up a meeting for you with a local breast surgeon on the same day as your consult with us if you are interested. Please let us know how we can best help you, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,

Audrey Rowen, PA-C

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Ask the Doctor: Q&A

February 11, 2019 by

Q:
I recently completed chemo for stage 3 IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) in my left breast. I have chosen to have a bilateral mastectomy because I’m 44 and my oncologist recommended it. I’m scheduled for radiation after surgery. I was hoping to have immediate DIEP flap reconstruction but the plastic surgeon I spoke to today said he doesn’t recommend it until after radiation. I had originally consulted with an out-of-state plastic surgeon who said they perform the mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with skin flaps but they don’t recommend it with implants. My radiation oncologist even told me that statistically, women are more satisfied with immediate reconstruction. I’m very confused and if I can avoid having two surgeries, I would prefer that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Angie

 

A:
Hi Angie,
I’m sorry you are going through this, but your question is an excellent one, and has been asked by many patients.
We try not to radiate natural tissue (flap) reconstructions, which includes DIEP flaps. As a rule, at best, the radiation will “shrivel up” the flap about 25% and make it firmer; at worst, it will shrivel it up to almost nothing. While some plastic surgeons don’t seem to mind these odds, we feel that in general, we do patients a disservice if we recommend radiating flaps. Additionally, if the flap is delayed until AFTER the radiation, it is usually the IDEAL method of reconstruction, and its success is not at all affected by the fact that the breast area has been radiated.
On the other hand, implant-based reconstructions, while faring more poorly when radiated than when not radiated, at least do not place priceless irreplaceable natural tissue at risk of loss. When we know or strongly suspect that a patient is to need post-operative radiation, we often recommend placing temporary tissue expanders in front of the muscle at the time of mastectomy(ies). After the radiation is complete, the expander is removed, and reconstruction with natural tissue (such as DIEP flap or sGAP flap) is performed. It is not absolutely necessary that a temporary tissue expander be placed, but it serves the dual purposes of providing a temporary breast mound, and often preventing excessive wrinkling and contraction of the remaining breast skin until reconstruction with your own tissue can be done.
I would be happy to chat with you by phone or see you in person to discuss your situation further, if you wish. We have performed more than 1400 DIEP flaps with a 99% success rate, and we are happy to share what we have learned in the process.

Thanks,
Dr. Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D.

Dr. Kline trained in microsurgery with Dr. Robert Allen, who was pioneering the DIEP, SIEA, and GAP flaps.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor

Ask the Doctor: Q&A

January 21, 2019 by

Q:
What is a safe cc (cubic centimeters) of fluid to fill breast tissue expanders every two weeks?
Danna

A:
Hi Danna, 
Thank you for reaching out.

The answer to your question depends on multiple factors. Usually there is a certain amount of fluid that needs to be added to an expander after surgery so that the skin is stretched enough to fit around the more permanent implant. Usually the fluid is added gradually until the goal is met. This may take multiple visits to the surgeon until enough is added. The amount added at each visit depends on what size expander was used and how much skin stretching is needed. The healing process is also important. If healing is slow, then less can be added safely. Finally, fluid is usually added until the patient feels tightness, not severe pain. The tightness goes away gradually and in a few days, more can be added and the process is repeated. We can usually expect 50-250ccs added – per visit – depending on the above-mentioned factors. 


I hope this answered your question. Please let me know if you need any additional information.


Thanks again, 

Dr. James Craigie

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Ask the Doctor: Q&A

January 7, 2019 by

Q:
I had a bilateral mastectomy three years ago because of stage one ER positive breast cancer in the left breast and DCIS in the right. I chose to have a double mastectomy to avoid radiation. I hate my reconstruction! It feels unnatural and bulbous, and the breasts are too far apart. They are uncomfortable when I sleep because they are too big (they are gel inserts). I can’t feel anything on the front of either of my breasts. Can you help me?

Susan

A:

Hi Susan,


You are not alone. Many women have gel implant reconstructions that feel very unnatural. Fortunately, there is an excellent chance we can help you. 
We have reconstructed hundreds of women using only their own tissue (DIEP flaps or sGAP flaps), which leaves the most natural-feeling breast reconstruction currently possible. Fortunately, a prior history of unsatisfactory implant-based reconstructions doesn’t affect our ability to reconstruct your breasts using your own tissue.

In the unlikely event that you do not have adequate donor tissue for a fully natural reconstruction, there are other options available (such as placing the implants in front of the muscle), but we recommend using your own tissue if possible for the most natural, long-lasting result. 
I would be very happy to speak with you by phone, or see you for a consultation, if you would like. Please let us know how we may help.


Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: ,

Ask the Doctor: Flap Surgeries

December 10, 2018 by

natural breast reconstructionQuestion: 

I had a bilateral mastectomy last December after chemotherapy for stage 3 breast cancer in my right breast and lymph node removal. Expanders were inserted, and I had radiation treatment that ended in the spring. I am now ready to get rid of these expanders and have reconstructive surgery. I am confident I want an autologous tissue surgery. I am on my third plastic surgeon and I have concerns about going forward with this doctor since he has not shown me any pictures and does not talk about a “team” approach.

I was interested in the PAP flap surgery since I have large hips and thighs, but he has only talked about doing the DIEP flap surgery or implants. He has other plastic surgeries (not breast reconstruction) he specializes in at his practice. I have never considered going out-of-state for medical treatment, and my work schedule is a concern.

I just want to know your thoughts about my situation and if I should go forward with my current doctor. I have found your website to be a great source of information and encouragement. God bless you for all your doing to help!

Answer: 

Thanks for reaching out to us.

The PAP is our 3rd line flap (after DIEP and SGAP). It is ideal in some situations, and yours may well be one of them, but it does have a few potential downsides:

  1. In MOST people, the flaps are fairly small, typically 200-300 grams (but you may be an exception);
  2. The profunda artery perforator, while usually present, is occasionally absent or very small. The preoperative MRI angiogram will determine this; and
  3. If you have a donor site complication, such as dehiscence (ruptured wound along a surgical incision), it can be difficult to manage due to the location and motion in the area.

One good thing about the PAP in contrast to the TUG (which we do not use) is that it involves few if any lymph nodes, and thus the risk of lower extremity lymphedema is minimal. We usually recommend the DIEP if you have a good donor site, but many people do not. Our DIEP success rate (after around 1350 flaps) is 99.0 percent.

The SGAP, our next choice, is an extremely good flap, although the dissection is difficult, which is why it is not routinely performed in most places. This flap can be quite large, occasionally in excess of 1000 grams in certain individuals. We have completed about 270 of these flaps, most simultaneous bilateral, with a success rate of 94.8 percent. We firmly believe in the team approach, which was taught to us by Dr. Allen, and we would not have the results that we do without it.

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we never do flaps without two equally competent microsurgeons present.

Thank you again for your inquiry. Please contact us if you need anything, and we would be happy to speak with you by phone, or see you in-person for a consultation at any time.

Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD, East Cooper Plastic Surgery, The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, Phone: (843) 849-8418, Fax: (843) 849-8419, 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 120, Mount Pleasant, S.C. 29464.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor
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