Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.
Treating the disease process should take priority so I would defer to your breast surgeon and radiation oncologist based upon your individual case. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
If you wish to have the absolute best results, it is ALWAYS better to 'fix' your deformity before you receive radiation. This is an emerging trend and very logical in its approach. Unfortunately, most breast cancer surgeons are reluctant to embrace this concept since it could delay your lumpectomy a few days.
The issue is not whether it should or should not be fixed. It is a matter of desire as to whether you want it fixed or not. I fix many of these by releasing the tethering of the tissue from the chest wall beneath the incision followed by fat grafting the defect to fill it in. Often times because only a certain percentage of fat will survive you may require a second session of fat grafting about 3 months later. It can give a wonderful result.
I think that you have to treat the cancer first. The scar from your lumpectomy may get better or worse with time. If not it can be revised.
In this case, you should definitely follow your surgeon's instructions since every surgeon has a different approach to follow up care. It is typical to wear the bandage for 48 hours after surgery and the post surgical bra for up to 6 weeks. However, your surgeon should know what is best for your...
Fat transfer to the breast following reconstruction or lumpectomy, or any surgery that deforms the breast is well tolerated. Most patients of mine complain more about the pain from the harvest site (thighs) than breast pain. I recommend light compression for 6 weeks to prevent too much swelling...
While there are a number of individual factors to consider, it is generally not a good idea to have radiation therapy with breast implants so the mastectomy is often the best option. Often the mastectomy can be done with a skin-sparing technique, and the reconstruction done at the same time. The...
