Kristina

After finding out she carries the BRCA2 gene, Kristina empowered herself by having a preventative double mastectomy. Initially, she was told she was not a good candidate for breast reconstruction with her own tissue. With another provider, she originally underwent implant-based breast reconstruction. Over time, as an active mom, wife and teacher, and someone who enjoys exercise and fitness, the asymmetry, deformity and disproportion she was left with is something Kristina decided she needed to change. This decision led her to meet with Dr. Tanna to discuss her options for either revisionary surgery or other reconstruction options.

Gail

Gail is a mother of two, a wife and a professor with a full plate. In April of 2018 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After meeting with Dr. Tanna, gathering the education and tools necessary to make the best decision for her, Gail scheduled her double mastectomy with simultaneous DIEP flap breast reconstruction in 2018 at 55 years old.

Pauline

In 2017, Pauline went for her routine mammogram. She was told something suspicious needed to be watched closely in one of her breasts. Later that year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While Pauline lives out of state, her research led her to Dr. Tanna to explore her breast reconstruction options.

During her meeting with Dr. Tanna, Pauline was able to learn about all of her breast reconstruction choices. After considering all of her options, she moved forward with a double mastectomy and implant reconstruction. The implants are in a pre-pectoral position (above the muscle), which has been more comfortable with her activity level as an enthusiastic wife, mother, and grandmother.

Maria

Maria is a loving mother and wife who was diagnosed with right breast cancer in 2009. At the time, she decided to have a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Nine years later in 2018, she was diagnosed with right breast cancer for the second time. Maria was led to Dr. Tanna to learn about her breast reconstruction options. After being thoroughly informed about the possible options for reconstruction, she chose to have a double mastectomy with hybrid breast reconstruction (DIEP Flap with small pre-pectoral implants) at the age of 54.

Suzette and Maria

Mother and daughter, Maria and Suzette, were both diagnosed with breast cancer within a span of two years with no prior family history of breast cancer. Suzette was diagnosed first with right breast cancer in 2015 at age 39. She had a right mastectomy and chose to forego breast reconstruction. After her mastectomy, she underwent chemotherapy followed by radiation. Upon completion of this treatment, Suzette—with the support of Dr. Tanna, her family, and the rest of her team—decided to have a risk reduction, prophylactic left breast mastectomy and bilateral breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps (DIEP Flap) in January 2017. Later that year, Suzette’s mother, Maria, was diagnosed with right breast cancer following a routine mammogram. Maria decided to undergo bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction using her own abdominal fat with DIEP Flap reconstruction in October 2017. Maria and Suzette continue to support each other, as they slowly adapt to a new normal.