Wilmington Plastic Surgery Advocates
for Breast Reconstruction Awareness,
Offers Advanced Surgical Options
ccording to e Report of the 2010 Plastic Surgery
Statistics, more than 93,000 breast reconstructions
were performed during that calendar year, accounting
for about 38% of women who have undergone
a mastectomy.
“Not every mastectomy patient chooses
to have breast reconstruction,” explained
Wilmington Plastic Surgery physician
Charles R. Kays, DMD, MD, FACS, a
renowned expert in the specialty. “However,
every woman is entitled to that option.”
In fact, federal legislation passed in 1998
mandates that insurance policies covering
mastectomy due to breast cancer must also
cover breast reconstruction surgery. e law
also requires the insurer to provide coverage
of surgery for the other breast in order to
attempt to achieve symmetry.
Surprisingly, reports show that 70% of women
eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed
of their options. To help remedy that situation,
Wilmington Plastic Surgery is a proud a liate of
Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, an
initiative that advocates for a better and broader
understanding of the options and resources available to
women following mastectomy. Begun in Canada in 2011
and now observed in cities across the United States, BRA
Day 2012 is being held October 17.
“Breast reconstruction can be the nal step in total
Charles R. Kays, DMD, MD, FACS
recoery om the di cult ordeal of ghting
cancer,” said Dr. Kays. “Many women say it helps
them feel whole again.”
While adept at performing the more common breast
reconstruction surgery using implants, Dr. Kays is
also skilled in the advanced technique
known as Transverse Rectus Abdominis
Myocutaneous (TRAM ap). is
procedure involves taking a portion of
the patient’s abdomen, including skin,
adipose tissues, minor muscles and
connective tissues, and transplanting it
onto the breast site. Because it uses the
patient’s own tissue, it o en results in
a more natural look and feel, with the
added bonus of a atter abdomen.
“Helping women regain their
identities and empowering them to
live life to the fullest, that is my passion,” said Dr.
Kays, who has been awarded a Silent Angel award by
the American Cancer Society for his extraordinarily
compassionate work with breast reconstruction
patients. “I can’t imagine anything more rewarding.”
Wilmington Plastic Surgery
& Skin Care MedSpa
1404 Commonwealth Dr. Wilmington, NC
910.509.SKIN
wilmingtonplasticsurgery.com
Nationally Recognized, Board-Certifi ed Surgeons:
Kenneth S. White, MD, FACS Jeffrey S. Church, MD, DDS, FACS
Charles R. Kays, MD, DMD, FACS Mark W. Morgan, MD, FACS
A
Breast figures that deserve your attention:
• More than 93,000 breast reconstruction surgeries per year
• Less than 1/5 of American women who undergo mastectomy choose breast reconstruction
• 70% of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed of their options
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