What questions should I ask my plastic surgeon about breast reconstruction?
Use this checklist as a guide during your breast reconstruction consultation:
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
What will be expected of me to get the best results?
Where and how will you perform my procedure?
What surgical technique is recommended for me?
How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
How are complications handled?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?
Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure, and what results are reasonable for me?
Dana Donofree was diagnosed with breast cancer a day before her 28th birthday, turning her world upside down. The diagnosis led to bilateral mastectomies, breast reconstruction and chemotherapy, which left her grappling with a new reality and a body that seemed unfamiliar to her shortly before her wedding.
"There are so many things with breast cancer treatment that you can't control, and I felt with plastic surgery I was able to take back some control and have the ability to look and feel like myself."