DIEP Breast Reconstruction: Five Questions To Ask Your Surgeon
By Abigail Aaronson
DIEP procedure borrows skin and fatty tissue from the abdomen to replace that which is removed during mastectomy. Because it represents the state of the art in breast reconstruction, it is even more important to be educated when choosing this option.
1. Is it an available option?
Because it is so new, some physicians may not even inform women that this procedure is available. This should not keep a woman from speaking up. A good plastic surgeon will introduce to all available option and provide referrals, even if they do not personally have significant experience with this new procedure. Because it requires an experience microsurgeon perform the surgery, it me be necessary to travel to find the best expert.
2. How many surgeries have they performed and what is the success rate?
100-200 would be a good base number for surgeries performed. In general, the procedure has a less than 1% failure rate so a rate higher then this would justify further investigation.
3. Can they guarantee that only skin and fat will be removed from the abdomen?
The differentiating factor of DIEP is that it does not remove any muscle, unlike TRAM. Insure that your doctor is not planning TRAM or a combination of the two procedures and that the contract states as such.
4. How will they assess whether you are a candidate for DIEP?
Because the reconstruction is often performed at the same time of the mastectomy, it is important to be able to choose the reconstruction option in advance. If a woman has had a prior abdominal surgery, a physician may state the need to see her vessels during surgery.
However, it may also be able make the assessment during consult using dopplers or ultrasound. Keep in mind that a woman must have enough abdominal fat available that can be removed safely to complete the reconstruction.
5. Can you see before and after photos and receive a referral list?
The physician should be upfront and willing to share both good and bad outcomes to give you a clear idea of all risks involved.
When choosing a plastic surgeon it's important to be prepared with plenty of questions - this list is just a start. Keep in mind that even after choosing a doctor with whom you are comfortable, remember that there are still many other factors to consider. Only your physician can take into account your medical history and body type to assess whether you are a good candidate for this procedure and help you make the best decision.
About the author
In Reading, breast reconstruction expert uses various techniques to change the size and the shape of your breasts to make them look fuller and firmer that in turn will enhance your self-confidence. To know about the various methods of breast reconstruction, visit http://www.berksplasticsurgery.comDistributed by http://www.ContentCrooner.com from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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