Category: Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction: Benefits vs. Cosmesis

Posted on by

What are breast reconstruction benefits and are the benefits vs. cosmesis equal or separate? Although this question may not have been stated in these words, women considering breast reconstruction must think about this complex question. No one can come close to knowing what this decision involves except the patient themselves. Not only is it a difficult and complex process of logic but it involves a great emotional decision as well. I am speaking about breast reconstruction in very specific circumstances. Humans are faced with many unexpected events in life catapulting us to become educated about a topic we never imagined we would be learning about. A cancer diagnosis or finding you have a gene mutation putting you at high risk for breast cancer is one of those life events. Those who are considering breast reconstruction after cancer or for prophylactic reasons to greatly decrease chances of a cancer occurrence go Continue Reading →

One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

Posted on by

One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction I am now one year post DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I was finalizing my surgical prep exactly one year ago today as I write this blog. My surgery was the morning of December 1, 2014.  So how am I doing now? How does my body feel? Do I have any regrets? Would I suggest having DIEP flap surgery to other women? Was I truly able to “just get on with it”? I’m doing just splendidly! I honestly believe I’m doing quite well, in fact splendidly, and enjoying many benefits from having DIEP flap surgery after a second breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy. I want the reader to know so you have hope. I opened my social media accounts today before I began writing this blog post. I read a statement from a woman who was just going in for her DIEP flap Continue Reading →

Benefits of Exercise after Breast Cancer

Posted on by

Benefits of Exercise after Breast Cancer It is #WorkoutWednesday and I’d like to share a comprehensive video from John’s Hopkins Medicine on the benefits of exercise after Breast Cancer. Take ten minutes out of your day to view it and then I encourage you to move at your pace and ability to improve your health. Cancer diagnosis, treatments, surgery as well as breast reconstruction surgery take a lot out of our bodies. We may have gone into either of these situations being very healthy. I often hear this from other women. This is definitely to your benefit and will help with recovery. However, after treatments and surgery you are then left to pick up the pieces from the assault on your body. Where do you move forward from there? Whether you are walking, running, dancing, doing Pilates, yoga or another form of movement, know that you are providing great benefits Continue Reading →

Abdominal Examination before DIEP Flap Surgery

Posted on by

  Abdominal Examination before DIEP Flap Surgery Your plastic surgeon should perform a thorough abdominal examination before your DIEP flap surgery to determine the best possible outcome for your breast reconstruction. It is important to know that the abdominal tissue, both skin and underlying structure, is a reliable donor site to rebuild the breasts after a mastectomy. It is a fair question to ask the office of your plastic surgeon how much time will be spent at your initial consult, and what, if any medical history they will need to have prior to your visit. Your plastic surgeon will review your overall health records. However, for this post I will concentrate on examination of your abdominal area and dedicate another post to your breast area examination. To give you some idea of what will take place and some terms used I took a careful look at my report and will Continue Reading →

Friendships through Breast Reconstruction

Posted on by

Friendships through Breast Reconstruction The value of friendships through Breast Reconstruction is beyond measure. The women that I have met in person or on-line through social media skip straight to, “I feel like I’ve known you a lifetime” mode. Polite introductions are left out and the topics steer straight to the matter at hand: Tell me your story! Where are you at in your process? How are you doing? When is your surgery? How are you feeling? You look amazing! There are options and choices for breast reconstruction. That is part of the discussion among “breast friends”. The real thought provoking conversations start when these questions are raised: How did you find your plastic surgeon? Was it worth it to travel for your reconstruction? Did you have pain? What about the scars? I’m afraid of what I’ll look like. How long do you think it will be before I can Continue Reading →

Parallels between Fly Fishing and Breast Reconstruction

Posted on by

Do fly fishing and breast reconstruction have anything in common? Are there parallels between fly fishing and breast reconstruction? Let’s explore some facts and then I’ll tell you about my own personal experience at the Casting for Recovery event I attended. First of all a bit of history about the program directly from their website: Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher. Casting for Recovery’s innovative program focuses on breast cancer survivor-ship and improving quality of life, and has garnered endorsements from medical and psycho-social experts. Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998, Casting for Recovery has inspired international efforts in Canada, UK/Ireland and New Zealand.  To date, Casting for Recovery has conducted more than 500 retreats, serving nearly 7,000 women nationwide.  In 2014, we held 42 retreats in 36 states, serving 600 women. I am going to take the very Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Side Effects We Wish We Knew About

Posted on by

All of the breast reconstruction side effects we wish we knew about are difficult to cover in the initial consult with your reconstructive surgeon. Why you might ask? It’s simply a matter of time. The key elements of the surgery itself, patient expected outcomes, individual health related issues, medications, recovery time and  other topics need to be covered in your surgical consult with your plastic surgeon. A List of Questions to Take to Your Consult That does not excuse your plastic surgeon, however, from providing you with further information regarding side effects, coping with them, how you will feel months after your reconstructive surgery and the possible emotional and physical impact. You just have to come to the consult prepared and ask.  I would encourage you to ask the following questions during your consult: I know there are going to be unexpected side effects from this surgery. I also know Continue Reading →

Measuring the Breast for Breast Reconstruction

Posted on by

The paper, Population Analysis of the Perfect Breast: A Morphometric Analysis, was a study done to determine current trends in what is considered the aesthetically pleasing breast shape in measuring the breast for breast reconstruction using a measurement of form (morphometric). It was a comprehensive survey study with cross-cultural opinions from men, women and plastic surgeons regarding ideal breast proportions. The consensus was a 45:55 ratio meaning; 45 percent of breast fullness lies above the nipple line and 55 percent below the nipple line. Simply stated, this measurement tool was determined by the study to be the guide in achieving the “perfect” breast shape for use by plastic surgeons.  History has shown that this perception of the perfect breast shape dates back to the sculpture of Venus de Milo discovered on the island of Melos in 1820. A Complex & Meticulous Procedure I was far from having the “perfect breast” Continue Reading →

#WorkoutWednesday

Posted on by

#WorkoutWednesday Exercises Let’s call today’s blog #WorkoutWednesday. I’m back at my desk today after an amazing trip to one of my favorite places on the earth, Seattle, Washington. I was able to enjoy family and friends as well as schedule meetings and dinners to connect with more amazing women in the breast cancer and breast reconstruction community. I unpacked my week and a half’s worth of luggage as well as my “portable office” after my flight yesterday. I was amazed at how happy I was to set my laptop back up in the office space in my home or as I have fondly named it, “The She Shed”. I missed writing, blogging, researching, sharing and reaching out to the on-line community. But the face to face meetings I had last week were invaluable. There will be blogs written as follow-ups to those experiences. It was important for me to get Continue Reading →

Release from hospital after DIEP flap surgery Phase 1

Posted on by

Release from hospital after DIEP flap surgery Phase 1 Release from hospital after DIEP flap surgery begins your individual part and responsibility of healing and recovery. You have been in hospital for a few days, usually four to five, depending on your individual recuperation after surgery. You have been tended to 24/7 either by your doctor, a physician’s assistant, the nursing staff, specialist or other staff assistants. It’s time to go home or as I like to refer to it since I was an out of town patient, back to your place of healing. What do you need to know? Your catheter has been removed and you have been to the bathroom by yourself by now. You are free of the IV’s that have been part of you since you got out of surgery. The entire process of being released from hospital is an event in and of itself. You Continue Reading →