Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy: Coordinate With Your Plastic Surgeon & Oncologist

Mastectomy is surgery that removes part of or the entire breast. Many people get mastectomy surgery if they are at risk for breast cancer due to family history. Removing the breast before cancer strikes is a pre-emptive approach but is usually not an easier decision to make, especially for women.

Women who choose a pre-emptive strike against cancer do not need to deal with the effects of chemotherapy and other cancer symptoms before their surgery. This greatly reduces the stress associated with surgery and can help the patient heal at a quicker pace.

Mastectomy surgery is also performed on men and women who are diagnosed with cancer. Mastectomy can eliminate the cancerous cells. Yet despite the health benefits, the removal of a breast is often very traumatic for women. The negative effects of the surgery can also be heightened due to the effects that cancer is having on the body as well as the effect the treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation are having on the body at the same time.

Women most fear losing their sense of femininity if they lose a breast. Also, the awkwardness of looking lopsided is a serious qualm among both men and women. Prosthetics are available but most people become tired and annoyed at the inconvenience of having to wearing a prosthesis everyday.

Some women will only have cancer in one breast and therefore only need the removal of one breast. Removing both seems like a more viable option to women who cannot stand the thought of being lopsided. Women can now coordinate their oncologist and their plastic surgeon to allow better transition between procedures.

Oncologists and plastic surgeons across the world are realizing that they can make the lives of their patients a lot easier by coordinating with each other. Women who have had a breast partially or entirely removed due to cancer often pursue breast reconstruction surgery.

Reconstruction surgery that uses the skin and tissue of the persons own body is even more appealing to women who just want natural results. Women often just want to restore their feminine figure and the more natural the procedure the better.

The benefit of the oncologist and the plastic surgeon coordinating prior to the mastectomy is that there are certain skin-sparing techniques that can be approached during the mastectomy, which will aid in natural reconstruction by the plastic surgeon. The coordination of your oncologist and plastic surgeon can put most of these qualms to rest. Asking your oncologist and plastic surgeon to coordinate is not out of scope and, in fact, many oncologists will discuss this option with you prior to any surgery.

Ask your oncologist if they have worked with any reconstruction plastic surgery specialists with prior patients. If they recommend someone research the plastic surgeons practice and credentials, view before and after photos of past patients and read patient testimonials. Be sure the plastic surgeon is medically certified and holds a strong reputation in the community. Don't settle on the first surgeon you find, do your research and chose the surgeon you are most comfortable with.