Breast reconstruction after cancer

OLD LYME, Conn. (WTNH) -- One survey says 7 out of 10 women eligible for breast reconstruction after cancer surgery are not even informed of their options.

Jessica Bialowas had a bilateral mastectomy and now she's ready for breast reconstruction.

"I'm ready," Bialowas said.

The 31-year-old says not having it was not an option.

"Some people it's not a big deal to them, more power to them. That's fantastic for them, whatever makes you feel good. For me personally, I had to have it," Bialowas said.

Jessica chose to have the latest silicone implants approved by the FDA earlier this year.

"It's more semi-solid inside and retains its shape better," Dr. Vin Pathy of the New England Plastic Surgery Group said.

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Vin Pathy is Bialowas' doctor.

"It doesn't leak anywhere because its a semi-solid," Dr. Pathy said. "We can reconstruct breasts after mastectomies using your own tissues, you can also do it using implants." 

Another option is using other body tissues.

"This is an example of the tram flap in which we take the lower abdominal tissues, the tissue that we would actually throw out in the tummy tuck operation and we'd use that to reconstruct a breast," Dr. Pathy said.

Dr. Pathy says most breast cancer patients are good candidates.

"While some people might not a good candidate for one type of surgery, they might very well be an excellent candidate for a different type of surgery," Dr. Pathy said.

Elizabeth Gilman had implants and Marquita Drayton chose the tissue based surgery.

"I wanted to feel like a woman the way I was before and I was not going to let cancer control me," Gilman said.

"I decided to have reconstructive surgery because it was my second time dealing with breast cancer and I felt that it was my only outlet to get even with the disease," Drayton said.

Choosing the right doctor is key.

"The choice is yours to make. In the event that you do choose. Choose your surgeon wisely, listen to all of your options. Take the time to do what's right for you," Gilman said.

"Even if you think there's nothing there, there are so many options. There's different levels and you really have to find the right surgeon that's going to speak to you and tell you what's out there and you need to ask the questions, don't be afraid to ask the questions," Drayton said.

For more information, visit: www.neplasticsurgerygroup.com and www.plasticsurgery.org .