HOUSTON, Texas (Ivanhoe Newswire) —There are more than 100,000 breast reconstruction surgeries in the U.S. each year. Post-mastectomy patients can opt for breast implants or a new technique that uses tummy tissue to rebuild the breast.
Loren Lindsey was at home with her family when the first sign of breast cancer appeared.
“I was taking a shower one evening, and I mean I’m only, I was 27 at the time,” Lindsey told Ivanhoe.
Being a nurse, Loren knew in her heart, what it was.
“Within a week, I was at work on a Friday and read my results on the fax machine, “Lindsey said.
Women who experience breast cancer often elect to have reconstructive surgery and Loren chose autologous reconstruction over implants.
Sebastian Winocour, MD, Plastic Surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine told Ivanhoe, “We use the skin and the fat, in an area of that unnecessary part of the abdomen, where patients typically want, if they have that tissue, they want to get rid of that tissue.”
Doctors say an autologous reconstruction offers better and more natural results.
“And that typically gives a more natural shape and feel to the breast”, Dr. Winocour explained.
Implants frequently require revisional surgeries within ten to fifteen years. By using the patient’s own tissue, their breasts look more natural and their tummies—flatter! And how does Loren feel now?
Lindsey shared, “I can’t believe, after two years, this is where I’m at. I feel great, look great, and nobody ever knows have cancer, until I tell them. So, I just feel really good!”
Dr. Winocour offers touch-up surgery after a few months to clear surface scars. A nip and a tuck, he says, to revise scars and give the post-surgery patient an overall better look.
Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Executive Producer; Donna Parker, Field Producer; Bruce Maniscalo, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: BETTER BREASTS AND TIGHTER TUMMY AFTER CANCER
REPORT: MB #4735
BACKGROUND: Mastectomies are common and highly effective procedures for those who have breast cancer or are at high risk of developing breast cancer. The procedure involves removing an entire breast, unilateral, or both breasts, bilateral. It is an effective way to combat noninvasive breast cancer, Stage I and II, Stage III— after chemotherapy, Paget’s disease of the breast and locally recurrent breast cancer. A prophylactic, or preventative, mastectomy is recommended for consideration for those with a strong family history of breast cancer or have early indicators or genetic markers for developing cancer.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670 )
ALTERNATIVE METHODOLOGY: A lot of people that undergo a mastectomy opt for breast reconstruction either in the same surgery as the mastectomy, or later in life. A popular technique for breast reconstruction is the use of implants. The most common type of implants are made of a silicone gel or saline that are surgically placed either underneath or on top of the pectoral muscle. This technique, however, does not last a lifetime and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons projects their life span to be about 10 to 20 years, meaning implants may require future surgeries.
(Source: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/implants )
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Autologous, or flap, reconstruction, is a technique that uses another site on your body to provide tissue so that you can essentially become your own donor. The tissue, commonly from the tummy, butt, or thighs, is completely separated from its blood vessels and moved to another part of the body where it is attached to new blood vessels, requiring a plastic surgeon that is also skilled in microsurgery. This technique can also be done either immediately following a mastectomy or delayed for later down the road. This technique is usually projected to last a patient’s entire lifetime, although a touch-up surgery is available. This technique has a wide variety of benefits; however, this option does require a longer recovery as there will now be soreness at the donor site as well.
(Source: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous )
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
DIPALI PATHAK
713-798-6826
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com
