When considering and planning for breast reconstruction, it is important to find the right surgeon for you.
Identifying a surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery should always be the first step. You can always reference the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for suggestions.
Keep in mind that, like with any other professional, skill varies from one person to the other and that some of the newer advanced breast reconstruction surgeries require very specialized training that not all surgeons have.
Make a List of Surgeons
Once you have a few surgeons’ names, check to see that they meet the required criteria, such as being in-network with your insurance and having good patient reviews.
Schedule a Consult and Get a Second Opinion if Needed
Once you have selected who you believe may be the best surgeon for you, it is time to schedule a consultation.
If after the initial consultation you are unsure about proceeding with the surgeon, a second opinion is always a good option.
Getting a second opinion is always recommended, and when planning breast reconstruction surgery, it is important you have 100% confidence and comfort with your surgeon.
Ask as Many Questions as Possible
At your appointment ask as many questions as you need! Do not be afraid to show up with a notepad and a pen to ask questions.
Not sure where to start? Here are some basic questions you may want answered.
- Am I a candidate for breast reconstruction?
- What type of reconstructions are available and which one would you recommend for me and why? How long is the recovery for each one?
- Do you perform many of these surgeries every year? (ask for a number)
- Can the nipple be salvaged or reconstructed?
- What type of results should I realistically expect?
- What is the average cost and will my insurance cover it?
- How would the reconstruction be done?
- What are the benefits of doing breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy instead of waiting?
- Can I still undergo chemo and radiation therapy?
- Will my breasts be symmetrical after healing?
- Will I have feeling in the reconstructed breast?
- How long do breast implants last? Do you recommend them?
- What other changes should I expect to take place in the donor site if doing a flap surgery?
- How will the breasts look over time as I age?
- Do you have any past patients I could speak with before making a decision?
- Can you show me before and after pictures?
Contact Us for a Consultation Regarding Breast Reconstruction
We have a driving principle to help rebuild lives after cancer. We would like to empower you to know all the options available so you can, in turn, decide on the best course of action.
We perform over 700 flap-based reconstructions per year. Very few places in the world can make this claim. We are experts in microsurgical breast reconstruction and have over 25 years of experience. We can help you on your journey to be whole again. Reach us at 800-692-5565 or schedule a virtual consultation.
It is a great honor to be part of a team with such a rich tradition of excellent patient care, shares Dr. Andrew Gassman, the newest surgeon to join the PRMA team. Years and years of procedure fine tuning with individualized care means our patients truly benefit from both efficiency and experience.
Leave Comment
Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter
Continue Reading
What Everyone Should Know About Breast Cancer
What Everyone Should Know About Breast Cancer October 19, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Breast cancer affects many women in the United States and around the world. For every 8 women in the United States, 1 will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Women, and men, also have an increased risk of […]
What October Means To Me
What October Means To Me October 07, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated around the country every October. The occasion brings attention to breast cancer, but many people affected have mixed feelings about it. There’s no doubt this awareness campaign means different things to different people. For some, it’s […]
Top 3 Reasons Patients Delay Breast Reconstruction
Top 3 Reasons Patients Delay Breast Reconstruction September 27, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When considering breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, patients have two timing options. Immediate or delayed. Immediate breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. There are many benefits to immediate reconstruction. These include shorter recovery and […]
Should I Lose Weight Before DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction?
Should I Lose Weight Before DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction? September 16, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for DIEP flap breast reconstruction, many women wonder if they should lose weight. This is an excellent question! While there is no textbook answer, there are some general recommendations we share with patients. Is weight loss […]
How Long Does It Take For The Swelling To Go Down After Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
How Long Does It Take For The Swelling To Go Down After Breast Reconstruction Surgery? September 09, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Following breast reconstruction surgery, the body will naturally swell as part of the healing process. Although swelling can sometimes be uncomfortable, it is an important part of the body’s natural recovery. What […]
DIEP Flap Reconstruction: Exploring the Science Behind the Surgery
DIEP Flap Reconstruction: Exploring the Science Behind the Surgery August 10, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin The DIEP flap procedure is the most advanced type of breast reconstruction and is considered the gold standard at PRMA Plastic Surgery. Studies have shown the procedure provides women a good long-term quality of life, which is the […]
Why Patients Choose PRMA Plastic Surgery
Why Patients Choose PRMA Plastic Surgery July 29, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin At PRMA our passion and sole focus is rebuilding lives after breast cancer. Our surgeons have over 100 years of combined microsurgical experience. Our expertise is just one of the reasons PRMA is a world leader in breast reconstruction. Since opening […]
Patient Shares Her Recovery Experience After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Patient Shares Her Recovery Experience After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery July 29, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin It is a common misconception that patients have a long and difficult recovery after breast reconstruction surgery. At PRMA Plastic Surgery, patient comfort is one of our top priorities. Thanks to PRMA’s new Enhanced Recovery After […]
Latissimus Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect
Latissimus Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect July 22, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin After a Mastectomy, many women choose to undergo breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction methods can range from implants to using the patient’s tissue (referred to as a “flap”) to recreate the affected breast. There are many different types of flap procedures […]
Recover Faster With PRMA’s Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol
Recover Faster With PRMA’s Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol July 19, 2021 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Each surgery has a different recovery period; some can be a matter of hours, while some may take weeks. People tend to think that what they do during the time after surgery will dictate how quickly they recover, […]
No Comments