Whether you just received a breast cancer diagnosis or have been living cancer free from your diagnosis for years, every survivor remembers their first consult. Not only the many doctor’s consults but also with family and friends. Everyone tries to piece together all the information they are being told. Much has changed in breast reconstruction, especially in Toledo over the past year that we want all of our patients and friends to be aware of. We like to think we take a very “organic” approach to breast reconstruction and customize the approach to every patient’s goals and personal situation. Our focus is to give you as natural of a breast as possible while causing as little disruption to your body and your life as possible.
There are 5 new advances in breast reconstruction that we want to bring to your attention. We would welcome a discussion with anyone who may have questions about these points, which we will only touch on in this newsletter.
1. Autologous Breast Reconstruction
2. New and Improved Implants
3. Breast Sensation Following Reconstruction
4. Save the Pecs!
5. Yellow Gold!
1. Autologous Breast Reconstruction
The prefix “Auto” means “self”. Therefore, reconstruction of your breast with “self”. We think this approach personifies the “organic” breast reconstruction. While traditionally (as well as today) many breast reconstructions are performed with tissue expanders and implants, there are several operative procedures that allow the surgeon to use your own tissues (wherever you have excess, but most commonly the abdomen) to reconstruct your breast. This can take place at the time of your breast removal or even years later, even after you may have already had implants. Through the use of microvascular reconstructive surgery, tissue can be removed from one part of your body and transplanted to your breast with a quicker recovery and with less disruption of where your tissue was removed than autologous operations (TRAM) of the past.
2. New and Improved Implants
If you elect to undergo an implant-based approach to your breast reconstruction, today’s implants have drastically improved. The “organic” approach to implant-based reconstruction is based around the concept that you want your implant to be more “natural breast like” in feel and shape than the implants of the past. Additionally, today’s implants are safer than they have ever been. When the correct implant is chosen for your body there is no doubt that today’s implant breast reconstructions can come closer than ever to your “organic” breast.
3. Breast Sensation Following Reconstruction
So, you have had your breast removed…it frequently is not discussed that you will not feel your reconstructed breast again. This is important to discuss and realize going into your reconstruction. While currently it is not possible to restore sensation if you opt for an implant-based reconstruction, there have been some exciting developments with autologous (auto=self) reconstruction. At the time of transfer of your tissue from one part of your body to your breast, the nerves to your breast can be connected to your tissue that supplies sensation or feel to your abdomen to allow you to regain some sensation to your breast again. We feel like this is an exciting development worth talking about as the “organic” breast is sensate, or able to be felt!
4. Save the Pecs!
Of Course, we all want to preserve as much of the total breast as possible but cancer removal may not allow. However, it may be possible to save your “Pec” muscle or pectoralis major muscle at the time of your breast reconstruction. Traditionally in implant-based breast reconstruction, the chest muscle, the pectoralis major, is lifted from the chest wall and the implant is placed beneath. This is not “organic” but was previously thought to give the safest, most reliable reconstruction. However, with advances in implants and other biologic material now at our disposal, we have been able to produce implant reconstruction above the muscle, where the breast “organically” resides. This allows for less pain, a more natural look, and quicker recovery to your normal activities.
4. Yellow Gold!
Yellow Gold! While jewelry was previously a girl’s best friend, we are here to report that the new yellow gold is your own “organic” supply- FAT! With the advent of new liposuction techniques, developments in processing the fat, and injection techniques, it is now possible to deliver a much more natural looking and feeling breast reconstruction. No matter if you choose implant or autologous reconstruction, most people benefit from a touch of liposuction from one part of your body with transfer to the breast. This can happen at any point in your reconstructive journey in order to produce the most “organic” breast reconstruction.
We sincerely hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful (and HOT!) time of year and look forward to welcoming you all to the office in the near future. We greatly value our relationship with each and every one of you.