What is a Heel SpurA heel spur is a bony growth usually found under the heel bone or calcaneus bone. The heel bone (calcaneus) is the largest bone in the foot and plays a big part in taking shock and pressure as we walk and move. It can cause extreme heel pain while walking, standing or with a sudden action such as a jump. When you place your weight on your heel, the pain from a heel spur can be debilitating. How Does a Heel Spur FormThe plantar fascia is a fibrous band that acts as a support platform for the arch. It runs from the heel to the ball-of-the-foot. When foot alignment is poor, this tissue often pulls where it attaches to the heel bone causing micro-tears. When this happens, calcium deposits form and cause a nail-like growth. They develop from the bone and push into the fleshy area of the foot. Individuals who have high arches or flat feet are more prone to developing them. heel cups This is due to the overpronation or oversupination that often occurs due to the poor biomechanical form the feet often take with these conditions. Women may be more likely than men to develop a heel spur due to their choice of footwear. How Can I Best Treat A Heel SpurTemporary treatment for relief of pain from may include elevating the foot, rest and applying ice to reduce inflammation. These treatments however are only temporary and do not offer a long term solution. If flat feet or high arches are causing the development of a spur, your doctor may prescribe foot orthotics or arch supports. Foot orthotics (arch supports) help to distribute your weight more evenly upon impact and can cushion your heel to help reduce the pain you are experiencing Instant Breast Lift Up Tapes. Heel spur pads can be added to orthotic insoles (arch supports) to take pressure away from the problem area as well. For added relief, heel cradles or heel cups may be used. Your doctor may recommend shedding any extra pounds you are carrying and choosing appropriate footwear. When searching for shoes, make sure you select a pair that has a cushioned sole to help absorb shock, but is stable enough to be supportive and help control foot alignment. If these methods do not provide relief, an injection of cortisone can help decrease the inflammation of the plantar fascia, or surgery to remove it is sometimes performed. . However, many problems can occur with these methods, so they are used as a last resort. More conservative methods like foot orthotics are the treatment of choice. A newer treatment that is sometimes helpful is called extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). It induces microtrauma to the tissue around the problem area. This is done hoping to stimulate a tissue repair process by the body's natural defenses. With the more aggressive forms of heel spur treatment like surgery, injections, or ESWT it is very important that any biomechanical problems that could cause the heel spur to return are treated with the use of foot orthotics designed for heel spurs.
09/05/2011
Cheap Dumbbells for sale - Getting the Best Deal on Dumbbells
If you want to look good this summer, lose a little extra weight or even build a rock solid body then why not try out using dumbbells.Dumbbells are a highly effective yet inexpensive tool for getting the job done.Some dumbbells such as light weight dumbbells can be added to a routine to give a little extra resistance while other dumbbells can be used on their own to create muscle shredding workouts.Whatever your aim, there's a dumbbell that can help you achieve it. There has never been a better time to get yourself fit either.With the rising trend in obesity and diabetes you would be mad not to want to look after your body.Now im not a doctor but I have used dumbbells in my workouts for longer than I can count, for the simple reason they work. Like anything else in this world people want to save money and when it comes to purchasing dumbbells there is no exception.So if you're looking for dumbbells for sale at the cheapest possible prices then I will give you a few tips on how to achieve this. Buy Dumbbell packages Buying dumbbells in a package instead of separately often costs more, however over time you will need more than one dumbbell and this is where the packaged dumbbells will save you money.The initial investment of a dumbbell package will cost a little more than a separate dumbbell but I assure you over time they will save you a lot of money. Having different dumbbell weights will also allow you to have more control over your workouts.Some muscles will be stronger than others because of this you will need to use heavier weights for the stronger muscles and lighter weights for the weaker muscles. so as you can see, dumbbells are an excellent training aid that can be used for all ages, all sizes and all abilities.if you want to start training with dumbbells then you better hurry because you can still get that perfect body in time for the summer. you can find some cheap dumbbells in my signature link below.
09/04/2011
Plantar Fasciitis and Thyroid Dysfunction
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by sharp heel pain occurring at the first step in the morning or upon rising after periods of rest. Fasciitis is caused by microscopic tears in the plantar fascia, a long connective tissue structure in the bottom of the foot. The tearing of the fascial band results in inflammation and eventual deterioration. The plantar fascia is composed of mostly collagen, but also elastin and long carbohydrates chains called glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs. The organized network of collagen adds to it's strength, the elastin allows for stretching and the GAGs attract water, improving resiliency.Musculoskeletal disorders often occur in association with thyroid disease, particularly with hypothyroidism. Common musculoskeletal complaints in patients with hypothryoidism are muscle tenderness, generalized joint pain, cramping and weakness. Specific musculoskeletal disorders, such as adhesive capsulitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, have been linked to hypothyroidism. It is theorized that hypothyroidism may cause plantar fasciitis for the same reason other musculoskeletal conditions occur in hypothyroid patients. The disorders result from low thyroid levels causing deposits within the connective tissue. Thyroid hormone inhibits fibroblast production and secretion of collagen, elastin and GAGs, all substances important in connective tissue structure. Low levels of thyroid hormone result in the overproduction of these substances, particularly GAGs, which attract water.Increased deposits of GAGs and the additional water increase the space between the collagen fibers. This disrupts the collagen network and compromises the integrity of the plantar fascia structure. The weakening of the plantar fascia increases it's susceptibility to microscopic tears. Microscopic tearing occurs when the plantar fascia is placed under excess stress. This commonly occurs with biomechanical conditions, but in a weakened plantar fascia, may occur under normal conditions. The tearing results in inflammation and pain. Due to the early disorganization of the collagen network, progression from plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition as a result of tearing, to plantar fasciosis, a degenerative condition, may occur more quickly. Plantar fasciosis is a more difficult condition to treat, which makes early diagnosis and treatment crucial.Eliminating the stress on the plantar fascia is an important early treatment. This can be accomplished by wearing supportive shoes and inserts and avoiding barefoot walking. Heel lifts, or shoes with a small heel, will also take stress of the arch. Heel cups may help alleviate symptoms, but will no decrease the stress on the plantar fascia or improve the condition. Weight loss will decrease stress on the arch, unfortunately weight gain is common in patients with hypothyroidism and weight loss tends to be difficult. Stretching both the calf and the arch are important in the healing process and specific stretching regimens should be initiated immediately after diagnosis. A night splint can facilitate healing and eliminate morning heel pain by stretching the plantar fascia throughout the night.
Height Increasing Shoes and Insoles
Height increasing shoes and height increase shoe inserts are quickly gaining popularity for good reasons. Many people are concerned about their height in that they would like to be taller. Although there are ways to increase body height, such as through height increase exercises or bone elongation surgery, none compare to the convenience of just buying a pair of height increasing shoes or inserts. This article will describe the two most common types of height increasing inserts as well as the most common type of height increase shoes: the Yoko / Kimi insoles, and elevator shoes. Yoko / Kimi insoles were created based on reflexology principles tights. Acupressure points exist on the soles of our feet, and each of them is connected to a different part or functioning of our body. The Yoko / Kimi shoe pads are designed to have raised tabs at specific places that, with each step you take, will exert pressure on certain acupressure points to stimulate the production of human growth hormone (HGH for short), which is a hormone that is believed to be responsible for height increase. The more you wear them, the more effective they tend to be. The downside of these products is that while some people have vouched for their effectiveness in increasing height, walking with these inserts for too long can cause blisters or bleeding on your soles. This should be considered before you consider buying a pair of this type of insoles. Height increase elevator shoes, which have been around for decades, are the most popular type of height increase shoes. Although they will not actually make your body taller, these shoes will make you appear taller, which serves the purpose for many people. When you buy a pair of elevator shoes, you will find hidden inserts inside them that will act to raise your heels to make you look taller arch supports. By wearing them, these shoes can add up to 2. 7 inches to your height. You cannot just use the same inserts with your regular shoes because they will not fit them - elevator shoes are specially designed to accommodate the inserts. The good thing is that elevator shoes are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and they are no more expensive than "regular" shoes. However, they are not the most comfortable to wear and will take some getting used to. If you are looking to increase your height, height increasing shoes and inserts may be worth a try. They cause little or no side effects and are not expensive to buy. Many people have found them to be useful, and you just might also.
09/02/2011
Leather Insoles The Answer To Elegant Comfort For Any Shoe
When it comes to picking the best insoles or orthotic arch support insoles, there are many options available.For many people, finding one to fit the shoes they wear can be the biggest challenge.Although many orthotics offer excellent support, it will not help if they do not fit the shoes you are wearing.In many cases, the orthotics are too large for their shoes.Most replacement insoles are designed to be trimmed to get that perfect fit, but over-trimming could result in losing the support and balance the insoles are intended to provide.The ideal method for perfect trimming is to remove the manufacturer's insoles from the shoesand use them as a template to trace the size and shape on the new replacement orthotic arch supportsor insoles.Trimming by following the traced line will result in the perfect fit. If you are struggling to find an orthotic arch support that will fit your shoes of choice, consider taking a look at Sof Sole Leather Arch Supports of Sof Sole Leather Cushion Insoles.Not only are these high quality insoles and arch supports, but they are designed and sized to fin in almost any type of shoe.Whether it is summer-time on the beach or winter blizzard season shoveling snow, the Sof Sole Leather Cushion Insoles and Sof Sole Leather Arch Supports will work in your appropriate footwear. Designed to fit in the widest variety of shoes possible, the Leather Arch Supports offer a firm Orthotic Arch Plate to provide solid support for your arch, while at the same time providing optimal comfort thanks to the IMPLUS foam cushioning.The Sof Sole Leather Cushion Insoles offer a breathable, leather covered cushioned insole that will enhance comfort and can likely even improve shoe fit.With technical features that include a premium leather-covered footbed, fiber reinforced arch support and an enhanced heel cushioning system, Sof Sol Leather Arch Supports and Sof Sole Leather Cushion Insoles will provide the optimal replacement insoles for your feet whether it is arch support and ideal comfort or supreme cushioning, regardless of your footwear the IMPLUS breathable foam cushioning will make every step a joy. The Sof Sole Leather Arch Supports are manufactured in a 3/4 length design, these compact supports fit true to size and are able to fit comfortably in just about any shoe.The Sof Sole Leather Cushion Insoles are full length and fit comfortably in virtually any shoe type.No longer do you need to struggle to get your arch supports to fit in your shoes.No longer do you have to worry about whether your orthotic is positioned correctly to provide the balance and support you need.And no longer do you have to sacrifice comfort in your orthotic arch supports.Sof Sole Leather Arch Supports are the solution to your arch support needs.Regardless of your footwear choices, these supports will fit properly and provide the comfort and support you need in your orthotics.For detailed information about the Sof Sole Leather Insoles or other foot care products, visit the TheInsoleStore today.Using a pair of good quality Insoles or Orthotic Arch Supports just might be the simplest solution to your tired, aching feet.
Peek a Boo Bra - a great lingerie option for Private Party
The fashion trend is heating up every day. Today's fashion gets outdated tomorrow. Everyday is dawn with new fashion products. Women are instrumental in creating new fashion. The new fashion trend in lingerie is Peek-a-boo Bra. Peek a Boo Bra is the one which exposes the maximum breast, especially the nipple. It can be the other name for Open Cup Bra. Peek a Boo Bra get its name as it peeks out of the bra. It may have the opening on the nipples or adjacent to the tits. If you want to fancy yourself, then a Peek a Boo Bra would be an ideal option. Nipple Covers or Nipple Pasties are used by women to decorate the nipples. Peek a Boo Bra can be worn with matching panties, which come with open crotch. heel cups Bring out the sexier in you with the lace around the breast and the crotch. Accessories such as sexy garter belt, hat and socking could add up to the spice. Few Peek a Boo Bra sets feature a coat and or a hat. These could also help you in getting a sexier look. Open Cup Peek a Boo Bra is a fantasy costume. It could be best worn when you are going for an evening party or organizing a private party. This may not be a suitable day wear. Select a Peek a Boo Bra, which does not hurt your nipple while moving. A woman with sensitive body or sensitive breast, could avoid this type of bra. Peek a Boo Bras don't have the normal features of Womens Bras, viz. , Supporting, Shaping, Lifting, Sport Activities, etc. Instant Breast Lift Up Tapes These would look so sexy while walking on the ramp. Belly Dancing Costumes can come with Peek a Boo Tops. The purpose of wearing a Peek a Boo Bra is to expose and tease men. Hence, even while wearing the outerwear, they want to expose the nipples. Triangle bra - though it gives a lot of open space, it does not have an opening at the nipple. This has the lot of opening between the two breasts.
09/01/2011
Adding Shoe Lifts to Your Wardrobe to Look Taller and Increase Your Confidence
If you no longer look forward to shoe shopping just because it takes so long to find the shoes that make you look taller without looking overly heavy, then you need to consider shoe lifts. Shoe lifts fit right inside any shoe to instantly make you appear taller, so that you have the confidence in your appearance that you have been looking for with heavy-heeled shoes. What are Shoe Lifts Shoe lifts are simple insoles that have a taller heel. The materials that are used to make heel lifts vary, but most companies use a form of foam or soft rubber to make their insoles. The height different with these insoles can be as much as two inches, and the difference is instantly noticeable. Many people, both men and women, also wear shoes that are taller so that the height difference is more noticeable. Shoe lifts are the perfect solution when you want to boost your height quickly, but dont want to spend a lot of money on custom shoes and other products. Insoles are sold for less than twenty dollars a pair, even when you buy high quality lifts for your shoes. Plus, there are a wide variety of materials to choose from so you are sure to find the lifts that are comfortable enough for you to wear on a day to day basis. Feeling Confident and Looking Great One of the biggest problems that shorter people face is choosing shoes that provide more height, but also choosing shoes that dont appear to be overly tall. The heel of your shoe, for men, is typically going to be less than a half-inch in height. Try looking for shoes that use a height booster inside the shoe, and then pairing this with a pair of shoe lifts for the best in both comfort and appearance. Women also face the problem of finding shoes that cover their lifts, while still liking their appearance. For instance, some high heels wont cover your shoe lifts. In this case, opt for a high heel that covers your heel, and that has an open toe instead of a sandal styled shoe. With a pair of high heels, your lifts can easily give you three to five inches of height, so that you look taller and leggier than ever. Shoe lifts can easily help you feel more confident about your appearance, without letting anyone know that you are wearing them. Where Can I Find Lifts Shoe lifts are widely available online, and are also found in some local shops, as well. Generally, shoe lifts are simplest to find online. You will find that it is often best to purchase a couple of sets of lifts in different styles so that you are sure to have something that you feel comfortable wearing, especially if you plan on wearing your lifts to work or anywhere that you will walk frequently. Shoe lifts are one of the simplest ways to appear taller instantly, and is also an affordable option. Supplier of .Shoe Lifts, Heel Lifts and height increasing orthotic insoles Related Articles - Shoe Lifts, Look Taller, Height Increase Insoles, Heel Lifts, Email this Article to a Friend! Receive Articles like this one direct to your email box!Subscribe for free today!
DCIS Breast Cancer at 49 - A Most Unexpected Event
The reminder that my mammogram was overdue sat in my 'in' box for over a year. I kept putting it off to the side, as I went through the pile day-by-day. Finally, one day I got sick of putting it off, pulled it out, and called for an appointment. That day, the technician was very friendly, chit-chatting as she took the pictures, but as she looked at the results on her monitor, the chatting stopped, and she seemed more reserved. I went home and told my husband that I felt unsettled by the test, and that I would not be surprised if I got a call about the results. The call came the very next day. The doctor described the findings as 'suspicious' and asked me to come back in for more pictures and a biopsy. That accomplished later in the week, the next call (the one I dreaded) came telling me that I had DCIS, which means "Ductal Carcinoma In Situ", an early cancer. They had found it in my left breast, near the chest wall. Every nursing mother retains small flecks of calcification in her milk ducts from the milk she produced. Sometimes these flecks become cancerous, and this type of cancer is not generally caught with a manual breast exam until it is more advanced. In my case, having PCOS, which impedes or prevents regular ovulation and the progesterone that is released with it, was likely a contributing factor, according to the oncologist. Because of this lack of progesterone, I had had unopposed estrogen in my system for abnormally long periods of time throughout my life, and my cancer was estrogen positive. (Let this be a warning to those with PCOS -- don't miss those mammograms!)The thought that I had put off having a mammogram for so long, while DCIS quietly grew in my breast, was sickening. I have consoled myself many times since then with the thought that, had I gone in on time, the DCIS might have been missed, being too early. As it was, one year later, the areas were small and hard to see. But who knows I have stopped beating myself up now -- it is what it is.So, since the cancer was stage 0, I had a sizable lumpectomy, about the size of a deck of cards. When the lab work came back, we discovered that not only was there more cancer left in the breast, but on a scale of 1-9 for 'badness', mine was a 9. So the surgeon gave me the option of another lumpectomy, (the normal approach for DCIS) or, considering the size of the area and its potential for nastiness, a mastectomy. I wrestled with that decision for many days, and glued myself to the web, searching for answers. In the end, I decided to have the mastectomy, with immediate reconstruction.My research told me that I could hope to have a 'skin-sparing and nipple-sparing' mastectomy, with reconstruction using fat from my belly. We live near a tertiary medical center, but after a consultation with them, I found that they didn't offer a nipple-sparing option, and they still did breast reconstruction using the rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM flap) which, I knew from the experience of two close friends, was not preferable. In fact, the loss of the muscle for one friend had left her in chronic pain for several years until she found a physical therapist who helped her realign her core through massage and exercise. No thanks. So I hopped on the Web and found a doctor in New York City who had pioneered the procedure of fat-only transfer to reconstruct the breast. This is more difficult than the transfer of muscle, because the blood vessels in fat are more minute than those in muscle, requiring extra training in microsurgery to accomplish.So I went straight to that practice. I could not get Dr. Robert Allen (who pioneered the procedure), without waiting longer than I wanted to, so I went with his partner, Dr. Levine. Overall, I am happy with the results. The shape of the breast itself is great, and the fat transfer was successful, which is no small thing in itself. Unfortunately, the nipple/areola did not fare well, due to a blood clot underneath it after surgery, which was not caught. Dr. Levine wanted to go ahead and remove the nipple/areola but I was determined to keep it and see what happened. This meant letting the area die off to the extent that it would from the lack of circulation, and then see what was left. Now, a year later, the nipple itself is gone, and the areola looks pretty scarred up, but I am hopeful that with tattooing to make the scarred areola match the color of the other side, and with a reconstructed nipple, that it will end up looking good. The abdominal scar, on the other hand, is 20" long and there is no other way to describe it but ugly, although I hope it will improve as the scar fades.In retrospect, I think I would have done things a little differently. I let the first surgeon scare me with the statistics of how likely the cancer was to return if I did not have a mastectomy. The reality is that had I had another lumpectomy that got all of the cancer, that would probably have been enough, with radiation, to give me the same survival rate that I have now, having had a mastectomy without radiation. It turned out that there was not much cancer left after the lumpectomy -- another pass would probably have gotten it all, plus a nice wide margin around the cancerous area, which is the major determining factor of whether this particular cancer will return. A wide margin is key, and far more meaningful than any statistics. I wish I had made that second pass and assessed the results before moving on to a mastectomy. If I had reservations at that time, I could always have continued on with a mastectomy. There is no going back, however, once the mastectomy is done.Here is one important thing that was driven home to me during this experience. No doctor will care about the outcome of your situation as much as you do. And no doctor will have to live with the outcome -- you will. Every doctor, as caring as he might be, still has his own agenda, potentially in conflict with yours, simply because surgery is how they make their living. I admired Dr. Allen for coming right out and saying this voluntarily. Breast reconstruction surgeons, he said, will tend to advocate mastectomy -- it's what they do best, and it provides the most definitive defense against cancer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but you must factor your surgeon's bias into the equation. So listen to your doctors at every stage, but be your own advocate, and make your decisions based on what is best for you. Educate yourself about what is available, and go after what you want.Here are some thoughts.1. Remember that Federal law requires your insurance to cover reconstruction. They must also cover the matching of the other breast, if need be, so that you end up with a "matching set". And many insurance HMOs or PPOs will allow you to go elsewhere if you can prove that your group does not offer the procedure you want.2. If a lumpectomy is offered as a treatment, seriously consider exhausting that option first, before jumping into a mastectomy. In many cases, there is no difference in survival rate between the two, and your doctor can better advise you if this may be true in your case. As I mentioned above, the margin around the cancer is a major factor. Had I gone with an additional lumpectomy, I would have very little evidence today that anything had ever happened. One big difference between most lumpectomies and a mastectomy is that there is no feeling left in the breast after a mastectomy, which I have found very disappointing. After the lumpectomy, I still had full feeling. Sometimes sensation will return after a mastectomy, at least partially. With my larger breast, I doubt I will ever have much feeling, and this is a change in the quality of life that I will live with for a long time. I avoided radiation by having the mastectomy, but this was the only real benefit as far as I was concerned, although an important one. Radiation is generally a requirement when having a lumpectomy.Naturally, getting rid of the cancer is Job One. But consider all of your options, and don't just take the most radical approach if you don't have to, to achieve the same survival rate. Consider your quality of life, as well, if you have options, and don't be ashamed for doing so. Oddly, I felt compelled to demonstrate to others, at times, that I only wanted to get rid of the cancer, instead of appearing to be vainly pre-occupied with retaining the look and feel of my breast. Don't make my mistake. Having a mastectomy and reconstruction will be one the most difficult things a woman ever goes through, and it is not a procedure to be done for any other reason than a woman is certain it is best for her in every respect. The lumpectomy, on the other hand, is more easily accomplished, and you are on your feet and well in a matter of days, breast intact. Please don't think I am advocating taking the easy road, when it might compromise your survival. But think twice if there is no statistical difference in survival between lumpectomy/radiation and mastectomy.3. Go for the latest procedures, and go to the best doctors you can. Nipple sparing mastectomy is relatively new, so if you want that, then find a surgeon who will do it for you -- it is not yet a foolproof, or widespread, procedure. Go for a fat-only transfer, the most common of which is called a DIEP flap, pioneered by Dr. Allen. I also see that his practice has added a partner that specializes in nipple sparing mastectomy since I saw them for my surgery, so they are worth a visit. Or try Sloan-Kettering -- they seem to have the most comprehensive overall approach to breast cancer reconstruction, from all of my research, and will offer similar options. I discovered this after I had committed to the Allen practice, insurance-wise, and I didn't want to start over, but I found that Sloan-Kettering is an excellent option. Lastly, it is also sometimes possible to transfer a nerve along with the fat, which may improve the chances of regaining some sensation in the breast, so ask your surgeon about this.4. Question all incisions. I stopped the first surgeon and asked him if he had to put the incision right in the middle of the inner half of my breast, where I would always see it. It turns out he didn't, it was just easier there. So don't worry about 'inconveniencing' your surgeon for a few minutes, when you might have an unnecessary scar to look at for years. Question everything. It would be nice if we didn't have to, but as mentioned above, no one will care about the outcome the way you do.You may also want to inquire about having a 'sub-cutaneous' breast reconstruction.This is where the incision is made along the crease under the breast. Surgeons currently favor going in through the nipple area, but to me, going through the nipple, especially if you want to keep it, can only compromise the blood flow, putting the area at risk. They will tell you that a sub-cutaneous incision makes reaching the upper area of the breast tissue more difficult, but I never understood this. If you have a larger, sagging breast, a very large (6-7 inch) incision could be made without it ever being seen again under the breast. An incision this size would certainly allow a surgeon to reach any part of the breast area. To prove my point, there are some surgeons doing this, but new techniques are slow to catch on, as surgeons wait for others to take the risks first. This option, of course, would not make sense for those with small breasts, where the large incision would show.5. There are new reconstruction technologies just around the corner. Surgeons today are sometimes reluctant to do a very large lumpectomy or quadrantectomy (where one-quarter or more of the breast is removed) because it will disfigure the breast, and the reconstruction of these irregular shapes is more difficult with today's fat transfer technology, although there are a few surgeons who will do a partial reconstruction with a mini flap of fat. More often, though, if the need for lumpectomy becomes too great, a surgeon will suggest a mastectomy instead, because creating an even breast-shaped mound is, simply, easier. That's great for them, but then you have to live with the result. Advanced methods in fat transfer are around the corner, however, which will make it easier to fill in dents and irregular areas, for those whose cancer is larger, nearer the surface, or for those with smaller breasts, which are more easily disfigured by a lumpectomy. One method, using liposuction to remove fat cells from another area, mixing them with stem cells for improved survival of the fat cells, and then injecting this mixture into the irregular breast area, may someday become a preferred method for reconstruction. I am no expert, but I do believe that it will become possible, at least in some cases (depending on the size and location of the cancer), to utilize methods like this to achieve that desirable wide margin around the cancer, and at the same time reduce or eliminate the need for a 20-inch scar, while ultimately preserving a more natural breast, with perhaps a greater chance to preserve nipple and sensation. At least one company, Cytori, is making headway on this.Here's a bonus FYI -- did you know that there are a few surgeons out there doing breast reduction using only liposuction A great alternative if you need to have the other breast reduced to match the reconstructed one. (Who needs major surgery on the other breast, too) Also, it's becoming a more common alternative for regular breast reduction. Use these search terms "tumescent breast reduction" to find more info on the web.Fortunately, breast cancer treatments and surgeries are improving at a rapid pace, and in another 10 years, I think the approach to treating breast cancer, on all fronts, will be very different from what it is today.Susan Sylvia Copyright 2010
