Questions for plastic surgeon on immediate

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ClaireBear47
ClaireBear47 Member Posts: 9
edited January 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I have had three opinions--all saying mastectomy on the right side. I am meeting with the plastic surgeon tomorrow about reconstruction. What do I ask?

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  • SavedbyGrace1972
    SavedbyGrace1972 Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2018

    I haven't met with a PS yet, but I would imagine you ask to see pictures of his work.

    Where the scar will be.

    If they can do skin sparring or nipple sparring procedures.

    Which types of reconstruction do they recommend and what their specialty is.

    If you are considering an autologus (using your own transplanted tissue), if they are certified in microsurgery.

    I heard that you will have to have your picture taken with only your underpants on, so be prepared.

    Ask if they can draw the outline of the implant.

    Healing time.

    Silicone versus saline

    Not sure what else. I will google.

    Good luck

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  • ClaireBear47
    ClaireBear47 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2018

    You are a wise woman! Thank you! I am a deer in the headlights!


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  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited January 2018

    I started out at a well respected, large university cancer center. Prepare yourself for the possibility of the surgeon refusing to show you pictures. I wish I had been prepared to just walk out the door at that point instead of stammering while I tried to find words to explain why it was important for me to see pictures. I started to sketch to show him what kind I was hoping not to end up with. (I really didn’t want extreme perky ones starting from 38 DD). He stopped me and said, “I’ve seen a lot of breasts.” Afterwards, I asked to get a second opinion from the other PS, which I was allowed to do. He practically laughed when I asked him for pictures. Still, I liked him better and wanted to switch to him. The BS then told me I couldn’t do that because it would mess up the assembly line system they had going there and she only worked with the first guy. (High volume surgery!) So, I completely left them and went for a BS and PS not related to the university (no assembly line and lots of pictures). The originals may well have done an excellent job but I wasn’t wanting to be treated like a hunk of meat in a packing house.

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2018

    For good information, questions to ask and how to choose a plastic surgeon get a copy of the latest editions of Kathy Stiligo's "Breast Reconstruction Guidebook" I wish I had seen this before my problematic first reconstruction. I feel I could have avoided many of the problems I ended up dealing with if I had seen this book first. (I ended up needing many revisions and finally jumped ship and found a ps who could help me.)

    Breast reconstruction and cosmetic enhancement require different skill sets. You want someone who does mainly reconstructions and does them in high volume - multiple times/week if possible and has done them for years on their own (when not in training).

    About photos- being able to see photos of work is very usual in breast reconstruction. I feel a plastic surgeon who is unwilling to show you photos of their work is a red flag. Find someone else. Anyone who is good should have a large following of happy "customers" who are more than willing to talk about their experience (and often will show you their results in person.)

    Know also that some ps will recommend the type of reconstruction they are technically able to do and will not recommend, not mention, or even disparage other alternatives. Because of this I feel it is important to have some basic knowledge of what time of reconstruction you feel most comfortable with - a first choice. Then if possible after that have a consult with an experienced ps who specialized in this.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/community/gift-shop/bo...


    http://www.breastrecon.com/index.html

    https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Reconstruction-Guide...


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  • ClaireBear47
    ClaireBear47 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2018

    Thank you for your feedback. I was able to see pictures! I really really liked him. Very experienced with reconstruction. We discussed many different options but I am leaning toward immediate reconstruction on right with cosmetic lift on the left side. I did have multiple mug shots but got to keep my jeans on!

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