Atlanta scarless latissimus dorsi

For many plastic surgery patients, planning their procedure is an exciting time because they’re excited to feel more comfortable with their appearance, and in some cases, it’s a change they’ve been looking forward to for years. But breast reconstruction patients are unique. While their cosmetic surgery is a positive step toward reclaiming their confidence, it’s also a part of the very difficult journey of fighting breast cancer. To lend an extra hand to these patients throughout their experience, we’ve compiled some helpful advice from our current and former patients as well as experts in the field.

1. Find a skincare regimen that helps you throughout your cancer treatments. Every patient has unique needs, but one patient found a regimen that worked well for her throughout her radiation treatments:

• Zyrtec® twice daily
• Repêchage® seaweed masks (from the neck through the midsection) 2-3 times per week
• Between seaweed masks, a twice daily application of Repêchage® Hydra Dew Illuminating Cream Mask mixed with Repêchage® Seaweed Oil
• Pilates twice per week
• After radiation treatments were finished, twice daily application of the cream mask and seaweed oil along with a CeraVe® moisturizer

While this patient saw success with this particular skincare routine, every patient is unique. Dr. Franklyn Elliott does not endorse any specific products or companies, and encourages patients to find the right mixture and regimen for their personal needs.

2. Don’t assume that breast implants are your only cosmetic option. While some breast reconstruction patients don’t realize this until their plastic surgery consultation, there are many ways to perform this procedure. While breast implants are one option, many patients also have the opportunity for autologous breast reconstruction (using the patient’s own tissue). Procedures like the TRAM flap and the scarless latissimus dorsi technique can rebuild breasts using specific muscle and fat tissue from the abdomen or the back. These procedures tend to produce results that look especially natural, and a recent study even found that patients who chose an autologous reconstruction tended to be happier with their breast reconstruction results in the years and decades following their surgery.
3. Plan to take more time away from work and other obligations than you think you’ll need. This suggestion serves multiple purposes. First, every patient’s recovery is different. Even women who have similar medical histories and who have undergone a similar procedure can heal at very different rates, so it’s better to estimate your recovery time on the higher end. Second, feeling rushed to get back to work before you’re ready can actually slow your recovery, because you’ll have more stress and may push yourself to resume activities before you’re ready, which could cause complications. Simply knowing that you have plenty of time to heal can help your recovery go more smoothly.
4. Take an active role in deciding which procedure is right for you. With so many options available, it’s important to choose the surgery that best balances all of your unique needs and priorities. While some patients find it easier to simply take the suggestion of a friend or family member, a recent study in The Annuls of Surgical Oncology found that women who took a more active role by researching each of their options and putting each in careful consideration before making their decision were more satisfied with their results than patients who were more passive throughout the process.
5. Don’t spend too much time online. The web can be a great place to start researching your surgical options, but it’s also a place where you can find information that exaggerates and amplifies your worst fears on any subject—not just cosmetic surgery. Make sure to get your information from reputable sources (like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or The American Cancer Society). If you have questions before or after your surgery, forego the search engines and call my office directly, because the answer to your question could be different depending on your individual situation.
6. Little details can go a long way. One of our patients suggests a bra that helped her throughout her cancer treatments (a cotton, no-underwire bra from a company called Hanro of Switzerland). Because reaching overhead can be difficult during recovery, having button-up shirts clean and ready can be helpful, and flex straws can make it much easier to drink water in bed.

Fighting breast cancer is not an easy process for anyone, but having support from those around you can make a powerful difference. Whether your mastectomy was years ago or you’ve just been diagnosed, schedule a consultation with Dr. Franklyn Elliott to begin discussing your breast reconstruction options so you can get started on the road to looking and feeling more like the “you” that you remember. Or, to learn more about the procedures we offer, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.