Caren's Story


Caren explains her journey through her breast cancer diagnosis and learning to celebrate her life.

The following contains images of advanced surgical breast reconstruction results and includes nudity.

Corrective Breast
Reconstruction


Caren contacted the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery seeking help after double mastectomy and disfigurement from six failed attempts at breast reconstruction by major cancer centers outside of New Orleans.

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Body-lift Flap


Her corrective work was done with the “Body-Lift” procedure pioneered at The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.
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Body-lift Flap


Her transplant was accomplished with advanced precision microsurgery to recreate a living breast replacement.

Body-lift Flap


Because she was thin, the fat was arranged in layers to achieve the proper size.

Living fat was transplanted from the bikini line of her tummy and hips to rebuild her breasts and repair the damage from previous surgeries.

The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery’s “4D Nipple Reconstruction” completed her restoration.

Before and After

I FEEL IN CHARGE
OF MY BODY.


They assured me that I'd be whole again and gave me hope and confidence that they could do it.

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The Breast Center

About the Center
for Reconstructive
Breast Surgery

St. Charles Surgical Hospital

Where Innovation Takes Shape

The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, affiliated with the St. Charles Surgical Hospital the only hospital in the world dedicated exclusively to breast cancer care and breast reconstruction for women facing mastectomy—was established to serve as a dedicated center of excellence for women seeking the most advanced methods of breast care. David S. Cabiling, MD; Frank J. DellaCroce, MD, FACS; Scott K. Sullivan, MD, FACS; Chris Trahan, MD, FACS; M. Whitten Wise, MD; and Sarosh Zafar, MD are pioneers in the art of rebuilding breasts lost to cancer, preventive mastectomy, developmental defects, replacing breast implants with natural tissue, lymphedema treatment, and correcting deformities associated with previous breast surgery. 

Their sophisticated microsurgical techniques allow for recreation of the breast with natural tissue while preserving strength and restoring beauty. Together with Board Certified Breast Surgical Oncologists W. Karl Ordoyne, MD, FACS; Mary Jo Wright, MD, FACS and Alan Stolier, MD, FACS, they comprise a group of international leaders in breast cancer surgery options, pioneering groundbreaking procedures including Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy, the Stacked DIEP, the GAP flap, and the BODY LIFT Flap®. They have performed thousands of these procedures over two decades for women from around the world. Their Center is tailored and staffed to cater to the needs of our traveling clientele. For more information, please visit www.breastcenter.com or www.scsh.com.

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Dr. DellaCroce: We started with a tiny team and a huge vision. The vision was pretty simple. The notion that we had back then is that we could do something extraordinary, that we could become the best of the best at what we do. But there was room for improvement in the world of care for women affected by breast cancer, that was so substantial. Yet, we had to do it.

Liz: I left my job of 17 years because I felt what they did was so important because what they’re all about was amazing; was absolutely amazing, and how they cared and loved people. Before Katrina, they were really getting underway with getting this site built and refurbished and outfitted to be a facility that they could see their patients in and considered as their office.

Dr. Sullivan: We decided we want to try to create a better experience, to try to control the environment — to control the quality. Shortly thereafter is when Katrina hit.

Dr. DellaCroce: And so, through whatever reason, whether it was temporary insanity, divine inspiration, or some combination of both, it occurred to me that we might be able to acquire more of the block than we had at that point. It’s very, very real ways this entire facility is the house that Katrina built. Had Katrina not happened, that opportunity would not have been there. Its support of the build-out wouldn’t have been there either.

Dr. Sullivan: Without the space, we would have cramped quarters. You can’t deliver a product, or the service, or the security, or the plushness that we wanted; without the space. 

Dr. DellaCroce: The collection of events that came together to make all that happen were, were meant to be. This place is a place that’s different because of the purpose.

SEE AND LISTEN TO OUR PATIENTS’ SHARED EXPERIENCES

It has made me whole again.

Deidra – Double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, nipple reconstruction, and 3D tattooing

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