I just assumed that I would use a plastic surgeon that my dr referred me to that is here locally but after reading some on this site I am wondering what I need to ask and how to check into which plastic surgeon I use for reconstruction. Never considered having to travel to get a good PS but maybe that is something I need to check into. What are the right questions to ask my PS that I have consulted with right at diagnois and start of treatment to see is she will be able to give me the best possible results. I know that being able to have the reconstructive surgery locally would be easier but I also have to live with the results.
| Posts 1 - 5 (5 total) | |
|---|---|
|
AnneW Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,298 |
Jun 29, 2009 06:16 pm
AnneW wrote:
Hi, Brenda, Check out the reconstruction forum if you haven't already. You'll find lots of topics on pros and cons of each type, as well as questions to ask. I had implants locally, then, after problems, traveled for SGAP surgery. Sometimes it's hard to know the "right" thing to do. Anne 2002 IDC stage 1, grade 1, rads & AI
Dx 9/18/2007, ILC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
mawhinney Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 818 |
Jun 29, 2009 08:56 pm
mawhinney wrote:
Before traveling to a distant PS consider how often you will need to see your PS. I had implant reconstruction and it took almost a year of treatments. At times I needed to see the PS weekly. I also wanted a nearby PS in case I had any problems. Not all plastic surgeons offer the same type of reconsturuction services. Also tissue transplant reconstruction often requires a microsurgery team which is not available at all hospitals. If time permits, you might interview serveral plastic surgeons to learn what type of reconstruction they suggest for your particular situation and find out how many visits and procedures each type of reconstruction will require. If you need to have radiation and/or chemo, those procedures may delay reconstruction or limit the type of reconstruction you can have. |
|
Mouser Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 162 |
Jun 30, 2009 01:27 pm, edited Jun 30, 2009 01:40 PM
by Mouser
Mouser wrote:
I think there are several issues here, which AnneW and mawhinney have touched on but not clearly separated... If you don't know what kind of reconstruction you want, you need to look into it -- find out what kinds there are, and what the disadavantages and advantages of each one would be. Once you know whether and what kind of reconstruction you want, it is a matter of finding a PS who does that kind -- often! Who doesn't try to talk you out of it because it's not what he/she likes to do or does well. Whom you like and who you think (based on your onc's recommendation, pix, friends' comments, whatever) will do a good job, and who will work with you if something goes wrong. Implants are most common -- if that's your choice, talk to the local people and see if you like their attitude, etc. You may not need to travel. Flaps (TRAM, DIEP, etc) are harder and fewer people do them, even fewer do them well. So you may well have to travel, because they are hard, and you really want a surgeon who does them often (true for implants too, but they are so much more common, that it's easier.) For example, at one major med center i was told that well, yes, they had a PS who did DIEP if i really wanted that ... and the tone implied i was weird. That sort of reaction is not a good sign; i knew i'd have to go elsewhere if i wanted DIEP... Be sure your BS explain the disadvantages of all the techniques --- EVERY method has disadvantages as wrell as advantages -- my sister did not realize she would lose the nerves of her abdominal skin from her TRAM - she's OK with it, but it was a surprise. For, me, it was one reason i did not go for TRAM or DIEP. So go to the reconstruction sites and see what is involved! Good luck! mouser
|
|
Brenda26 Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 38 |
Jun 30, 2009 11:51 pm
Brenda26 wrote:
Thanks for all your help. Think I have decided to make a trip to either Dallas or San Antonio to see a PS that does all the different reconstruction techniques so that I can get informed about them all and see what they recommend would work best for me. Since my local PS does not do the DIEP I figure it will be best to get info from someone who does it since I am really considering it. Sounds like it is less recovery than TRAM which uses the muscle although from what I understand so far the surgery is much more lengthy. At least now after visiting this site I feel better equipped to know what questions to ask and just what all is available. Before I just went to my local PS and she said she would do a TRAM and she just told me the basics that they use abdomen tissue for the reconstruction and that was pretty much the extent of what she told me. All the info everyone shares is awesome and I don't know that I would be making a informed decision without having found this site. Dx 1/28/2009, IDC, 4cm, Grade 3, / nodes, HER2+ |
|
brewer2 Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 15 |
Jul 4, 2009 10:10 am
brewer2 wrote:
MD Anderson in HOuston has been doing dieps for years. |
© 2010 Breastcancer.org. All rights reserved.