Women helping women make smart, informed choices for breast reconstruction.
Most plastic surgery offices have staff knowledgable about the procedures they routinely perform. Ask to speak to the Office Manager, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Physicians Assistant when you call. They will be the best informed about the services they offer.
1. How will breast reconstruction impact my cancer treatment (if applicable). 2. What are all of my options for reconstruction? 3. Which do you feel is best for me and why? 4. How many surgeries and office visits will the entire episode of reconstruction require? How much time from start to finish? 5. Do you have before-and-after photos for all of the procedures you have offered me that I can view? 6. Can you put me in touch with past patients of yours who have had the surgery I choose? 7. What should I expect when I wake up from surgery and what should I expect my recovery to be like? 8. What are the potential risks, side effects,, and complications of each type of reconstruction? 9. What will my scars look like? 10. When will I be able to return to my normal routine? (work, normal physical activities, exercise, etc) 11. If I am unhappy with my result, what are my options?
Most residency programs across the country instruct physicians in basic reconstructive techiques like latissimus flap, implant reconstruction, and TRAM. However with the free flap procedures such as the DIEP, GAP, TUG, and intercostal perforator flap ask these questions:
1. Is the physician a microsurgeon? (Did he or she have fellowship training in breast microsurgery or complete a residency where breast microsurgery was part of the curriculum?) 2. When and where was this training completed? 3. Does the physician routinely perform DIEP, GAP etc... 4. How many of these procedures are done each month? year? 5. What is the percentage rate of success? 6. Am I permitted to speak to a patient who has had the procedure I would like to have? 7. How long will I be under anesthesia for the procedure? 8. How many board certified physicians will be assisting with my procedure? (It's desired to have two equally trained surgeons on the DIEP, GAP procedures) 9. Will I have to sign a consent form that states if the physician is unable to complete a DIEP or GAP muscle sparing procedure I consent to have my abdominal muscle used (TRAM) to complete the surgery?