Question list for first appt with PS?

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Kahnartist
Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
edited September 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi! I'm meeting with the PS Monday for my consult so we can get my mastectomy scheduled. Does anyone have a list of good questions to bring with? I want to make sure I don't forget anything.

Thanks

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2017

    Hi Kahnartist!

    We're sure you'll get lots of suggestions soon from the other helpful members here, but in the meantime, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Questions to Ask Your Surgeon about Breast Reconstruction.

    We hope this helps!

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2017

    thank you mods! Do you happen to have a link you can post? I searched and couldn't find it

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited September 2017

    Hi Kahn-

    My BS consult and my PS consult were two very different experiences. My PS consult --> he pulled all the implants out, looked at my former breasts and gave me his professional opinion pretty much within 5min....I asked about other options but in HIS opinion I was not a candidate. Now my questions --> how will my chest respond to weight gain/weight loss. His opinion of cancer risk with silicone implants? Saline implants? Recovery? Weight lighting s/p reconstruction? All the things that came to my mind.....there was probably 20 written questions, I brainstormed and also did my own research before the appt. I brought a good friend with me as well. She wrote down everything....and probably recorded too....I just have never gone back to listen. I also met with cancer buddies who had chosen different reconstructions and got their stories and opinions....

    I am not sure if you are opting for immediate reconstruction or what your path is currently is.. but this is/was, well still is my situation.


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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2017

    thank you Peacetoallcuzweneedit! I keep forgetting to write things down. I have a list started and this guy and my bs are the same my stepsister used when she was diagnosed a couple of years ago. I want to know about the scars and weight loss and gain and your list was super helpful. I will keep adding to it as I go and by next week I will have a long list for sure

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2017

    kahnartist - if you are considering immediate placement of expander(s) at the time of mastectomy I would ask about how long it will take to reach your desired size, and how large the planned average fills will be. If you are considering direct to implant, and are a candidate, ask about sub-pectoral or pre-pectoral placement. Ask about this physician's infection rate, and failure or re-operation rate. Will you be needing radiation? This definitely has an effect on how you proceed, and you should ask your PS about his/her preferences if rads are needed. I would ask about which brand and style of implants this doc prefers, and why. Not all plastic surgeons use all available types - some prefer rounds, some prefer anatomicals. Get an explanation of the differences in types of implants and why some work better than others in given situations.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2017

    Kahn -- the link to the page is highlighted in bold purple in our first post, but you can also access it here: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/rec...

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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