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Ask The Doctor-How long does it take to reconstruct the breast?

July 10, 2015 by

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

Question: How long does it take to reconstruct the breast? And how much does it cost for a survivor like me in Zambia, Africa. I would love to do it. Thanks and God bless.

Answer: Thanks for your question. The procedures to reconstruct the breast can take 3-7 hours depending on the type of procedure, individual factors, etc. Also, more than one procedure is required. The cost depends on your insurance. Are you living in the United States? Your question suggests you are living in Zambia. I don’t know anything about how much it would cost there. Let me know if you need more information.

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

Be sure to check out the summer issue of Breast Cancer Wellness.

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Ask The Doctor-Can you recommend a plastic surgeon in my area?

July 3, 2015 by

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

Question: Can you recommend a plastic surgeon who can perform microsurgery with the DIEP Flap in Midlothian or Richmond, Virginia? Someone Board Certified to do reconstruction?

Answer: Thanks for your question. I’m sorry but I do not personally know of anyone in your area. There was a practice in Virginia Beach that performed those procedures but that was a few years ago. The best resource would be plasticsurgery.org. The American Society of plastic surgeons has a locate a plastic surgeon tool on their website that may help.

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

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Things to do – Independence Day 2015 in South Carolina

July 2, 2015 by

(Thanks to AppleOne Employment Services for sending this fantastic Weekend Recs e-blast for us to share!) 

Charleston

Fourth of July Fireworks on Folly Beachindependence day

 A holiday tradition on the Edge of America, the annual 4th of July fireworks display is set to take place on Folly Beach next Saturday. The fireworks will be set off at the Folly Beach County Park, at the west end of the island. Locals and visitors are invited to enjoy the Independence Day display, which will begin at 9:30pm. For more information about the 4th of July fireworks display on Folly Beach, please go to www.visitfolly.com or download the free ‘Visit Folly’ smart phone app.

When: 7/4/15 starting at 9:30pm

Where: Folly Beach-Folly Beach County Park- West end of Island

 

July Fourth on the Pride

Enjoy this Fourth of July with a sunset sail while watching the fireworks from the best seat in the house! Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Bring a snack or picnic aboard if you choose. Buy tickets by calling the number provided (843-722-1112) or visiting the website: http://www.schoonerpride.com/

When: 7/4/15 from 7pm to 9pm

Where: The Schooner Pride-Aquarium Wharf

Admission: $55 per person-book now as space is limited

 

North Charleston 4th of July Festival

The City of North Charleston is once again hosting the July 4th celebration at the Riverfront Park on July 4, 2015 from 3:30 PM – 9:45 PM. This year’s event features exciting musical guests, children activities, food trucks, craft vendors, and the Lowcountry’s largest 4th of July fireworks show. The Festival is presented free of charge to the public with all general admission for attendees. Guests attending the Festival are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there is no seating provided. Food trucks, beer and wine stations, and ATMs will be widely available. Children activities are available free of charge, including inflatable jump castles, games, the play area, the giant sandbox, and the water fountain. Beer and wine stations will be set up throughout the park, as well as ATMs for participants. For more information, please visit the website: http://www.northcharleston.org/Residents/Special-Events/4th-of-July-Festival.aspx

Festival performance schedule:
3:30 – Gates open
3:30 – Soul Fish (rock quartet)
5:00 – Blacklion (reggae)
6:30 – Dangermuffin (Americana)
8:00 – Funk Factory 5 (Mo-town/Top 40)
9:10 – Spectacular Fireworks show by Zambelli’s

When: 7/4/15 from 3:30pm to 9:45pm

Where: Riverfront Park-1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston

 

Patriots Point 4th of July Blast

 For those who want to enjoy the fireworks on the Yorktown, all Flight deck tickets are now SOLD OUT, but visitors are still allowed to watch the event landside and enjoy the celebration there! Parking is $10/vehicle.

When: 7/4/15 starting about 9pm

Where: Patriots Point–40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

 

Columbia

Lake Murray Fireworks Celebration

Beginning at dusk (approximately 9:15 pm) South Carolina’s largest fireworks display on beautiful Lake Murray. Fireworks will be set off from two great locations: Spence Island and Dreher Island State Park. The show is choreographed to a patriotic concert that will air simultaneously on B106.7. The best places to view the fireworks are Dreher Island State Park and both parks at the Lake Murray dam. Bring a chair or blanket, picnics are welcomed- NO Alcohol Permitted at any of the locations.

Admission (based on park):

Dreher Island State Park– $2 for adults, $1.25 SC Seniors, FREE for children 15 years and younger (Gates close at 8pm).

Lake Murray Dam park sites– open until they reach capacity- $3 per car.

The walking path on the dam will also be open. (Fireworks DO NOT launch from the park sites at the dam).

 

When: July 04, 2015 from 9pm to 10:30pm
Admission: Admission Based on Park

 

Lake Murray Patriotic Boat Parade

 Get ready for the 26th Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray on Saturday, July 4th!! CCLMC is trying to break our all-time record this year with over 150 boats and inclusion within the Guinness Book of World Records! We hope that you and your family will join us and participate to make this a special year! For more information, please visit the website: http://www.lakemurraycountry.com/things-to-do/events/lake-murray-boat-parade

 When: July 04, 2015 from 12pm to 3pm
Where: Bomb Island, Lake Murray, SC 29072
Admission: Free, but if watching from Lake Murray Dam park sites admissions is $2/car

 

Slide the City and Capital City Beach Party!

 Columbia is Famously Hot, so we’re bringing you a Surprisingly Cool way to have fun this Independence Day while supporting 2 great causes!  Slide the City is a 1000 foot water slide that will go from Blanding & Gadsden to Hampton & Gadsden Streets.  The chosen charities SC Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Celebrate Freedom Foundation will benefit each time you purchase a registration using the promo code FREEDOM, and you will receive $5 off! After you slide, go check out the Capital City Beach Party beginning in Finlay Park at 2PM. Water and Food vendors will be available for purchase at noon. Want to slide for free while helping out the charities? Sign up as a volunteer here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/slide-the-city-columbia-sc-volnteer-tickets-17332899168

When: July 04, 2015 starting at 11am
Where: Finlay Park-930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Greenville

Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue Festival

A barrage of colors illuminates the sky every 4th of July in downtown Greenville for the annual Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue, presented by AT&T. As one of the largest fireworks displays in South Carolina, the celebration features live music, food and a variety of family activities. A long-standing tradition, Wells Fargo Red, White & Blue represents a remarkable opportunity to support a free patriotic event that is enjoyed by the Greenville community. Sponsors have long recognized this event as a unique way to showcase their brand while enjoying hospitality and a celebration that only happens once a year. Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue presented by AT&T is Greenville’s premier 4th of July celebration, showcasing one of the state’s largest fireworks displays, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. The free event, scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 5 to 10 p.m., features live music on two stages, fun-filled activities in the Zaxby’s Kidz Zone and a variety of popular food and beverage vendors. The event takes place in downtown Greenville from Court to Camperdown Streets and will encompass Broad Street, from Laurens to Falls Streets, and Falls Park.

When: 7/4/2015 from 5pm to 10:30pm

Where: City of Greenville-Downtown Greenville

 

Red, White and Bluegrass

Red, White and Bluegrass is a FREE 4th of July Celebration in downtown Fountain Inn. This event will begin at 7:00 p.m. with two bands performing: Justice Family Bluegrass Band and the Upstate Senior Band. Fireworks will begin at dark. There will be food, Italian ice and craft beer for purchase. We will have a special time to honor all veterans at this event. For more information, please visit the website: http://www.fountaininn.org/scs

When: 7/4/2015 starting at 7pm

Where: City of Fountain Inn-Commerce Park-110 Depot Street, Fountain Inn, SC 29644

Admission: Free!

 

A Night with Darryl Worley

 Honoring our heroes. Gates open at 5pm. Music starts at 6 pm.

Admission is free for military & first responders (military personnel, retired military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians). Regular admission is $20 per car (maximum 6 people per car). **Going on now!** Soldier care package campaign to collect items for local soldiers serving overseas. For more information and to get involved, see website. Collection total will be announced at the Darryl Worley concert to honor heroes on July 4th! Concert tickets on sale NOW! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: http://charterspectrumamphitheatre.com/event/a-night-with-darryl-worley/

When: 7/4/2015- Gates open at 5pm, Music at 6pm

Where: Charter Spectrum Amphitheatre-861 Southeast Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681

Admission: $20/car

How do you plan to celebrate? We’d love for you to share suggestions with our readers!

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Ask The Doctor-What surgery would you recommend for me and why?

June 26, 2015 by

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

Question: I was diagnosed and attempted to have reconstruction surgery following a double mastectomy in October 2013, after 2 infections following expander attempts. I finally gave up, and asked them to be removed until chemo and radiation completed. My last rad was done in September 2014. Most doctors where I’m located recommend latissimus surgery. What surgery would you recommend for me and why?

Answer: I’m sorry to hear you have had problems with your breast reconstruction. After having implant problems, I would recommend starting over and using your own natural tissue. Specifically your own fatty tissue and skin. This can be done without sacrificing any of your important muscles. Unfortunately, the Latissimus procedure sacrifices the back muscle and may not be enough tissue to rebuild your breast without using an implant. For this reason, I would consider using the skin and fatty tissue from either your tummy, thigh or buttock areas depending on your body shape and where you might have enough tissue. These procedures require removing the tissue from the donor area (without removing or sacrificing any of your muscles) and moving the new breasts to the area that was removed during the mastectomy. The procedure requires reconnecting the new breast to the blood vessels that normally nourish the breast. We call this microsurgery and is what our practice specializes in. If you would like more information, let me know. Thanks for your question!

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

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Ask The Doctor-Am I able to have DIEP breast reconstruction with my family history?

June 19, 2015 by

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

Question: My Dad had a DVT 5 years ago—it was out the blue no known cause. I had a consult online with PRMA and another doctor who asked for “blood clotting” blood work to be done because of my fathers history. It came back showing the Factor V Leiden and activated protein C resistance. I personally have not had any problems with clots, DVT.

Answer: Many people can have abnormal clotting tendencies and never know it. There are different kinds of disorders and some factors can increase or decrease for different reasons. Many of the clotting abnormalities are grouped together and referred to as a condition called thrombophilia. The concern is that people who are positive for thrombophilia have an increased risk for DVT (like your father)—especially during or after surgery. A DVT is a potentially life threatening condition as you may already know. The blood clot can possibly cause a pulmonary embolism.

The other concern associated with thrombophilia and DIEP breast reconstruction is an increased risk for failure of the tiny blood vessels that we connect under the microscope to stay open after the microsurgery. Clots can form and may prevent the new breast from receiving the blood supply that keeps the new breast alive. This can happen in patients without thrombophilia. There is no consensus on the exact risk when it comes to procedures like DIEP breast reconstruction. In our practice we have had patients with factor V leiden and protein C resistance successfully have DIEP surgery with no problem. We treat all of our patients as if they potentially have thrombophilia by giving them a light blood thinner(lovenox) before and after surgery. This is the most effective way to reduce the risk of a DVT.  Also if we know a patient is positive for thrombophilia before surgery, we always have them seen by a hematologist before surgery. There are many different types of thrombophilia and some of the factors increase and decrease depending on other medical factors. This allows us to determine if the risk is relatively  high or low. If its high we may wait until it goes down. Also the treatments may change and the hematologists are the experts at keeping up to date with any changes in the treatments or tests and can look at your labs and determine your precise risk.

I personally am reviewing our practices experience with 1184 breast reconstructions with DIEP, GAP and PAP procedures. Our overall success rate is 98.5%. Of the patients who have had a flap (DIEP) failure at least one had factor V leiden thrombophilia. If someone has a thrombophilia it is most likely that they have a higher chance than normal of losing a flap (DIEP). It is important to know what the “normal” risk is for any practice that offers these procedures. In that one patient however she also had a successful flap at the same time on the opposite breast, and later went on to complete her reconstruction with a third flap procedure. Again, all our patients that we have known before surgery that they had thrombophilia have done well. We also know that some patients have had it and we never knew. So I would recommend getting the advice of an hematologist before surgery, but would not say at this time that you could not have DIEP breast reconstruction. Please send me any questions you might have.

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

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Ask The Doctor- I’ve had two radiated breasts, now what?

June 19, 2015 by

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

Question: I’ve had two radiated breasts, now what?

Answer: Thanks for the question. If your breasts have been radiated, then I’m assuming you have not had mastectomy and would not need breast reconstruction. If you have had radiation following mastectomy ( surgery to remove the breasts), then you can undergo breast reconstruction when you have recovered from the radiation (minimum of 6 months after last treatment).  After radiation, using your own tissue would be the best option because radiation increases the risk for problems with implants.

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

 

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Ask The Doctor-Should I be concerned about my breast getting larger and more uncomfortable?

June 12, 2015 by

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

Question: I had breast reconstructed surgery after breast cancer, in 2002 in my left breast. Now I just notice it has gotten larger and feels uncomfortable. Should I be very concern? Am I in danger? I am willing to do without my breast if I have to. Thank you.

Answer:  Is it your reconstructed breast that has suddenly changed, or is it the opposite breast? If it is your reconstructed breast, then the possible causes may depend on the type of breast reconstruction you have had. Regardless, you should have your doctor examine you in order to look in to what is causing the change. Lots of things could cause changes that have nothing to do with the breast cancer.  However, you should have it checked right away to rule that out first.

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

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Ask The Doctor-I’m unhappy with my reconstruction results. Is it possible for it to be improved?

June 10, 2015 by

Screen Shot 2015-05-01 at 1.11.58 PMThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had breast cancer in 2011, and the surgeon who did my reconstruction did a wack job on me. I was a DDD before surgery, and I told him I wanted to go down to single D cup. When I woke up from surgery, things just didn’t look right. When I took my bandage off, he had taken so much off that I had breast the size of man’s chest. I was horrified. I had them redone later, but they are still way to small for my body frame. Can I have them redone again? Or am I stuck with this? It has affected my life so much, I’m depressed, and I hate going out. Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer: Thanks for your question. I’m sorry you have had problems with your reconstruction. The best approach to helping you depends on several factors. Did you have reconstruction using your own tissue or did you have implant reconstruction? Both approaches can be adjusted or redone to hopefully get an improvement. If you had radiation treatments, then it is likely that implants are not your best option. If you used your own tissue, it is possible to add more. It is important to remember that breast reconstruction always requires more than one step. When patients see their results after the first stage and only after one surgery, it is important to know the next step may make things much better. The most important achievement is to have the breast cancer removed.

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

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Ask The Doctor- How do I know if I have enough fat to use to reconstruct my breasts?

June 5, 2015 by

pink and white flower This week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: My implants (30 years old) have ruptured. Can I have the implants removed and use my own fat to reconstruct the breasts? How do I know if I have enough fat to do this (pretty thin)?

Answer: Thank you for your question.  Were your breast implants used for reconstruction or do you still have your normal breast tissue? Either way if the implants have ruptured they need to be removed. If they are silicone then the silicone would need to be removed as well. If you decide not to replace the implants then it is possible to replace the implants with your own fatty tissue. This can be done different ways. Fat grafting is possible and involves liposuction of fat from multiple areas and injecting the fat into the breast to replace the implant. This procedure requires multiple steps  and it depends on how much fatty tissue you have and how big your implants are.  Even if you are “pretty thin” it is usually possible to get enough fatty tissue taking it from multiple areas of the body. I would need to know more about your situation to be more specific.

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

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Ask The Doctor-Is it common to not be able to have reconstruction surgery with a low immune system?

May 29, 2015 by

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

Question: I have had three surgeries already. 2 to remove cancer and 1 reconstruction. I can’t have the last one because of infection in left breast where the cancer was—plus I keep getting sick because my immune system is low. Is this common if I just had radiation in the infected area?

Answer:  I’m sorry you are having problems. If you are having an infection after radiation, it would definitely be best to hold off on your reconstruction until your immune system has recovered and the infection is gone. Radiation treatments definitely increase the chance of getting an infection. If you have an implant in place already, it may need to be removed to resolve any infection. Once that has occurred you can still proceed with breast reconstruction at a later time when you have recovered.

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

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