New Breast Reconstruction Blog!
For our latest posts, please head over to our newBreast Reconstruction Blog.See you there!Dr C (Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog)
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - August 11, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: blogs
What is a Microsurgery?
Microsurgery is a very intricate, specialized type of plastic surgery performed using delicate instruments, sutures finer than human hair and high powered magnification provided by either a microscope or high-powered loupes. Microsurgeons can repair and reconnect very small blood vessels and nerves less than 1mm in diameter.Microsurgery has allowed significant advances in many surgical fields. Breast reconstruction has been transformed completely.We can now replace tissue removed by a mastectomy with the patient's own tissue transplanted from another part of their body. Unlike conventional tissue reconstruction techniques ...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - March 5, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: anastomosis breast reconstruction DIEP flap microsurgery perforator flaps Source Type: blogs
Breast Reconstruction Options At A Glance
Here's a great infographic summarizing the breast reconstruction options available these days:Some additional important points:"Immediate" vs "delayed" breast reconstruction simply describes when the breast reconstruction process begins. Most approaches require more than 1 surgery and the whole reconstruction process can take several months to complete regardless of when it starts. The benefits of immediate reconstruction (same time as the mastectomy) include avoiding the experience of living without a breast, less scarring and better cosmetic results (especially when combined withnipple-sparing mastectomy). You can seepat...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - July 30, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: before and after pictures board certified breast reconstruction breast reconstruction options fat grafting flaps implants mastectomy nipple-sparing mastectomy Source Type: blogs
Breast Reconstruction Options At A Glance
Here's a great infographic summarizing the breast reconstruction options available these days:Some additional important points:"Immediate" vs "delayed" breast reconstruction simply describes when the breast reconstruction process begins. Most approaches require more than 1 surgery and the whole reconstruction process can take several months to complete regardless of when it starts. The benefits of immediate reconstruction (same time as the mastectomy) include avoiding the experience of living without a breast, less scarring and better cosmetic results (especially when combined with nipple-sparing mastectomy). You can see p...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - July 30, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: before and after pictures board certified breast reconstruction breast reconstruction options fat grafting flaps implants mastectomy nipple-sparing mastectomy Source Type: blogs
Tattoos to Cover Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Scars on the Rise
For years, tattoos have been used to apply the finishing touches to breast reconstruction. A form of medical tattooing is used to add color to the reconstructed nipple and areola as the final stage of the reconstructive process. Recently, 3D tattooing has also become available to add even more life-like results.Some breast cancer patients are now turning to more "traditional" ink-based tattoos to cover their mastectomy or breast reconstruction scars in more elaborate ways.If you've ever considered getting an elaborate tattoo to hide your breast cancer scars, rest assured you're not alone! I'm seeing more and more breast ca...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - June 18, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast cancer scars breast reconstruction scar tattoos breast reconstruction scars mastectomy scar tattoos mri Source Type: blogs
Tattoos to Cover Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Scars on the Rise
For years, tattoos have been used to apply the finishing touches to breast reconstruction. A form of medical tattooing is used to add color to the reconstructed nipple and areola as the final stage of the reconstructive process. Recently, 3D tattooing has also become available to add even more life-like results.Some breast cancer patients are now turning to more "traditional" ink-based tattoos to cover their mastectomy or breast reconstruction scars in more elaborate ways. If you've ever considered getting an elaborate tattoo to hide your breast cancer scars, rest assured you're not alone! I'm seeing more and more breast c...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - June 18, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast cancer scars breast reconstruction scar tattoos breast reconstruction scars mastectomy scar tattoos mri Source Type: blogs
What Does Flap Breast Reconstruction Involve?
If you're considering breast reconstruction using your own tissue (a "flap" procedure), it's important to know that achieving the best results usually involves several stages and takes time.BEFORE skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsAFTER skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsThe patient in the pictures above required the following stages to complete her breast reconstruction:Stage 1: The Initial Breast ReconstructionWhenever possible, breast reconstruction should be performed at the same time as the mastectomy. This is known as "immediate breast reconstruction". This allows for less scarring because the na...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - June 7, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction stages delayed breast reconstruction DIEP flap immediate breast reconstruction nipple-sparing mastectomy skin-sparing mastectomy what does breast reconstruction involve? Source Type: blogs
Can Breast Cancer return in a Reconstructed Breast?
Some women are scared to consider breast reconstruction after a mastectomy because they think it will increase the risk of the breast cancer coming back. This is a common misconception. Thankfully, it's not the case.
Breast cancer can come back even after a mastectomy. However, the risk of the cancer returning (ie a "recurrence") after a mastectomy is very low and is the same whether you have breast reconstruction or not. Studies have compared patients with similar stage breast cancers and found no difference in recurrence between patients undergoing mastectomy alone (without reconstruction) and those having skin-sparing...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - June 4, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast cancer breast cancer recurrence breast reconstruction reconstructed breast Source Type: blogs
What is Breast Reconstruction? What are your Options?
Breast reconstruction makes women whole again after breast cancer. It restores something that nature provided but cancer has taken away. It is covered by insurance in the majority of cases thanks to a 1998 Federal Mandate.Unfortunately, many breast cancer patients who are facing or who have had mastectomy or lumpectomy are not offered all their reconstructive options.Women have several breast reconstruction options. These include breast implants and "natural" techniques like flaps and fat grafting which use the patient's own tissue. The nipple and areola can also be recreated.The animated presentation below provides an exc...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - May 12, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction breast reconstruction options Source Type: blogs
What is Breast Reconstruction? What are your Options?
Breast reconstruction makes women whole again after breast cancer. It restores something that nature provided but cancer has taken away. It is covered by insurance in the majority of cases thanks to a 1998 Federal Mandate.Unfortunately, many breast cancer patients who are facing or who have had mastectomy or lumpectomy are not offered all their reconstructive options.Women have several breast reconstruction options. These include breast implants and "natural" techniques like flaps and fat grafting which use the patient's own tissue. The nipple and areola can also be recreated.The animated presentation below provides an exc...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - May 12, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction breast reconstruction options Source Type: blogs
Silicone Breast Implant Rupture - Ultrasound or MRI?
Breast implant rupture is a risk associated with both saline and silicone implants, whether they are placed for cosmetic augmentation or breast reconstruction.In the case of a saline implant, a rupture is very easy to detect. Saline implants deflate after rupturing as the saline (salt water) leaves the implant and is reabsorbed by the body. Beyond a clinical evaluation, no tests are required to confirm the rupture.Silicone breast implant ruptures are usually much harder to detect. Early ruptures often go unnoticed by the patient since the silicone remains contained within the capsule of scar tissue formed by the body aroun...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - April 25, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast implant extracapsular FDA implant rupture intracapsular linguine sign mri silicone breast implant rupture ultrasound Source Type: blogs
Silicone Breast Implant Rupture - Ultrasound or MRI?
Breast implant rupture is a risk associated with both saline and silicone implants, whether they are placed for cosmetic augmentation or breast reconstruction.In the case of a saline implant, a rupture is very easy to detect. Saline implants deflate after rupturing as the saline (salt water) leaves the implant and is reabsorbed by the body. Beyond a clinical evaluation, no tests are required to confirm the rupture.Silicone breast implant ruptures are usually much harder to detect. Early ruptures often go unnoticed by the patient since the silicone remains contained within the capsule of scar tissue formed by the body aroun...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - April 25, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast implant extracapsular FDA implant rupture intracapsular linguine sign mri silicone breast implant rupture ultrasound Source Type: blogs
Has Your Partner Been Diagnosed With Breast Cancer?
In the vast majority of cases, a breast cancer diagnosis affects more than one person. All the focus understandably centers around the patient in formulating the best treatment plan. However, as physicians, I feel we generally do a bad job of considering the patient's support system, and the primary caregiver in particular.Following one of my patients' breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy and reconstruction, I asked her husband how he was coping and if there was any way we could be of more help.He told me: "You're the first one who's even asked me how I'm doing. There's no manual. I can't fix this. I have a million thoughts...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - April 24, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast cancer diagnosis helpful helpless manual mastectomy partner reconstruction resources Source Type: blogs
Do you need a CT angiogram before DIEP flap breast reconstruction?
If you've had several previous abdominal surgeries and are considering DIEP flap breast reconstruction, a CT angiogram may be recommended by your plastic surgeon.A CT angiogram (CTA) is a special type of CT scan that examines the blood vessels in the abdomen to determine if they are intact and able to be used for DIEP flap reconstruction. It can also provide a "road map" for the surgeon and help locate the largest blood vessels ("perforators").Sometimes the vessels needed for the DIEP flap may have been damaged by previous abdominal surgery. Although the majority of previous abdominal surgeries are not a contraindication f...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - February 18, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CT angio CT angiogram CTA DIEP flap perforators Source Type: blogs
