| Q1 |
To the
patients who are currently taking thyroxine after having thyroid gland
excised due to a thyroid gland tumor, can they undergo breast reconstruction
surgery? |
| |
Taking thyroxine
wouldn't have any influence on breast reconstruction surgery. Patients
don't even need to stop taking medicine before or after the surgery.
However, massage is needed afterwards to soften the breasts in order
to look as natural as possible.
|
| Q2 |
Does it
require a surgery for men's breast feminization? How long does it
take to recover? |
| |
It is suggested
to employ the method of liposuction or excision. It would take about
a week to recover.
|
| Q3 |
Who is
responsible to perform professional rehabilitation? |
| |
The rehabilitation is
performed by qualified physical rehabilitation therapists or occupational
therapists who not only have expertise certificates but also are majored
in the relative professional areas:
Department of Physical Therapy/ Program of Physical Therapy in Department
of Rehabilitation Medicine
or Department of Occupational Therapy/ Program of Occupational Therapy
in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
In addition to the training in medical school, they are required to
have at least one-year practical experience and to pass the national
qualification requirements.
|
| Q4 |
Does a
long-term rehabilitation treatment require frequent visit to the hospital?
How could patients who live far away have their treatment? |
| |
Therapists will
design a complete exercise program for patients to do at home according
to each patient's needs. Patients just come back to the hospital at
their booked time for the follow-up periodical check-up, meanwhile
the program will be modified to enhance the effects each time the
patients come back to see the doctor. Unless it is a particular condition,
there is no need for patients to make follow up appointments for rehabilitation.
For the convenience of the patients, the therapy room will receive
patients for rehabilitation while waiting to see the doctor or to
collect the medicine. It doesn't require registration or extra fee.
Patients should make good use of this program.
|
| Q5 |
How long
does it take for after surgery scar to become smooth? |
| |
Whether the scars are
smooth and coalesce well depend on the following factors:
- the doctor's surgical techniques
- the patient's constitution
- the time for wounds to coalesce
- massage or rehabilitation exercise, etc.
It takes about 6-12 months for the scar tissue to become stable and
mature. To massage frequently, which patients can do by themselves,
is very important. If it is possible, gently pressing the scars for
5-10 minutes per hour; avoid scrubbing hard so as not to injure the
fragile tissue. If the scars are taken care of properly, they will
fade substantially in 6 months and the blood circulation in the reconstructed
breast function in a satisfactory degree in 3 weeks.
|
| Q6 |
How do
you choose 3M tapes? And how long should patients use them? |
| |
3M tapes are actually
breathable adhesive tapes, come in white or skin tone; there is only
a visual difference between the 3M tapes and the ordinary ones. The
patients who are sensitive to allergy reactions can purchase another
kind, whose material is similar to plastic and more expensive. 3M
tapes should be used for at least six months. They do not require
to be changed every day. The best time for changing 3M tapes is after
a shower or bath, as they are easier to be peeled off.
It takes time for new wounds to heal so the 3M tapes should be peeled
off gently and slowly in order not to cause the incision to open again.
|
| Q7 |
When can
the patients wear bras? |
| |
There are special bras,
which won't affect blood circulation in the flap, for patients to
wear right after the surgery. And the design makes it easier to look
after the wounds.
The wearing period should be of about a month; after that, patients
are free to wear any bras with steel frame inside.
|
| Q8 |
Can the
wounds be touched after surgery? |
| |
The flap can be touched
after surgery, but the area receiving microscopic blood connection
cannot be pressed, or it will result in insufficient blood circulation
in the flap.
|
| Q9 |
Whether
spouse caress is allowed after coalescence? |
| |
One month after coalescence,
patients can retrieve former marriage life and spouse caress is allowed.
|
| Q10 |
When can
the patients go swimming? |
| |
Patients can
go swimming three months after surgery.
|
| Q11 |
When can
the patients have nipple reconstruction? Will there be any extra charge?
How much does it cost? |
| |
Patients can
have nipple reconstruction about 3-6 months after the first stage
of breast reconstruction. It will be reconstructed with the flap already
transferred to the breasts and the halo will be done by medical tattoo;
there is no need to plant new skin. It requires only a local anesthesia
and takes 1-2 hours. The fee would be around NT$30,000-$40,000.
Before nipple reconstruction, if the two sides of the breasts are
not symmetrical or the normal side has drooped, patients can have
liposuction or plastic surgery 2-3 months after the first stage surgery.
Mostly this kind of surgery is performed with local anesthesia and
would be done in 1-2 hours. The charge is around NT$40,000-$50,000.
|
| Q12 |
Will there
be any difference in the colors of both halos? |
| |
The reconstructed
halo is done by the latest medical tattoo with sterilized needles.
The color shade will be adjusted according to the contra-lateral breast.
Generally they will look very similar.
|
| Q13 |
Will there
be any relapse? |
| |
Breast reconstruction
will not increase the rate of breast cancer recurrence, nor will it
conceal the examinees for recurrence or metastasis, since most local
recurrence occurs at the area of just below the skin, which can usually
be found by finger palpation. |
| Q14 |
Are patients
required to have breast self-inspection? |
| |
After reconstruction,
patients should have self-inspection once a month to check if there
are any
lumps. This is done for local relapse in the superficial area. For
local relapse in deeper parts ( in the ribs or lungs ), bone sample
scanning and computerized tomography are done in the hospital.
|
| Q15 |
Will the
reconstructed part loose firmness / shape when the patients get older?
How to deal with such problem? |
| |
While the normal
side droops with age because of mammal gland atrophy, the reconstructed
breast will slightly loose firmness and deform. If the patients are
very concerned about it, they can consider having mastopexy.
|
| Q16 |
If the
patients have symptoms of "frozen shoulder", can they receive
any treatments from traditional Chinese Medical Doctors? |
| |
There should
not be any problem if it is a qualified doctor, but patients should
beforehand inform in detail of their medical history and the construction
part should never receive any hot compress or steam treatment to prevent
any relapse of the tumor. Treatments other than the above mentioned
qualified practitioners are not recommended, such as at martial art
centers, patients should be cautious about it.
|
| Q17 |
How to
handle in case of appearance of flushing, and swelling, like pustules
areas around the wound? |
| |
If the areas
around the wounds appear flushing, and swelling, please check for:
(1) festering secretion on your underwear or bandage
(2) you have a fever
If positive, go to the doctor in charge during the clinic hours at
once or to the emergency room.
If you are at the ER, please do remind the ER doctor not to press
the areas in the breasts where the blood vessel is connected.
If the above situation does not occur except for small pustules around
the wounds, it may be resulted from the suture inside that hasn't
been absorbed. It may happen to some patients. In this case, nothing
to worry, please just make an appointment with the doctor in charge,
and ask the doctor to take out the suture.
|
| Note:
If there is a fever before the appointment, go to the hospital at
once. |
