Saint George Breast Reconstruction doctors
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Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon
676 South Bluff Street Suite 207, St. George |
7 answers |
Recent Answers
Following breast surgery there can be a need for radiation if you do a lumpectomy or have many lymph nodes that are positive for cancer. A lot of this can be determined in the preoperative staging and planning. Most of the time immediate reconstruction is done following a total mastectomy and it is unusual to require radiation in this setting. Have all of your providers discuss your care and surgery. Most surgeon prefer not to do immediate reconstruction if you are going to have radiation to the breast site.
Best Wishes
Dr. Peterson
I am facing a right mastectomy with reconstruction. I am small busted, A cup or smaller. I am not interested in being larger at all. Can I choose to have the implant placed on top of my pectoral muscle, similar to regular augmentation? I have read about "bottoming out" but I do not want a big or heavy implant. Will my skin be able to hold this up. I am hoping I qualify for a skin sparing mastectomy. I have DCIS and will not need chemo or radiation.
Following a skin sparing mastectomy you will need to put the implant under the muscle. The breast skin is too thin to provide adequate coverage over the implant. Even with the implant under the muscle you will have visibility of the implant in a couple of years.
Best Wishes
Dr. Peterson
How long after chemo generally can you swap out the expanders for permanent implants? To give you more detail. I had a double mastectomy in April and am currently undergoing chemotherapy. I have 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxin every other week and then 4 rounds of Taxol every other week. I am due to finish chemo in mid-September. I know the swap cannot happen right away - generally speaking when would be the earliest? Also, do you know when I can have the port removed that I had implanted to aid with the administration of the chemo?
Following chemotherapy you will need to have time for your white blood cells to return to normal, this will take several weeks to months. You also should feel well and strong before doing the surgery. The swap is not too strenuous but you want to be in good medical condition to avoid complications. The same is also true for the removal of the chemo port. You chemo doctor will be able to give you a better idea on how soon your blood cells will return.
Best Wishes.