49-year-old Breast Cancer Survivor Who Had Experienced a Unilateral Mastectomy and Radiation Therapy As Part of Cancer Treatment

After treatment for breast cancer, I was left lop-sided with an ugly mastectomy scar in place of my right breast. I had maintained a positive attitude throughout my battle with cancer, taking the advice of medical professionals in order to free myself of any cancer cells. I was not horrified by my unilateral mastectomy simply because it was necessary to rid my body of the disease. At least I thought this was the case. Due to my age (47 at the time of diagnosis), I needed to undergo radiation treatments to insure the chest area was completely devoid of cancer cells. After the skin is burned with radiation, it does not stretch well, which ruled out the possibility of an implant. In addition, implants may be great for reconstruction following a bilateral mastectomy. However, an implant will never match the look of a natural breast, especially a droopy, 47-year-old D cup. I was always interested in reconstruction. However, I was encouraged to take the time to heal before "putting Humpty Dumpty back together". Dr. Jason Wendel was one of two plastic surgeons on my treatment team at Vanderbilt Breast Center. Every member of the office staff at Vanderbilt recommended Dr. Wendel (off the record) over his colleague because Dr. Wendel is absolutely the most talented plastic surgeon in the Southeast and delivers amazing results. From the time that I first met Dr. Wendel to the time that I actually had plastic surgery, Dr. Wendel had decided to enter into private practice. The transition from Vanderbilt to Dr. Wendel's private office was seamless. All of the scans that had been completed at Vanderbilt prior to surgery had been transferred to Dr. Wendel's office. None of the tests had to be repeated and Dr. Wendel had access to all of the information that he needed to make informed decisions about my case. Dr. Wendel recommended a DIEP flap procedure. In essence, I would receive a tummy tuck. The fat from my tummy was transplanted as my right breast. Finally, my ugly tummy bulge that I had battled all my life became a blessing. The DIEP flap procedure is preferable to the TRAM flap procedure because no muscle tissue is cut. As a result, recovery time is reduced. I had surgery in June 2014. The above cost includes everything from anesthesia, to hospital stay, to Dr. Wendel's expertise. I only had to pay a $250 deductible. Every remaining dollar was covered by my health insurance policy. The staff at Centennial was very caring and kept me comfortable throughout my stay. I was required to stay in ICU for a few days following surgery to insure that the blood flow was not interrupted to the implanted tissue. Although I have a horizontal "tummy tuck" scar across my lower abdomen, recovery was surprisingly easy. I now have the flattest tummy that I have ever had- even though I have gained weight since surgery. My new boob was perfect and perky. It was amazing to see the pregnancy stretch marks on my right breast rather than on my tummy. My original belly button was beneath my new breast, stitched closed. Dr. Wendel had designed a beautiful new belly button that would make any Super Model proud. My new perky boob made the old gal on the left look really saggy. Dr. Wendel had a solution for that as well. Four months after the DIEP flap surgery, Dr. Wendel "lifted" the right side to match my left. He also crafted a very natural looking nipple for my new breast. My chest area looks so good that my 22-year-old daughter is jealous. She calls them my "bionic boobs". I can't begin to explain what a positive impact that reconstruction surgery has had on my life. I am finally whole again, thanks to Dr. Wendel. DIEP flap surgery is the perfect happy ending to my battle against breast cancer.