Scars

Generally lumpectomy is offered for unifocal (one site of disease), and the patient is willing to undergo radiation. If the tumor is large relative to the breast size, neo-
adjuvant (up-front) treatment may be given to shrink the cancer before lumpectomy.

Questions to ask would be:
How large is the cancer? Can clear margins be obtained? Should I receive chemotherapy or endocrine therapy prior to surgery to shrink the tumor? How will the incision lines be placed? Will oncoplastic techniques be used? How much deformity will there be? Is there a reason not to preserve the breast?
Generally lumpectomy is offered for unifocal (one site of disease), and the patient is willing to undergo radiation. If the tumor is large relative to the breast size, neo-
adjuvant (up-front) treatment may be given to shrink the cancer before lumpectomy.

Questions to ask would be:
How large is the cancer? Can clear margins be obtained? Should I receive chemotherapy or endocrine therapy prior to surgery to shrink the tumor? How will the incision lines be placed? Will oncoplastic techniques be used? How much deformity will there be? Is there a reason not to preserve the breast?

To explain to another person regarding the scars they are seeing on your body, one must start with one’s self. When another person wants to get involved with you romantically, they want to be with you. They feel the need and the desire of having you in their life. Seeing your scars on your body may make your partner want to be with you even more. They see your scars with a loving respect of how you endured your physical disease of melanoma.

Therefore, it appears from this question that you are more uncomfortable with the scars on your body, then your partner. “Scars” represent many things to many people. There are emotional scars, physical or visible scars. One must acknowledge the “scars” for what they are. Yes, you had melanoma; these scars are my scars, my history, that I had this disease process. I am alive and capable of having a romantic relationship with someone that I choose to be with.

If the scars are bothersome to you, there are various ways that you may cover them and not show them to your partner until you are ready to.

How comfortable are you with your romantic encounter? That is the question that you should be asking yourself. If you feel more comfortable to discuss your melenoma scars before your romantic encounter, then do so.

There is a famous model Parma Parvati Lakshmi. Her scar came from an automobile accident. At first she was reluctant to show her scar. However, over a period of time she decided not to let her scar rule her life. Now she shows her scar with digiity and respect. To explain to another person regarding the scars they are seeing on your body, one must start with one’s self. When another person wants to get involved with you romantically, they want to be with you. They feel the need and the desire of having you in their life. Seeing your scars on your body may make your partner want to be with you even more. They see your scars with a loving respect of how you endured your physical disease of melanoma.

Therefore, it appears from this question that you are more uncomfortable with the scars on your body, then your partner. “Scars” represent many things to many people. There are emotional scars, physical or visible scars. One must acknowledge the “scars” for what they are. Yes, you had melanoma; these scars are my scars, my history, that I had this disease process. I am alive and capable of having a romantic relationship with someone that I choose to be with.

If the scars are bothersome to you, there are various ways that you may cover them and not show them to your partner until you are ready to.

How comfortable are you with your romantic encounter? That is the question that you should be asking yourself. If you feel more comfortable to discuss your melenoma scars before your romantic encounter, then do so.

There is a famous model Parma Parvati Lakshmi. Her scar came from an automobile accident. At first she was reluctant to show her scar. However, over a period of time she decided not to let her scar rule her life. Now she shows her scar with digiity and respect.

The scars vary widely, and are determined by the incision used for your mastectomy, and the type of reconstruction you are having. Some incisions are very well hidden, such as in the inferior fold of the breast, while others need to be placed on the more visible areas of the breast, depending on where the cancer is and the comfort level of your breast surgeon with different approaches. Furthermore, implant reconstructions usually involve some type of a single line closure, whereas flap reconstructions sometimes involve more circular or elliptical shape inicisions, depending on the amount of skin removed by the breast surgeon. Your breast and plastic surgeons can probably tell you preoperatively what type of scar you will have, as they will know the specifics of your surgery. The scars vary widely, and are determined by the incision used for your mastectomy, and the type of reconstruction you are having. Some incisions are very well hidden, such as in the inferior fold of the breast, while others need to be placed on the more visible areas of the breast, depending on where the cancer is and the comfort level of your breast surgeon with different approaches. Furthermore, implant reconstructions usually involve some type of a single line closure, whereas flap reconstructions sometimes involve more circular or elliptical shape inicisions, depending on the amount of skin removed by the breast surgeon. Your breast and plastic surgeons can probably tell you preoperatively what type of scar you will have, as they will know the specifics of your surgery.

Best to consult with a physical therapist to help design a program for increasing flexibility and scar management. Best to consult with a physical therapist to help design a program for increasing flexibility and scar management.

While it is not common, some patients do have persistent numbness, itching, or hypersensitivity, even years after surgery and radiation therapy. Usually there is not anything specific causing the sensation, but I would certainly recommend bringing this to the attention of your physician and make sure that you keep up with the recommended imaging studies and exams after surgery. While it is not common, some patients do have persistent numbness, itching, or hypersensitivity, even years after surgery and radiation therapy. Usually there is not anything specific causing the sensation, but I would certainly recommend bringing this to the attention of your physician and make sure that you keep up with the recommended imaging studies and exams after surgery.