“Today, a woman should end up having prettier breasts than she had before being diagnosed with breast cancer.” — Breast Health Institute Austin
Recovery from breast cancer treatment is not what it used to be. With breast reconstruction in Austin offered by Darlene M. Miltenburg Md, FRCS(C), FACS you will achieve the best possible aesthetic results in a caring, understanding, and informative environment.
Although breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can be a complicated and sometimes risky undertaking, Dr. Miltenburg believes all patients deserve to be considered. Dr. Miltenburg discusses surgical options with patients, regardless of age, co-morbid conditions, cancer stage, geographic location, insurance coverage, etc.
Breast Reconstruction in Austin
Terms to know about breast reconstruction:
Breast reconstruction means the creation of a new breast after the natural breast has been completely removed.
Mastectomy means surgical removal of the breast.
Immediate reconstruction is when the breast is reconstructed during the same surgical operation that the natural breast is removed.
Delayed reconstruction is when breast reconstruction is done during a separate operation.
Implant-based reconstruction uses a synthetic implant to reconstruct the breast.
Autologous reconstruction uses tissue from other parts of the patient’s body to reconstruct the breast.
Mastectomy and Reconstruction go Hand-In-Hand
When a doctor and patient begin to discuss mastectomy, they should also talk about reconstruction. Although it is true that reconstruction does not “cure” cancer itself, it is often necessary to restore the patient’s sense of well-being after treatment.
Reconstruction After Mastectomy is Covered by Insurance
Insurance companies are required to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomy in the United States. Prophylactic mastectomy for high-risk women is also covered (prophylactic mastectomy is when one or both breasts are removed preemptively, or to prevent cancer.) Insurance is even required to cover reconstruction on the contralateral breast to create aesthetic symmetry and make you look and feel your best.
What if I don’t Want Surgical Implants?
If you don’t like the idea of cosmetic surgery or breast implants, you can opt to be fitted with a post-mastectomy bra and prosthesis.
Once the incisions from the mastectomy have healed (about 6-weeks after surgery,) your surgeon can write a prescription for the bra and prosthesis. You can take the prescription to a shop and have both items custom-fitted. Some retailers will even make house-calls.
Today’s prostheses are made of new materials that are light-weight and waterproof, so you can wear them in the pool. They are also made from a cooling material, which is important when you are looking into breast reconstruction in Austin where the weather gets warm.
Talk to Other Women
Hearing the voices of other women who have been through mastectomy and reconstruction can help you decide whether you want to have breast reconstruction in Austin. Many women are willing to share personal stories, experiences, photographs, and their decision-making processes with other patients. These can be very helpful when trying to sort through you own thoughts and feelings.
Some great places to go are the Breastcancer.org Discussion Board forums called Breast Reconstruction and Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy, where women share experiences and support each other. The site BreastFree is devoted to sharing stories, photos, and other information about opting to have no reconstruction after mastectomy. Many women call this “going flat.”
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Breast Cancer Treatment Austin
Breast Health Institute Austin provides concierge service to women with breast cancer, women at high risk for breast cancer, and women with benign or unknown breast disorders. At BHIH, Dr. Darlene Miltenburg not only diagnoses and cures put puts every patient at ease with her caring and empathetic manner. All her patients are “patients for life.”
Contact Dr. Miltenburg at Breast Health Institute Austin Today.