The 2 most mutual questions alongside thorax cancer patients considering thorax reconstruction are "how much does thorax reconstruction cost?" together with "will my insurance encompass it?". The skillful tidings is that fifty-fifty though thorax reconstruction is performed yesteryear plastic surgeons, it is NOT considered cosmetic surgery.
If the mastectomy is for thorax cancer together with thus the police describe states it must live covered yesteryear insurance. If the mastectomy is covered, the reconstruction volition live too. The bad tidings is that fifty-fifty though insurance covers thorax reconstruction, in that place are however or thus costs that the patient volition live responsible for. Patients much inquiry this ahead of fourth dimension to limit the gamble of a nasty fiscal surprise downward the line.
While the score of coverage varies based on the insurance plan, in that place are or thus things that are pretty standard. Effective June 1, 2010 fifty-fifty Medicaid volition supply a produce goodness for thorax surgical physical care for to the unaffected thorax for symmetry, providing sure enough criteria are met. Breast reconstruction later on safe (preventive) mastectomy is unremarkably covered equally long equally the patient is deemed to live high gamble for thorax cancer (significant line of piece of occupation solid unit of measurement history or BRCA cistron positive).
Even though insurance companies are mandated to encompass reconstruction, breast reconstruction insurance laws produce vary yesteryear state. The sum each insurance pays tin give the axe also vary a nifty deal.
It is of import to brand sure enough your surgeon is in-network for your insurance innovation if at all possible. This volition limit your costs to whatever you've agreed to pay nether the price of your insurance innovation (such equally your deductible, co-pay together with out of bag expense). Using an out-of-network surgeon volition probable bailiwick y'all to other costs such equally "balance billing". This is when the surgeon essentially sets his/her cost (just to role an illustration let's enjoin $1,000), receives whatever the insurance innovation pays (let's enjoin $600) together with and thus asks the patient to pay the residue (ie the "balance" of $400). This illustration is based on relatively minor dollar amounts but y'all tin give the axe come across how this could add together upward to tens of thousands of dollars of additional bills for a major surgical procedure, together with that's only for the rootage procedure.
Whether or non y'all tin give the axe honour an in-network, experienced surgeon depends on the physical care for you've decided to have. If you've decided to convey an implant reconstruction together with thus y'all may convey several doctors to select from. Implant thorax reconstruction is technically non equally challenging equally other options together with most plastic surgeons perform the procedure.
On the other hand, if you're to a greater extent than interested inwards an advanced reconstructive physical care for that non many surgeons offering (like a DIEP flap), you're probable to convey a harder fourth dimension finding an experienced surgeon to perform your surgical physical care for who is in-network. Most patients volition unfortunately convey to move for their surgical physical care for because of this. Even though this may forthwith add together the cost of airfare together with hotel stays, these costs are typically significantly less than a "balance bill" from an out-of-network surgeon.
Some thorax centers fifty-fifty offering special arrangements to traveling patients such equally significantly discounted hotel charges to assist ease the fiscal burden.
Find answers to often asked breast reconstruction insurance questions here.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards advanced thorax reconstruction surgery. He together with his partners are in-network for most USA insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than virtually your breast reconstruction options together with connect with other thorax reconstruction patients here. You tin give the axe also follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Healty | Self Breast Exam - Why it's of import together with how to produce it.
From their 20's onwards, women should know how their breasts expect together with experience usually together with written report whatever pectus changes to their doctor as before long every bit they are found. Finding something novel does non necessarily hateful at that topographic point is anything to worry about, but it is of import to larn whatever pectus changes checked out.
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards advanced pectus reconstruction. He together with his partners are in-network for most U.S.A. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than nigh your breast reconstruction surgical operation options together with connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin besides follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Women are to a greater extent than probable to notice changes past times performing a routine (say monthly), step-by-step approach to examining their breasts (see below).
The best fourth dimension for a adult woman to examine her breasts is when the breasts are non tender or swollen. Women who examine their breasts should bring their technique reviewed during their periodic wellness exams past times their wellness attention professional.
Women alongside pectus implants can still besides practise BSE. Breast implants tin genuinely force out the pectus tissue together with arrive easier to examine. Women who are important or breast-feeding should besides examine their breasts regularly.
Women who bring already had mastectomy together with pectus reconstruction should besides consider routinely examining their novel breasts for whatever novel changes. Even though the natural pectus tissue together with pectus cancer has been removed, it is nevertheless possible to prepare a recurrence of the pectus cancer (for event nether the pectus skin). BSE is oftentimes the get-go affair to warning patients to something new. Again, whatever novel findings must live reported to a medico at nowadays away.
Women who bring already had mastectomy together with pectus reconstruction should besides consider routinely examining their novel breasts for whatever novel changes. Even though the natural pectus tissue together with pectus cancer has been removed, it is nevertheless possible to prepare a recurrence of the pectus cancer (for event nether the pectus skin). BSE is oftentimes the get-go affair to warning patients to something new. Again, whatever novel findings must live reported to a medico at nowadays away.
Women who decide non to practise BSE should nevertheless live aware of the normal expect together with experience of their breasts together with written report whatever changes to their medico correct away.
How to examine your breasts (from the American Cancer Society's website)
- Lie downwardly together with house your correct arm behind your head. The seek out is done field lying down, non standing up. This is because when lying downwardly the pectus tissue spreads evenly over the pectus wall together with is every bit sparse every bit possible, making it much easier to experience all the pectus tissue.
- Use the finger pads of the iii middle fingers on your left mitt to experience for lumps inwards the correct breast. Use overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the finger pads to experience the pectus tissue.
- Use iii unlike levels of force per unit of measurement area to experience all the pectus tissue. Light force per unit of measurement area is needed to experience the tissue closest to the skin; medium force per unit of measurement area to experience a lilliputian deeper; together with trouble solid force per unit of measurement area to experience the tissue closest to the pectus together with ribs. It is normal to experience a trouble solid ridge inwards the lower bend of each breast, but you lot should tell your medico if you lot experience anything else out of the ordinary. If you're non certain how difficult to press, beak alongside your medico or nurse. Use each force per unit of measurement area marking to experience the pectus tissue earlier moving on to the adjacent spot.
- Move around the pectus inwards an upwards together with downwardly designing starting at an imaginary line drawn at nowadays downwardly your side from the underarm together with moving across the pectus to the middle of the pectus os (sternum or breastbone). Be certain to banking company tally the entire pectus surface area going downwardly until you lot experience alone ribs together with upwards to the cervix or neckband os (clavicle).
- There is some show to propose that the up-and-down designing (sometimes called the vertical pattern) is the most effective designing for roofing the entire breast, without missing whatever pectus tissue.
- Repeat the seek out on your left breast, putting your left arm behind your caput together with using the finger pads of your correct mitt to practise the exam.
- While standing inwards front end of a mirror alongside your hands pressing firmly downwardly on your hips, expect at your breasts for whatever changes of size, shape, contour, or dimpling, or redness or scaliness of the nipple or pectus skin. (The pressing downwardly on the hips seat contracts the pectus wall muscles together with enhances whatever pectus changes.)
- Examine each underarm field sitting upwards or standing together with alongside your arm alone slightly raised then you lot tin easily experience inwards this area. Raising your arm at nowadays upwards tightens the tissue inwards this surface area together with makes it harder to examine.
- This physical care for for doing pectus self seek out is unlike from previous recommendations. These changes stand upwards for an extensive review of the medical literature together with input from an adept advisory group. There is show that this seat (lying down), the surface area felt, designing of coverage of the breast, together with purpose of unlike amounts of force per unit of measurement area growth a woman's mightiness to honor abnormal areas.
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards advanced pectus reconstruction. He together with his partners are in-network for most U.S.A. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than nigh your breast reconstruction surgical operation options together with connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin besides follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Healty | Are you lot a DIEP Flap candidate?
The DIEP flap physical care for has apace buy the farm the "gold standard" inwards pectus reconstruction today. While non every adult woman is a candidate for DIEP flap surgery, many are turned away when inwards fact they needn't be. The most mutual areas of confusion include:
1) Previous Abdominal Surgery
While to a greater extent than or less types of previous abdominal surgical physical care for tin brand the DIEP flap physical care for impossible to perform, most of the fourth dimension previous abdominal surgical physical care for actually isn't an issue.
Many women these days bring had a previous c-section or hysterectomy. It is possible for these procedures to drive impairment to the blood vessels needed for DIEP flap surgery, simply this is rare. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 previous c-section, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation is non a contra-indication to having the procedure.
If your surgeon is worried well-nigh potential impairment from previous surgical physical care for in addition to thence for sure tests tin live performed to examine the anatomy to a greater extent than closely. This tin include a elementary doppler ultrasound assay inwards the component subdivision or a to a greater extent than involved assay similar a CT angiogram.
So which previous surgeries DO drive a problem? Women that bring had a previous TRAM flap, tummy tuck or really extensive abdominal wall surgeries (like complex repairs of huge hernias) cannot bring a DIEP or SIEA flap reconstruction because the lower stomach tissue that is needed has already been removed, disconnected or moved around.
While previous abdominal surgeries may non forbid DIEP flap reconstruction, women that bring had multiple previous abdominal procedures are at increased guide chances of abdominal complications similar bulging in addition to fifty-fifty hernia afterwards DIEP flap surgical physical care for when compared to women that bring never had prior abdominal surgery.
2) An Umbilical Hernia
It is really unlikely that an umbilical hernia would forbid DIEP flap surgery. Most umbilical hernias are small. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 really large umbilical hernia tin brand the surgical physical care for harder simply fifty-fifty this is non commonly a contra-indication to having the procedure.
3) Previous Chest Radiation
One of the most of import things for the reconstructive surgeon to arrive at is to supervene upon the damaged, theatre irradiated tissue alongside normal, healthy, soft tissue. If the irradiated tissue is non good for yous plenty to live used equally component subdivision of the reconstruction (as is the instance inwards many instances), it volition live removed in addition to replaced yesteryear the good for yous (DIEP) tissue.
I bring visited alongside a fair number of patients who bring previously been told they are non candidates for DIEP flap reconstruction because they received pectus radiations afterwards their mastectomy. I do not portion this opinion.
Most of the fourth dimension this advice seems to stalk from fearfulness that the radiations may bring caused impairment to the internal mammary vessels inwards the chest. These are the blood vessels that are commonly used to connect the DIEP flap to the chest. In reality it is exceptionally rare for us to uncovering these blood vessels are damaged in addition to cannot live used.
4) Not the Right Amount of Tissue
You don't quest to live overweight to live a candidate for a DIEP flap. What matters is the distribution of the fat. We bring performed DIEP flaps on smaller breast, sparse women alongside a BMI (body volume index) of twenty (and fifty-fifty less) because the fatty that they did bring was "in all the correct places". Having said that, in that location is an upper boundary beyond which the risks of surgical physical care for outweigh the benefits - At PRMA nosotros laid an upper BMI boundary of twoscore equally nosotros bring institute that performing the physical care for on women alongside BMIs greater than this significantly increases the rates of complications (especially injure healing problems).
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards the latest pectus reconstruction techniques . He in addition to his partners are in-network for most the U.S. of A. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than well-nigh your breast reconstruction options in addition to connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
1) Previous Abdominal Surgery
While to a greater extent than or less types of previous abdominal surgical physical care for tin brand the DIEP flap physical care for impossible to perform, most of the fourth dimension previous abdominal surgical physical care for actually isn't an issue.
Many women these days bring had a previous c-section or hysterectomy. It is possible for these procedures to drive impairment to the blood vessels needed for DIEP flap surgery, simply this is rare. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 previous c-section, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation is non a contra-indication to having the procedure.
If your surgeon is worried well-nigh potential impairment from previous surgical physical care for in addition to thence for sure tests tin live performed to examine the anatomy to a greater extent than closely. This tin include a elementary doppler ultrasound assay inwards the component subdivision or a to a greater extent than involved assay similar a CT angiogram.
So which previous surgeries DO drive a problem? Women that bring had a previous TRAM flap, tummy tuck or really extensive abdominal wall surgeries (like complex repairs of huge hernias) cannot bring a DIEP or SIEA flap reconstruction because the lower stomach tissue that is needed has already been removed, disconnected or moved around.
While previous abdominal surgeries may non forbid DIEP flap reconstruction, women that bring had multiple previous abdominal procedures are at increased guide chances of abdominal complications similar bulging in addition to fifty-fifty hernia afterwards DIEP flap surgical physical care for when compared to women that bring never had prior abdominal surgery.
2) An Umbilical Hernia
It is really unlikely that an umbilical hernia would forbid DIEP flap surgery. Most umbilical hernias are small. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 really large umbilical hernia tin brand the surgical physical care for harder simply fifty-fifty this is non commonly a contra-indication to having the procedure.
3) Previous Chest Radiation
One of the most of import things for the reconstructive surgeon to arrive at is to supervene upon the damaged, theatre irradiated tissue alongside normal, healthy, soft tissue. If the irradiated tissue is non good for yous plenty to live used equally component subdivision of the reconstruction (as is the instance inwards many instances), it volition live removed in addition to replaced yesteryear the good for yous (DIEP) tissue.
I bring visited alongside a fair number of patients who bring previously been told they are non candidates for DIEP flap reconstruction because they received pectus radiations afterwards their mastectomy. I do not portion this opinion.
Most of the fourth dimension this advice seems to stalk from fearfulness that the radiations may bring caused impairment to the internal mammary vessels inwards the chest. These are the blood vessels that are commonly used to connect the DIEP flap to the chest. In reality it is exceptionally rare for us to uncovering these blood vessels are damaged in addition to cannot live used.
4) Not the Right Amount of Tissue
You don't quest to live overweight to live a candidate for a DIEP flap. What matters is the distribution of the fat. We bring performed DIEP flaps on smaller breast, sparse women alongside a BMI (body volume index) of twenty (and fifty-fifty less) because the fatty that they did bring was "in all the correct places". Having said that, in that location is an upper boundary beyond which the risks of surgical physical care for outweigh the benefits - At PRMA nosotros laid an upper BMI boundary of twoscore equally nosotros bring institute that performing the physical care for on women alongside BMIs greater than this significantly increases the rates of complications (especially injure healing problems).
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards the latest pectus reconstruction techniques . He in addition to his partners are in-network for most the U.S. of A. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than well-nigh your breast reconstruction options in addition to connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Healty | TRAM Flap vs DIEP Flap: What's the Difference?
Up until a few years ago, the TRAM flap was the golden measure inwards pectus reconstruction afterward mastectomy. The TRAM has straight off been surpassed past times the DIEP flap for that honor. For patient's researching their reconstructive options afterward mastectomy, it is of import to sympathize the concept of TRAM surgery as well as how it has evolved into today's cutting border DIEP procedure.
There are 3 primary forms of the TRAM flap operation ordinarily performed past times plastic surgeons:
1) The Pedicled TRAM flap: this was the showtime functioning to depict purpose of ane of the rectus abdominus muscles (sit-up muscle) for pectus reconstruction. The surgery begins alongside an incision from hip to hip. Then, the lower abdominal tissue below the belly push (skin, fatty as well as ane of the abdominal muscles) is tunneled nether the upper abdominal peel to the pectus to practice a novel breast.
Recovery from the surgery tin live hard as well as painful. Long-term, the patient has to adjust to the loss of some abdominal forcefulness (up to 20%). As alongside whatsoever surgical physical care for at that topographic point is the possibility of complications. These include delayed healing, fatty necrosis (part of the tissue turns hard due to pitiable blood supply), abdominal complications such equally bulging and/or hernia, as well as loss of the reconstruction altogether (rare).
2) The Free TRAM flap: this physical care for uses the same abdominal tissue equally the pedicled TRAM except that the tissue ("flap") is disconnected from the patient's body, transplanted to the chest, as well as reconnected to the trunk using microsurgery. Advantages over the pedicled TRAM include: improved blood provide (and thence less opportunity of healing problems as well as fatty necrosis), as well as less musculus sacrifice (so the abdominal recovery is a fiddling easier, potentially to a greater extent than forcefulness is maintained long-term, as well as the opportunity of bulging as well as hernia formation is lower).
Since the tissue is disconnected as well as transplanted to the chest, at that topographic point is likewise no tunneling nether the peel equally at that topographic point is alongside the pedicled physical care for as well as no subsequent upper abdominal bulge or as well as so the ribcage expanse (which is typically seen alongside tunneling).
3) The Muscle-Sparing Free TRAM flap: this functioning is associated alongside all the benefits of the gratuitous TRAM but has significantly fewer abdominal complications as well as side-effects (pain, bulging, hernia, forcefulness loss) because the vast bulk of the abdominal musculus is spared as well as left behind. The sum of musculus taken is typically real pocket-sized (postage-stamp size). We volition opt for this version of the TRAM entirely inwards the rare lawsuit that the patient's anatomy does non let for a DIEP or SIEA flap.
4) The DIEP flap: This is the most advanced flat of pectus reconstruction surgery available today. Like the muscle-sparing gratuitous TRAM, the DIEP uses the patient's ain abdominal peel as well as fatty to reconstruct a natural, soft pectus afterward mastectomy. Unlike the TRAM however, all the abdominal musculus is preserved. Only abdominal peel as well as fatty are removed similar to a "tummy tuck". Patients thence sense less hurting afterward surgery, savour a faster recovery as well as keep their abdominal forcefulness long-term. Since the abdominal muscles are saved, the opportunity of complications similar abdominal bulging as well as hernia are likewise significantly lower. Please view our gallery to persuasion DIEP flap earlier as well as afterward photos.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards the latest pectus reconstruction techniques including DIEP flap surgery. He as well as his partners perform over 500 DIEP flap procedures per twelvemonth as well as are In-Network for most the U.S. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than near your breast reconstruction options as well as connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards the latest pectus reconstruction techniques including DIEP flap surgery. He as well as his partners perform over 500 DIEP flap procedures per twelvemonth as well as are In-Network for most the U.S. insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than near your breast reconstruction options as well as connect alongside other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Healty | Breast Reconstruction: New Video Discusses Latest Breast Reconstruction Options
Breast reconstruction surgery restores something that nature has provided but cancer has taken away.
Unfortunately, close American women amongst breast cancer create non fifty-fifty realize they conduct maintain the selection of thorax reconstruction later mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Breast reconstruction is non a cosmetic procedure.... it is every woman's right: it restores something that nature has provided but cancer has taken away. It is too covered yesteryear insurance cheers to a Federal Mandate passed inwards 1998.
Despite this mandate, studies alarmingly demonstrate that solely 30% of women facing mastectomy are fifty-fifty offered the selection of thorax reconstruction.
Women conduct maintain many reconstructive options later mastectomy or lumpectomy. These make from thorax implants to "autologous" techniques which operate the patient's ain tissue to recreate a to a greater extent than "natural", warm, soft breast. The nipple as well as areola (the darker expanse surrounding the nipple) tin too survive recreated.
Healty | Breast Reconstruction Timing: Immediate vs Delayed Reconstruction
With so much to mean value nearly afterwards a pectus cancer diagnosis, many patients facing mastectomy gain non fully sympathize how the timing of pectus reconstruction influences how the reconstructed breasts volition ultimately look.
Breast reconstruction tin live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or a land afterwards mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction").
When the mastectomy in addition to reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy tin unremarkably live performed which saves the bulk of the natural pectus pare envelope (except for the nipple in addition to areola). Only the actual pectus tissue nether the pare is removed. The reconstruction in addition to then "fills" this empty pare envelope. In or so direct cases the nipple in addition to areola tin likewise live saved. This is known every bit a nipple-sparing mastectomy.
Skin-sparing (or nipple-sparing) mastectomy in addition to immediate pectus reconstruction create the most "natural" results amongst the to the lowest degree scarring. Skin-sparing mastectomy in addition to immediate reconstruction is so preferred whenever possible in addition to should live the finish for pectus cancer patients amongst early on illness (stage I or II).
Delayed reconstruction unfortunately leaves to a greater extent than scarring (typically) in addition to the in conclusion pectus is less probable to expect similar the breasts Mother Nature provided. Common reasons to delay reconstruction include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory pectus cancer, the excogitation for radiations therapy afterwards mastectomy, in addition to lack of access to a reconstructive surgeon.
The departure inward scarring betwixt immediate in addition to delayed pectus reconstruction tin live seen inward these breast reconstruction earlier in addition to afterwards photos.
Ultimately the priority must ever live "life earlier breast" - patently the pectus cancer handling comes get-go inward price of priority. However, all other things beingness equal, in that place volition sometimes live a pick to live made betwixt having the reconstruction performed with the mastectomy or or so fourth dimension after the mastectomy. Whenever possible, I encourage women to attempt immediate reconstruction for the best cosmetic results.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inward the latest breast reconstruction techniques including the DIEP flap procedure. He in addition to his partners perform over 500 DIEP flap procedures per twelvemonth in addition to are In-Network for most U.S.A. of America insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than nearly your breast reconstruction options in addition to connect amongst other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Breast reconstruction tin live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or a land afterwards mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction").
When the mastectomy in addition to reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy tin unremarkably live performed which saves the bulk of the natural pectus pare envelope (except for the nipple in addition to areola). Only the actual pectus tissue nether the pare is removed. The reconstruction in addition to then "fills" this empty pare envelope. In or so direct cases the nipple in addition to areola tin likewise live saved. This is known every bit a nipple-sparing mastectomy.
Skin-sparing (or nipple-sparing) mastectomy in addition to immediate pectus reconstruction create the most "natural" results amongst the to the lowest degree scarring. Skin-sparing mastectomy in addition to immediate reconstruction is so preferred whenever possible in addition to should live the finish for pectus cancer patients amongst early on illness (stage I or II).
Delayed reconstruction unfortunately leaves to a greater extent than scarring (typically) in addition to the in conclusion pectus is less probable to expect similar the breasts Mother Nature provided. Common reasons to delay reconstruction include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory pectus cancer, the excogitation for radiations therapy afterwards mastectomy, in addition to lack of access to a reconstructive surgeon.
The departure inward scarring betwixt immediate in addition to delayed pectus reconstruction tin live seen inward these breast reconstruction earlier in addition to afterwards photos.
Ultimately the priority must ever live "life earlier breast" - patently the pectus cancer handling comes get-go inward price of priority. However, all other things beingness equal, in that place volition sometimes live a pick to live made betwixt having the reconstruction performed with the mastectomy or or so fourth dimension after the mastectomy. Whenever possible, I encourage women to attempt immediate reconstruction for the best cosmetic results.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inward the latest breast reconstruction techniques including the DIEP flap procedure. He in addition to his partners perform over 500 DIEP flap procedures per twelvemonth in addition to are In-Network for most U.S.A. of America insurance plans. Learn to a greater extent than nearly your breast reconstruction options in addition to connect amongst other pectus reconstruction patients here. You tin likewise follow Dr C on Twitter!
*****
Healty | v Tips To Boost Healing After Surgery
Surgery is stressful plenty without having to bargain amongst injure healing complications afterwards. Maximize your chances of healing good past times next these five tips:
1. Increase pro-healing nutrients inwards your diet:
Wounds remove a lot of release energy to heal well. Since release energy tin send away alone come upwards from food, it is vital that patients consume every bit healthily every bit possible particularly earlier as well as after surgery. Crucial nutrients for injure healing include protein, zinc as well as vitamins H5N1 as well as C.
So what are the best things to eat? Meats, nuts, beans as well as dairy products are dandy sources of protein. Carrots, tomatoes, sugariness potatoes, spinach as well as apricots are dandy sources of vitamin A. Citrus fruits as well as dark-green leafy vegetables are dandy sources of Vitamin C. Yogurt, dark-green peas, beef, oysters, dark beans as well as crab are dandy sources of zinc.
2. Drink plenty of water:
Patients must likewise remain good hydrated earlier as well as after operation past times drinking plenty of water. Moisture is needed for normal injure healing. Dehydration causes the pare as well as soft tissues to lose wet as well as this inwards plow tin send away delay healing.
3. If possible become to a healthier weight:
The importance of good for you lot nutrition is actually emphasized past times the link betwixt obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] over 30) as well as complication rates after surgery. Obese patients conduct keep much higher rates of infection, injure healing problems (breakdown of wounds), hematomas (blood collections), as well as seromas (fluid collections) compared to non-obese patients.
Obese patients likewise conduct keep a thicker subcutaneous adipose layer amongst a poorer blood supply. Blood menses to the healing tissues is thus less robust as well as the sum of vital nutrients as well as oxygen reaching these tissues are far less than inwards non-obese patients. This misfortunate blood menses compounds the negative effects of misfortunate nutrition. If possible, losing weight earlier operation volition alone decrease the peril of complications.
4. Stop smoking:
Smoking tin send away likewise actually ship upon healing. The nicotine inwards cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to shrink, as well as then i time again tissues create non have plenty of the nutrients as well as oxygen required for healing. At best, this tin send away drive the injure healing procedure to conduct keep much longer. At worst, smoking tin send away drive wounds to breakdown. Unfortunately, many smoking-cessation products volition likewise increase the peril of healing problems because of the nicotine they contain!
Cigarette smoke likewise contains carbon monoxide. This combines amongst your blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen as well as effectively lowering the degree of oxygen inwards the blood. Since oxygen is vital for healing, it is crucial to quit smoking earlier as well as after operation to decrease the peril of healing complications.
5. Exercise:
Another skilful matter to do?... Exercise. Regular aerobic practice improves healing after operation as well as boosts the immune system. Start amongst walking as well as progressively build upwards to to a greater extent than of a travail i time given the "all-clear" past times your surgeon.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon as well as microsurgeon specializing inwards breast cancer reconstruction. He is in-network for almost major the U.S. insurance plans as well as routinely treats patients traveling from across the the U.S. for pectus reconstruction. To schedule a consultation delight telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com. Connect amongst Dr C on Twitter as well as Facebook.
*****
1. Increase pro-healing nutrients inwards your diet:
Wounds remove a lot of release energy to heal well. Since release energy tin send away alone come upwards from food, it is vital that patients consume every bit healthily every bit possible particularly earlier as well as after surgery. Crucial nutrients for injure healing include protein, zinc as well as vitamins H5N1 as well as C.
So what are the best things to eat? Meats, nuts, beans as well as dairy products are dandy sources of protein. Carrots, tomatoes, sugariness potatoes, spinach as well as apricots are dandy sources of vitamin A. Citrus fruits as well as dark-green leafy vegetables are dandy sources of Vitamin C. Yogurt, dark-green peas, beef, oysters, dark beans as well as crab are dandy sources of zinc.
2. Drink plenty of water:
Patients must likewise remain good hydrated earlier as well as after operation past times drinking plenty of water. Moisture is needed for normal injure healing. Dehydration causes the pare as well as soft tissues to lose wet as well as this inwards plow tin send away delay healing.
3. If possible become to a healthier weight:
The importance of good for you lot nutrition is actually emphasized past times the link betwixt obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] over 30) as well as complication rates after surgery. Obese patients conduct keep much higher rates of infection, injure healing problems (breakdown of wounds), hematomas (blood collections), as well as seromas (fluid collections) compared to non-obese patients.
Obese patients likewise conduct keep a thicker subcutaneous adipose layer amongst a poorer blood supply. Blood menses to the healing tissues is thus less robust as well as the sum of vital nutrients as well as oxygen reaching these tissues are far less than inwards non-obese patients. This misfortunate blood menses compounds the negative effects of misfortunate nutrition. If possible, losing weight earlier operation volition alone decrease the peril of complications.
4. Stop smoking:
Smoking tin send away likewise actually ship upon healing. The nicotine inwards cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to shrink, as well as then i time again tissues create non have plenty of the nutrients as well as oxygen required for healing. At best, this tin send away drive the injure healing procedure to conduct keep much longer. At worst, smoking tin send away drive wounds to breakdown. Unfortunately, many smoking-cessation products volition likewise increase the peril of healing problems because of the nicotine they contain!
Cigarette smoke likewise contains carbon monoxide. This combines amongst your blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen as well as effectively lowering the degree of oxygen inwards the blood. Since oxygen is vital for healing, it is crucial to quit smoking earlier as well as after operation to decrease the peril of healing complications.
5. Exercise:
Another skilful matter to do?... Exercise. Regular aerobic practice improves healing after operation as well as boosts the immune system. Start amongst walking as well as progressively build upwards to to a greater extent than of a travail i time given the "all-clear" past times your surgeon.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon as well as microsurgeon specializing inwards breast cancer reconstruction. He is in-network for almost major the U.S. insurance plans as well as routinely treats patients traveling from across the the U.S. for pectus reconstruction. To schedule a consultation delight telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com. Connect amongst Dr C on Twitter as well as Facebook.
*****
Healty | Travelling for Breast Reconstruction Just Got a Lot Cheaper
Great news! Well, to live honest, it's non actually "news" anymore since it happened a few of months agone but I conduct maintain come upwards across several patients that didn't know most this in addition to thus I idea I'd post service most it....
PRMA Plastic Surgery in addition to several San Antonio hotels conduct maintain partnered amongst the American Cancer Society to initiative off go expenses for thorax cancer patients travelling to PRMA for their thorax reconstruction.
Accommodation is straightaway provided at either significantly reduced rates or at no charge on a space-available basis. This computer program is for patients who are having surgical operation at to the lowest degree l miles from their home. One caregiver is too welcome to go amongst the patient. The computer program solely applies to lodging Mon through Th (so weekends are NOT included). You too ask to plough over advanced notice... at to the lowest degree ii weeks advance discovery is normally needed (remember this is on a space-available basis).
I encourage patients living to a greater extent than than l miles from San Antonio to telephone vociferation upwards the American Cancer Society direct on (877) 227-1618 for to a greater extent than data in addition to to accept wages of this bully opportunity. Hotels conveniently located nigh PRMA tin plough over the sack live works life here.
Dr C
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards breast reconstruction. On Facebook?.... Connect amongst other thorax cancer patients inwards our FB Breast Cancer Reconstruction Community.
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery in addition to several San Antonio hotels conduct maintain partnered amongst the American Cancer Society to initiative off go expenses for thorax cancer patients travelling to PRMA for their thorax reconstruction.
Accommodation is straightaway provided at either significantly reduced rates or at no charge on a space-available basis. This computer program is for patients who are having surgical operation at to the lowest degree l miles from their home. One caregiver is too welcome to go amongst the patient. The computer program solely applies to lodging Mon through Th (so weekends are NOT included). You too ask to plough over advanced notice... at to the lowest degree ii weeks advance discovery is normally needed (remember this is on a space-available basis).
I encourage patients living to a greater extent than than l miles from San Antonio to telephone vociferation upwards the American Cancer Society direct on (877) 227-1618 for to a greater extent than data in addition to to accept wages of this bully opportunity. Hotels conveniently located nigh PRMA tin plough over the sack live works life here.
Dr C
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing inwards breast reconstruction. On Facebook?.... Connect amongst other thorax cancer patients inwards our FB Breast Cancer Reconstruction Community.
*****
Healty | Breast Reconstruction With Tummy Tissue (Abdominal Flaps)
DIEP flap? TRAM flap? SIEA flap? With in addition to then many pectus reconstruction options available these days it's hard to empathise what these price actually hateful in addition to what the differences are betwixt all these "tummy flap" procedures.
It is of import for women considering these reconstructive options to realize that non all tum tissue options are created equal. For example, a DIEP flap is non the same every bit a TRAM flap only because both provide the exercise goodness of a tum tuck.
Many women are similar a shot rejecting pectus implants preferring to role their ain abdominal tissue for reconstruction subsequently mastectomy. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pectus that has been reconstructed alongside the patient's ain tissue typically looks in addition to feels to a greater extent than natural than an implant reconstruction, volition final longer without the long-term complications that tin give the sack live associated alongside implants, in addition to volition every bit good historic menses similar a natural breast. Women wanting to role their abdominal tissue convey iii reconstructive options: TRAM flap, DIEP flap, or SIEA flap.
The TRAM flap is a real mutual pectus reconstruction technique that requires the sacrifice of at to the lowest degree a constituent of the rectus abdominus (sit-up) muscle. There are iii dissimilar types of TRAM flap ("pedicle", "free", in addition to "muscle-sparing free"): the exact type is defined past times the sum of abdominal musculus removed. Unfortunately, TRAM surgical operation tin give the sack live associated alongside meaning post-operative pain, prolonged recovery in addition to a host of abdominal complications such every bit loss of abdominal musculus describe (up to 20% or more), bulging (or "pooching"), in addition to fifty-fifty abdominal hernia.
The DIEP flap physical care for is similar to the TRAM flap except that it spares the rectus abdominus musculus completely. Only pare in addition to obese are removed from the abdomen. This tissue is disconnected from the trunk completely, transplanted to the pectus in addition to re-connected using microsurgery to exercise the novel breast. As the sit-up musculus is saved completely in addition to left behind inwards its natural place, the jeopardy of abdominal complications is much less than alongside a TRAM. There every bit good tends to live less hurting in addition to a quicker recovery fourth dimension because the abdominal muscles are preserved in addition to left inwards place.
Like the DIEP flap, the SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) flap completely preserves the abdominal muscles. The primary divergence betwixt these 2 procedures is the artery used to provide blood current to the newly reconstructed breast. The “SIEA” blood vessels are to a greater extent than often than non works life inwards the obese tissue only below pare whereas the “DIEP” blood vessels run below in addition to inside the abdominal musculus (making the DIEP to a greater extent than technically challenging). Recovery from the SIEA flap is fifty-fifty easier than the DIEP since the abdominal muscles are non disturbed at all during the surgery.
Despite the similarities betwixt these 2 surgeries the SIEA flap is used much less ofttimes than the DIEP flap because less than 20% of patients convey the appropriate anatomy. Unfortunately, at that topographic point are no pre-operative tests to reliably exhibit which patients convey the appropriate anatomy in addition to the conclusion every bit to which physical care for to perform is made intra-operatively past times the plastic surgeon based on the anatomy works life at the fourth dimension of surgery.
Since the TRAM, DIEP in addition to SIEA procedures all role the patient's lower abdominal pare in addition to fat, all these abdominal flap options provide the added exercise goodness of a tum tuck at the same fourth dimension every bit the pectus reconstruction.
There are many plastic surgeons inwards the US offering TRAM flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, real few centers inwards the US routinely perform the advanced microsurgical procedures similar the DIEP in addition to SIEA flap. Many patients volition hence convey to move for these procedures.
When considering a reconstructive surgeon, ensure he/she is a plastic surgeon certified past times the American Board of Plastic Surgery that has extensive experience alongside this specific type of surgery. Also inquire close the success charge per unit of measurement inwards their hands - most specialists boast a flap survival charge per unit of measurement of 97% to 99%+.
The 2 websites below listing surgeons that offering DIEP in addition to SIEA flap reconstruction in addition to serve every bit a adept starting indicate when researching surgeons:
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon at PRMA Plastic Surgery. PRMA specializes inwards microsurgical pectus reconstruction including the DIEP flap procedure. PRMA has performed thousands of DIEP flaps in addition to is In-Network for most US insurance plans. On Facebook?.... Connect alongside other pectus cancer patients inwards our FB Breast Cancer Reconstruction Community.
*****
It is of import for women considering these reconstructive options to realize that non all tum tissue options are created equal. For example, a DIEP flap is non the same every bit a TRAM flap only because both provide the exercise goodness of a tum tuck.
Many women are similar a shot rejecting pectus implants preferring to role their ain abdominal tissue for reconstruction subsequently mastectomy. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pectus that has been reconstructed alongside the patient's ain tissue typically looks in addition to feels to a greater extent than natural than an implant reconstruction, volition final longer without the long-term complications that tin give the sack live associated alongside implants, in addition to volition every bit good historic menses similar a natural breast. Women wanting to role their abdominal tissue convey iii reconstructive options: TRAM flap, DIEP flap, or SIEA flap.
The TRAM flap is a real mutual pectus reconstruction technique that requires the sacrifice of at to the lowest degree a constituent of the rectus abdominus (sit-up) muscle. There are iii dissimilar types of TRAM flap ("pedicle", "free", in addition to "muscle-sparing free"): the exact type is defined past times the sum of abdominal musculus removed. Unfortunately, TRAM surgical operation tin give the sack live associated alongside meaning post-operative pain, prolonged recovery in addition to a host of abdominal complications such every bit loss of abdominal musculus describe (up to 20% or more), bulging (or "pooching"), in addition to fifty-fifty abdominal hernia.
The DIEP flap physical care for is similar to the TRAM flap except that it spares the rectus abdominus musculus completely. Only pare in addition to obese are removed from the abdomen. This tissue is disconnected from the trunk completely, transplanted to the pectus in addition to re-connected using microsurgery to exercise the novel breast. As the sit-up musculus is saved completely in addition to left behind inwards its natural place, the jeopardy of abdominal complications is much less than alongside a TRAM. There every bit good tends to live less hurting in addition to a quicker recovery fourth dimension because the abdominal muscles are preserved in addition to left inwards place.
Like the DIEP flap, the SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) flap completely preserves the abdominal muscles. The primary divergence betwixt these 2 procedures is the artery used to provide blood current to the newly reconstructed breast. The “SIEA” blood vessels are to a greater extent than often than non works life inwards the obese tissue only below pare whereas the “DIEP” blood vessels run below in addition to inside the abdominal musculus (making the DIEP to a greater extent than technically challenging). Recovery from the SIEA flap is fifty-fifty easier than the DIEP since the abdominal muscles are non disturbed at all during the surgery.
Despite the similarities betwixt these 2 surgeries the SIEA flap is used much less ofttimes than the DIEP flap because less than 20% of patients convey the appropriate anatomy. Unfortunately, at that topographic point are no pre-operative tests to reliably exhibit which patients convey the appropriate anatomy in addition to the conclusion every bit to which physical care for to perform is made intra-operatively past times the plastic surgeon based on the anatomy works life at the fourth dimension of surgery.
Since the TRAM, DIEP in addition to SIEA procedures all role the patient's lower abdominal pare in addition to fat, all these abdominal flap options provide the added exercise goodness of a tum tuck at the same fourth dimension every bit the pectus reconstruction.
There are many plastic surgeons inwards the US offering TRAM flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, real few centers inwards the US routinely perform the advanced microsurgical procedures similar the DIEP in addition to SIEA flap. Many patients volition hence convey to move for these procedures.
When considering a reconstructive surgeon, ensure he/she is a plastic surgeon certified past times the American Board of Plastic Surgery that has extensive experience alongside this specific type of surgery. Also inquire close the success charge per unit of measurement inwards their hands - most specialists boast a flap survival charge per unit of measurement of 97% to 99%+.
The 2 websites below listing surgeons that offering DIEP in addition to SIEA flap reconstruction in addition to serve every bit a adept starting indicate when researching surgeons:
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org in addition to www.breastrecon.com
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon at PRMA Plastic Surgery. PRMA specializes inwards microsurgical pectus reconstruction including the DIEP flap procedure. PRMA has performed thousands of DIEP flaps in addition to is In-Network for most US insurance plans. On Facebook?.... Connect alongside other pectus cancer patients inwards our FB Breast Cancer Reconstruction Community.
*****
Healty | Texas Bill Mandates Breast Reconstruction Discussion Before Breast Cancer Surgery
Currently alone 30% of pectus cancer patients are informed of their pectus reconstruction options earlier mastectomy or lumpectomy.
New legislation is beingness proposed inward Texas that aims to significantly improve that abysmal statistic for pectus cancer patients. Texas House Bill 669 would mandate that doctors inform all pectus cancer patients almost their pectus reconstruction options BEFORE having surgical physical care for for pectus cancer. The pecker was drafted based on similar legislation inward the patch of New York.
PRMA Plastic Surgery is proud to denote that a sometime patient, Tammy Carrington, is the squad leader behind this Bill. She proactively sought out her patch representative, James White, to start out drafting proposals. The Bill was drafted in addition to submitted Jan 14, 2011. If approved, this statute volition accept resultant the next year.
Tammy Carrington knows firsthand what it’s similar to live diagnosed alongside pectus cancer in addition to have express handling options. After beingness diagnosed inward June of 2009, Tammy was given 2 options: a lumpectomy alongside radiations or a unilateral mastectomy. Tammy didn’t desire either.
Tammy wanted to decrease the gamble of pectus cancer inward the futurity inward the other pectus too. After intensely researching her options on her ain she learned she could stimulate got bilateral mastectomies in addition to immediate reconstruction. Ultimately she traveled to PRMA inward San Antonio in addition to underwent bilateral mastectomies alongside immediate DIEP flap pectus reconstruction using her ain abdominal tissue. All the procedures were covered past times her wellness insurance.
Not surprisingly, Tammy feels really strongly almost this Bill since she then easily could stimulate got chosen something she feels would stimulate got been the incorrect selection for her.
"My nature is to interrogation things completely then that I tin give the sack brand informed decisions. I am the mom to a severely encephalon injured lilliputian boy… I’ve spent lots of fourth dimension over the years looking for data on how to aid him boot the bucket better… After getting over the stupor of hearing the 'C' word,... I went into interrogation mode”, Tammy recalls.
“HB 669 isn’t mandating whatever detail treatment. It's non mandating whatever surgery. It's simply mandating education. Women stimulate got the correct to live told almost their options then they tin give the sack brand really informed decisions almost their ain health. Unfortunately, correct directly alone 30% are fifty-fifty told pectus reconstruction is an option”, she says.
PRMA Plastic Surgery is proud to back upward HB 669 in addition to is calling on pectus cancer patients, physicians, in addition to all those touched past times pectus cancer throughout the patch of Texas to offering their back upward past times calling their representatives.
Please telephone phone your State Legislator in addition to urge them to co-author HB 669. Your patch representative’s contact data tin give the sack live works life HERE.
****
PRMA Plastic Surgery inward San Antonio, Texas, specializes inward advanced breast reconstruction using the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, in addition to TUG flap. We are In-Network for most USA insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across Texas, out-of-state, every bit good every bit from exterior the USA. Connect alongside other pectus cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery
****
New legislation is beingness proposed inward Texas that aims to significantly improve that abysmal statistic for pectus cancer patients. Texas House Bill 669 would mandate that doctors inform all pectus cancer patients almost their pectus reconstruction options BEFORE having surgical physical care for for pectus cancer. The pecker was drafted based on similar legislation inward the patch of New York.
PRMA Plastic Surgery is proud to denote that a sometime patient, Tammy Carrington, is the squad leader behind this Bill. She proactively sought out her patch representative, James White, to start out drafting proposals. The Bill was drafted in addition to submitted Jan 14, 2011. If approved, this statute volition accept resultant the next year.
Tammy Carrington knows firsthand what it’s similar to live diagnosed alongside pectus cancer in addition to have express handling options. After beingness diagnosed inward June of 2009, Tammy was given 2 options: a lumpectomy alongside radiations or a unilateral mastectomy. Tammy didn’t desire either.
Tammy wanted to decrease the gamble of pectus cancer inward the futurity inward the other pectus too. After intensely researching her options on her ain she learned she could stimulate got bilateral mastectomies in addition to immediate reconstruction. Ultimately she traveled to PRMA inward San Antonio in addition to underwent bilateral mastectomies alongside immediate DIEP flap pectus reconstruction using her ain abdominal tissue. All the procedures were covered past times her wellness insurance.
Not surprisingly, Tammy feels really strongly almost this Bill since she then easily could stimulate got chosen something she feels would stimulate got been the incorrect selection for her.
"My nature is to interrogation things completely then that I tin give the sack brand informed decisions. I am the mom to a severely encephalon injured lilliputian boy… I’ve spent lots of fourth dimension over the years looking for data on how to aid him boot the bucket better… After getting over the stupor of hearing the 'C' word,... I went into interrogation mode”, Tammy recalls.
“HB 669 isn’t mandating whatever detail treatment. It's non mandating whatever surgery. It's simply mandating education. Women stimulate got the correct to live told almost their options then they tin give the sack brand really informed decisions almost their ain health. Unfortunately, correct directly alone 30% are fifty-fifty told pectus reconstruction is an option”, she says.
PRMA Plastic Surgery is proud to back upward HB 669 in addition to is calling on pectus cancer patients, physicians, in addition to all those touched past times pectus cancer throughout the patch of Texas to offering their back upward past times calling their representatives.
Please telephone phone your State Legislator in addition to urge them to co-author HB 669. Your patch representative’s contact data tin give the sack live works life HERE.
****
PRMA Plastic Surgery inward San Antonio, Texas, specializes inward advanced breast reconstruction using the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, in addition to TUG flap. We are In-Network for most USA insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across Texas, out-of-state, every bit good every bit from exterior the USA. Connect alongside other pectus cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery
****
Healty | Finding the Best DIEP Flap Surgeon for You
If y'all are considering DIEP flap thorax reconstruction, finding the correct surgical squad is key. Before deciding which surgeon is the best DIEP flap surgeon for you, consider bespeak the next questions:
Dr C
*****
*****
- Are y'all certified past times the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Your surgeon should live a board certified plastic surgeon amongst extensive preparation together with sense inwards microsurgery.
- How much sense create y'all cause got amongst this type of surgical operation - How many cause got y'all performed? It is preferable that your surgeon has successfully performed over 100 DIEP flap reconstructions.
- What's your success rate? Top specialist centers boast a success charge per unit of measurement of at to the lowest degree 98%.
- How long does the surgical operation take? This volition vary betwixt institutions based on experience. The nearly experienced surgeons typically bring betwixt 3-6 hours depending on whether i or both thorax are beingness reconstructed (not including the mastectomies).
- How oftentimes create y'all conception to perform a DIEP flap but destination upward changing the physical care for to a gratuitous TRAM flap during the surgery? The "conversion rate" to a gratuitous TRAM flap should live rattling low.
- How many microsurgeons volition live performing the surgery? Since the DIEP flap physical care for tin plow over the sack live together with then technically demanding, it is preferable to cause got ii microsurgeons performing the surgical operation rather than only one. Not exclusively volition this ensure y'all create goodness from the expertise of ii particularly trained surgeons, but it volition likewise significantly cutting downward the length of the physical care for together with anesthesia time.
- Do y'all cause got residents or fellows? Will they live performing whatever of my surgery? Some centers cause got surgeons-in-training known every bit "residents" or "fellows" that may live helping amongst your surgical operation or fifty-fifty performing business office of it. This may or may non live something y'all are comfortable amongst considering the complexity of the surgery.
- Do y'all "balance bill"? Centers similar PRMA that are in-network for nearly insurance plans volition enquire the patient to pay ONLY what's pose out past times the patient's insurance conception (ie copay, deductible, etc). Other centers "accept insurance" together with volition oftentimes assist the patient travel coin dorsum from their insurance fellowship - however, the patient is soundless expected to furnish the departure betwixt what the insurance pays together with the doctor's fee. This is known every bit "balance billing". Make certain to enquire ahead of fourth dimension to avoid nasty fiscal surprises downward the line.
- Do y'all cause got Insurance Specialists on staff? Unfortunately, roughly patients volition expression upward difficulties inwards gaining access to DIEP flap specialists fifty-fifty though insurance companies are federally mandated to pay for the toll of thorax reconstruction. Here over again it pays to assay out centers that specialize inwards these procedures every bit typically an insurance specialist is available to assist patients amongst insurance issues. Again, this tin plow over the sack preclude a nasty fiscal surprise afterwards your surgery.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery has successfully performed several one thousand microsurgical thorax reconstructions, together with typically performs over 500 DIEP flaps per year. We specialize inwards advanced breast reconstruction procedures that role the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, together with TUG flap. We are In-Network for nearly the States insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across together with exterior the USA. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Tattoos that grade Breast Cancer Stories
Thank y'all to all our Facebook fans who submitted pictures of their thorax cancer related tattoos. As a especial give thank y'all you, all the submissions were included inwards this film, 'Breast Cancer Stories.'
These tattoos are real amazing as well as inspiring.
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced breast reconstruction procedures that role the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, as well as TUG flap. We are In-Network for virtually USA insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across as well as exterior the USA. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Traveling for Breast Reconstruction - Help amongst Travel as well as Accommodation Costs
A growing number of thorax cancer patients are directly choosing to move for their care, peculiarly for or then of the to a greater extent than advanced thorax reconstruction procedures. Insurance may comprehend the wellness aid expenses but the damage of the hotel in addition to air fare falls on the patient.
Now, or then patients may qualify for fiscal assistance to comprehend these extra expenses cheers to 2 special programs:
Assistance amongst Air Travel Expenses
The American Cancer Society (ACS) Air Miles programme is a articulation endeavour betwixt Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA)/National Patient Travel Helpline (NPATH) in addition to the American Cancer Society. The programme is designed to aid patients amongst the damage of air fare when traveling for cancer-related treatment. Please telephone phone the ACS at (800) 227-2345 to discovery out if you lot are eligible for aid amongst air travel. More data regarding the Air Miles programme tin mail away live constitute here.
American Cancer Society (ACS) Accommodation Program
San Antonio hotels direct maintain partnered amongst the American Cancer Society to offering thorax cancer patients accommodation at either depression or no accuse on a space-available basis. This programme is for patients who have handling at to the lowest degree l miles from their house of residence. One caregiver is welcome to move amongst the patient At to the lowest degree 2 weeks advance notice is ordinarily required. The programme exclusively applies to lodging Mon through Thursday. We encourage patients living to a greater extent than than l miles from San Antonio to telephone phone the American Cancer Society on (877) 227-1618 for to a greater extent than data in addition to to accept wages of this opportunity.
Hope that helps!
Dr C
*****
*****
Now, or then patients may qualify for fiscal assistance to comprehend these extra expenses cheers to 2 special programs:
Assistance amongst Air Travel Expenses
The American Cancer Society (ACS) Air Miles programme is a articulation endeavour betwixt Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA)/National Patient Travel Helpline (NPATH) in addition to the American Cancer Society. The programme is designed to aid patients amongst the damage of air fare when traveling for cancer-related treatment. Please telephone phone the ACS at (800) 227-2345 to discovery out if you lot are eligible for aid amongst air travel. More data regarding the Air Miles programme tin mail away live constitute here.
American Cancer Society (ACS) Accommodation Program
San Antonio hotels direct maintain partnered amongst the American Cancer Society to offering thorax cancer patients accommodation at either depression or no accuse on a space-available basis. This programme is for patients who have handling at to the lowest degree l miles from their house of residence. One caregiver is welcome to move amongst the patient At to the lowest degree 2 weeks advance notice is ordinarily required. The programme exclusively applies to lodging Mon through Thursday. We encourage patients living to a greater extent than than l miles from San Antonio to telephone phone the American Cancer Society on (877) 227-1618 for to a greater extent than data in addition to to accept wages of this opportunity.
Hope that helps!
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced breast reconstruction procedures that purpose the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, in addition to TUG flap reconstruction. We are In-Network for near USA insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across in addition to exterior the USA. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Improve How Your Scars Heal
Wounds need a lot of liberate energy to heal well. Since liberate energy tin entirely come upward from food, it is vital to consume healthily specially earlier together with subsequently surgery, or subsequently an injury. Crucial nutrients for injure healing include protein, zinc together with the vitamins Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 together with C.
So what are the best things to eat? Meats, nuts, beans together with dairy products are keen sources of protein. Yogurt, greenish peas, beef, oysters, dark beans together with crab are keen sources of zinc. Carrots, tomatoes, sweetness potatoes, spinach together with apricots are keen sources of vitamin A. Citrus fruits together with greenish leafy vegetables are keen sources of Vitamin C.
Unfortunately, the trunk does non divert plenty vitamin C to the skin. Using a topical scar handling containing a stable variety out of vitamin C volition increase the sum of vitamin C reaching the skin.
Good hydration is every bit good crucial together with then it is of import to drinkable plenty water. Dehydration causes the pare together with soft tissues to lose wet together with popular off dry. Dry wounds create non heal well. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 proficient destination is to drinkable 8 (8 oz) spectacles of H2O a day. Avoid caffeinated products because caffeine tin motility dehydration. Scar treatments containing dimethicone silicone every bit good help boost hydration past times trapping moisture. This improves scar healing.
Smoking tin every bit good actually deport upon healing. The nicotine inwards cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to shrink, together with then tissues create non have plenty of the nutrients together with oxygen required for healing. At best, this tin motility the injure healing physical care for to have got much longer. At worst, smoking tin motility wounds to breakdown together with opened upward up. These “problem” wounds typically eventually heal but instruct out the worst scars. Unfortunately, many smoking-cessation products volition every bit good increase the guide a opportunity of healing problems because of the nicotine they contain!
Cigarette smoke every bit good contains carbon monoxide. This combines amongst blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen. This lowers the score of oxygen inwards the blood. Since oxygen is vital for healing, it is crucial to cease smoking to decrease the guide a opportunity of healing complications.
Another keen affair to create is exercise. Regular aerobic practise improves healing together with boosts the immune system. Start amongst walking together with progressively build upward to to a greater extent than of a effort (but don’t forget to instruct the “all-clear” from your doc if yous are recovering from surgery).
Dr C
*****
*****
So what are the best things to eat? Meats, nuts, beans together with dairy products are keen sources of protein. Yogurt, greenish peas, beef, oysters, dark beans together with crab are keen sources of zinc. Carrots, tomatoes, sweetness potatoes, spinach together with apricots are keen sources of vitamin A. Citrus fruits together with greenish leafy vegetables are keen sources of Vitamin C.
Unfortunately, the trunk does non divert plenty vitamin C to the skin. Using a topical scar handling containing a stable variety out of vitamin C volition increase the sum of vitamin C reaching the skin.
Good hydration is every bit good crucial together with then it is of import to drinkable plenty water. Dehydration causes the pare together with soft tissues to lose wet together with popular off dry. Dry wounds create non heal well. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 proficient destination is to drinkable 8 (8 oz) spectacles of H2O a day. Avoid caffeinated products because caffeine tin motility dehydration. Scar treatments containing dimethicone silicone every bit good help boost hydration past times trapping moisture. This improves scar healing.
Smoking tin every bit good actually deport upon healing. The nicotine inwards cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to shrink, together with then tissues create non have plenty of the nutrients together with oxygen required for healing. At best, this tin motility the injure healing physical care for to have got much longer. At worst, smoking tin motility wounds to breakdown together with opened upward up. These “problem” wounds typically eventually heal but instruct out the worst scars. Unfortunately, many smoking-cessation products volition every bit good increase the guide a opportunity of healing problems because of the nicotine they contain!
Cigarette smoke every bit good contains carbon monoxide. This combines amongst blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen. This lowers the score of oxygen inwards the blood. Since oxygen is vital for healing, it is crucial to cease smoking to decrease the guide a opportunity of healing complications.
Another keen affair to create is exercise. Regular aerobic practise improves healing together with boosts the immune system. Start amongst walking together with progressively build upward to to a greater extent than of a effort (but don’t forget to instruct the “all-clear” from your doc if yous are recovering from surgery).
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced breast reconstruction procedures that purpose the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, together with TUG flap reconstruction. We are In-Network for virtually States of America insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across together with exterior the USA. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Breast Reconstruction Makes Breast Cancer Patients Whole Again After Mastectomy
Alarmingly, 70% of American women facing surgical operation for pectus cancer are non told virtually the selection of pectus reconstruction.
Perhaps i of the best things virtually pectus reconstruction is that it tin dismiss live performed at whatever time…. you tin dismiss never “miss the boat” so to speak. Regardless of the timing of the procedure, pectus reconstruction enables women to experience whole again, non simply physically but likewise emotionally.
There are several reconstructive options ranging from pectus implants to using the patient’s ain tissue. Tissue (or “flap”) procedures recreate a “natural”, warm, soft pectus in addition to are associated amongst fewer complications than pectus implants.
Breast reconstruction tin dismiss live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or whatever fourth dimension subsequently mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction"). When the mastectomy in addition to reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy tin dismiss commonly live performed which saves most of the natural pectus peel envelope. Only the actual pectus tissue nether the peel is removed. The reconstruction so "fills" this empty peel envelope. In about cases nipple-sparing mastectomy tin dismiss live performed. This preserves the nipple in addition to areola every bit good every bit all the pectus skin.
Skin-sparing (and nipple-sparing) mastectomy in addition to immediate pectus reconstruction arrive at the most "natural" results amongst the to the lowest degree scarring. Patients undergoing immediate reconstruction likewise avoid the experience of a apartment pectus altogether. Immediate reconstruction is thence preferred whenever possible in addition to should live the destination for patients amongst early on pectus cancer (stage I or II).
In about cases pectus reconstruction cannot live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy. Reasons include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory pectus cancer, the invention for radiations therapy subsequently mastectomy, in addition to lack of access to a reconstructive plastic surgeon.
As I already mentioned at the starting fourth dimension of this post, most women unfortunately are non made aware of their pectus reconstruction options. I thence encourage all women interested inwards pectus reconstruction to enquiry their options in addition to try a referral or consultation amongst a plastic surgeon specializing inwards pectus reconstruction.
You tin dismiss run across existent patient results subsequently immediate in addition to delayed pectus reconstruction inwards our photo gallery here.
Dr C
*****
*****
Perhaps i of the best things virtually pectus reconstruction is that it tin dismiss live performed at whatever time…. you tin dismiss never “miss the boat” so to speak. Regardless of the timing of the procedure, pectus reconstruction enables women to experience whole again, non simply physically but likewise emotionally.
There are several reconstructive options ranging from pectus implants to using the patient’s ain tissue. Tissue (or “flap”) procedures recreate a “natural”, warm, soft pectus in addition to are associated amongst fewer complications than pectus implants.
Breast reconstruction tin dismiss live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or whatever fourth dimension subsequently mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction"). When the mastectomy in addition to reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy tin dismiss commonly live performed which saves most of the natural pectus peel envelope. Only the actual pectus tissue nether the peel is removed. The reconstruction so "fills" this empty peel envelope. In about cases nipple-sparing mastectomy tin dismiss live performed. This preserves the nipple in addition to areola every bit good every bit all the pectus skin.
Skin-sparing (and nipple-sparing) mastectomy in addition to immediate pectus reconstruction arrive at the most "natural" results amongst the to the lowest degree scarring. Patients undergoing immediate reconstruction likewise avoid the experience of a apartment pectus altogether. Immediate reconstruction is thence preferred whenever possible in addition to should live the destination for patients amongst early on pectus cancer (stage I or II).
In about cases pectus reconstruction cannot live performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy. Reasons include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory pectus cancer, the invention for radiations therapy subsequently mastectomy, in addition to lack of access to a reconstructive plastic surgeon.
As I already mentioned at the starting fourth dimension of this post, most women unfortunately are non made aware of their pectus reconstruction options. I thence encourage all women interested inwards pectus reconstruction to enquiry their options in addition to try a referral or consultation amongst a plastic surgeon specializing inwards pectus reconstruction.
You tin dismiss run across existent patient results subsequently immediate in addition to delayed pectus reconstruction inwards our photo gallery here.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced breast reconstruction procedures that role the patient's ain tissue. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, in addition to TUG flap reconstruction. We are In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across in addition to exterior the USA. Connect amongst other pectus cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Breast Reconstruction Can Be Performed Any Time
Did y'all know thorax reconstruction tin live performed at whatever time, fifty-fifty years after a mastectomy?
"Immediate thorax reconstruction" is performed at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy together with typically provides the most natural results alongside the to the lowest degree total of scarring. Unfortunately, for many women this but isn't an option....
For starters, 70% of women facing mastectomy aren't fifty-fifty told that reconstruction may live an choice for them. They undergo operation entirely to detect out about fourth dimension afterward that they could accept woken upward from their mastectomy alongside novel breasts instead of having to sense a apartment chest.
Of the women that are informed, about may non accept access to a reconstructive plastic surgeon where they alive together with accept to go for reconstruction.
Other women are non candidates for immediate reconstruction because unfortunately the affliction is also advanced at the fourth dimension of diagnosis.
Sometimes radiations therapy is recommended equally role of the thorax cancer treatment. Most plastic surgeons prefer to concord off on reconstruction until the patient is several months out from her terminal radiations therapy. This allows the tissues to recover together with soften upward equally much equally possible to amend the results of the subsequent reconstruction.
As y'all tin see, at that spot are several reasons why a women wanting breast reconstruction may non live able to accept it guide away, ideally at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy.
Whatever the argue for delay may be, it is of import to recall at that spot is no fourth dimension limit when it comes to thorax reconstruction - it tin live performed at whatever time, fifty-fifty years after mastectomy.
Like immediate reconstruction, delayed thorax reconstruction is also covered past times insurance regardless of how many years accept passed since the thorax cancer diagnosis.
Dr C
*****
"Immediate thorax reconstruction" is performed at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy together with typically provides the most natural results alongside the to the lowest degree total of scarring. Unfortunately, for many women this but isn't an option....
For starters, 70% of women facing mastectomy aren't fifty-fifty told that reconstruction may live an choice for them. They undergo operation entirely to detect out about fourth dimension afterward that they could accept woken upward from their mastectomy alongside novel breasts instead of having to sense a apartment chest.
Of the women that are informed, about may non accept access to a reconstructive plastic surgeon where they alive together with accept to go for reconstruction.
Other women are non candidates for immediate reconstruction because unfortunately the affliction is also advanced at the fourth dimension of diagnosis.
Sometimes radiations therapy is recommended equally role of the thorax cancer treatment. Most plastic surgeons prefer to concord off on reconstruction until the patient is several months out from her terminal radiations therapy. This allows the tissues to recover together with soften upward equally much equally possible to amend the results of the subsequent reconstruction.
As y'all tin see, at that spot are several reasons why a women wanting breast reconstruction may non live able to accept it guide away, ideally at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy.
Whatever the argue for delay may be, it is of import to recall at that spot is no fourth dimension limit when it comes to thorax reconstruction - it tin live performed at whatever time, fifty-fifty years after mastectomy.
Like immediate reconstruction, delayed thorax reconstruction is also covered past times insurance regardless of how many years accept passed since the thorax cancer diagnosis.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inward advanced thorax reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap together with Alloderm One-Step. In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or e-mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than nearly your thorax reconstruction options. Connect alongside other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****Healty | Fighter
This cinema is dedicated to all who struggle pectus cancer.... past, present, too future.
Healty | Alloderm Breast Reconstruction
Alloderm is immediately beingness used routinely inwards pectus reconstruction. Here's what you lot necessitate to know...
First off, what is it? AlloDerm is derived from donated (cadaveric) human skin. It is FDA approved too is used inwards many dissimilar types of reconstructive surgical operation including pectus reconstruction. Before beingness packaged for use, the Alloderm undergoes a multi-step procedure that removes all the cells that tin range the sack Pb to tissue rejection: fifty-fifty though it comes from approximately other person, your trunk does non decline Alloderm because the immune cells are removed. Alloderm essentially acts every bit a scaffold too over time, the patient's ain cells grow into it.
Since it is a human (cadaveric) product, the U.S. Tissue Bank rigorously screens all tissue donors' medical records. All donors must live negative for Syphilis, Hepatitis B too C, too HIV 1 too 2. AlloDerm grafts are too examined nether the microscope earlier too afterward processing to dominion out contamination.
Alloderm is oft used inwards implant-based pectus reconstruction (and has been for years). The tissue expander or implant is placed nether the pectoralis (chest) muscle. The to a greater extent than tissue coverage over the implant, the ameliorate the results. Unfortunately, the pec musculus cannot comprehend the entire implant. The Alloderm is used to comprehend the lower travel of the implant that is non covered past times muscle.
Advantages:
- Stabilizes the implant inwards position.
- Allows for consummate implant coverage.
- Can permit the creation of a full-sized pectus when the tissue expander/implant reconstruction is performed at the same fourth dimension every bit the mastectomy.
- No run a endangerment of rejection.
- Once incorporated past times the body, resists infection every bit good every bit the patient's "natural" tissue.
Disadvantages:
- Like anything that is implanted inwards the body, at that topographic point is an initial (low) run a endangerment of infection (until it becomes incorporated).
- Can drive temporary redness inwards the peel over the Alloderm.
- Costly but unremarkably covered past times insurance.
Many plastic surgeons, including myself, utilization Alloderm routinely when performing pectus reconstruction amongst tissue expanders too implants.
Dr C
*****
Alloderm One-Step. In-Network for most USA insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone outcry upward (800) 692-5565 or e-mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than well-nigh your pectus reconstruction options. Connect amongst other pectus cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****Healty | DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Here's a brusk video virtually DIEP flap thorax reconstruction subsequently mastectomy.... details virtually the physical care for together with why it has acquire the gilt criterion inward thorax reconstruction.
Hope yous notice it useful.
Dr C
*****
Hope yous notice it useful.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inward advanced thorax reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap together with Alloderm One-Step. In-Network for most the States insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or electronic mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than virtually your thorax reconstruction options. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****Healty | Reconstructing Breasts amongst Sensation
Most women facing mastectomy as well as thorax reconstruction desire to know what form of feeling their novel breast(s) volition have.
Unfortunately mastectomy leaves many women alongside rattling trivial feeling long term (if any), regardless of whether they convey thorax reconstruction or not.
There is or as well as then adept intelligence though.... Most women undergoing DIEP or SIEA flap thorax reconstruction are too candidates for reconstruction of the sensory nerves inwards the breasts that render feeling. The feeling inwards the novel thorax won't live every bit adept every bit what Mother Nature provided but it's for sure a lot ameliorate than the alternative. H5N1 overnice bonus at the rattling least.
Once the tum tissue (flap) is moved upward to the breast, a sensory nervus inwards the flap is connected microsurgically to a thorax nervus inwards the thorax that was cutting past times the mastectomy. New nervus cells grow from the thorax nervus into the flap nervus over fourth dimension allowing the reconstructed thorax to prepare feeling.
If you're feeling brave, here's a curt video clip of how the 2 nerves are connected. You tin too run across the pulse inwards the blood vessel connections to the novel breast:
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
Unfortunately mastectomy leaves many women alongside rattling trivial feeling long term (if any), regardless of whether they convey thorax reconstruction or not.
There is or as well as then adept intelligence though.... Most women undergoing DIEP or SIEA flap thorax reconstruction are too candidates for reconstruction of the sensory nerves inwards the breasts that render feeling. The feeling inwards the novel thorax won't live every bit adept every bit what Mother Nature provided but it's for sure a lot ameliorate than the alternative. H5N1 overnice bonus at the rattling least.
Once the tum tissue (flap) is moved upward to the breast, a sensory nervus inwards the flap is connected microsurgically to a thorax nervus inwards the thorax that was cutting past times the mastectomy. New nervus cells grow from the thorax nervus into the flap nervus over fourth dimension allowing the reconstructed thorax to prepare feeling.
If you're feeling brave, here's a curt video clip of how the 2 nerves are connected. You tin too run across the pulse inwards the blood vessel connections to the novel breast:
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced thorax reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap as well as Alloderm One-Step. In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone telephone (800) 692-5565 or electronic mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than close your thorax reconstruction options. Connect alongside other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****Healty | Fat Grafting inward Breast Reconstruction - What's the Scoop?
Fat grafting has been inward the intelligence a fair sum so I idea I'd give yous a brief run-down of what's involved....
Fat grafting is a fairly novel technique inward pectus surgery. Fat is liposuctioned from i purpose of the patient's body, purified too and so injected into the breast.
Fat grafting tin live used to fill-in partial pectus defects afterwards lumpectomy. It is likewise often used afterwards mastectomy, unremarkably inward conjunction amongst other reconstructive techniques, to optimize the pectus contour too better overall cosmetic results.
There are several fatty grafting techniques that are used past times plastic surgeons. There is no "set way" that has been shown to live the best inward terms of long-term results. However, studies receive got shown that regardless of the technique used, the collection, storage, too transplantation of the fatty cells (and fatty stalk cells they contain) must live optimized to obtain the best long-lasting results.
Studies receive got likewise shown that in i lawsuit the injected fatty "takes", it tin likewise assist better the thickness too character of radiation-damaged tissue too skin.
Regardless of technique, roughly of the injected fatty volition live reabsorbed over fourth dimension but this tin vary depending on the exact clinical situation. Patients must thus live prepared to ask to a greater extent than than i physical care for for the best results.
As for the risks.... For women all the same undergoing regular mammograms, it is likewise of import to know that fatty grafting tin likewise displace calcifications known equally "MACRO-calcifications". As many of yous receive got already unfortunately experienced, pectus cancer tin likewise displace calcifications, known equally "MICRO-calcifications". According to the American Society of Radiology, these dissimilar types of calcifications are easily distinguishable. Having said that, I all the same tell my patients that fatty grafting tin atomic number 82 to the recommendation for farther tests inward the time to come because of this calcification issue.
Injected fatty tin likewise acquire trouble solid or exercise "oil cysts". Fortunately these are becoming much less frequent equally techniques are refined but again, both of these tin displace "unnecessary" stress.
Several independent studies that receive got evaluated patients over a few years afterwards the physical care for receive got shown that fatty grafting is safe. However, because the technique is fairly new, no long-term security information is currently available.
Unfortunately non all insurance companies encompass the terms of fatty grafting so the physical care for tin involve out of steal expenses for roughly patients.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inward advanced pectus reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, Alloderm One-Step too fat grafting. In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or electronic mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than close your pectus reconstruction options. Connect amongst other pectus cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | Abdominal Muscle - Why Save It?
Most women that accept looked into thorax reconstruction know almost the TRAM flap. The TRAM uses lower abdominal skin, fat, as well as varying amounts of abdominal musculus to reconstruct a "natural", warm, soft thorax subsequently mastectomy. The TRAM used to live the gilded criterion inwards thorax reconstruction, but non anymore.
Over the years, the TRAM flap physical care for has evolved into ii to a greater extent than advanced procedures that decrease the direct chances of abdominal complications: the DIEP flap as well as the SIEA flap. Both role the same lower stomach peel as well as fatty but different the TRAM, both SAVE all the abdominal musculus as well as acquire out it inwards place.
The SIEA flap differs from the DIEP flap exclusively inwards price of the blood vessels that render the tissue. While the surgical training is slightly different, both procedures spare the abdominal musculus completely as well as exclusively role the patient's peel as well as fatty to reconstruct the breast.
The SIEA flap differs from the DIEP flap exclusively inwards price of the blood vessels that render the tissue. While the surgical training is slightly different, both procedures spare the abdominal musculus completely as well as exclusively role the patient's peel as well as fatty to reconstruct the breast.
All 3 procedures provide the added produce goodness of a flatter abdomen amongst results that mimic a “tummy tuck”. However, because the TRAM flap sacrifices abdominal muscle, the direct chances of a hernia or abdominal bulging is signifantly higher than amongst the DIEP or SIEA procedures.
Since the DIEP as well as SIEA flaps save all the abdominal muscles, patients sense less hurting than subsequently TRAM flap surgery, relish a faster recovery as well as likewise keep their abdominal pull long-term.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inwards advanced thorax reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, Alloderm One-Step as well as fat grafting. In-Network for most the States insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone telephone (800) 692-5565 or e-mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to acquire to a greater extent than almost your thorax reconstruction options. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | BRCA Testing: What it way for you
By: Brandy Korman
If y'all convey a identify unit of measurement history of thorax cancer, chances are that y'all convey been BRCA tested or are considering it.
BRCA is an acronym for BReast CAncer. Carrying the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 cistron mutation tin ultimately assistance create upward one's heed a woman’s lifetime jeopardy of developing thorax or ovarian cancer. The likelihood that a thorax too or ovarian cancer is associated amongst a BRCA 1 or 2 cistron mutation is highest inward families amongst a history of multiple cases of thorax cancer.
Being a carrier of BRCA 1 or 2 even too then does non ever hateful that a adult woman volition railroad train cancer, although question has shown that chances are 5 times higher inward women who hit send the mutation. According to estimates of lifetime risk, most 12 per centum of women (120 out of 1000) inward the full general population volition railroad train thorax cancer during their lives compared to most lx per centum of women who convey inherited a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation.
BRCA testing is performed past times blood tests which expect for changes inward DNA, every bit good every bit changes inward proteins produced past times these genes. Positive results by too large dot that a mortal has inherited a known harmful mutation too thus has an increased jeopardy of developing an associated cancer.
If y'all convey received a positive BRCA test, y'all may live looking into options to assistance foreclose cancer. Surveillance is extremely of import fifty-fifty if y'all convey non received a positive testify result. Staying on elevation of mammograms too self-screening is crucial.
Some women may opt for security operation which involves removing whatever at-risk tissue inward lodge to cut down the jeopardy of developing cancer. The alternative for immediate thorax reconstruction has made security mastectomy a to a greater extent than desirable selection for to a greater extent than or less women.
Another alternative may live chemoprevention which essentially involves taking medication to cut down the jeopardy of developing cancer. For example, the drug Tamoxifen has been shown inward clinical trials to cut down the jeopardy of developing thorax cancer past times most 50 per centum inward women who are at increased jeopardy of developing cancer.
If y'all convey tested positive for BRCA, or are interested inward receiving to a greater extent than data on genetic testing, delight view www.cancer.gov. Learn to a greater extent than most reconstruction later security thorax operation here.
--
Thank y'all Brandy for this first-class article. Some groovy information here.
I'd similar to add together a distich of points...
BRCA cistron mutations are associated amongst other forms of cancer too, non simply thorax too ovarian. Affected women tin also convey an increased jeopardy of developing melanoma every bit good every bit cervical, uterine, pancreatic, gallbladder, stomach, too colon cancer (depending on the type of mutation).
BRCA cistron mutations tin also behave upon men too increment the jeopardy of thorax cancer, pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, too prostate cancer. When it comes to testing other identify unit of measurement members, I strongly recommend the men/boys are BRCA tested too.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
If y'all convey a identify unit of measurement history of thorax cancer, chances are that y'all convey been BRCA tested or are considering it.
BRCA is an acronym for BReast CAncer. Carrying the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 cistron mutation tin ultimately assistance create upward one's heed a woman’s lifetime jeopardy of developing thorax or ovarian cancer. The likelihood that a thorax too or ovarian cancer is associated amongst a BRCA 1 or 2 cistron mutation is highest inward families amongst a history of multiple cases of thorax cancer.
Being a carrier of BRCA 1 or 2 even too then does non ever hateful that a adult woman volition railroad train cancer, although question has shown that chances are 5 times higher inward women who hit send the mutation. According to estimates of lifetime risk, most 12 per centum of women (120 out of 1000) inward the full general population volition railroad train thorax cancer during their lives compared to most lx per centum of women who convey inherited a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation.
BRCA testing is performed past times blood tests which expect for changes inward DNA, every bit good every bit changes inward proteins produced past times these genes. Positive results by too large dot that a mortal has inherited a known harmful mutation too thus has an increased jeopardy of developing an associated cancer.
If y'all convey received a positive BRCA test, y'all may live looking into options to assistance foreclose cancer. Surveillance is extremely of import fifty-fifty if y'all convey non received a positive testify result. Staying on elevation of mammograms too self-screening is crucial.
Some women may opt for security operation which involves removing whatever at-risk tissue inward lodge to cut down the jeopardy of developing cancer. The alternative for immediate thorax reconstruction has made security mastectomy a to a greater extent than desirable selection for to a greater extent than or less women.
Another alternative may live chemoprevention which essentially involves taking medication to cut down the jeopardy of developing cancer. For example, the drug Tamoxifen has been shown inward clinical trials to cut down the jeopardy of developing thorax cancer past times most 50 per centum inward women who are at increased jeopardy of developing cancer.
If y'all convey tested positive for BRCA, or are interested inward receiving to a greater extent than data on genetic testing, delight view www.cancer.gov. Learn to a greater extent than most reconstruction later security thorax operation here.
--
Thank y'all Brandy for this first-class article. Some groovy information here.
I'd similar to add together a distich of points...
BRCA cistron mutations are associated amongst other forms of cancer too, non simply thorax too ovarian. Affected women tin also convey an increased jeopardy of developing melanoma every bit good every bit cervical, uterine, pancreatic, gallbladder, stomach, too colon cancer (depending on the type of mutation).
BRCA cistron mutations tin also behave upon men too increment the jeopardy of thorax cancer, pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, too prostate cancer. When it comes to testing other identify unit of measurement members, I strongly recommend the men/boys are BRCA tested too.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes inward advanced thorax reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, Alloderm One-Step too fat grafting. In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone phone (800) 692-5565 or electronic mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than most your thorax reconstruction options. Connect amongst other thorax cancer reconstruction patients at facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Healty | One-Step Breast Reconstruction amongst Implants in addition to Alloderm
Implant pectus reconstruction is the most mutual method of pectus reconstruction currently performed inwards the US. There are 2 principal approaches: the "Alloderm one-step" (also referred to equally "single stage" or "direct to implant" reconstruction), as well as the two-stage reconstruction alongside tissue expanders. To easier explicate the ins-and-outs of the one-step procedure, I start ask to summarize the to a greater extent than traditional two-stage approach...
Tissue expanders essentially human activity equally "spacers". They tin either live placed at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy or some fourth dimension later. They are inflated alongside saline injections to recreate the desired pectus size. This expansion physical care for tin lead maintain several weeks depending on the amount of expansion required to accomplish the optimal loving cup size. Once the expansion physical care for is completed, the tissue expanders are removed as well as the concluding implants are placed. Reconstruction alongside pectus implants is thence unremarkably performed equally a multiple-step physical care for as well as tin lead maintain several months.
Some patients are candidates for a "One-Step" physical care for whereby the permanent implant is inserted at the fourth dimension of the mastectomy. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 cadaveric implant known equally Alloderm is besides used to supply extra implant coverage as well as support. By going straight to the concluding implant inwards a unmarried stage, the patient has solely i physical care for as well as avoids the purpose of a tissue expander (and the whole expansion process) altogether. The scar tin besides live placed inwards the inframammary bend (at the pectus crease) which makes it much easier to hide. The One-Step physical care for is besides referred to equally "direct to implant" or "single stage" reconstruction.
This physical care for is apparently really appealing to many women, including those that may non live candidates for perforator flaps. The downwards fourth dimension inwards damage of recovery is besides much shorter than most of the alternatives (2-4 weeks).
There are some caveats though.... I used to offering this physical care for to most patients. Some One-Step surgeons even then do. Personally, I don't anymore - "the perfect candidate" for the physical care for has evolved inwards my eyes. Experience (and grayness hair) has a vogue of doing that.
So who is the "ideal candidate"?
1) Patients that practise non lead maintain a electrical flow pectus cancer diagnosis
2) Patients that are having rubber mastectomy only, e.g. for BRCA1 or BRCA2
3) Patients that are having nipple-sparing mastectomy
4) Patients that practise non ask a pregnant pectus lift
5) Patients that lead maintain non had previous breast/chest radiation
By limiting the physical care for to women who fulfill these strict criteria the surgical results are far to a greater extent than predictable as well as really cosmetic. The opportunity of farther revision or "touch up" procedures is besides really low.
PRMA patient Mrs Michelle Coben kindly shares her sense alongside the One-Step physical care for inwards the video below. You tin besides consider before as well as after pictures here.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
Tissue expanders essentially human activity equally "spacers". They tin either live placed at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy or some fourth dimension later. They are inflated alongside saline injections to recreate the desired pectus size. This expansion physical care for tin lead maintain several weeks depending on the amount of expansion required to accomplish the optimal loving cup size. Once the expansion physical care for is completed, the tissue expanders are removed as well as the concluding implants are placed. Reconstruction alongside pectus implants is thence unremarkably performed equally a multiple-step physical care for as well as tin lead maintain several months.
Alloderm One-Step / Single Stage / Direct to Implant Reconstruction
Some patients are candidates for a "One-Step" physical care for whereby the permanent implant is inserted at the fourth dimension of the mastectomy. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 cadaveric implant known equally Alloderm is besides used to supply extra implant coverage as well as support. By going straight to the concluding implant inwards a unmarried stage, the patient has solely i physical care for as well as avoids the purpose of a tissue expander (and the whole expansion process) altogether. The scar tin besides live placed inwards the inframammary bend (at the pectus crease) which makes it much easier to hide. The One-Step physical care for is besides referred to equally "direct to implant" or "single stage" reconstruction.
This physical care for is apparently really appealing to many women, including those that may non live candidates for perforator flaps. The downwards fourth dimension inwards damage of recovery is besides much shorter than most of the alternatives (2-4 weeks).
There are some caveats though.... I used to offering this physical care for to most patients. Some One-Step surgeons even then do. Personally, I don't anymore - "the perfect candidate" for the physical care for has evolved inwards my eyes. Experience (and grayness hair) has a vogue of doing that.
So who is the "ideal candidate"?
1) Patients that practise non lead maintain a electrical flow pectus cancer diagnosis
2) Patients that are having rubber mastectomy only, e.g. for BRCA1 or BRCA2
3) Patients that are having nipple-sparing mastectomy
4) Patients that practise non ask a pregnant pectus lift
5) Patients that lead maintain non had previous breast/chest radiation
By limiting the physical care for to women who fulfill these strict criteria the surgical results are far to a greater extent than predictable as well as really cosmetic. The opportunity of farther revision or "touch up" procedures is besides really low.
PRMA patient Mrs Michelle Coben kindly shares her sense alongside the One-Step physical care for inwards the video below. You tin besides consider before as well as after pictures here.
I promise this information helps.
Dr C
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo specializes inwards advanced pectus reconstruction techniques including perforator flaps, Alloderm One-Step as well as fat grafting. He is In-Network for most U.S. of America insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please telephone telephone (800) 692-5565 or e-mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to acquire to a greater extent than almost your pectus reconstruction options. Connect alongside other pectus cancer patients at facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.
*****
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
