Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day
In 1998, a federal law went into place that provides protections to patients who choose to have breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy. Even though the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) has been around for nearly 20 years, we are contacted far too often by women wishing they had the choice to reconstruct, or knew that they even had the option following their mastectomy. We always advocate that breast reconstruction is a personal choice. It's your body, and it's your decision, but we all deserve to know more about our options.
Did you know...
- If your lumpectomy left you with results that you are not pleased with, YOU can see a plastic surgeon to review your options for reconstruction?
- If you have a unilateral mastectomy, and chose to rebuild your breast, you can also reduce or lift the other to keep symmetry, if you wish?
- If you have a bilateral mastectomy, opt out of reconstruction, that a plastic surgeon can still help with scarring and any excess tissue that may have been a result of the procedure
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That you have the option for your port to be placed in your arm, instead of your chest?
My plastic surgeon told me that, NOT my oncologist!
What is BRA Day?
I had the honor to be interviewed by Plastic Surgery News in their annual Breast Reconstruction Supplement to discuss these important issues about choice, and decision making, and highlight our incredible #CancerlandxAO New York Fashion Week show EXPOSED. We put 16 courageous individuals on the runway to show the world what breast cancer really looks like....with or without breasts. We are complete, we are proud, and we will stand tall together, as a united front, as we conquer this disease once and for all. It is with heavy hearts, we have already said goodbye to two of the #Magnificent16 already this year, as a result of metastatic breast cancer.
So to say I am humbled to stand next to so many supporters of AnaOno in the plastic surgery community, is not even touching on how incredibly thankful I am. Thankful that they not only continue to find innovative, and alternative options, and not just to reconstruct a breast that was ravaged by cancer, but also to find ways to keep us in tact, without having to lose a vital piece of our sexuality and identity.
Thank You
4 Responses
Tanja M Contreras
Can you please help me find the right surgeon to help me get my breast looking ok again after lumpectomy two years ago and two reconstructive surgeons I was both times denied by my insurance company I have almost no self esteem after all than happened my marriage suffered and I just want to feel whole again please help if you can .. thank you
AnaOno
Hello Lora! We are planning to expand our sizes. We are always looking for feedback while developing new sizes and styles. Would you be interested in being a fit model? If so please email us at cs@anaono.com
Lora Clark
I am a survivor. I had a unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction which didn’t work out. So now I am boobless on the left and a 44 DD on the right. Your pretty bras don’t seem to come that large. Why?
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Also in In the Dressing Room
HOW A PLASTIC SURGEON ACTUALLY SEES HIS RECONSTRUCTED PATIENTS
AN ARTIST & THRIVER’S TIPS FOR RECLAIMING YOURSELF THROUGH CREATIVITY
Guest Post: Katharine Doughty
When I found a lump in my chest in early 2010, I was ten years into a series of 26 self-portraits with four 4 images to complete. A theme of reclaiming runs throughout the project: reclaiming of self-representation, of our personal and collective stories and the power of visual image. Be it ten years or ten minutes, the essential gift is the same: focused discovery and reflection via the arts allows us to be a witness to ourselves. To hear and respond creatively to our bodies with our bodies is to reclaim a role in the healing of our bodies.
IT'S TIME TO RECLAIM
we’re in this together
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Melanie Testa
March 04, 2018
Let’s get them to acknowledge that flat is reconstruction too. They refused to pay for mine because they don’t acknowledge that flat reconstruction is a valid choice.