Helping women make smart, informed choices about breast reconstruction.
Our doctors and staff at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction wish you a merry Christmas and holiday season!
It is such a joy to have friends, former patients, and current clients reaching out to us during this time. We hope your week is filled with warmth and cheer for a healthy new year!
This week we’re happy to highlight Shirley Nilsen’s story for In Her Words. Shirley, a breast cancer survivor, spearheads an initiative for East Cooper Medical Center, where volunteers provide plush essential care bags to post-surgery breast reconstruction patients. She reminds us that even the smallest gestures of kindest go a long way.
This is an incredible initiative and it’s managed by all volunteers! Tell me a little more about the initiative, why it was created and what it means to you.
We were approached last year by the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction to see if our Volunteer Services Organization, a non-profit entity that provides scholarships for students going into the medical field, medications for patients who need financial assistance, and donations to charities in the East Cooper area, would be interested in providing basic essentials to breast reconstruction patients upon discharge.
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction held a fund-raiser and $2167 was raised, with 20% of the money going to The Plastic Surgery Foundation Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund. The remainder was donated to the VSO, who put together bags to give to any patient of any physician who had breast reconstruction at East Cooper Medical Center.
What items are included in post-op care bags for reconstruction patients?
4” x 4” Gauze Sponges, 2 packs of warm, fuzzy non-skid socks; pink-ribbon pin; pink-ribbon manicure set; pink-ribbon pen and pad set; pill box; travel mirror.
Do you have any stories from you or a loved one about breast cancer survival or wellness?
I am a breast cancer survivor and have had reconstruction. Although my surgery was over 10 years ago, I still remember the feeling of thinking “will I still feel like a woman, will I be perceived any differently because I have had my breast removed and how will my reconstruction look. I was very lucky that I had the support of my husband, family and friends. Unfortunately, all women do not have that support and my heart truly hurts for those women. The volunteers want women to know that they care. There is a note in the bag from the volunteers which says:
The Volunteers at East Cooper Medical Center would like to present this lovely tote bag and the little gifts inside to show their support for you as you recover from your surgery. The funds to purchase these items came from a fundraiser in October, 2012 whose purpose was to show support for women undergoing breast reconstruction surgery. We hope you find these items useful and we wish you a speedy recovery.
How can people support this ongoing project?
People can make a donation to the Volunteer Service Organization at East Cooper Medical Center, 2000 Hospital Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, designating that their donation go to the “Breast Reconstruction Fund”.
This week, Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. and Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.
Q: What form of reconstruction do you prefer and which requires the least amount of procedures?
A: Our practice specializes in breast reconstruction using your own tissue and without sacrificing important muscles and without implants. Our preferred approach is to give women the option that works best for them! This takes into consideration each person’s situation and body type.
We prefer to transfer skin and fatty tissue from the “donor” area a person happens to have extra tissue. Each person’s body has its own form and shape therefore we prefer to make our recommendations based on where each person’s body has extra tissue to work with. Implant breast reconstruction is usually a shorter recovery because there is no donor site that has to heal. The results with implants are not as natural as using your own tissue and people with implant reconstructions generally have more procedures as time goes by because of changes due to the implants etc..
All types of breast reconstruction may involve multiple steps, usually 2 stages. Sometimes minor adjustments may follow depending on many different variables. I hope this answers your question.
James Craigie, MD
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
—
Q: Can implants be used for reconstruction for breast cancer patients? If yes, is there a preference among medical practitioners as to whether the implant should be saline or silicone?
A: Implants not only CAN be used, they ARE used the great majority of the time (as opposed to reconstruction with the patient’s own tissue). Natural breast reconstruction with the patient’s own tissue is a longer, more involved procedure than implant reconstruction, with more serious risks, and is not the best choice for everyone.
Patients who have been radiated as part of their breast cancer treatment tolerate implants poorly as a rule, and for them, natural breast reconstruction may be their only hope for restoring symmetry. On the other hand, many patients who could be reconstructed with implants simply prefer to use their own tissue. Breasts reconstructed with your own tissue are warmer, softer, move more naturally, and are generally much closer to the “real thing” than implants. We have made a conscious decision to limit our practice to this type of reconstruction so that we can optimally serve the women who want or need it. However, implants seem to work quite well for the majority of breast cancer patients.
Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!
This week, Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.
Q: I had tram flap surgery 6 years ago for one breast in Atlanta at Emory with a good plastic surgeon. I am experiencing horrible pain under my breast and around my upper rib cage where it has been mostly numb for all these years. It feels like 1000 bees are stinging me all the time. It also feels like something has pulled loose. There’s a bruised feeling as well. I wonder if the nerves are just now growing back which is causing the pain? My breast is very heavy. Is it possible to “re-do” this breast to relieve the constant pain? Or is this “normal” after six years? I am miserable.
A: I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble.
It is certainly possible that something could have “pulled loose,” although, as you might suspect, it would be a little unusual after all this time. Also, while there is no theoretical time limit on how long sensory nerves can take to grow back, it would also be unusual to have that process stretch out this long.
Probably the best idea is to go back and see your original plastic surgeon. She or he may wish to obtain a CT scan, MRI, or some other type of imaging study, depending on your physical findings. If nothing unusual is detected, she may possibly send you to a pain therapist for treatment.
Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!
This week, we continue with Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answering your questions about DIEP flap surgery.
Q: I had the DIEP flap surgery for both breasts in February this year. The incision in my stomach area has split and I am being told that this happens to 50% of patients. Is this true? I am told to use wet to dry dressing twice a day. I just don’t know if this is accurate because at the same time I’m told to exercise more? Can you please advise? Thank you for your time.
A: I am sorry you are having problems healing. It is not uncommon after a DIEP procedure to have some healing problems. These range from minor (usually little treatment needed) to more involved (may require a longer time to heal, special wound care or surgery). Because the tummy is pulled together, sometimes tight, an opening in the incision is pulled open even more by tension.
One of the benefits of the DIEP is that your muscles are spared and no artificial mesh over your tummy wall is needed. Therefore infection is usually not a serious problem. Healing may take a while. Take special care but it should not permanently affect the end result. I hope this answers your question and you have a speedy recovery.
James E Craigie, MD
Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!
The following question is answered by Richard Kline of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.
Q: My reconstruction consisted of chest muscle to create a pocket for a silicone implant. I have had it since 2004. They used an expander. It was the best choice for me at the time. If the implant is removed and the muscles are fixed, will they recover and function normally? For example, will I be able to do pushups and bench presses again?
A: Thank your for your question. Although the muscle is replaced against the chest wall when an implant is replaced with a flap, it is impossible to duplicate the strength of the original muscle attachment.
Having said that, most patients function quite well with an implant under the muscle, and I’m hesitant to tell you you’ll see dramatic functional improvement if you convert your implant to a flap.
I hope this helps.
Richard Kline
Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!
Image Above Taken From: www.webmd.com
At the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we always advocate for what’s in the best interest of your health, which is why it’s time to revisit our long list of reasons to kick the smoking habit once and for all. Smoking is particularly harmful for women. In fact, female smokers have a 25 to 32 percent greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Though most of us have heard the popular (and worthy) reasons to quit smoking—such as it causes cancer and emphysema and is an expensive habit, to boot—we decided to look at the more obvious ways smoking effects the body, both mentally and physically. Without further adieu, here are a few lesser-known reasons to inspire you or a loved one to give up cigarettes for good:
Have you ever quit smoking? If so, what made you decide to make the change?
Shem Creek is one of Charleston’s most exciting and unique places. Both boating and seafood aficionados have plenty to do here thanks to Shem Creek’s spectacular waterfront dining. With fresh seafood coming in daily from the locally parked shrimp boats, our patients are sure to get the best seafood in town.
Though it’s lined with restaurants on both shores, Shem Creek is more than just great food. Here are our absolute favorites places to dine, drink, relax, and take in the natural beauty of this Charleston gem:
Page’s Okra Grill: The Page family established The Okra Grill in 2006 with the intent to provide the best Southern food in the Charleston area. With a specials menu that changes daily—from homemade meatloaf, to Southern fried pork chops, and grilled beef calves with liver—Page’s Okra Grill gives every patron a true taste of Lowcountry dining.
and bountiful wildlife surround the hotel known for its quaint views and harbor-side activities. Each morning of your stay, you can watch the shrimp and fishing boats make their way out to the Charleston Harbor, or unwind by the waterfront pool and watch the pelican fly overhead.Where is your favorite place to go when you visit Shem Creek?
What better way to welcome the new season in Charleston than through the tales of the New York Times’ bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank? With the Lowcountry at the heart of each novel, her words create the same cadence and wonder as the places that inspired her stories.Experience the wild beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and unforgettable characters of the Lowcountry, and the emotional honesty that has garnered Dorothea Benton Frank’s fiction national attention. Here’s a sneak peak at some of our favorites—be sure to snag a copy for yourself!
navigate troubled times. When faced with an unfaithful husband, a resentful teenage daughter, and painful memories, Susan finds she must seek her future by revisiting her past.Can’t get enough Dorothea Benton Frank? Check out her website for even more Lowcountry reads and the latest on her upcoming books: www.dotfrank.com
Image Above Taken From: www.bluebicyclebooks.com
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know a good read is a powerful experience. Fortunately, Charleston is full of charming bookstores that are just as inspiring as the books they house. Here are a few of our favorite booksellers where you can pick up the next book on your summer reading list:
What is your favorite bookstore to visit in Charleston?
