Highlands Breast Reconstruction doctors
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Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
209 Hospital Dr Suite 202, Highlands |
14 answers |
Recent Answers
I had a bilateral mastectomy last year, with tissue expanders and silicone implants. My breasts don't match and one side hurts. The implant moves differently (like it's loose) on the painful side, is below the crease, and an inch lower than the other side. Everytime I bring up the pain and that one side is lower and below the crease, my doc says she is happy with the result. I want them to come close to matching! Am I being unreasonable? If not, how do I get her to address my concerns?
It is not unreasonable to desire that your reconstructed breasts "come close to matching." This is much easier with bilateral reconstructions than unilateral ones. However, it may still not be possible. Revising the reconstruction and either lowering or, especially, raising the inframammary crease is quite difficult. The "pain" is something that happens occasionally. It may wear off, or you may be able to do some desensitization and resolve it. If your present surgeon does not think that she can improve you, I would suggest a second opinion from a Plastic Surgeon with significant experience in breast reconstruction. This field has changed much in the last decade and there are some new options.
Thank you all Dr's for my previous question.An update to my Q I am 38 ,did chemo for breast cancer before surgery,have to do double mast. and after 8 weeks have radiation. After meeting with a PS here is the plan: putting expanders with alloderm at the time of mastectomy but not having it filled untill after healing from rads then start the fills really slowly.Now i am worried that the radiated skin won't stretch and i dont want to do the dorsi flap thing.Whay is your suggestions? Thanks
There is a very fine line of inflating a tissue expander after radiation too quickly or waiting too long. If you inflate too soon, you could have problems with tissue breakdown. If you wait too long you could have problems with expansion due to scar. Since you do not want a flap, this is, however, your very best alternative. If your surgeon has had significant experience with breast reconstruction, since he is examining your tissues, trust him. Though problems do occur, even with significant care in the surgery and subsequent filling, I have had very good results with tissue expanders in irradiated tissue after mastectomy. Your young age also helps.
i have just been fitted with a tissue expander and i am really breathless and am restricted as to what i can do, is this normal? and what causes it?
This is NOT NORMAL and may indicate a life and death problem. If you haven’t already done so after reading the previous posts, go immediately to your doctor’s office (if still open, call first) or the emergency room. The emergency room should treat this as a real emergency and have you evaluated immediately.