<?php
$my_content["index"] = "page_title";
$my_content["short_name"] = "immediate_reconstruction";
$my_content["section_heading"] = "Breast Augmentation";
$my_content["image_1"] = "recon-br-imm-exp-1-ap.jpg";
$my_content["image_2"] = "recon-br-imm-exp-3-ap.jpg";
$my_content["image_3"] = "recon-br-imm-exp-2-ap.jpg";
$my_content['image_4'] = "recon-br-imm-exp-1-ol.jpg";
$my_content['image_5'] = "recon-br-imm-exp-3-ol.jpg";
$my_content['image_6'] = "recon-br-imm-exp-2-ol.jpg";
$my_content['image_7'] = "recon-br-imm-exp-1-lr.jpg";
$my_content['image_8'] = "recon-br-imm-exp-3-lr.jpg";
$my_content['image_9'] = "none";
$my_content['pop_1_text'] = "Pop Text";
$my_content['pop_2_text'] = "Pop Text";
$my_content['pop_3_text'] = "Pop Text";

$my_content["summary"] = "An expander is placed under your skin and chest muscle; this will be increased in size over time to make room for a permanent implant.
.";
$my_content["text"] = "<p>At the time of mastectomy, a tissue expander is placed under the pectoralis muscle in the chest. Some saline is placed in the expander. After the surgery, a small needle is used to access a special port in the expander, and additional saline is put into the expander. The expansion process is to increase the size of your pectoralis muscle so that more of the final implant will be covered with muscle. This is usually a painless process, as long as not too much saline is put in at each time. As the expander gets bigger and tighter, the fills will become more difficult and will be more painful afterwards. After the process is complete, usually in about two to four months, the expander is removed and the final breast implant is put into place through the old incisions. The muscle is on top of the implant, which helps to hide the implant and make it look more natural. </p>

	
<p><u>Bilateral Mastectomy</u><br>
Bilateral mastectomy is performed for different reasons. Sometimes, there is bilateral breast cancer. For patients with cancer in only one breast, there is a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in the opposite breast, and some feel uncomfortable about the increased surveillance necessary to make sure that breast stays cancer free. The risk may be higher depending on the type of cancer, your genes, and your family history of breast or other cancers. If it is very high, you oncologist may even recommend a bilateral mastectomy. From a cosmetic only standpoint, implant type reconstruction is usually simpler and more attractive after a bilateral mastectomy, because the breasts will match each other well. The disadvantages of a bilateral mastectomy are increased recovery time, length of operation, and potential impact on your life. </p>

<p><u>Skin-Sparing Mastectomy</u><br>
For some patients, the skin-sparing mastectomy is possible. In this type of mastectomy, only the nipple and areola are removed from the breast skin, in addition to the breast itself. The nipple and the areola contain  breast tissue, and should be removed to decrease the cancer risk. If a skin-sparing mastectomy is possible for you, the plastic surgeon can use a 'purse-string' type of closure. The wonderful result can be a scar-free breast after all the reconstruction is completed. You may be ineligible for this type of surgery if you have a separate lumpectomy scar, if your cancer is very close to the skin, or if your surgical oncologist does not feel comfortable performing this surgery because of the small access it allows during the operation. </p>

<p><u>Nipple-Areolar-Sparing Mastectomy</u><br>
In certain patients, the incision for mastectomy can be made at the bottom of the breast and the nipple and the areola can be left in place. This leaves a small amount of duct tissue present in the areola and nipple, and so there is a very low but real chance that breast cancer can reoccur in this area. If your cancer is adjacent to the nipple, then you are not a candidate for this surgery. </p>

<p><u>Radiation and Breast Reconstruction</u><br>
Many extremely strong opinions are out there concerning the timing of radiation and your reconstruction, and what type of reconstruction you may receive.  For expander and implant reconstructions, there is a high risk of 'capsular contracture' when radiation is used with implants. Capsular contracture is the tightening of the natural scar tissue around a breast implant. This makes the implant feel firm, look unnatural, and can even be painful. This contracture can occur at any time after the radiation, from months to years, even if the implant is put in after the radiation is performed. Therefore, many surgeons use flap reconstruction, namely TRAM, DIEP, or latissimus flaps, because there is no possibility of contracture. Sometime, however, implants are the only reconstruction option, and the risks of radiation must be weighed against the benefits of reconstruction. Discuss your individual case with your plastic surgeon. </p>
";
$my_content['parent_short_name'] = "landing_re_breast";
?>