Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2013

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Feeling Good
Breast in Show:
Patients Find Reassurance
after Reconstruction
M any women are unaware of
breast reconstruction options and that
reconstruction is even an option at the
time of mastectomy, if that is the recom-
mended treatment.
When I met with Debbie Dutcher, a breast cancer
survivor, to have early morning coffee and chat about her
reconstruction experience with
Dr. Ram Kalus, her sunny dispo-
sition was remarkable.
“I was referred to Dr. Kalus by Dr. Paul Baron, said
Dutcher. “Since I’d just moved to the area about four years
ago, I didn’t know any plastic surgeons.”
Dutcher was pleasantly surprised to work with Dr.
Kalus, whom she described as “protective and meticulous.”
“He was there during the actual mastectomy, and then
he took over for the breast reconstruction,” she said. “I was
ready to get everything over with at once.”
Laughing, Dutcher remembered how eager she’d been
to get back to “normal life” after the surgery.
“Dr. Kalus wants everything to be perfect,” she said.
“He tells you not to vacuum or lift anything heavy. …
it was so hard for me when I started to feel better and
wanted to start running again. But after a scare with some
complications, I’m just walking.”
Dutcher said her experience with Dr. Kalus helped her feel
confident, not doubtful, about the reconstructive process.
“I think it really made a difference,” she said. “After a
couple of visits, he just got up and hugged me. We got to
be pretty close. You can’t replace that kind of reassurance.”
Another one of Dr. Kalus’ reconstruction patients,
Claudia Medlin, had a similar experience.
“After my double mastectomy, I was sent to Dr. Kalus,”
said Medlin. “He’s like family now – he and his office
staff.”
Medlin, who had previously been small-breasted, de-
cided on a slight enhancement for her reconstruction.
“I visited Dr. Kalus’ website, but none of the photos
reflected exactly what I wanted,” Medlin commented. “Dr.
Kalus was very understanding and worked with my ideas.”
Like Dutcher, Medlin got to know Dr. Kalus through
routine visits.
“I had to go back every two weeks for silicone shots,”
said Medlin. “During the process, I probably asked the
silliest questions, but he
never minded. I would ask
about running, taking a bath,
whatever … and he was always
there for me. I’d never encoun-
tered a doctor like that.”
Medlin said other women
comment on how natural her
reconstruction looks, which
helps assure her that she made
the right choice.
“Other women who have
implants are amazed,” she said.
“It sounds funny to say that
we compare breasts, but we
do. And I tell everyone what a
great job Dr. Kalus did.”
For more information, visit www.
.
By DenIse k. jaMes
Claudia Medlin, left and Debbie Dutcher both are satisfied patients of Dr. Ram kalus.
Photos provided