Tag: implant-based reconstruction

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of BIA/ALCL

Posted on by

Any surgery is not without risks. Using a medical device like a breast implant is no different. This is the focus of our discussion in a summary of the DiepCJourney podcast, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of BIA/ALCL. Four million women across the globe have undergone breast augmentation using a medical device called a breast implant. This is done for reasons such as cosmesis or enhancement of the breast, trauma to the chest wall or for oncological reasons, meaning for breast cancer and the breast implant is used to replace breast tissue affected by or lost due to these two reasons, breast cancer or chest wall trauma. Meet A Leading Expert in the Field I talked to a leading expert in the field about the medical definition of breast implant associated (BIA) anaplastic large cell lymphoma, an uncommon form of ALCL. I interviewed Mark Clemens, MD, MBA, FACS. After receiving his Continue Reading →

Episode 16: Options for Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy

Posted on by

When a person faces a mastectomy due to breast cancer, they have options to reconstruct their breasts. The options include using an implant, using the patients own tissue, or choosing to remain flat with aesthetic flat closure. Dr. Steven Pisano of PRMA, Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates, in San Antonio, Texas discusses all the options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy in Episode 16 of the DiepCJourney podcast. The Voice of an Expert in Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy Dr. Pisano is one of the original founders of PRMA in San Antonio. He started the practice in 1994 with partner Dr. Peter Ledoux to serve the San Antonio area with general breast reconstruction surgery. Since that time, they will be on track by the end of 2021 to perform over ten thousand flap breast reconstruction surgeries for patients from all over the world. They now have a team of eight highly skilled microsurgeons Continue Reading →

Healing After Breast Reconstruction is a Journey

Posted on by

Women and men can choose three different types of breast reconstruction. There is implant-based reconstruction. Another type is when a patient can choose to use a variety of skin flaps to rebuild their breasts. This is called autologous, using your own tissue, breast reconstruction. A combination of both autologous and implant-based reconstruction is sometimes chosen and performed after a mastectomy. Any of these type of breast reconstruction options requires time to heal, both emotionally and physically. Healing after breast reconstruction is a Journey. The Unknowns You don’t know what you don’t know. A patient can sit in an initial consult with their plastic surgeon with all their questions in hand. The hope is the consult is done in a shared decision-making fashion where both parties, the patient and plastic surgeon, listen carefully and with intent to each point of discussion then come to the best decision for the patient’s health Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction. Taking Control Despite the Risks and Complications

Posted on by

Patients who chose breast reconstruction often feel they are taking control despite the risks and complications associated with the surgery. I hear comments from patients after having breast reconstruction who have encountered complications including, seromas, wound healing issues, hernias, multiple surgeries, and yet, are very happy with their decision to reconstruct their breasts. Many feel it gave them control. Why? It gave them the opportunity to rebuild a body part lost after being diagnosed with breast cancer or deciding on prophylactic surgery due to a genetic mutation. An article in the New York Times reported on complications after various types of breast reconstruction surgeries including both implants and numerous forms of autologous (using your own tissue) reconstruction. A multicenter cohort study referenced in the article in JAMA stated: Reconstruction may be associated with a high risk for complications, but successful reconstruction may still be achieved in most patients. Women electing Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction: Seromas Pre and Post-Operative Assessment

Posted on by

Breast Reconstruction: Seromas Pre and Post-Operative Assessment Breast reconstruction complications are possible as is the case with any surgery. A possible complication in breast reconstruction is the development of a seroma. Here we look at the pre and post-operative assessment of seromas after autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction. I speak to two ASPS board certified plastic surgeons from PRMA in San Antonio, Dr. Ramon Garza III and Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. I feel fortunate to share this information with the reader. The video in the blog will give a detailed explanation of pre and post-operative assessment of seromas. You can subscribe to DiepCFoundation YouTube channel after watching the video for a variety of educational topics on breast reconstruction. Dr. Garza begins the discussion by explaining who might be more prone than others to complications such as seromas after breast reconstruction. It is important to point out that their practice at PRMA Continue Reading →

Nipple Reconstruction after Mastectomy

Posted on by

I am often asked about the process of nipple reconstruction after mastectomy at the time of breast reconstruction. I am grateful to Drs. Minas Chrysopoulo and Ramon Garza III of PRMA in San Antonio who took time to make the video. It can be viewed from this blog explaining the procedure. My own experience during my DIEP flap breast reconstruction was a skin sparring, nipple sparring mastectomy. My breast surgeon clearly explained how she was going to make every attempt to save my nipples during my mastectomy. She also was very forthright in telling me, based on tumor size and location, she may not be able to save my nipples. I felt fortunate she successfully saved my nipples at the time of my double mastectomy. This is not always the case for every woman or man who has a mastectomy. There are reasons nipples cannot be saved. There are also patients Continue Reading →