Breast Reconstruction

Women with breast cancer are facing a devastating psychological as well as physical blow.  Like all cancer patients, they will have to face fears about longevity, the effect on their family, and the many unknowns of treatment.  Additionally, women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer face potential disfigurement that can have a profound psychological and sexual impact.  Breast reconstruction should be offered to all patients with breast cancer, and it is federally mandated to be covered by health insurance.  However, my philosophy is that patients should be given information but never pushed towards surgery.  Women with this diagnosis will be overwhelmed with information that will compound the already stressful situation.  Reconstructive surgery is here when and if patients are ready to pursue it, having had time to digest all of the other factors they are facing. Breast reconstruction is an art more than a science. For the best results, patients must allow their surgeon to guide them through what is almost always a staged process to reshape their bodies after the impacts of mastectomy.  It requires psychological stability, patience,  and willingness to undergo surgeries that improve quality of life, but that don't have the same urgency as life-saving cancer surgery.   Patient stories of breast reconstruction can be found below.