Initial Breast Reconstruction Consultation

After you have conducted a careful search of qualified physicians in your area, make a list of those you would like to call. Then call each physician's office with a list of questions that are important to you. Next, choose two or three physicians that you feel comfortable with and make a consultation appointment.

When choosing a surgeon, who is experienced with breast reconstruction, you should know the answers to the following questions:

• How many breast reconstruction procedures does the surgeon perform each year?
  
  
• For how many years has the surgeon performed breast implant procedures?
  
  
• Is the surgeon board certified? If so, by what board?
  
  
• In what states is the surgeon licensed to practice surgery? Keep in mind that some states provide information to prospective patients about a surgeon's history that includes disciplinary action and malpractice claims and settlements. This information can be obtained by request or found on the Internet.
  
  
• What is the most common complication the surgeon encounters with breast reconstruction?
  
  
• What is the surgeon's reoperation rate with breast implantation, and what type of reoperation performed by the surgeon is the most common?

Questions You Should Ask A Surgeon About Breast Reconstruction

• What are all my options for breast reconstruction?
• What are the risks and complications of each type of breast reconstruction surgery and how common are they?
• What if my cancer recurs or occurs in the other breast?
• Will reconstruction interfere with my cancer treatment?
• How many steps are there in each procedure and what are they?
• How long will it take to complete my reconstruction?
• How much experience do you have with each procedure?
• Do you have before/after photos I can look at for each procedure; what results are reasonable for me?
• What will my scars look like?
• What kind of changes in my implanted breast can I expect over time?
• What kind of changes in my implanted breast can I expect with pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breast?
• Can I talk with other patients about their experiences?
• For staged reconstruction, what is the estimated total cost of each procedure?
• How much will my health insurance cover, especially any complication that may require further surgery?
• How much pain and discomfort will I feel and for how long?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• Will I need blood transfusions and can I donate my own blood?
• When will I be able to resume my normal activity, sexual activity or athletic activity?
• Who is the manufacturer of my breast implant?
• Does the manufacturer have a product limited warranty?
• What is the voluntary patient registry?

After you have visited with each surgeon on your list and have had all of your questions completely answered, choose the surgeon that you feel is the best match for you.

Several important factors may affect your individual procedure, recovery and final result. You should have a thorough understanding of these factors and carefully discuss them with your physician. They include:

• Your overall health
• Your chest structure and overall body shape
• Your healing capabilities, which can be affected by smoking, alcohol and various medications
• Prior breast surgeries
• Bleeding tendencies
• Infections
• Scarring of the incision
• Predisposition to develop a hardened capsule around the implant