Because women are living healthy, productive lives long after diagnosis, learning about options is also becoming more important.
For many women, treating the cancer is half the battle. From there, recovering and returning to a normal life is the focus. Losing a breast can be devastating. With the reconstruction options available today, women cannot only return to a normal lifestyle, they can have the feeling of normalcy as well. They can regain both the shape of a breast, and regain the self-confidence.
For some women facing partial or full mastectomy, breast reconstruction is a viable choice. Women choose reconstruction for a variety of reasons, including:
* To make your breasts look balanced under clothing * To permanently regain your breast contour * To give the convenience of not needing an external prosthesis
Whatever the reasons, its best to choose a breast reconstruction surgeon that meets your qualifications, and can help you get on the road to recovery quickly.
What to look for when choosing a breast reconstruction surgeon.
1. Look for a surgeon that you are comfortable with. For many women, the road to recovery is a lot shorter if you connect with your surgeon. Interview your surgeon and learn his philosophies and his style. You'll be spending quite a bit of time with him before and after the surgery. Make sure you are comfortable with him.
2. Understand the procedure and its impact on your life. The more you understand about the procedure, the easier the process will be. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you have special requests, ask. Let your doctor know if you are athletic, or have special issues that may be affected by the surgery. Your doctor should be able to give you alternatives, and tell you how the surgery will affect your lifestyle.
3. Choose a surgeon with experience. Find out your surgeons background and training. Does he perform reconstruction procedures on a regular basis?
Some women prefer to combine reconstruction with their mastectomy surgery. Others prefer to deal with one surgery at a time. The important thing to find is a surgeon that is sympathetic to your needs, and allows you to be comfortable with each procedure.
Keep in mind that there will still be differences between the reconstructed breast and the remaining breast. Yet even though you may notice the differences, it still can offer peace of mind. It can allow you to get back to a comfortable lifestyle, and help you feel good about how you look in most types of clothing. All of this can be a major step in the right direction.
"Life is a Carnival," a bold approach to mastectomy and breast cancer reconstruction education, is a 14-month calendar featuring photos of women who had breast reconstruction after mastectomy and those who didn't. The calendar is published by Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), the only national nonprofit organization for families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. "More than just a calendar, 'Life is a Carnival' is an intimate collection of real women courageously sharing their bodies and their experiences to help others understand their choices," said Sue Friedman, FORCE Executive Director. "Our calendar celebrates life after mastectomy. As these photos attest, life after mastectomy- with or without reconstruction-does go on."
Mastectomies are performed to treat various types of breast cancer. Increasingly, more women-including very young women-with a family history of the disease are choosing preventative (or prophylactic) mastectomies to reduce their lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, which can be as high as 85 percent. Choosing the best way to reconstruct breasts after mastectomy, or whether to reconstruct them at all, can be confusing and overwhelming. "Life is a Carnival" provides a unique way to explore options, consider different restorative techniques and make informed decisions when it comes to mastectomy reconstruction. "Today, women have many options for reconstructive surgery after mastectomy," said PRMA's Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. "We're proud to sponsor 'Life is a Carnival', a tool that helps women understand what is possible so they can make their own informed decisions."
PRMA plastic surgeons Drs. Peter Ledoux, Chet Nastala, Steven Pisano, and Minas Chrysopoulo specialize in all aspects of cosmetic surgery and breast reconstruction after mastectomy, with a special emphasis on advanced microsurgical techniques using the patient's own tissue. Their preferred reconstructive technique is the (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap), which uses the patient's lower abdominal tissue (like a tummy tuck) and spares the abdominal muscle.
The DIEP procedure is the new "gold standard" in breast cancer reconstruction and is associated with less postoperative pain and a shorter hospital stay and recovery than the conventional procedure. Another major benefit of the DIEP flap procedure is that it prevents the loss of abdominal muscle strength usually associated with TRAM flap reconstruction. Experience is an essential factor for this technically demanding surgery; PRMA performs over 250 DIEP flap breast reconstructions per year which represents over 10% of all DIEP flap breast reconstructions preformed in the USA yearly.
The "Life is a Carnival" calendar is available from the .
Both Tammy Garcia & Dr Chrysopoulo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tammy Garcia has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cancer, Medicine and Fitness. Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery offers you two of today's top doctors in the field of cosmetic surgery. Contact Tammy Garcia to find out more about many of today's top cosmetic procedures, including breast augmentation and liposuction. Visit them at. Tammy Garcia's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Dr Chrysopoulo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cancer. Dr Minas Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in and all aspects of cosmetic sur. Dr Chrysopoulo's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.