Many of our patients express concern about what to expect after breast reconstruction. In my discussions with patients prior to mastectomy and reconstruction, I always find it challenging to help patients anticipate what things will look like. In practice, we find before and after pictures to be a useful tool to address this question, but breast [...]
Breast Reconstruction
As a physician assistant who takes care of many women recovering from mastectomy and reconstruction, I have a pretty good understanding of what occurs during the post-operative period. Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery puts a huge emphasis on education as a practice, and being a part of this practice, I’ve learned so much about how to educate [...]
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Feb
18
Clark Schierle, MD, PhD on February 18th, 2011
What is the link between lymphoma and breast implants? 1 answer on Quora What is the link between lymphoma and breast implants? Although there does appear to be a real link between Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) and breast implants, the risk as we currently understand it is extremely low. With 34 documented cases in [...]
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Feb
18
Clark Schierle, MD, PhD on February 18th, 2011
Breast Cancer Awareness: What should everyone know about breast cancer? 4 answers on Quora What should everyone know about breast cancer? Women should know their options for reconstruction to restore the look and feel of their breasts after surgery to treat breast cancer. The Federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 mandates all [...]
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What do breast implants feel like? 5 answers on Quora What do breast implants feel like? Implant position (submuscular, subfascial, dual-plane, subglandular) will have a large impact on feel as well as how much of the woman’s soft tissue is covering the implant. The most common areas for palpability are along the bottom and lateral [...]
Jan
24
Janelle Marcuccilli on January 24th, 2011
What to expect with the tissue expanders? A good question. We are all individuals and, therefore, each of us experiences something different. One basic, universal experience, however, is “breast hardness” as the saline expansions progress. In my case, I affectionately referred to my breasts as Steel Bullets. What could be harder than steel? My breasts! [...]
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My name is Janelle Marcuccilli and this is my story. I was asked, “Describe what kind of woman you are.” I responded, “I am not one kind of woman. I am many kinds of women.” First, I am a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, godmother, friend, and volunteer. I am a senior citizen [...]