Debbie – Immediate Partial Breast Reconstruction With an Endoscopic Latissimus Dorsi Flap

“A lot of positive things have come out of this year, particularly how I view life and treat other people. I think I am more sensitive, but I live with much less illusion that I have control over my life. Loss of control was very difficult for me. I always thought I could manage everything. Breast cancer has a way of bringing you up short and making you face reality.” Read More

Lizzy – Immediate Bilateral Tissue Expander/Implant Reconstruction

“One year ago, I was bald and going through chemotherapy. Today, it’s a very different story. Time heals. As time passes, you get back to normal. A year makes a huge difference. I’m back to doing everything and feeling good.” Read More

Kathryn – Bilateral Immediate-Delayed Tissue Expander/TRAM Flap Reconstruction

Kathryn’s story began 2 years ago, when she felt a tender area in her chest. Weeks later, she noticed a nipple discharge and started experiencing radiating pain in her chest. Eventually, after numerous tests and much time had elapsed, a large breast lump was discovered and was diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma. Because her lump was large, she had neoadjuvant chemotherapy (administered before her cancer surgery) in an attempt to shrink the breast mass before surgery and reconstruction. Kathryn also decided to have a prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy on her opposite breast, because she did not want to worry about developing another breast cancer. She had bilateral mastectomies, followed by immediate tissue expander reconstruction with her expanders inflated slightly. Read More

Sandra – Delayed Bilateral Implant Reconstruction

“I was standing in the room undressed from the waist up. The technologist came in with my film, and I held it up to the light. I took one look at it, and I saw the breast cancer. I just stood there, and I thought to myself, ‘I have breast cancer. I cannot believe this; I never thought it would happen to me. I have breast cancer.’ I was almost paralyzed, and I said to her, ‘I have breast cancer!’ She said, ‘You can’t know that.’ But I knew. Read More

Rylie – Delayed DIEP Perforator Flap Reconstruction

“I’m a tough old broad, and I’m going to be just fine.” This gutsy declaration was made to me by Rylie as we talked about her breast cancer experience and the many challenges that she has faced. Her voice is soft and husky, a lingering sign of her years as a smoker, and she spoke in a halting manner, weighing her words and feelings carefully. Rylie is in her mid-fifties, with a loving husband and family. They were a tremendous source of strength to her during her breast cancer treatment and subsequent hair loss, radiation burns, and wound healing problems. But Rylie is a fighter, and she was determined to overcome these problems so she could have her breasts restored and regain her life. Read More

Teri – Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomies With Immediate Latissimus Dorsi/Implant Reconstruction

Teri is young and pretty, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She has a natural look that is not enhanced by makeup, making her seem even younger than her 33 years. Slender and of medium height, she was dressed in a purple blouse and gray slacks with big gold hoop earrings and a thin band of gold encircling her neck. She looks like anyone’s daughter. Who would imagine that only 2 years ago she chose to have both of her breasts removed prophylactically (as a preventive measure) and then reconstructed? Read More