what type of attorney do i need for a botched mastectomy and reconstruction

by Vernon Bartell 9 min read

Can reconstructive surgery be performed during a mastectomy?

Aug 21, 2017 · Double Mastectomy: If there is a high risk of the cancer spreading, both breasts are removed. Skin Sparing Mastectomy: Areola, nipple and breast tissue are removed leaving the skin on top of the breast untouched. This form of mastectomy is performed when the patient intends to have immediate breast reconstructive surgery

Do insurance companies pay for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy?

Sep 08, 2018 · Botched Mastectomy/ Reconstruction Leads to Liability Lawsuit Against Surgeon, Mesh-Maker September 8, 2018 | by David J. Halberg, Esq. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer in the U.S. the No. 1 most common type of cancer in women – regardless of race or ethnicity.

How do Surgeons reconstruct a woman's breast?

Women who have experienced a failed or “botched” breast reconstruction after mastectomy in the past are often delighted to find out that our experience and expertise can help. Creative artistry and sophisticated microsurgical procedures allow the surgeons at our Center to correct or dramatically improve even the most disappointing outcomes.

Are you prepared for a mastectomy?

In autologous tissue reconstruction, a piece of tissue containing skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle is taken from elsewhere in a woman’s body and used to rebuild the breast. This piece of tissue is called a flap. Different sites in the body can provide flaps for breast reconstruction. Flaps used for breast reconstruction most often come from the abdomen or …

Is a botched surgery malpractice?

A botched surgery may constitute malpractice if one or more of the medical professionals involved in the procedure were negligent. Legally, negligence is medical treatment that falls below the standard of care.

What possible complications of breast reconstruction surgery should be considered?

Possible risks during and after reconstruction surgeryProblems with the anesthesia.Bleeding.Blood clots.Fluid build-up in the breast or the donor site (for a tissue flap), with swelling and pain.Infection at the surgery site(s)Wound healing problems.Extreme tiredness (fatigue)Sep 18, 2019

How much pain is normal after mastectomy and reconstruction?

Your Recovery Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel sore for 2 to 3 days. You may feel pulling or stretching near or under your arm. You may also have itching, tingling, and throbbing in the area. This will get better in a few days.

What is a mastectomy revision?

What is Revision? Revision is additional surgery to improve the aesthetic appearance of the chest wall contour. An unsatisfactory mastectomy closure can almost always be improved with revision, often dramatically.

Why do ribs hurt after mastectomy?

Most pain stems from damage to the intercostal brachial nerve, which runs under the arm and rib cage. But many other triggers exist as well: scarring, post-operative radiation therapy, some chemotherapy drugs, and the unusual sensations often associated with phantom pain.Sep 25, 2006

How long do you have to take off work for a mastectomy?

Recovering from a mastectomy Most women should be fairly functional after going home and can often return to their regular activities within about 4 weeks. Recovery time is longer if breast reconstruction was also done, and it can take months to return to full activity after some procedures.

How painful is a double mastectomy and reconstruction?

While recovering from surgery, most people have some pain. Recovery times vary depending on the specifics of your double mastectomy. After a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, it can take three to four weeks to feel mostly normal. If you also have breast reconstruction, recovery can take six to eight weeks.

How do you make nipples after mastectomy?

To create the nipple, the plastic surgeon uses skin from the area on the breast where the new nipple will be located. This involves making small incisions, forming the tissue into a nipple shape, and securing it with stitches. The areola may be created later by tattooing.Feb 9, 2022

Do you need to wear a bra after breast reconstruction?

Wearing a bra after you have recovered from reconstruction is largely a matter of personal preference. However, many patients choose to do so in order to support their new breasts and potentially reduce future sagging. It also tends to be more comfortable than going braless.Dec 14, 2020

Does insurance cover revision after mastectomy?

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, protects woman who have undergone mastectomies. If a woman's implants were put in after a mastectomy, and the doctor shows that removing the implants is now “medically necessary,” then the health insurance company must cover your breast implant revision surgery.Oct 22, 2018

Does insurance cover breast reconstruction revision?

Does Medical Insurance Cover Corrective Breast Reconstruction? Yes. According to the 1998 Federal Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act, medical insurance policies must cover every phase of a woman's breast reconstruction. This includes corrective or revision breast reconstruction even if it is years later.

What does the scar look like after a mastectomy?

As the wound heals, a scar will form. Despite the different approaches, most mastectomy scars heal in a horizontal line across the chest, a diagonal line, or sometimes in a half moon shape. Often, the incision type and resulting scar depend upon the original location of the breast cancer lesion.Aug 12, 2019

What is breast reconstruction?

Many women who have a mastectomy—surgery to remove an entire breast to treat or prevent breast cancer—have the option of having the shape of the re...

How do surgeons use implants to reconstruct a woman's breast?

Implants are inserted underneath the skin or chest muscle following the mastectomy. (Most mastectomies are performed using a technique called skin-...

How do surgeons use tissue from a woman's own body to reconstruct the breast?

In autologous tissue reconstruction, a piece of tissue containing skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle is taken from elsewhere in a wom...

How do surgeons reconstruct the nipple and areola?

After the chest heals from reconstruction surgery and the position of the breast mound on the chest wall has had time to stabilize, a surgeon can r...

What factors can affect the timing of breast reconstruction?

One factor that can affect the timing of breast reconstruction is whether a woman will need radiation therapy . Radiation therapy can sometimes ca...

What factors can affect the choice of breast reconstruction method?

Several factors can influence the type of reconstructive surgery a woman chooses. These include the size and shape of the breast that is being re...

Will health insurance pay for breast reconstruction?

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) is a federal law that requires group health plans and health insurance companies that offe...

What type of follow-up care and rehabilitation is needed after breast reconstruction?

Any type of reconstruction increases the number of side effects a woman may experience compared with those after a mastectomy alone. A woman’s me...

Does breast reconstruction affect the ability to check for breast cancer recurrence?

Studies have shown that breast reconstruction does not increase the chances of breast cancer coming back or make it harder to check for recurrence...