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What Does Breast Reconstruction Look Like

August 6, 2012 at 6:01 pm (FYI, Procedures)
Tags: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Breast, Breast implant, breast implants, cancer, Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery, Dallas, DFW, Fort Worth, Health, Implants, Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery, Saline Implants, silicone, Silicone Implants, Surgeon, Surgery, Texas, Tissue expansion, Women's Health

More than a third of breast cancer patients have one or both breast removed. These days surgery can create new breast that looks just like the real thing. The largest innovation is the “Flap” technique, which uses tissue from buttock, back, or

abdomen area to recreate the breast (1) so you don’t need an implant, a lot of the time this technique is done at the same time as the mastectomy then later a nipple is built from near by tissue. (2) If you are not a candidate for the flap surgery

(usually because you don’t have enough fat) you can opt for breast implants. During your mastectomy your plastic surgeon will place tissue expander under your chest muscle. Then once the area heals roughly 3 to 4 weeks a silicone or saline

implants is inserted. (3) A nipple sparing mastectomy provides an even more natural appearance: Cancerous tissue is sucked out of the breast while your skin and nipple remain intact and are filled with either a saline or silicone implant. If

your cancer is small and far from the nipple you maybe a candidate for this procedure. You should discuss with your doctor to see which method is best for you.

Information provided by: Health Magazine

Cancer Quiz

July 6, 2012 at 4:50 pm (FYI)
Tags: American Cancer Society, cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Human skin color, Melanoma, Risk, skin, Skin neoplasm, Sunburn, Tanning bed, Ultraviolet, United States

Rate Your Skin Cancer Risk…

Ah, springtime: The sun is out, the air is warm, and you’re tempted to soak up some rays. Will you increase your risk for skin cancer if you do? Unfortunately…yes…”SUN WORSHIPPING” can lead to melanoma. Your risk can rise due to several factors, including genetics, skin type, and family history

HOW HIGH IS YOUR RISK?

1. Do you have fair skin that burns easily? *YES *NO

2. Do you have a history of blistering sunburns or frequent sun exposure? *YES *NO

3. Have you ever used indoor tanning beds? *YES *NO

4. Do you have family history of melanoma? *YES *NO

5. Do you have many large or irregular moles? *YES *NO

ANSWERS

1. People with fair skin are at greater risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Pigmentation helps protect the skin from the suns harmful rays, and those with fair skin have less than other people, but even those with darker complexion can get skin cancer, so everyone should practice sun safety.

2. People who have had serious (blistering) sunburns as children or teens as well as those who are in the sun alot for work or recreation are at higher risk for skin cancer.

3. Indoor tanning with a lamp, bed, or booth expose you to the same harmful UV rays the sun does.

4. A family history of melanoma raises your risk of developing this disease.

5. If you have a lot of large or irregular moles, you’re more likely to get melanoma..

Total Body Photography with DermaTrak

May 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm (FYI, Procedures, Products)
Tags: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, cancer, changes in skin, Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery, Dallas, DFW, Fort Worth, Health, help, men's health, photo, photography, Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery, skin, Skin Cancer, skin Health, Surgeon, Surgery, Texas, Total Body Photography, Track skin cancer, Women's Health, Youth

Over View

DermaTrak Skin Imaging Centers: help you and your physician monitor changes in existing moles, detect the presence of new moles, and aid in screening for melanoma.
Total Body Photography (TBP) is also referred to as Whole Body Integumentary Photography and is an important tool for the early detection of skin cancer. TBP is a medical procedure in which the skin covering most of the body is documented in a series of sectional photos.
Melanoma is serious. Every year over 50,000 people in the United States develop melanoma. Every hour someone dies from it. Most melanomas have an early stage where many develop as changing moles. When detected and diagnosed early, melanoma is easily cured. When not found in its early stages it is very difficult to treat.
Mole mapping by TBP at a DermaTrak Skin Imaging Center is one of the best ways to document the clinical appearance of your moles for future reference. Leading medical centers and private dermatologists employ TBP to aid in the early detection of melanoma.

Services

The DermaTrak Skin Imaging Center will provide you with a book of photos showing your skin surface in sections and instructions for the effective use of your print book. Your custom print book will serve as the baseline for future skin examinations. Total Body Photography (TBP) is usually a one-time investment in your health care that may or may not be covered by your insurance company. You would only need to repeat the TBP if your body underwent significant changes: such as growing to adulthood, pregnancy, extreme weight change, or developing many new moles. The current appearance of your moles can be compared with your baseline TBP photos during your monthly self-examination and on follow-up visits with your physician. If you see a change, circle the location on the acetate covered print for review with your physician. This form of screening can reveal subtle changes in moles that may be indicative of melanoma in its earliest and most curable phase. Also, TBP may prevent unnecessary biopsies of moles that have not changed when compared to the baseline photos.

What to expect

Total Body Photography is a medical procedure in which the skin covering most of the body is documented in a series of professional quality sectional photos. A typical Total Body Photography (TBP) session takes only a few minutes. Because it is necessary to remove all clothing for TBP, a chaperone accompanies the patient and photographer at all times. You may bring your own chaperone, or one will be provided. TBP at a DermaTrak Skin Imaging Center is performed by a professional medical photographer where strict confidentiality is maintained at all times. While the TBP procedure may initially seem awkward and embarrassing, in the long run you should find peace of mind in knowing that you have taken a critical step toward ensuring your good health and well being.

Call our office at (817) 336-9450 to set up a consultation and to get your referral for Total Body Photograohy…

Take the steps to your health now and in the future

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