What to Expect After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign designed to help spread awareness and education about the disease that strikes one in eight women US women sometime over the course of their lives. This year alone, experts estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed, along with 61,000 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.

For many, a partial or full mastectomy will be part of the treatment plan. While effective, this procedure comes has physical, emotional and self-esteem impacts. So, breast reconstruction surgery often is included in the full plan to help a woman heal and feel whole again. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 106,300 breast reconstruction procedures were performed last year – a 35-percent increase since 2000.

If you’re planning to undergo breast reconstruction, know that you’ll likely feel tired and sore for a few weeks following implant surgery, but you should be back to your normal daily routine within six to eight months. Keep in mind that reconstruction does not restore normal feeling to your breasts, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be left without sensation. Plus, feeling may improve over time. Expect swelling and bruising to fade in about eight weeks and while scars won’t ever fully disappear, they’ll fade with time.

It’s critical that you follow your surgeon’s instructions on the proper types of bras to wear throughout your healing period. And, know that you’ll need to take it easy for a while. As a basic rule, you’ll want to avoid overhead lifting, strenuous sports and some sexual activities for four to six weeks after reconstruction. Some women report going through a period of emotional adjustment following reconstruction surgery. Talking with peers who have undergone reconstructive surgery can be helpful.

If you’re considering breast reconstruction, Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery can answer all your questions and develop a plan tailored just for you. Call 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation today.

Three Ways to Glam Up Your Look for the Holidays

Beautiful woman in black dress with glass of champagne

September is a great time to begin gearing up for the holiday season. If you’re already planning party menus, picking out Halloween costumes and shopping for Christmas or Hanukkah gifts, you’re ahead of the game. Just make sure that your look is ready, too.

Here are three top ways to glam up your look for the holiday season:

  • A chemical peel: A customized chemical peel can help clear away the signs of sun damage built up over the summer by removing the damaged outer layers of skin and leaving you with a smoother, tighter, more polished complexion. Formulas can be tailored for your particular skin condition and are highly effective for treating acne, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, liver spots and scars. Depending upon the strength of the chemical peel formula you choose downtime may be minimal.
  • Microdermabrasion: Another non-invasive way to get a more polished look is microdermabrasion. Your skincare specialist will use a minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand the skin, removing its thicker, uneven outer layer and revealing newer, younger skin. It’s a top solution for treating light scarring, discoloration, sun damage and even stretch marks. It also helps to boost the body’s natural production of collagen, the protein that helps keep skin firm, smooth and youthful.
  • Botox or dermal fillers: Injectables like Botox, which helps to relax overactive facial muscles, and dermal fillers like Radiesse, Juvederm and Restylane are among the quickest and most effective ways to smooth wrinkles, plump hollows, erase under-eye circles and minimize the appearance of scars.

Ready to vamp up your holiday look? Call 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation at Parkway Plastic Surgery.

What Really Happens When a Breast Implant Ruptures?

Woman thinking about breast implant

It’s been a top concern of women considering saline or silicone breast implants from the time they were first available – What happens if an implant ruptures or leaks?

The bad news is that ruptures and leaks do happen. Falls or car accidents can cause ruptures; unintended creases can weaken the surface of an implant and, in saline implants, valves can become unplugged or obstructed by tissue growth, causing leaks; and implants of both types can simply weaken with age, which is why plastic surgeons typically recommend replacing implants every 10 years.

But there’s good news. Despite scare tactics and misinformation, ruptures and leaks are statistically rare and generally harmless if addressed quickly and effectively. Because silicone is a relatively solid substance, the contents most often remain inside the shell even in the case of a break. With time, ruptured silicone breast implants can cause soreness, pain or inflamed tissue and change the contour or shape of the breast. However, contrary to persistent rumors, silicone breast ruptures or leaks have not been linked with breast cancer, reproductive problems or connective tissue disease.

In the case of a saline implant break, the breast will flatten quickly and the body will simply absorb the salt water. If not noticed and treated relatively quickly, soreness or infection can occur. But such cases are rare and easily treatable.

If you’re considering undergoing breast augmentation for the first time, or if your breast implants are more than 10 years old, Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery can help determine the best approach to ensure a beautiful look and safe, long-lasting results. Call 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation.