I first read this article to get a grasp of how many women are opting for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. I had chosen not to get reconstruction, and kept to that decision, for various personal reasons, even after my breast surgeon discussed reconstruction.
When the surgeons were asked why they did not refer women for breast
reconstruction, 64 percent said their patients were not interested, 39
percent believed that their patients thought it would take too long,
and almost half said the women were concerned about the cost, even
though federal law mandates insurance coverage for breast
reconstruction.“Women should know that breast reconstruction is an option, and not
just for wealthy women,” said Dr. Amy K. Alderman, an author of the
study and an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.
“Women should be able to talk to their health care provider about what
those options are for them. And if their health care provider doesn’t
bring it up, then women should do so themselves.”
I stopped for a moment, when I read that paragraph those paragraphs, and went back to the beginning of the article and reread it with a different spin. What made me stop and take pause was this wording…when surgeons were asked why they did not refer women for breast reconstruction, 64% said their patients were not interested…
This says to me that breast surgeons have brought up the issue of reconstruction to their patients, but the patients choice was not to take that route, and yet plastic surgeons are spinning this choice as surgeons not providing information.
To me, and based on my own experience, I can’t see a breast surgeon not discussing reconstruction with a breast cancer patient, simply because a patient’s decision will dictate how the surgeon will perform the actual surgery. For example, the TRAM flap, or other types of autologous reconstruction, will dictate how the breast surgeon closes the area.
This article also doesn’t address the fact that while insurance is required to cover reconstruction costs for breast cancer patients, that is not the only cost associated with surgery. The impression given for cost of reconstruction is only associated with the cost of surgery. The biggest cost is associated with reconstruction is the time need for recovery after reconstructive surgery. Cost of living while not receiving a pay check is a huge cost that is not covered by insurance.
So, after rereading the entire article, I have come to the conclusion that plastic surgeons are trolling for work, via the media.
ed. edited for clarity
