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Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and early detection is essential to prevent it from spreading and causing further harm.  Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be seen on the skin unlike other types of cancers. There are several ways to remove skin cancer, but the most common treatment that is effective and aesthetically pleasing is to surgically remove it which can be performed by a plastic surgeon.

For more advanced melanoma, the surgical procedures which can be performed by plastic surgeons include

  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsies where a surgical procedure is conducted to determine whether a skin cancer has spread to the body’s lymphatic system
  • Advanced Lymphatic Clearance Surgery may be used when melanoma has spread to the sentinel nodes in the body, lymph node clearance surgery is performed to remove all the lymph nodes in the target area

Read more about these advanced melanoma surgical procedures

Benefits of Skin Cancer Removal with a Plastic Surgeon

There are several benefits to having skin cancer removal performed by a plastic surgeon, including

  • Aesthetic Outcome
    • Plastic surgeons are trained in aesthetic techniques that can help to minimise scarring and improve the appearance of the skin after surgery.
  • Precise Removal
    • Plastic surgeons have a high level of precision when it comes to removing cancerous cells, reducing the risk of recurrence, and ensuring that all the cancerous cells are removed.
  • Experience with Reconstruction
    • If a large area of skin needs to be removed, a plastic surgeon can perform reconstructive surgery to help restore the appearance of the affected area.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery time after skin cancer removal will vary depending on the type of procedure and the size of the affected area. You can expect some swelling, redness, and discomfort in the first few days after surgery, and you may need to take some time off work to recover. You will also need to keep the affected area covered and protected from the sun to minimise the risk of scarring and promote healing.

Skin cancer removal with a plastic surgeon is an effective option for removing cancerous growths from the skin. With their expertise in aesthetic techniques and reconstructive surgery, plastic surgeons may help to minimise scarring and restore the appearance of the skin after surgery.

If you’re concerned about skin cancer, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss your options and get the treatment you need, get in touch with Dr. Mark Lee today.

Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought it would be valuable to raise awareness around post-mastectomy reconstruction options. While one in eight Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85, of those that have a mastectomy (40%), the rate of Breast Reconstruction is between 9% and 12%.

Despite a low uptake of breast reconstruction in Australia, current clinical guidelines worldwide recommend that Breast Reconstruction should be offered to all suitable women requiring or choosing mastectomy.

A big part of a surgeon’s role is to provide appropriate options and all the information needed around these procedures to make your decision-making process as easy, informative, and certain as possible. Dr Lee has significant breast reconstructive surgery experience and has previously developed innovative, minimally invasive techniques for the procedure, such as the scarless latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction procedure.

The breast reconstruction procedure can be done at the time of your mastectomy (immediate reconstruction), or it can be done later (delayed reconstruction). Breast reconstruction often requires multiple operations, even if you choose immediate reconstruction. Along with the timing of the procedure, there are three different Breast Reconstruction options

  • Implant based reconstruction
  • Tissue based reconstruction
  • A combination of implants and tissue

Implant based reconstruction

There are 2 types of breast reconstruction options using implants, Tissue Expander/ Implant Reconstruction, and Direct-to-Implant Reconstruction.

Tissue Expander/ Implant Reconstruction (Two Stage)

This is the more commonly performed technique in Australia. Step one of this procedure involves a tissue expander being inserted into the pocket created under your skin and chest muscle. The expander is partially inflated with saline during the operation after insertion and over a period of weeks to months more saline is inserted to gradually fill the expander. This process helps to gradually stretch the muscle and skin to the breast size desired. Once the skin over the breast has been stretched to the desired size, the expander is exchanged for a permanent implant.

Direct-to-Implant (DTI) (One Stage) Reconstruction

In some cases, there is enough skin to insert an implant under the chest muscle to replace the removed breast tissue. In these cases, there in an option to insert an implant directly without the need for tissue expanders.

Tissue flap reconstruction

There are two main types of tissue flap reconstruction – attached flaps and free flaps.

Attached Flaps

This method uses skin, fat and muscle from your back or abdomen, where a portion of tissue and muscle is tunneled under the skin from your back or abdomen to your chest. The new breast is then formed using this tissue.

Free Flaps

This method uses skin, fat and muscle removed from your abdomen or buttock, cutting the arteries and veins, then re-attaching to the blood supply of the chest wall. The breast is then formed from this tissue.

A combination of implants and tissue

In some cases, it may be necessary to use an implant and tissue to achieve the desired results. Your surgeon will be able to discuss your desired goals and the right procedure to work towards your goals.

Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Breast reconstruction is a highly individual procedure and may not be suitable for everyone, however Dr Lee and his team are always more than happy to talk about your options.

Resources

Increasing breast reconstruction rates by offering more women a choice, Article in ANZ Journal of Surgery, January 2014

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) launched Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day Australia in 2013 to raise awareness about breast reconstruction so all women, no matter where they live, have the same access to information.

In the spirit of BRA Day, this blog is about educating and building awareness around post-mastectomy breast reconstructions. A breast reconstruction is just one of many ways for women to restore confidence after breast cancer.

Did you know only around 10% of Australian women who have had a mastectomy go on to have a reconstruction?

While there is research showing there can be physical and emotional benefits for women who have a reconstruction, we believe not enough women are aware of all their options, or perhaps their options are not fully explained to them.

A mastectomy can be a very traumatic and personal experience for some women, and this can impact decision making when considering further surgery.

What some women don’t know is that in some cases, a breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as mastectomy. Undergoing a breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy will give the best aesthetic results as there will be numerous highly skilled specialists working collaboratively on your procedure.

Some of the benefi­ts of an immediate reconstruction are:

  • The cosmetic results are usually better
  • More of the skin of your breast may be preserved
  • The scarring on the breast itself is usually less
  • You will only need one major anaesthetic and recovery period
  • It will involve only one stay in hospital, avoiding the stress and anxiety around returning to the hospital for a second major operation
  • You will not have to spend any time without a breast

However, before you decide on breast reconstruction, there are some important issues you should keep in mind:

  • Breast reconstruction usually requires more than one operation
  • In the right circumstances, your breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy
  • Breast reconstruction may be a good option for you if you do not have additional medical conditions or other illness that may impair healing.
  • In some instances, cancer treatments may be delayed post reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a highly individual procedure and may not be suitable for everyone, however Dr Lee and his team are always more than happy to talk about your options.

Dr Lee has significant breast reconstructive surgery experience and has previously developed innovative, minimally invasive techniques for the procedure.

BRA Day is not about trying to talk people into having a reconstruction; but simply to ensure all women and their doctors to have a conversation about breast reconstruction so women undergoing a mastectomy are aware of their options.

Dr Mark Lee’s innovative approach to breast reconstruction can be a less confronting option for women. Mark has been working to reduce scarring in breast reconstruction in the hope it will make the decision for a preventative double mastectomy easier.

Dr Mark Lee’s plastic reconstructive scarless latissimus dorsi (LD flap) technique for breast reconstruction is receiving international recognition for it’s benefits to patients. The procedure allows the patient’s muscle flap to effectively be harvested without scars on the patient’s back.

This minimally invasive breast surgery technique is currently being undertaken at St John of God’s hospital in Subiaco.

Read more in the article featured in St John of God’s Wellvision magazine.