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Correcting Breast Asymmetry After Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction

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The goal of breast reconstruction after mastectomy is to restore symmetry – to create a breast with the shape and softness of the original that is in proportion with her opposite breast as well as the rest of a woman’s body. Matching a reconstructed breast to the existing natural breast may not be possible in […]

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Nipple Reconstruction: Creating a Natural Breast After Mastectomy

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Breast reconstruction recreates a breast mound either with implants or with the woman’s own tissue. In either case, nipple reconstruction can be performed in a separate surgery from the original breast reconstruction. Modern techniques in mastectomy and breast reconstruction offer women many options. Many women are candidates for nipple-sparing mastectomy, in which the nipple is […]

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Autologous Lymph Node Transfer: New Hope for Combating Lymphedema

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More than 2.5 million women in the United States have had breast cancer. Many of them were treated with a combination of surgery, radiation, and sometimes chemotherapy that has removed or damaged lymph nodes and left them vulnerable to upper extremity lymphedema, a condition that can be disfiguring, painful and profoundly impair quality of life […]

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Lymphedema: Tips on Coping with the Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

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The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 268,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2018. These women will be treated with various combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy that will leave them vulnerable to a range of side effects, one of which, lymphedema, might not show up until months or even […]

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Mammogram: the Gold Standard in Preventive Care

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Mammography is a specialized imaging system that uses low-dose x-rays to detect and diagnose breast cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Before the discovery of x-ray technology, most breast tumors could be detected only when they were large enough to be felt. Over many decades, advances in breast imaging have made […]

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Capsular Contracture After Breast Implants

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In 2017, almost 400,000 women underwent surgery with breast implants – whether for cosmetic breast augmentation or for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Despite significant improvement in implants since they were first introduced in the 1960s, however, studies by the implant manufacturers have shown that within seven years, 50% of women with breast implants will undergo […]

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Breast Reconstruction: Understanding the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act

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A diagnosis of breast cancer profoundly impacts a woman’s life. In addition to coping with overwhelming emotions, she must make important choices about treatment and all of its implications. One of those is the financial ramifications of her illness, particularly if she will need surgical treatment of her breast. She will need to learn all […]

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Breast Reconstruction: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions

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The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 268,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2018. But although the rates of breast reconstruction continue to increase, a 2014 study found that less than 40% of women who undergo mastectomy elect to undergo immediate reconstruction. (http://bit.ly/1yHmckj Journal of the American College of Surgeons, […]

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Prepectoral Breast Implants: New Options to Save the Muscle

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In the United States, only 30% of women who undergo mastectomy also undergo breast reconstruction. Of those women who undergo breast reconstruction, about 80% decide to undergo breast reconstruction with implants. Most women undergo implant-based breast reconstruction because it is simpler, scars are limited to the breasts, and the recovery is often faster immediately after […]

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Breast Reconstruction Has Come a Long Way

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The ancient Egyptians described breast cancer in papyrus writings as far back as 1600 B.C. Over the following centuries, many causes were suggested – from imbalances of bodily fluids to compression from tight clothing – and treatments ranged from cauterization to opium to arsenic. It was not until the 18th century that breast cancer came […]

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Many of our patients have volunteered to speak with other women who may have questions about what it is like to go through restorative breast and body surgery. If you would like to speak with someone who has already gone through the process, please contact us and we will find a “buddy” for you.

#BosomBuddies

The Bosom Buddies are available for emotional support, practical tips, sharing stories, and other types of real life help that can help other women feel more comfortable and safe in their journey.

Out-of-Town Patients

With patients from all over the world, we do our best to help provide optimal resources when traveling to New York City for plastic surgery. Whether you're looking for a hotel or other lodging, this can be a tool while booking your travel.

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Please reach out to us with any questions that you may have. If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment, we would be happy to speak with you. We look forward to helping you throughout your journey.

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Patient Resources

In order to make intelligent decisions, it is important for a woman to do her research and educate herself about all of the choices available to her. A library is a collection of information sources made accessible to a community for reference.

News & Media

As one of the leading breast reconstruction specialists in the United States, Dr. Constance Chen has been featured in over 100 news and media publications and journals over her years in practice.

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