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If a patient decides not to have breast implants after a double mastectomy, what are the other options?

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Topics (Tags):

Breast Implants Breast Breast Cancer Double Mastectomy Breast Prostheses Breast Reconstruction TRAM Flap DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Mastectomy

Topics:

Breast Implants X Breast X Breast Cancer X Double Mastectomy X Breast Prostheses X Breast Reconstruction X TRAM Flap X DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction X Mastectomy X

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Answers (3)

drbreastsurgery (Physician - Surgery - Surgical Oncology (Verified) ) - 06 / 19 / 2011

1 vote(s) by member8037

a breast may be reconstructed from the patient's own tissue such as from the abdomen (e.g. a TRAM flap) or a patient may choose to wear a special mastectomy bra with a prosthesis.

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DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 07 / 12 / 2011

I would reinforce some of the points made by 20questions - there are many options and one technique is absolutely not right for everyone. The best results are when reconstruction is done once (although it is not uncommon to need revisions or minor tweaks). Interview more than one plastic surgeon, and also make sure that they are not only experienced with cosmetic surgery, but post-mastectomy reconstruction surgery - a completely different procedure.

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member8037 (Friend) - 07 / 12 / 2011

Ladies....There are definately many more options than a TRAM or a bra with prosthesis and it is important to explore every one to make the informed choice. Make sure your surgeon lays them all out for you and explains the pros and cons of each then YOU make the decision which suits you best. If they don't, go to another surgeon for a 2nd and possibly 3rd opinion until you are satisfied you understand them all. Here's my short list....and it's in no way complete, new procedures are developed all of the time all over the world, do your research. Implants: silicone, saline, round vs tear dropped shape, textured vs. smooth, what "profile" would fit you best? What about tissue expansion or the one-step procedures using implants with acellular matrix like Alloderm? Muscle/tissue flaps: Latissimus, TRAM, etc.. Muscle sparing microsurgical procedures: DIEP, GAP, SIEA, TUG, Intercostal perforator. Fat Transfer And of course - No reconstruction.

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Question Statistics

Latest Activity: 07 / 12 / 2011
Views: 349
Followed By: 4 members