Breast Cancer And Reconstruction Surgery

PROS AND CONS Breast reconstruction can:

• make the chest balanced when wearing a bra or swimsuit • make clothes fit better • eliminate the need for a prosthesis • provide an overall good feeling about one’s body

Disadvantages with breast cancer reconstruction include:

• risk of infection • development of scar tissue • leaking or breaking (implant failure)

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

There are many different options and types of breast reconstruction procedures. Some are done at the time of the mastectomy, while others are done later. Talk to your surgeon in depth about what is right for you.

KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

If you decide to have breast reconstruction surgery, it is important to be prepared. It’s always best to ask questions about what to expect before and after your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to answer any questions.

Consider hiring your own personal nurse concierge. They will be able to help you communicate with your physician, attend pre-op visits, provide post-op nursing care, personal care, transportation, and more.

It takes the strength of a woman to realize the power of a mammogram.

ALTERNATIVES TO BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

• Using a breast form or prosthesis (inside your bra or attached to the body) to wear under your clothes. • Some women are just more comfortable not wearing either a breast form or a prosthesis (going flat).

LKNEXPERT

Ruth Zutaut, RN, is the founder and owner of Nurse Line of Lake Norman, PLLC. You can reach Nurse Ruth at 704.995.1199 or visit her today at www.lakenormannurse.com.

DELAYED BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

This means that rebuilding is started later, after the cancer surgery is done. For this type of reconstruction, a short-term tissue expander is placed during the mastectomy to help prepare for reconstruction surgery later. The expander is a balloon-like sac that starts off flat and is slowly expanded to the desired size to allow the skin to stretch. The expander will be replaced by the implant. w

For more information contact the American Cancer Society at 800.277.2345 or at www.cancer.org. CALL 1-800-4-CANCER to schedule your mammogram today.