The latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that in 2005, 185,000 women and 1500 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. It is one of the top ten causes of death for women in the United States, and because younger women are more keenly aware of their family history of breast cancer, they are making very difficult and often emotionally painful decisions about their health care. This includes undergoing mastectomies to remove the breasts completely. Some have even chosen to under go mastectomies even before cancer is present, if they feel the odds are against them. Although this is a difficult experience to go through, women are able to regain some sense of what it means to be a woman, in a traditional sense, with breast reconstruction.

During your consultation and pre-surgery visits, your reconstructive plastic surgeon will help you choose which option is best for your situation. If you are electing to have breast augmentation implants, then they are usually inserted through the scar that already exists from your prior surgery. If it is necessary, a breast lift on the unaffected breast is performed using a short scar technique. This will allow symmetry between the affected breast and the normal breast. At this point, other reconstructive options include areola and nipple reconstruction, areola and nipple tattooing and subtle fine tuning of the breasts to make them look as symmetrical and natural as possible.

There are typically two stages of reconstruction. The initial stage is the breast mound reconstruction. There are several ways in which this can be performed during this first stage. Encouraging new skin growth in the area that will be implanted is the key so that there is eventually room for a permanent implant to be placed. This can be done in combination with other types of reconstruction which involve the transfer of skin from an area of the body to the breast mound. Once the breast mound has been reconstructed, the nipple can then be reconstructed. This is done by either sculpting or tattooing. If one breast was removed during the cancer treatment, the remaining breast can be reduced to create more symmetry, or breast augmentation implants can be matched. A breast lift is also an option, and can make the breasts more symmetrical.

One of the many decisions a woman who wants breast reconstruction needs to make is when exactly to have the procedure performed. While the timing is ultimately up to the patient, discussing this with your surgeon, oncologist and cosmetic surgeon as a united team can help better coordinate having the procedure. Informing and educating yourself regarding breast augmentation surgery and tissue harvesting is an important step toward regaining some semblance of emotional and physical normality.

Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the acid reflux home remedies field. His work has been extensively published in various online publications in this area. For more information on the treatment for acid reflux, visit remedyforacidreflux.com.

Filed under: HEARTSTART HOME DEFIBRILLATOR

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