Other women, such as Angelina Jolie, choose to have staged breast reconstruction using implants. In Jolie's case, she also had what is called a "nipple delay" procedure about two weeks prior to her double mastectomy.

What is the difference between a mastectomy and a double mastectomy?

Medically, a "double" mastectomy refers to the combination of a single mastectomy (unilateral) for cancer combined with a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for the breast without cancer.

Can a double mastectomy really prevent cancer?

A prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove one or both breasts to lower the chances of getting breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomies that might be options. A prophylactic mastectomy can lower breast cancer risk by 90% or more, but it doesn't guarantee that you will not get breast cancer.

What type of cancer did Angelina Jolie's mom have?

She passed away 15 years ago, after a long struggle with breast and ovarian cancer," she wrote. "In June, I will be a month away from the age when she was diagnosed. I have had preventive surgeries to try to lessen chances but I continue to have check ups."

What age should you get a prophylactic mastectomy?

Preventive mastectomies are done most often on women in their 30s and 40s, but women at both ends of the age spectrum also have this surgery. In some cases, the decision to have this surgery depends on when a woman discovered her hereditary risk.

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Does insurance cover reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy?

It's important to understand what your deductible and co-pays are so you know how much you're going to have to pay out of pocket. Reconstruction surgery after mastectomy is usually covered by health insurance.

What are the disadvantages of prophylactic mastectomy?

A prophylactic mastectomy has the risk of: Bleeding. Infection. Loss of sensation in your breast.

What celebrities go flat after mastectomy?

People who choose to go flat after mastectomy are becoming much more visible. Lending their support are celebrities who are also going flat after mastectomy, including actors Kathy Bates and Anjelica Huston and comedian Tig Notaro.

Can breast reconstruction be done after mastectomy?

Surgery to reconstruct the breasts can be done (or started) at the time of the mastectomy (which is called immediate reconstruction) or it can be done after the mastectomy incisions have healed and breast cancer therapy has been completed (which is called delayed reconstruction).

Which BRCA did Angelina Jolie have?

She made this difficult decision because, having lost her mother to ovarian cancer, she discovered she carries a faulty copy of the BRCA1 gene – which put her at very high risk of getting both forms of the disease.

What is the downside of a double mastectomy?

Choosing to have bilateral mastectomies, rather than one, extends the length of the operation itself and pretty much doubles the other risks related to possible infection, problems with healing, or dissatisfaction with the outcome.

How often does cancer come back after double mastectomy?

Recurrence is still possible for patients who had either type of surgery. There are studies that show lumpectomy patients have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer recurrence with a 15% chance for lumpectomy patients compared to 6% for mastectomy patients over the course of their lifetimes.

Can breasts grow back after double mastectomy?

While the breast tissue itself does not grow back, it is crucial to understand that significant weight gain can cause the fat cells in the chest area to expand. This might lead to the appearance of a larger chest, but it is not the same as breast tissue regrowth.

Can you wipe yourself after mastectomy?

Dry shampoo and feminine hygiene cloths or wipes were also recommended to help patients stay fresh. Most patients are told not to shower until the surgical drains are removed, so these items can help with staying clean until it's safe to resume a normal routine.

Why can't you keep your nipples after a mastectomy?

The goal, however, of mastectomy is to remove any gross visible breast tissue seen by the surgeon. In contrast, at the nipple all that is left behind is skin. If we left only skin behind in the remainder of the breast envelope with mastectomy, then there would be concern that the skin will not heal and will fall apart.

What is the most common complication of mastectomy?

Does insurance cover breast implants after mastectomy?

It's covered by insurance.

Health care costs are often a primary concern for patients facing any surgical procedure. For breast reconstruction after breast cancer, it doesn't have to be. Federal law requires that breast reconstruction, in addition to other post-mastectomy benefits, be covered by medical insurance.

What is the safest breast reconstruction after mastectomy?

Implants. Reconstruction using a breast implant is the least invasive breast reconstruction procedure. It may not require extra time in the hospital if it can be done at the same time as the mastectomy.

What is the gold standard for breast reconstruction?

DIEP Flap breast reconstruction is the gold standard for breast reconstruction. DIEP flap breast reconstruction uses only skin and fat, WITHOUT any sacrifice of underlying muscle. Anyone who is a candidate for breast reconstruction is also a candidate for using her own body tissue.

How to make love after mastectomy?

Consider breast reconstruction or prosthetics.

If breast reconstruction surgery doesn't feel like the right fit, some women choose to wear a breast prosthesis under a bra or camisole during sexual activity, to reduce feelings of self-consciousness or to make them feel more attractive.

Can I go braless after mastectomy?

Before we get into bra shopping, know that you have another option — go braless! Some women are simply more comfortable without a bra, particularly those who have had reconstruction with implants and find that their breasts are perkier than they have been in years.

What does a woman look like after a mastectomy?

After a mastectomy – The scar will be across the skin of the chest. If you have surgery to the lymph nodes, the scar will also be in the armpit. At first the scar will be firm, slightly raised and red. Over the next few months, it will flatten and fade.

Which post mastectomy reconstruction has the highest complication rate?

For any complication, implant-based procedures were associated with the lowest rate (24.7%), while DIEP flaps resulted in the highest (46.9%). For major complications, both implant-based and LD flap procedures had lower rates, compared with PTRAM, FTRAM, and DIEP flaps.

Can you keep your nipples with a preventative double mastectomy?

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy may involve complete removal of both breasts, including the nipples (total mastectomy), or it may involve removal of as much breast tissue as possible while leaving the nipples intact (subcutaneous or nipple-sparing mastectomy).

How is the quality of life after prophylactic mastectomy?

Among women who underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, 84% were satisfied with their decision to have the procedure; 61% reported high contentment with quality of life compared with an identical 61% of women who did not have the procedure (P = 1.0).