Drs. Israeli and Bank Featured in USA Today Editorial by American Society of Plastic Surgery

As nearly every NYBRA patient knows, there is no universal path when it comes to breast reconstruction. It is a complex road full of options that vary based on everything from a patient’s individual treatment plan, lifestyle body type, aesthetic goals, and more. The best path is the one that is tailored to your needs.

Drs. Ron Israeli and Jonathan Bank sat down with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to talk about the importance of consulting a plastic surgeon early when it comes to breast reconstruction.

The piece provides an overview of how a plastic surgeon’s input can benefit you and your care team throughout the mastectomy and reconstruction process. Read on for some highlights from the conversation or check out the whole thing here.

A plastic surgeon can help you make sense of your options.

“This is a very stressful time,” Dr. Israeli said in the article. “A plastic surgeon can help patients navigate the decision-making and allow them to understand there is light at the end of the tunnel because someone will help them achieve their aesthetic goals.”

Plastic surgeons with expertise in microsurgery can help manage nerves and restore sensation during mastectomy and reconstruction.

“When nothing is done to repair the nerves, communication between the brain and the chest gets disrupted, diminishing the ability for nerves to function normally. This can lead to partial or complete numbness that may be permanent,” Dr. Bank explained in the piece.

He continued: “Through advanced breast reconstruction techniques, plastic surgeons can help restore the important function of sensation. Studies show that regaining sensation can provide a variety of benefits for patients including improved physical safety, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.”

Your plastic surgeon will often be by your side through multiple procedures.

“Almost always there’s an advantage to being open to having additional procedures to achieve the best outcome,” Dr. Israeli told ASPS. “A second procedure may be minor, such as a skin adjustment or grafting fat from elsewhere to soften the breast.”

Breast reconstruction is protected by law.

The federal 1998 Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) requires group health insurance plans to cover reconstructive surgery, regardless of the number of revisions.

“This is a decision to be made by the patient and her doctor, not the insurance company,” Dr. Israeli said.

If you’re considering breast reconstruction, contact NYBRA Plastic Surgery today to explore your options with our expert team. We are with you every step of the way.