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breast reconstruction consultation Atlanta

Discussing Breast Reconstruction Options for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought now would be a great time to discuss breast reconstruction. As you know, breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure used to help restore a woman’s breast (or breasts) back to a normal shape and size after breast cancer surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 109,256 breast reconstruction procedures were performed in the US last year. That number is not that large when you consider that there are currently over three million breast cancer survivors currently in the US, many of whom may be candidates for breast reconstruction. It’s important for breast cancer patients to be aware of the various reconstruction options available to them.

That’s why I’m happy to provide some basic information on this procedure for potential breast reconstruction patients to consider. Determining that you would like to undergo breast reconstruction is merely the beginning of an extensive decision-making process. For starters, you must choose whether you would prefer to undergo your reconstruction procedure at the same time as your breast cancer surgery (known as immediate reconstruction) or sometime at a later date (delayed reconstruction). However, not everyone is a candidate for immediate reconstruction. Next, you’ll have to choose between reconstructing with breast implants or autologous reconstruction (or both), which uses natural tissue from other areas on the patient’s body. Check out the following video where I discuss what patients can expect during a breast reconstruction consultation.

Every patient is different. In order to determine which breast reconstruction options are available to you, it’s essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with considerable experience performing breast reconstruction procedures. During my breast reconstruction consultations, I am able to share the knowledge and the experience I have gained over 35 years of performing breast reconstruction procedures to help find the best surgical fit for your unique personal needs and situation. To schedule a consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, today. And for anyone who would like more access to our practice, follow along with me on social media to see before and after photos, practice updates, and much more.

What to Expect from a Breast Reconstruction Procedure

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Preparation for any surgery is crucial. But this is especially true for patients who are considering a breast reconstruction procedure. Breast reconstruction, a surgical procedure that can restore a woman’s breast (or breasts) after breast cancer removal surgery, involves a lot of choices that the patient and her surgeon will need to make together prior to the surgery itself. For instance, there are a number of different methods used to perform breast reconstruction, including reconstruction with breast implants, tissue expanders, or the patient’s own tissue flap. I believe that it is the responsibility of the surgeon to provide all the available options to their patients to help guide them to the surgical path that is the best fit for their specific needs.

I understand that mentally and emotionally preparing for any plastic surgery can be intimidating. After all, there are a lot of breast reconstruction choices to make. That’s why the pre-surgical consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon is so important. With this in mind, I have taken some time to detail some of the options and choices patients will have to consider during their breast reconstruction consultation phase. In the video below, I use the experience I have gained from performing this procedure for over 25 years to explain what patients can expect from their breast reconstruction.

As you begin the process of planning your breast reconstruction, it’s important that you feel as if you and your surgeon are fully on the same page, working as one to help achieve your goal of helping you look and feel your best. If you are interested in breast reconstruction or any other type of plastic and reconstructive surgery and would like to know more, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a consultation today. You can also follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery tips and information.

Questions to Ask Prior to Breast Reconstruction

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Breast reconstruction to restore a woman’s breasts after mastectomy can be a difficult subject to approach. Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott understands that breast reconstruction is more than just a bodily experience—rather, it is a mental, emotional, and physical involvement that takes full consideration by the patient.

While Dr. Elliott effusively covers concerns and questions with each patient to find the best technique to fit their unique needs and provide natural-looking, satisfactory results, it is important for the patient to do their part in requesting answers essential to their comprehension of breast reconstruction. Dr. Elliott values letting patients take the lead with their questions, putting their needs, desires, and inquiries at the forefront of conversation. Below, Dr. Elliott discusses questions that he recommends asking prior to breast reconstruction surgery, such as the length of the procedure and which breast reconstruction method may be most suitable for them.

 

 

We will be periodically posting new videos from Dr. Elliott discussing various aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the coming months. If you would like to schedule a consultation in order to have these questions personally answered, please contact us today. For more on breast reconstruction and other procedures, please visit Dr. Elliott’s website and follow him on  Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.