Birmingham Breast Reconstruction doctors

	Michael S. Beckenstein, MD Birmingham Plastic Surgeon 800 St. Vincent's Drive Suite 610, Birmingham		6 answers
	James C. Grotting, MD Birmingham Plastic Surgeon One Inverness Center Parkway Suite 100 , Birmingham		1 answer
	William J. Hedden, MD Birmingham Plastic Surgeon 140 Village Street Greystone Cosmetic Center, Suite 100, Birmingham
	Michael Clinton, MD Birmingham Plastic Surgeon 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Hoover
	Clement P. Cotter, Jr., MD Birmingham Plastic Surgeon 1216 1st St. North Highway 31, Alabaster

Recent Answers

Mold Inside Tissue Expanders? I had a double mastectomy in August 2005. I still have tissue expanders in due to a series of events that made it impossible to get to and from appointments. Has anyone had this experience or heard of this (expanders being left in so long)? Is it likely that there is mold growth inside of my expanders because of the length of time they have been in?

A: Mold in tissue expanders highly unlikely

There are sporadic reports of fungus in implants/expanders, but these are the result of contamination of the saline instilled in the devices. The time an implant spends in the body has no effect on probability of infection, especially fungal types.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Over the Muscle Implant Placement After Radiation Therapy? I have had a bilateral mastectomy. I have under the muscle silicone implants. I had radiation treatment on the right breast and the implant is uncomfortable when using my arm and my muscle is very tight. Is it best to have my implants placed over the muscle? I had gone through the expander process before the implants.

A: Over the muscle placement would make things worse

The failure rate for implant reconstruction in a radiated breast is at least 50%. Hopefully, this was discussed with you during your course of treatment. Changing the pocket for the implant, above the muscle will increase the contracture rate and others as well. Conversion to a natural tissue reconstruction may be the best option if a capsolotomy/capsulectomy (procedures to loosen up the capsule) is attempted and fails.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reconstruction Options What are the benefits of having breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy, and in which situations would it be recommended to postpone reconstruction?

A: Indications for timing of breast reconstruction vary on a case to case basis.

Ultimately, the decision whether to undergo immediate or delayed breast recosntruction depends on patient preference. Certain factors, such as advanced tumor stage and the need for radiation therapy, tend to favor delayed reconstruction to optimize oncologic and aesthetic outcomes.

There is sufficient data to support the fact that a woman's breast cancer prognosis is not negatively affected by the timing of breast reconstruction.

There are of course advantages and disadvantages to both immediate and delayed reconstruction. However, most plastic surgeons feel that all things being equal, a better cosmetic result can be achieved with immediate reconstruction.

James C. Grotting, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon