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Replacing an Implant With a Flap: Will My Muscles Recover and Function Normally?

March 15, 2013 by

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!

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Can I Have Reconstruction Surgery Even If My Radiation Treatments Damaged My Chest Area?

March 1, 2013 by

Are there natural methods of breast reconstruction surgery?
The following question is answered by Dr. Richard Kline of  The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

In 2001, I had to have my implant removed because I had to a recurrence of breast cancer. After chemo, my 36 treatments of radiation did considerable damage to my chest area. I did have a latissimus flap and it was a total failure! I look like a road map to California. I had both of my implants removed in 2007 because of infection that went into my right implant.

Sometimes I think I might be okay without breasts, but not really. I wear prosthetics, but they are uncomfortable. Is there any way to get a successful reconstructive surgery with one of the natural ways of reconstruction?

 

Natural Breast Reconstruction almost certainly represents your best chance for a successful reconstruction, even with your past unfortunate experiences. If you have adequate donor tissue in your abdomen, buttocks, or thighs, there is an excellent chance that it can be used for your reconstruction. Your past surgeries and history of radiation may affect the final appearance of your breasts due to effects on your skin, but they usually have no impact on our ability to successfully transfer your donor tissue using microvascular techniques. Contact us and we can talk more about your specific situation.

 

Richard M. Kline, MD
Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

 

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

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What to Know Before Seeking Implants as Your Breast Reconstruction Option

January 4, 2013 by

The below question is answered by Dr. Richard M. Kline of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

I am weighing my options for breast reconstructions and  considering silicone implants. What should I know before I continue—what questions should I ask a doctor?

Silicone or saline implants, while generally very safe from a medical perspective, are still subject to some complications. The most common problem is that either type implant can develop a hard capsule of scar tissue around it (capsular contracture), which is sometimes painful, and makes the breast mound hard (and often unattractive). Generally speaking, the thicker and more normal the soft tissue covering around them, the better result implants tend to give when used for reconstruction. The presence of radiation injury greatly decreases the chances of success when using either silicone or saline implants for breast reconstruction, and flaps may be a better alternative in that case.

-Dr. Richard M. Kline Jr.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

Have questions for our surgeons? Submit your questions today and get answers straight from our surgical team! No matter where you are in your reconstruction process, we are here to help!

 

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Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Your Mammogram

February 22, 2012 by

mammogramWhile healthcare agencies and government entities may disagree about when to start having mammograms and how frequently to schedule them, one thing is clear: mammograms are the best way to screen for early breast cancer. You don’t want to neglect your mammogram, and here are a few reasons why.

You’ll have peace of mind.

When you’ve had a mammogram, you know you’re doing all you can to detect breast cancer early and get it treated. You won’t have that nagging question in your head about whether your monthly self-checks are doing the job.

Mammograms are the best way to protect yourself.

Regular mammograms are your best defense against cancer, and if you do have it at some point, you can treat it as early as possible. According to the National Cancer Institute, when breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98%. Mammograms can detect breast cancer years before you can feel the lump, so it’s the best early-detection instrument available.

Insurance covers it.

Most insurance covers mammograms for women over 40 or younger women who have high risk for breast cancer. If you have first-degree relatives (mother or sister) who had breast cancer at a young age, start having mammograms a decade earlier than the youngest age of diagnosis. For example, if your sister was diagnosed at 42, start having mammograms at 32.

It only takes a few moments.

Yes, the machine will press on your breasts, and yes, it can be uncomfortable. But it only takes a few moments, and then you’re good to go for a year. To reduce discomfort, try not to schedule the mammogram near your period if you tend to have tender breasts at that time.

If you’re over 40 and haven’t had a baseline mammogram, or you haven’t had one in a few years, it’s time to schedule one. Call your doctor today.

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , ,

How to Enhance Your Mood with Environmental Changes

January 30, 2012 by

Your mood is linked with your surroundings, and a change in your environment can make a tremendous difference in your feelings. To calm or enhance your mood, try some of these simple modifications to your environment.

Soothing colors.

Color has an amazing ability to affect mood. We know someone whose employer painted the office walls a deep reddish-burgundy color. She said it was far from calming; in fact, she noticed a difference in her stress levels compared with the previous color, which was pale lavender. The color also hurt her eyes until she was used to it. Soothing colors, such as pale blue and green, improve your mood and reduce stress. Think of how calm you are in nature and the colors you see.

You don’t have to repaint your home—adding splashes of soothing colors can be very helpful. For example, buy some blue pillows or green curtains, or find an art print of a relaxing scene. Bright artwork can cheer you up not only by its colors, but also by its design. If you work from home, perhaps a blue mouse or purple post-its will help your mood.

Relaxing music.

Sound affects us to our core, and our moods reflect the vibration of the music. If you don’t care for a particular type of music, your mood will change for the worse if you hear it, and then if you hear music you love, your mood will improve—and both changes happen very quickly.

To relax and soothe yourself, try listening to yoga music or to an instrumental radio or satellite TV station. Classical music can be intense for some, yet soothing for others.

Living things.

Watching living things move and grow is incredibly soothing and relaxing. If you don’t have a pet, perhaps now is the time to adopt one. Stroking a cat or a dog reduces blood pressure and increases endorphins. Watching fish is so relaxing that you may find yourself mesmerized.

If you’d rather not have a pet, surround yourself with live plants. Not only will they clean the air in your home, but they’ll also give you a touch of nature and a splash of color. Good choices are ferns, bamboo palms, spider plants, and African violets.

How do you create a soothing environment?

 

 

 

 

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Are Overweight Women Better Candidates for DIEP Flap Reconstruction?

December 9, 2011 by

The below question is answered by Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

I’ve read that women who are overweight are better candidates for DIEP flaps since they have “extra” to use, what is your opinion?

Many women with high BMIs (exceeding 40) have enjoyed successful flap reconstructions; however, they are at significantly higher risk of developing post operative complications.

It is well-demonstrated in the plastic surgery literature, that people with a significantly higher BMI are far more likely to experience complications than those with a lower BMI. There is no magical “line-in-the-sand” cut-off point, though—many factors, such as proportion of fat, which is intra-abdominal (vs. subcutaneous, which is what can be used in a flap), undoubtedly play a role in determining each person’s risk. Besides wound-healing problems, increased BMI also increases the risk for blood clots, which can, of course, be lethal.

Some lay-posters on blogs have stated that you shouldn’t worry about blood clots because injectable blood thinners will prevent them. This is a VERY DANGEROUS misconception—blood thinners only REDUCE the incidence of blood clots, and nothing can completely prevent them in all patients. We feel that it is your surgeon’s duty to you to assess your individual risks, and propose a plan that will get you through the surgery as safely as possible. Other surgeons, and other patients, may feel differently.

Our practice has demonstrated that it IS possible to have an outstanding safety record, while simultaneously maintaining a high reconstruction success rate. My personal flap survival rate over the last 10 years exceeds 99%, and the overwhelming majority of our patients are pleased that they went through the procedure at our facility. Our primary goal, however, is not to try and push limits by seeing what we can “get away with” in higher-risk patients. Instead, we strive to give everyone the best possible Natural Breast Reconstruction with perforator flaps, while at the same time doing everything possible to ensure their safety.

—Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D.

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

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Common Breast Reconstruction Questions Answered

November 11, 2011 by

dr. richard klineThe below questions are answered by Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr., of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

1. I had my second part to breast reconstruction and had necrosis removed, but I still have the hardness. How can it be treated? They did liposuction.

If necrosis was removed and there is still hardness, then it is most likely from either 1) additional / remaining fat necrosis, or 2) edema (can feel hard, especially likely in radiated tissue). In either case, resolution is likely without additional surgery, if you wait long enough (may take 1 – 2 years), although breasts will be smaller in either case. If pain is present, and fat necrosis is still present, then surgery to remove the rest of the dead fat may be indicated.

2. I am considering silicone implants for breast reconstruction. What should I know before I proceed—what questions should I ask?

Silicone or saline implants, while generally very safe from a medical perspective, are still subject to some complications. The most common problem is that either type implant can develop a hard capsule of scar tissue around it (capsular contracture), which is sometimes painful, and makes the breast mound hard (and often unattractive). Generally speaking, the thicker and more normal the soft tissue covering around them, the better result implants tend to give when used for reconstruction. The presence of radiation injury greatly decreases the chances of success when using either silicone or saline implants for breast reconstruction, and flaps may be a better alternative in that case.

—Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr.

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An Unforgettable Ladies’ Night: East Cooper Medical Center’s Garden Party

May 4, 2011 by

garden partyDon’t miss the East Cooper Medical Center’s exciting Garden Party Event happening Thursday, May 12 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. This wonderful event will take place in the front lobby and outdoor garden area of the East Cooper Medical Center, and will feature free wine tastings, cheese, appetizers, and chocolates, as well as great giveaways! In addition to yummy snacks and beverages, guests will also enjoy live music in the garden, a unique “Peace, Love, & Hip Hop” exercise performance, maternity floor tours, and will have the chance to enter to win great giveaways.

Event attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to 12 informational talks given by local doctors and health professionals and ask questions pertaining to healthcare. In fact, one of the information talks will be given by The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction’s Dr. James Craigie and Dr. Richard Kline on Flappers Do the Charleston: The Free Flap Breast Reconstruction Method.

Some of the other talk topics of the night include:

  • How to Talk to Your Teenagers
  • Breast Screening and Diagnosis: It Could Save Your Life
  • Shining Light Where the Sun Don’t Shine: From Hemorrhoids to Colon Cancer
  • Face Lifts: Rejuvenate Your Look
  • And more!

The address of the event is East Cooper Medical Center Lobby & Garden, 2000 Hospital Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC.

Women are encouraged to register for this event so that the East Cooper Medical Center can purchase enough food and wine for all attendees to enjoy! To register for this free event, please call 843-884-7031.

All women are invited to this event, so share this post with your mothers, sisters, aunts, best friends, and grandmothers. We hope to see you there!

Filed Under: All Things Charleston, Upcoming Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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