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The type and timing of breast reconstruction is the patients’ personal choice. Let’s
hear from an ASPS Member Surgeon to better understand the difference between the different
approaches and the factors that affect the patients’ choice.
So the BREAST-Q is a patient-reported outcome questionnaire that our research group recently
completed. So it is a questionnaire that surgeons across the country are now using to give to
their patients to better understand the results of surgery, the results of reconstruction
through the eyes of the patient. Some of the things we’re seeing with the BREAST-Q, that
we previously didn’t have data to be able to understand completely, things like patient
satisfaction with saline compared to silicone implants. We have data now from using the
BREAST-Q that shows us that patient satisfaction with silicone implants, for breast reconstruction,
is in fact higher than it is for saline. This doesn’t mean that all women should have
silicone breast implants for breast reconstruction, but it is important information when patients
and their surgeons are making these decisions together. We also have data now, we look at
the results of reconstruction comparing breast implants to reconstruction using one’s lower
abdominal tissue. We see that in the long term: three, five and eight years after reconstruction,
patient satisfaction with the results of TRAM flap reconstruction remains high, whereas
with the results of implant reconstruction at three to five years after the surgery,
it may diminish. Again, this doesn’t mean that all women should have TRAM flap reconstruction,
but it’s important information when women are decision making about the type of reconstruction
they would like to have.
Now that I look at the results of what has happened to my body, I am just amazed, I am
absolutely amazed. I had no idea how well plastic surgery could look in such a drastic
deal. I just have slight scars on my breast and luckily I did also get a tummy tuck in
this procedure, and I’ve had three children, so after that it looks great. I’ve never
seen my tummy so flat and so wonderful, so I’m just thrilled. Everything’s just coming
together very well. There’s no pain and the surgery looks fabulous.