Women have numerous breast reconstruction options
| Printable version | | |
After being diagnosed with breast cancer last February, Ann had a partial masectomy, but then her doctor recommended she have a total masectomy two weeks later, followed by four months of chemotherapy.
"Everything was so rushed after my diagnosis, it all happened so fast, so we decided to wait until after chemotherapy to consider my breast reconstruction options," she said.
Ann, who asked that her real name not be used, said she didn’t realize all the options available for breast reconstruction.
Vinod Pathy, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon on the Backus Medical Staff who specializes in breast reconstruction, said patients often aren’t aware there are many different procedures.
The two most popular procedures are stretching the skin and using implants to create a new breast, or the Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap procedure, in which skin, fatty tissue and muscle from the abdomen are used to recreate a breast.
After discussing her options with Dr. Pathy, Ann decided to undergo the TRAM flap procedure.
"It appears natural to other people," she said. "Which is nice for when I want to wear something with a lower neckline, or wear a bathing suit."
The 45-year-old said she was out of work for about five weeks after the procedure.
She will be returning for some cosmetic surgery on the breast. Additional services for breast cancer patients include nipple and areola reconstruction, which would be a final procedure after the breast has been created.
Patients also can choose to have surgery to match their breasts, so that the opposite breast may be reduced, enlarged or lifted to better match the newly created breast.
Dr. Pathy said breast reconstruction can be done immediately – at the same time as a mastectomy – or it can be delayed and done in a separate procedure. Depending on the treatment plan and patient factors, the timing of reconstructive surgery can be determined.
For example, if a patient is to undergo radiation therapy, then breast reconstruction may be delayed until the therapy is completed.
Ann undergoes mammograms every few months and is undergoing treatment to encourage early menopause as a way to prevent a recurrence. She said she is doing well now.