Breast Reconstruction: Ashley's Story
November 27, 2019Ashley Chooses Innovative Breast Reconstruction Surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
When Ashley Lindstrom made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy to reduce her inherited risk of developing breast cancer, she also had to decide whether to have breast reconstruction surgery, and if so, what type was right for her.
When she learned that it was possible to have her breasts reconstructed with her own tissue, Ashley chose to have an innovative surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital that would reduce her breast cancer risk and reconstruct her breasts in a single procedure.
“I lost my mother to breast cancer, and I want to be here for my daughter for the long term,” said Ashley. "Knowing there was a reconstruction technique that felt and looked more natural, made that decision easier."
The Latest Options in Breast Reconstruction
"Today we have state-of-the-art surgical techniques for breast reconstruction that no longer require tissue expanders or implants,” said Stephane Corriveau, MD, plastic surgeon, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital. "Breast reconstruction can be performed for patients like Ashley, who are having surgery to prevent breast cancer. But it also can be performed successfully on patients who have had a mastectomy months, years or even decades ago, as well as on patients who had an ineffective reconstruction in the past."
"I’m so thankful that I was able to get this procedure done. I am very happy with the results, and have peace of mind knowing I've done all I can to be there for my daughter... I would recommend this procedure to anyone who is at high risk of developing breast cancer.”
- Ashley Lindstrom
Ashley's surgery began with a double mastectomy, removing 95 percent of her breast tissue, then her breasts were reconstructed with tissue taken from her abdomen. A multidisciplinary team led by four surgeons worked together to perform the procedure. First, George Conrad, MD, general surgeon, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital, assisted by Suryanarayana Siram, MD, general surgeon, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital, completed the double mastectomy.
Next, the plastic surgery team began the reconstruction process, led by Dr. Corriveau and assisted by Ali Al-Attar, MD, plastic surgeon, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital. The team carefully isolated tissue from the abdomen, including all of the blood vessels that fed the tissue, as well as some muscle, fat and skin. Next, Dr. Corriveau reconnected the tissue’s blood vessels to blood vessels inside the ribs using microsurgical techniques. Throughout the procedure, a doppler probe measured the blood flow through the vessels.
This microsurgical breast reconstruction approach results in a more natural look and feel than a prosthetic implant, but can also be performed in conjunction with an implant depending on the need.
“At Holy Cross, we value collaborative work, and work together regularly – not only the surgeons, but the radiologists, pathologists and operating room nurses and technicians,” Dr. Conrad said. “This collaborative atmosphere allows us to excel at complex surgical procedures like this one and create great outcomes for patients like Ashley.”
Ashley Has Peace of Mind
Ashley was discharged from the hospital only four days after her surgery. "We were able to achieve a good aesthetic result without compromising the cancer risk reduction operation, and Ashley has recovered very well,” said Dr. Corriveau.
“I loved my surgeons, the staff at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital was wonderful, and the hospital is a beautiful new facility located near my home,” said Ashley. “I’m so thankful that I was able to get this procedure done. I am very happy with the results, and have peace of mind knowing I've done all I can to be there for my daughter. I encourage anyone with a family history of breast cancer to have genetic testing done, and I would recommend this procedure to anyone who is at high risk of developing breast cancer.”
Dr. Corriveau agrees: "Women who have been told that they are not candidates for breast reconstruction should revisit this conversation with a plastic surgeon. They might be surprised to find there are better options available now than at any time in the past."