Join Us Tomorrow for Ask the Doctors LIVE

At the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know that women’s bodies and emotional selves are inextricably linked. There isn’t a question we haven’t been asked, or a concern we haven’t helped women and their loved ones manage.

We’re here to help you navigate the sometimes-confusing world of natural breast reconstruction, in a live phone call with our doctors tomorrow!

After the news about Angelina Jolie’s preventative double mastectomy, we’ve had a flood of questions about options in reconstructive surgery, and now we want to answer as many questions as we can at once.

Because part of our mission is to help you make informed decisions about breast reconstruction, our Drs. Craigie and Kline are going to answer questions on a free, live call!

Ask the Doctors LIVE

Click Here to Register and Listen

Join us tomorrow, August 6 at 7 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Pacific.

You’ll hear from the doctors about several different topics, such as how to choose a breast reconstruction surgeon, reconstruction surgery options, financial issues, differences among procedures, post-surgery care, intimacy issues, and anything else you may have been wondering about.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the doctors about your breast reconstruction options. Register now for the call, as space is limited. Hope to see you there!

Educate Yourself on Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the Annual Joining FORCEs Conference

Image to the left taken from FacingOurRisk.org.

For anyone concerned about hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, FORCE is hosting their annual Joining FORCEs Conference with Moffitt Cancer Center to educate individuals on everything from mastectomy options to genetic basics, and reconstruction options to menopause. This three-day international conference will provide attendees with valuable information and tips for cancer prevention and detection.

Attendees will also learn vital skills such as how to cope with cancer, how to make risk-management decisions, how to discuss cancer with family members, and so much more.

The event takes place from June 23 – 25 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. And we are delighted to inform you that we’ll be attending the event and featured as one of the exhibitors. In addition to exhibiting, Dr. James Craigie will be on one of the reconstruction Q & A panels, and Dr. Richard Kline will be hosting a table at the Networking Breakfast. We hope to see you there!

See below for an amazing video from FORCE:

Click here to register for this amazing event!

Are Implant Problems Affecting Your Life?

implant problemsBelow is an In Her Words post from one of our patients who came to us with implant problems. Read her story below:

I am so thankful to Dr. Craigie and Dr. Kline and Christina for making me feel at ease. Meeting someone for the first time and having surgery the same week was a lot to take in, but thanks to everyone, including The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction staff, Christine, and Gillian. And a special, big thank you to Gail for helping me with my insurance and all the conversations we had prior to my office visit with Dr. Craigie. Gail, thank you for making me feel like a person not a number, you are wonderful!

I cannot say enough about the results from my surgery! It was absolutely fantastic to say the least! I am amazed how natural I look! I really am excited to have my follow-up. Can it get any better? I do not have the pain in my breasts or the hardness and pulling from the implant anymore. I can lift my arms straight up over my head now! I noticed that I don’t have the flu-like feeling anymore—it’s gone!

Before coming to Dr. Craigie’s office, I have had five painful surgeries with implants and expanders going wrong with infections, plus lengthy hospital stays and home care. This was over a period of four years—four years taken out of not only my life but also my family’s life. Just think of how much time and money was wasted on paying insurance companies when I could have had only one surgery and a follow-up! If I only knew there was an alternative option before having my first implants.

My goal is to get the word out. Women need to know that you do have an alternative, besides using implants. Utilizing the body’s own tissue! Again, I was never given this option.

I cannot thank you enough Dr. Craigie and Dr. Kline for your skilled surgical talents and dedication in this field that made me look and feel like a women again!

Sincerely,
D.N South Amherst, Ohio

Do you know of someone whose life is affected by implant problems? Share this story with them.

A Journey You Don’t Have to Take Alone

breast cancer survivor

Shirley's book cover

Dear Sister in this Journey,

My name is Shirley. I have just undergone a double mastectomy and breast reconstructive surgery as a result of having breast cancer. I am one of the fortunate ones who did not have to endure chemotherapy, as well.

My cancer was in my left breast, but I chose to have a double mastectomy to mitigate future risk of recurrence.  Based on the reputation and firsthand knowledge I had of Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie, I chose the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction to take care of my small, but precious bosoms.

Once the decision was made to move forward with bilateral DIEP reconstruction surgery, I was given a patient handbook that provided information about what to do pre and post surgery. 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! The kinds of things that, really, only a patient would know.

So, I thought I’d write about my personal experiences to share with others—maybe it will help those who are about to undergo a DIEP reconstruction procedure to be more prepared and know more about what to expect. If you would like a copy of my booklet, get in touch with the center at www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com, they’ll be happy to give you one.

It’s all from my perspective and I hope it helps in understanding what will happen. And I hope it helps keep others positive as they face the surgery.

Good luck on your Journey!

Most sincerely,

Shirley Trainor-Thomas

Breast Cancer Survivor

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor

Reconstruction Success Story

Did you find Shirley’s story inspirational and know of others who will? Share it with your friends on Facebook.