Numbness After Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Frank DellaCroce, or “Dr. D” as he has come to be known, is a founding partner of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans. Board-certified in plastic surgery, Dr. D has performed thousands of reconstructive procedures, both for women diagnosed with breast cancer and women at high risk of the disease who choose to have prophylactic breast removal. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He also has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

In this podcast, Dr. DellaCroce talks about why numbness happens after mastectomy or breast reconstruction and factors that can affect how much sensation returns.

Listen to the podcast to hear him explain:

• the differences between immediate and delayed reconstruction and how each procedure can affect the potential for sensation to return
• the difference between implant reconstruction and autologous reconstruction and how each procedure can affect the potential for sensation to return
• how the type of mastectomy can affect the potential for sensation to return
• why we need more research on using nerve grafts to possibly help sensation return

Running time: 42:43