Dr.
Schusterman…
World-Renowned Surgeon and Expert in
Breast Reconstruction
•
Over
1200 successful breast reconstruction
surgeries performed since 1989
• The
first surgeon in Houston
to perform the Free
TRAM Flap procedure
MORE...
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Breast
reconstruction after a mastectomy can be an empowering
choice. When challenged with the loss of a breast
due to breast cancer or other disease, women today
have a wider range of treatment to choose from than
ever before.
At
a difficult time of your life, you find yourself faced
with an array of decisions. There are medical, emotional,
lifestyle and financial considerations, but exploring
one's options is a bold, proactive way to move forward.
Some of these options are explored below.
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Example 1 of the breast reconstruction
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Timing
Your Breast
Reconstruction Surgery
Immediate:
Breast reconstruction at the time of your mastectomy
is not only possible, but may be preferable in certain
patients. Immediate reconstruction not only spares you
the emotional burden of seeing ourself without a breast,
but also spares you the requirement of a second major
hospitalization and operation. Ask your surgeon whether
this is a possibility for you. When possible, immediate
breast reconstruction is preferred.
Delayed:
You or your surgeon may feel that you need a few weeks
or months following your mastectomy before you're ready
to face further decisions. There is no time limit, so
take the time that you need. Perhaps years have passed,
and now you're encouraged by the newer techniques.
Ask
your general surgeon to describe his or her expectations
for your healing process. Sometimes there are advantages
to completing other treatments (example: chemotherapy,
radiation) before beginning reconstruction. Or you may
choose to allow yourself more time to explore available
reconstructive procedures and to develop a relationship
with just the right plastic surgeon.
Types
of Breast Reconstruction Surgery
There
are two basic categories of reconstruction:
1)
Breast Implants
Following a mastectomy, the surgeon places an inflatable
or balloon-type tissue expander behind the pectoral
(chest) muscle. The incisions are sewn closed, and the
patient is released within a short time. A tiny tube
and valve mechanism is part of the expander.
Over
the next several weeks or months, the doctor will periodically
inject saline solution to gradually fill the expander.
This gentle stretching of the skin creates the space
in which a permanent saline implant will be placed during
a subsequent operation. Some patients find the "gentle
stretching" involves a small degree of temporary
discomfort. For
more information on Breast Implants, visit and review
the Breast
Implants page.
2)
Tissue Flaps
In this surgical technique, the breast is reconstructed
using a flap of tissue harvested from your abdomen
or back and relocated to the breast area. The tissue
flap, also called myocutaneous flap, consists of skin,
fat and muscle. For more information, visit and review
the Breast
Reconstruction with Tissue Flaps page.
Nipple
Reconstruction
As
your recovery progresses, your doctor will more fully
discuss nipple reconstruction. Two to three months
of healing is required before this second surgery
can be scheduled.
Shape
and color are created separately. First, on an outpatient
basis, tissue from the skin flap is rearranged to
form a nipple mound.
When
this is completed and the nipple mound has healed,
you will be scheduled (also on an outpatient basis)
for areola micro pigmentation. This process provides
color and definition - essentially a tattooing of
the area - in order to simulate a nipple and areola.
Areola
/ Nipple Repigmentation
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Insurance
Coverage for Breast Reconstruction
In
most cases, health insurance will cover most or all
of the cost of postmastectomy reconstruction. Consider
each step (example: the anesthesiologist). Check
your policy carefully to see if there are limitations
on what types of reconstruction are covered.
After
recovery from the primary surgery (and any requisite
follow-up procedures), many surgeons recommend an
additional operation to enlarge, reduce or lift the
natural breast in order to more closely match the
reconstructed breast. Keep in mind that this may
result in scarring of an otherwise normal breast
and may not be covered by your insurance policy.
Recurrence
of Disease
According
to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
(ASPS):
"Reconstruction has no known effect on the recurrence of disease in the
breast, nor does it generally interfere with chemotherapy or radiation
treatment, should cancer reoccur."

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Dr.
Schusterman…
World-Renowned Surgeon
and Expert in Breast Reconstruction
• Over
1200 successful breast reconstruction
surgeries performed since 1989
• The first surgeon in Houston to perform the
Free TRAM Flap procedure
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Pioneering
Surgeon: Dr. Schusterman was
the first surgeon in Houston to do the
Free TRAM flap procedure. SInce1989,
he has performed over 1200 breast reconstruction
surgeries. He has received many honors
and awards over the years for his accomplishments.
• Honors and Awards
Successful
Author: Books and chapters written
by Dr. Schusterman include in-depth discussions
on the Free TRAM, principles of reconstruction,
microsurgical breast reconstruction,
Free Transverse, and many more.
• Books and Chapters
by Dr. Schusterman
• Abstracts
Published and Presented
• Published
Articles
• Editorial
Boards
Accomplished
Educator: Dr. Schusterman helped
found the Department of Plastic Surgery
at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center (there was no department
of plastic surgery prior) and served
as its first Department Chairman and
also held the prestigious Charles McBride
Professorship of Surgical Oncology. He
has also held numerous other academic
and professional appointments, and has
lectured all over the world on the subject
of breast reconstruction.
• Teaching Experience
• Academic
and Professional Appointments
In-demand
Speaker: Dr. Schusterman has
been an invited speaker and presenter
at numerous national and international
scientific symposia on the subject of
beast reconstruction surgery.
• Presentations
at Scientific Meetings
Dr.
Schusterman also serves on local,
state, national and international committees devoted to reconstructive
surgery. |
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To make an appointment with Dr. Schusterman to discuss
your Breast Reconstruction needs, call 713-794-0368,
or use our Contact From.
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Where
Dr. Schusterman Performs Breast Reconstruction
Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Schusterman performs all plastic surgery
procedures at the well-equipped Museum District
Aesthetic Surgery Center and overnight stays
are in a luxurious Park View Suite at the
Park Plaza Hospital. Both facilities make
for a totally satisfying experience.
Read
more about these fine facilities and a patient
testimonial. |
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