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Help on the WebBreast Reconstruction - Latest Techniques in Breast Cancer Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Breast Reconstruction - Latest Techniques in Breast Cancer Reconstruction After Mastectomy
By Ankit Desai

In Jacksonville, breast reconstruction can be confusing and daunting process. When women are faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer, they are taken through a whirlwind of seeing doctors and receiving tests aimed at defeating the cancer. They receive a whole pile of information from their radiation oncologist, their medical oncologist, their breast radiologist, and their breast surgeon. All the focus is on eliminating the cancer. Our detection and treatment of cancer has improved over the years and women are living through the diagnosis of breast cancer, but what about after the cancer is gone. What are the options for women who have undergone a mastectomy or women who had a lumpectomy, but now have breast deformity? Many of these women had options for reconstruction performed at the same time as the mastectomy, but the focus was on killing the cancer. So next time you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, please take a moment to reflect about the post-cancer needs of the patient. Ask these questions.

1. Is she a candidate for immediate breast reconstruction? (Reconstruction performed at the time of the mastectomy)

Patients with early stages of breast cancer who are not likely to receive radiation therapy are candidates for immediate reconstruction?

2. What are the advantages of immediate breast reconstruction?

Patients have less scarring and better cosmetic outcomes when the reconstruction is performed at the time of mastectomy. In addition, there is a proven psychologic benefit for patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction?

3. Does immediate reconstruction delay other necessary treatments like chemotherapy?

Although some patients may have wound still to heal, most published studies demonstrate no difference in the time after surgery that chemotherapy is started whether or not patients undergo immediate reconstruction.

4. Does immediate breast reconstruction increase the chance of breast cancer recurrence?

Immediate reconstruction has no difference in local cancer recurrence from mastectomy alone?

5. Does immediate reconstruction decrease survival?

Patients undergoing mastectomy alone when compared to those receiving immediate breast reconstruction have no difference in the overall survival. Therefore, immediate breast reconstruction is oncologically safe and effective.

6. If she needs radiation therapy and is not a candidate for immediate breast reconstruction, are there options that can hep minimize the scarring?

Traditionally, all of patients requiring radiation were not offered immediate reconstruction. However, this paradigm is shifting and by working with the radiation oncologist we can place temporary tissue expanders to help keep all the original skin of the breast. Then after your radiation therapy is complete, we can replace the expander with your own tissue with or without an implant to complete your reconstruction. This process is called delayed-immediate breast reconstruction and is a mix between immediate and delayed reconstruction so that we can maintain all your original skin and minimize scarring.

7. What are the latest options for breast reconstruction?

The options for breast reconstruction are usually categorized by implant or autologous (using your body's own tissue) based reconstruction. Implant reconstruction involves the use of a tissue expander (an inflatable implant) to recruit more skin before finally replacing the temporary expander with a silicone or saline implant.

Autologous Reconstruction is most commonly performed from tissue from your abdomen. The deep inferior epigastric artery flap (DIEP Flap) is performed by taking skin and fat from your lower abdomen and preserving ALL the muscle to recreate soft natural breast that will last the test of time. Using microsurgical techniques, your plastic surgeon will recreate the breast gland and shape. In addition, patients benefit from the tummy tuck they receive when the skin and fat from the lower abdomen is removed. Other autologous options include the superficial epigastric artery flaps and flaps taken from the buttocks.

In Jacksonville, breast reconstruction and the treatment of your breast cancer can be a difficult time for women. You should find a plastic and reconstructive surgeon as well as a general surgeon that you feel comfortable with, that can offer and explain all of your options to you. These options should include the use of expanders with or without a latissimus muscle flap as well as the DIEP flap. Microsurgical breast reconstruction is becoming more popular and you should find a plastic surgeon capable of performing both expander or implant based reconstruction as well as microsurgical breast reconstruction.

Contact us now at Desai Plastic Surgery to schedule your free consultation.

Ankit Desai, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, & St. Augustine Cosmetic Surgery
Desai Center of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

 

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Background Information

Being fired from a job is one of the most devastating and traumatic events that can happen to a person in their lifetime.  Not only can the loss of income lead to serious financial problems there is also the loss of self-esteem and shame that can rob a person of their emotional strength just at the time that they need it the most.  Here is what you need to do:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do Right Now!

  • When faced with the bad news don't do or say anything that may wind up working against you later on. 

  • Don't burn your bridges -- you never know when you may need to cross them once again.

  • Quietly gather up your belongings and leave just as quietly. Don't make a spectacle or a scene.

  • Acknowledge your emotions of embarrassment, shame, and fear.  Let them come and let them go.  You are not the first person to be fired and you won't be last.  Accept this an an opportunity to make a change for the better.

  • Dust off your resume and get it updated and looking as professional as possible.

  • Pull out your Rolodex and begin the process of becoming reacquainted with all of business contacts.

  • Begin to network every opportunity that you can.  Attend Chamber of Commerce mixers; join the local Toastmasters club or Kiwanis Club.  This will expose you to many new people.  Volunteer for as much as you can handle and gain a reputation for being a positive, go-getter.  You never know whose uncles, brother's cousin will be looking for someone just like you for their business.

  • If your company has an Employee Assistance Plan call them.  You can talk to someone who can specifically help make your transition easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do next

  • Stay positive and only be around positive people.

  • Don't waste time fantasizing about what might have been. 

  • Think about what you want to do for work.  If you enjoyed your last position and the industry you were a part of then you will want to focus your efforts to gain employment in that area.  However, if you think it's time for a change consider a career assessment test to see what you might have skills or aptitudes that would help in deciding you next career steps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can you learn from this experience?

Ask yourself (and be honest now) if you contributed in any way to being fired.  Were you often late? Did you fail to get work finished on time? If you can point to any actions on your part that played a role in this outcome think of ways to improve yourself so it doesn't happen again. Take classes, see a therapist, what ever it takes to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer-This website is for information and guidance purposes only and in no way takes the place of professional help to deal with the particular and serious situations listed in this website. This information should be used as an information tool only.  If you or someone you know is in need of help please contact a professional in that field immediately.  We do not personally endorse or recommend any of the resources, links, books, or other references listed in this website unless specifically stated.  This information exists for the user to review and to judge independently the usefulness of the resources based on their own needs and judgments.