Restoring Confidence: Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery

It is breast cancer awareness month! Breast cancer is a life-altering diagnosis that affects millions of women worldwide. While the physical and emotional toll of battling this disease can be overwhelming, advancements in medical science and plastic surgery offer a ray of hope. Breast cancer reconstructive surgery plays a crucial role in helping women regain their confidence and sense of self after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.

_{Photo by Nadezhda Moryak: https://www.pexels.com/photo/breast-cancer-illustration-on-pink-surface-8685421/}

Breast cancer reconstructive surgery aims to restore the physical appearance of the breast following a mastectomy. However, it goes beyond mere aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in helping patients rebuild their self-esteem and regain a sense of wholeness. Here are some key reasons why breast cancer reconstruction is essential:

1. Restoring Self-Esteem: Many women experience a loss of self-esteem and body image after a mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can help restore their confidence and provide emotional healing.
2. Psychological Well-Being: A woman’s breasts are often closely tied to her sense of femininity and identity. Reconstruction can significantly improve her mental well-being, reducing anxiety and depression.
3. Physical Symmetry: Breast reconstruction can help maintain the symmetry of the chest, ensuring that clothing fits comfortably and naturally. This also helps alleviate issues with posture and balance.
4. Enhancing Quality of Life: Breast reconstruction helps women return to their pre-cancer lives with increased confidence, making it easier to engage in activities they enjoyed before their diagnosis.

The decision to undergo breast cancer reconstruction is highly personal and should be made in consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon. Factors such as overall health, cancer treatment plan, and individual preferences will influence the choice of the reconstruction method.

Elevating Confidence: Understanding Breast Lift Surgery

Today, we’ll discuss a popular procedure that has helped many individuals regain their self-confidence and rejuvenate their appearance: breast lift surgery.

Photo by Marina Ryazantseva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-undressing-8956318/

The Basics of Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure designed to address sagging breasts and restore a more youthful, lifted contour. This surgery is often sought by individuals who have experienced changes in breast shape and position due to factors such as pregnancy, weight fluctuations, aging, or genetics.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery may be a suitable option if you:

1. Experience Breast Sagging: If your breasts have lost their youthful perkiness and have started to sag, a breast lift can help reposition them for a more youthful appearance.
2. Have Nipple Asymmetry: Uneven nipple position can be corrected during a breast lift procedure, resulting in a more balanced and symmetrical appearance.
3. Are in Good Health: As with any surgical procedure, being in good overall health is essential for a safe and successful outcome. Your surgeon will evaluate your medical history during the consultation.

The Consultation Process

Before undergoing a breast lift, a comprehensive consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial. During this initial meeting, you will:

• Discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations.
• Undergo a thorough examination to assess your breast size, shape, skin elasticity, and degree of sagging.
• Review the surgical approach that is best suited to achieve your desired results.
• Have the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns.

Understanding the Surgical Procedure

Breast lift surgery typically involves the following steps:

1. Anesthesia: You will be placed under either local anesthesia with sedation (for minor lifts) or general anesthesia, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations.
2. Incision Placement: Incisions are strategically made, often following the natural contour of the breast and around the areola.
3. Reshaping and Lifting: The underlying breast tissue is reshaped and lifted to a higher position, and excess skin is removed to create a firmer, more youthful appearance.
4. Nipple Repositioning: The nipple and areola are repositioned to achieve better symmetry.
5. Closing Incisions: The incisions are meticulously closed with sutures.

Recovery and Results

Recovery after a breast lift varies from person to person but typically involves:

• Swelling and bruising that gradually subside over a few weeks.
• Wearing a supportive bra to aid in healing.
• Following post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon.

Patients often report feeling more confident and comfortable in their own skin after breast lift surgery. The results are long-lasting, provided that a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle are maintained.

Final Thoughts

Breast lift surgery can be a transformative experience, helping you regain youthful contours and renew your self-assurance. If you’re considering this procedure, we encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your unique needs and guide you toward achieving the beautiful, uplifted breasts you desire. Remember that safety, expertise, and open communication with your surgeon are key to a successful breast lift journey.

The importance of hand therapy

After hand surgery, our office will work to obtain authorization from your insurance for hand therapy. Hand therapy is physical therapy for your hands, by certified occupational hand therapists. Hand therapists are specialized, skilled professionals who help guide you towards recovery in a safe and progressive manner. They understand hand anatomy as well as the phases of healing, in order to aid you in achieving your functional goals for hand movement, strength and sensibility.

Photo credit Tiana at Pexels; https://www.pexels.com/@tiana-18128/

However, the most important aspect of hand therapy is the homework that you do on your own– exercises that help you improve and gain endurance and flexibility on a daily basis! Your motivation and desire to optimize your hand function and to succeed are the most important factors in your ideal recovery.

We love working with our trusted hand therapists to make you better!

How are surgical drains removed in clinic?

For patients undergoing tissue expander/implant based reconstruction, a surgical drain (also called a JP drain, or Jackson-Pratt drain) is generally used to help control post-procedure oozing and to help avoid excessive fluid collection at the surgical site. Many patients ask how these drains are removed, and if removal of the drain is painful. The answer is that no, removal of a drain is not painful, and is done in the clinic setting after surgery!

Dr Ng demonstrates how easily and painlessly a drain is removed in this video. For more educational plastic surgery videos, visit our YouTube Channel. Let us know if you have any comments or questions!

Oncoplastic breast lift/breast reduction

Visit Dr Ng’s YouTube channel to learn more about oncoplastic breast reduction/breast lift surgery, and how Dr Ng works with your surgical oncologist/breast surgeon to help you with your reconstruction. Dr Ng also provides information about scars and expected recovery!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8poD6j

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Earlobe repair

Earlobes can become torn or stretched for many reasons, including trauma from earrings or from intentional stretching of the lobe from larger earrings over time. Sometimes, patients wish to set the clock back and change the appearance of their earlobes with repair of an acquired hole or defect. At other times, patients may have a keloid on the ear lobe that they wish to have surgically removed. Ear lobe repair is an in-office procedure done under local anesthetic alone, with immediately visible and satisfying results. Patients may choose to get their ears re-pierced once they have fully healed.

Call our office at 714-988-6330 to book your consultation with Dr Ng, for a personalized plan to address your earlobe concerns.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

What is otoplasty?

Setback otoplasty, more commonly known as ear pinning, is a surgical procedure to help reposition ear protrusion so that the ears sit closer to head. This is a procedure most often done for children who are bothered by the appearance of their ears. Setback otoplasty can also be performed for adult patients. Dr. Ng is experienced in performing this surgery for both pediatric and adult patients.

Approximately 5% of the population has prominent ears. As a surgeon, Dr. Ng aims to obtain symmetry, avoid sharp edges, and ensure minimal signs of surgery. She also checks that the ears are not then positioned TOO close to the head to ensure a natural appearance. Dr. Ng takes the time to evaluate each patient’s individual goals, preferences and individual anatomy in developing a plan.

When evaluating a patient for otoplasty, Dr. Ng will measure the distance between the helical rim (edge of the ear) to the head at different points, in order to determine the degree of ear prominence. Dr. Ng will make a personalized surgical plan to address each patient’s concerns.

In order to schedule a cosmetic consultation for setback otoplasty, make an appointment to see Dr Ng at her office at 714-988-6330.

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Fillers contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in our skin that holds water, keeping skin hydrated and youthful.

A very small needle is used; alternatively, sometimes a small cannula is used for injection.

How much filler do you need? For first time patients interested in undergoing injectables, this depends on what concerns you wish to address. In general, it is best to start with a 1 syringe or part of 1 syringe, and if more is desired, additional treatments can be scheduled.

Keep in mind that the amount of filler in 1 syringe is only 1 cubic centimeter, or 1 milliliter in volume. What does this really mean? Dr. Ng shares an in depth look on her YouTube Channel.

Single incision minimally invasive neck lift

Dr. Ng also specializes in the “single incision minimally invasive neck lift”. This procedure carries minimal downtime. This procedure is perfect for patients who have some excess skin or fat of the neck, or who wish for reduction in the “double chin” or “turkey neck”, and for patients who are not ready for a facelift nor a full necklift.

A small incision is made in a crease at the front of the neck, hidden under the chin. Liposuction is performed to remove excess fat, and the neck muscles are tightened for more definition, while the skin is re-draped in a more pleasing contour. Patients go home the same day, and a small drain is removed in clinic the next day. Social downtime is approximately 1 day.

Is a necklift right for you?

For your personalized necklift consultation, call Dr. Ng’s office for an appointment at 714-988-6330.

Basal joint hand arthritis

CMCJ arthritis, also known as carpometacarpal joint arthritis or basal joint hand arthritis, is the most common presenting location of osteoarthritis in the hand. Over time with use of our hands, cartilage at joints may wear down, leading to bone rubbing on bone. This can be painful, and is known as osteoarthritis. Sometimes this can appear on hand x rays as osteophytes, or bony protrusions in the joint, or as joint space narrowing or subluxation.

With osteoarthritis, hand pain can be aggravated by daily activities.

There are different treatments for this type of hand arthritis. Often, an early treatment includes ice, rest, splinting, elevation, or hand therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and to help you find other ways to use your hand in order to minimize pain while maximizing function. Next, another treatment is a steroid injection. This is an in-office clinic procedure wherein Dr. Ng places a mixture of local anesthetic (lidocaine) and triamcinolone (steroid, to decrease inflammation) into the joint.

However, sometimes conservative measures do not help enough. If this is the case, Dr. Ng will talk to you about surgical options, which can include joint arthroplasty, or removal/replacement/resuspension of the joint. A consultation with a board certified hand surgeon such as Dr. Ng can be the first step to improvement in your symptoms of CMCJ arthritis.