"You have breast cancer."

Those 4 words hold great fear for many women. If you have been told this then you have probably gone through, and are going through the confusion, fear, questions, and emotions of being told you have something that can rob you of your life as you know it. Your stomach may drop, and your heart seems to stop as you struggle to make sense of the words. Maybe you are  even hoping that your results were mixed up with someone else's, that this really isn't happening to you. It's a bad dream that you can't wake up from.

One day your healthy, the next day your breast is gone.

Your doctor says, but wait, there is good news... You will live, but one or both of your breasts must be removed. For the many women being told this, it is just as devestating as their diagnosis. Losing any body part can be traumatizing, let alone our breasts. For many women, our breasts are very much a part of our femininity, and have an emotional and physical significance to us. They make up our shapes, give us curves, provide pleasure, feed our babies and allow us to feel like women.

When cancer threatens to take that away from us, it's normal to feel sad and fearful. Now, just when you are most vulnerable you must also make decisions that may affect you for the rest of your life.

Each woman has her own concerns.

Reconstruction may be the most personal decision you will have to make.

Some women ask, will a mastectomy get rid of my cancer? How will I look afterwards? How do I fix my breasts? What is reconstruction? For many women there are several people involved in treating and supporting them. But when it comes to reconstruction, your surgeon takes center stage.  

Any competant surgeon can remove a breast, but rebuilding one takes expertise. Your new breasts are literally in their hands, and the outcome of their work is what you live with. This is the time to do your research. Each surgeon may have a different opinion on how reconstruction can be accomplished, different personalities and skills.

When you are considering a surgeon consider there characteristics:

• Skill-Because each woman is different, a surgeon should cover all your options for reconstruction. It takes time, skill and expertise to rebuild and reconstruct a breast.
• Compassion-Are they sympathetic? Do they listen to you? A good surgeon will care about you, and your concerns. You deserve to be treated like an individual.
• Rapport-Its important to find a surgeon whose personality fits yours, one that you trust enough to take care of you when you feel and look your worst.
• Honesty-As hard as it might be to hear, pick a surgeon who will tell you what you can realistically expect, not what they think you want to hear.
• Staff-A surgeons staff will also play an important part of your reconstruction, and  you may be spending alot of time interacting with them as well. Are they nice when you call? Listen to your concerns? Are they warm and friendly towards you in the office?

It takes time to adjust to knowing you are losing a breast, and sometimes alot of tears. Even after you make the decision to have reconstruction, it is normal to still have doubts. Don't hide from your feelings, and enlist the support of your family and friends. There are many resources available, and comfort within the many support groups out there.

Here at Artistic Plastic Surgery we understand the issues and feelings that you are now facing, and we are here to help guide you during this journey and give you back your life, and your breasts. If you are facing reconstruction, as many of our patients are, you owe it to yourself to come in and meet with Dr. Dehghan, who has been helping change the lives of women on the road to recovery after breast cancer for over 12 years.  

When it comes to Breast Augmentation, the decision to have surgery is often the easy part!  Women know they want to have larger breasts, and they know when they want it... but then they are often left asking themselves, "What size is right for me?"

For many women having Breast Augmentation, the hardest decision to make is what size they want to be.

If you are one of the millions of women wanting to have breast augmentation you have probably been thinking about it for years. You have talked to your family or friends, looked online at before and after pictures, and have an idea of what you would like to be, but sometimes you are still not sure (or maybe even confused) about what implant size is right for you.

Alot of women will look at their friends and say...

Wow! Those look great, I want exactly what she has!

But what looks great on your friend, may NOT look great on you.

Until you have a chance to be examined by a board-certified surgeon, and have had an opportunity to try on implants with a sports bra at your consultation, what you think you want and what your reality is, may not be the same! Alot of women will look at their friends and think I will just get what she has, but breast augmentation is not one size fits all.

Remember this!

No two breasts are exactly the same.

Every woman's breasts are unique, and even if you were to be the exact height and weight of another woman, the actual measurements of your breasts will be different.

It is very important to communicate what you want to your doctor.

This is the time to be honest with yourself and your surgeon! Dont be embarassed to say what you want, how you feel and what your goals are. There isn't anything you can share with us that will surprise us, and we are not here to judge you. Our job is to help guide you in your decision making process and to help you reach your goals so that you are happy with your results!

We want you to love your new breasts!

A good surgeon and patient care coordinator will spend the time asking you questions to find out what it is you truly want and what your goals are. Speak openly so that your surgeon can tell you if your expectations are realistic and if he can meet those goals for you.

Your job is to try on implants, and find what YOU like!

Do not worry about what other people might say, what your significant other might say or want, or anyone else. This is about YOU! You have to live with your new breasts, shop with them, and dress them. Find what you like and then let your surgeon tell you if what you pick will look good with your current breast shape and size.

There are women who come in and say they want to be "just a little bigger" and will have pictures of women that are appear to be a "D" cup or larger (these women might be embarassed to admit what they like for fear of being judged, or they are worried about what people might think of them). There are women who want a certain look or a shape, that (due to their current anatomy) will not be an option.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean it will look good after! 

Holding back from communicating what you want can cost you thousands of dollars later on in the form of replacing your current implants for larger ones, or revisions on your breasts for not choosing a size within a range that fits your current anatomy.

The benefit to having a consultation is to finally get specific information based on your breasts, not someone else's. The doctor can talk with you, and evaluate your anatomy and take measurements of your chest and breasts to determine the best proportions for your frame.

Don't pick a size without your surgeon's guidance!

He's the expert who has been doing this for years, and will know what will look best and most proportionate on you!

If you are considering having a cosmetic surgery, then this article is for you. Choosing to have an elective surgery is big decision that requires thought, planning and realistic expectations.

Most people seek cosmetic surgery to feel better about themselves. Studies suggest that patients are generally pleased with the outcome and report improvement in self-esteem, social confidence, quality of life and freedom to do things that they were embarassed or afraid to do before.

However, while cosmetic surgery has become mainstream and much more accessible to people than ever before, it may not be appropriate for every person or every problem. If you are considering cosmetic surgery, take some time to think about and ask yourself these questions:

Why am I considering cosmetic surgery?

The healthiest reason to have cosmetic surgery is to improve a part of your anatomy that isn't responding to diet or exercise, never developed, has been significantly altered by pregnancy, weight gain/loss, genetics or to just improve your self-image.

The purpose of cosmetic surgery is to enhance your feeling of well-being and to encourage a positive feeling about yourself.

Am I having cosmetic surgery to please myself or someone else?

Cosmetic surgery cannot stop your significant other from leaving you, or bring them back. It can't bring you new friends, or get you a better job. You'll likely be disappointed if you are having cosmetic surgery for any of those reasons, or to please someone else.

Are my expectations realistic?

Cosmetic surgery can dramatically improve your appearance, but it does have its limitations. Surgery can't give you someone else's nose, stomach, or breasts. It is unwise to expect that cosmetic surgery can create the face of a celebrity or take 20 years off your anatomy.

Cosmetic surgery can help you have the best version of YOU!

Am I emotionally prepared for cosmetic surgery?

There are certain circumstances under which cosmetic surgery may be inappropriate. These include a crisis or a significant emotional change, such as divorce, death of a spouse or loss of a job. Also, surgeons are reluctant to consider cosmetic surgery on patients who are depressed or have significant mental illness.

Is now the best time for me to have cosmetic surgery?

Do not try to rush your recovery!

Plan your surgery when you are relaxed and can afford the time off to recover and heal afterwards. It is extremely important to plan for, and allow yourself the time you need.

Am I prepared to handle unexpected results?

Unexpected results occur rarely, but when they do occur, they can create emotional distress for both the patient and the surgeon. You must be prepared for the worst-case scenario and realize that it will require time, patience and a mutual trust between you and your surgeon to work toward improvement. Some surgeries have a higher rate of revisions than others, or take longer to see the final results than other surgeries.

Do I have a supportive caregiver?

It's important to have someone to support you physically and emotionally during your recovery. You will not only need someone to take care of you, but if you have children,  you will need someone to help with them as well. For some people, they find that they might more than 1 caregiver for their recovery. 

Beware of negative comments from friends or family members who may have issues with your decision to change your appearance, or who might want to persuade you against moving forward with your decision. There might be people who are not happy for you, and will let you know. This is why it is important to be confident in your choice and reasons to have cosmetic surgery. 

Have I considered and accepted the risks?

There is risk involved with any surgery, even if you are in good health. In addition to the general risks related to anesthesia, blood loss and infection, specific risks for cosmetic surgery include skin loss, asymmetry, slow healing, numbness and minor dimples and puckers that may require a touch up at a later date.

Can I afford to have cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance. If you can't afford the cost, the added financial stress could actually make you feel worse about yourself. There are many companies who now offer financing for cosmetic surgeries. It is important to make sure you know the terms of the financing loan, the expected payment plan, and the total cost after interest and processing fee's.

It is normal to want surgery for years before it becomes a reality. Take your time, do your research, find out what bothers you and why, and then when the time is right... move forward. It is best to be at a stable, and prepared place so that you can have a positive experience, and get the results that you are dreaming about!

When it comes to Breast Augmentation, you have choices in regards to what type of incision you want to use. Sometimes a patient will have a strong preference for one specific incision, but ultimately, your surgeon will be your best guide when it comes to the pros and cons of the incision that is specifically right for you.

 There are many factors that go into choosing your incision, some of these include:

• Your current breast size, and shape
• How much larger you want to be
• What type of implant you want (Saline or Silicone)
• Medical history, or health issues and concerns

There are three main incisions used in Breast Augmentation: The Inframammary (the fold under the breast), Periarealor (nipple incision), and Transaxillary (or armpit). Each incision site has its own set of pros and cons and are around the same length (silicone implants need a slightly longer incision).

The Inframammary incision hides nicely in the fold (or crease) under your breast, and is typically not visible while you are upright. This incision allows the doctor the most control over placement of the implant, with the least amount of disruption to existing breast tissue.

This incision works for almost all breast shapes.

The Periarealor incision goes along the areola complex, which is the pigmented area on the breast around the nipple. This is a nice incision if a person heals normally, and has a darker areola because the incision blends nicely in the transition from the paler skin of the breast to the arealor complex. This is also a good incision for women who do not have a fold under their breast.

If you heal poorly for any reason, this incision may not be a good match for your anatomy.

The Transaxillary incision is the incision that goes through the armpit. The biggest benefit to this incision is that there is no scar on the breast, and if you know you scar heavy or if you have had healing issues in the past, and don't want to risk bad scarring on the breast this incision might be right for you. 

Take note!  Other factors to consider with this incision!

The armpit incision is also the most visible to the outside world when you wear sleeveless clothing, bathing suits, or raise your arms. No other breast augmentation incision is visible when clothed.

If you choose this incision also consider the fact that by going through the armpit, it is the longest distance for the implant to "drop" to where it needs to be, and in the event a revision surgery is necessary you often can't go back through the original incision site on the armpit resulting in a new incision and scar on the breast.

You can go through the same scar when having a revision with the other two locations.

Regardless of which incision is used, the scars take time to lighten in color and fade, but there will still always be a scar that might be visible.

It is important to rely on your surgeon's expertise, keep your expectations realistic for your anatomy, and chances are, you will get the results you are seeking!