Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a great to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy. Sometimes a mastectomy will not leave enough tissue to cover and support a breast implant. In these cases a flap technique or tissue expander is required. A TRAM flap uses donor muscle, fat and skin from the patient's abdomen to reconstruct the breast. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer it is a really good idea to at least discuss your options with Dr. Newman. If you have had breast cancer and had a procedure there are still several options to smooth scars, improve symmetry, or to even recreate a breast in a delayed fashion. This is a very complex topic through a very trying time in a woman’s life. Let us help give you your options so you can make informed choices.
There are so many exciting things that continue to happen in our Mountain Home community regarding breast cancer detection, treatment, and reconstruction. Baxter Health has introduced the 3-D Breast imaging tomography, which can help increase finding of breast cancer sooner as well as decreasing the amount of "call backs" for initial suspicious areas that turn out to be o.k. In addition, Baxter Health has joined forces with Highland Oncology Group of Northwest Arkansas for a new building right next to the hospital.
Make sure to have your breast care team, including a primary doctor, breast (general) surgeon, plastic surgeon, oncologist, and radiation oncologist all working together on your team before you make your decisions! This is all possible right here in north central Arkansas and northwest Arkansas!! It is simply amazing for a rural town the size of Mountain Home to have the full team of medical specialties.
The Peitz House Cancer Resource Center in Mountain Home is an excellent resource. If you or someone you know is dealing with any kind of cancer, go to the Peitz House to see how they can help.
There is so much information that is going to be coming your way as you navigate the diagnosis and treatment options and reconstruction options. Take a breath, we are all here to help navigate you through this process. Furthermore there are excellent resources that can help you educate yourself and your loved ones. Here are a few links that are very useful!
Click on the links below for additional information on breast reconstruction:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Cancer Society
Susan G. Komen
Peitz House Cancer Resource Center
Baxter Regional Breast Imaging Center