Description
For women who have
undergone medical
breast surgery, breast reduction and breast augmentation
Instructions for use
The pads should be put over the bandaged area, under the bra or fixated under the Tubigrip®.
For women who undergo reconstructive breast cancer surgery
With the method of preserving the patient’s own skin for use in the reconstructive surgery, it is important to optimize blood circulation prior to the procedure. Dr. Jaume Masia, Plastic Surgeon, in Barcelona, uses the following routine with good results. The day before surgery, the patient is given the post-operative pad to wear. After surgery, the pad is placed over the dressings, in a bra or Tubigrip®, to optimize blood circulation at the surgical site. It is comforting for the patient and promotes healing without complications.
For women who have undergone mastectomy
These pads are giving a relief right after the surgery. They shall be put on the bandage to give warmth and comfort in this phase. The pads are soft and give comforting feeling which is so important. After the healing process it is a great advantage to keep on using the pads. Most women say it comes quite natural, since it is giving such a nice feeling.
For women who have undergone radiation therapy
This is a time when the skin is very affected by the radiation. it can be very difficult and painful to wear material as synthetic or cotton closest to the skin.
The pads are soft to the skin, feels natural and comforting, since wool possess similar featured as human skin. Wool has a calming effect on the skin and is not static.A good advice is to have the pad closest to the skin inside your bra. This way the pad is protecting the skin under the seams and the material of the bra. The pads give warm and nice feeling due to the softness and filling structure of the material. It is also the phycological comfort that is there.
For women who use breast prosthesis
Many women have difficulty to keep breast prosthesis closest to the skin. Silicone material might feel unnatural and uncomfortable to the traumatized skin area. It is recommended to place the pad between the prosthesis and the skin to avoid direct contact with the silicone material.
Washing instructions
Wash. Wash by had in lukewarm water to which 1 tablespoon of lanolin soap or hair shampoo is added. Swish the pads gently in the water. Rinse in lukewarm water. Never rinse in cold water – cold water shocks the wool fibers, causing the pads to shrink. Press the excess water out in a towel, and then give the pads a quick shake. Let them dry over a mild heat source.
Sterilize. Placing woolen pads , directly after washing (dripping wet), in a microwave oven on high for 2 minutes removes all bacteria and yeast spores (Confirmed by Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark). Always make sure your pads are wet when placed in either a microwave – they will otherwise burn.
TESTIMONIES:
Prof. Farhadi’s Breast surgery pads have replaced the forced air warming system in all patients after a microsurgical breast reconstruction. The patients have described the pads as soft, comfortable and non-scratching.
It gives them safety and security after a traumatic procedure of loosing their breasts.
Prof. J.Farhadi:
“I use the pads in the following situations and reason:
*After microsurgical breast reconstruction: to keep the flap warm
*After mastectomy and implant based reconstruction: to avoid too much pressure on the skin flaps
*After aesthetic breast surgery with the use of lipofilling: to avoid pressure on the fat cells and keep the fat cells warm “
Comments received from patients: 
- It is soft and warm
- It feels nice
- It does not scratch/itch
- It Does not move under the bra
- It gives an optimal possibility to move
- It gives nice temperature
- It feels like it protects the breast
- It is relaxing and gives a feeling of security
Full study by Prof. Jian Farhadi and Dr. Wellmoed Keijzer at ARBS Net:
View Video of First official presentation of Prof. Farhadi Breast Surgery Pads at London Breast Meeting 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs4H7azO-u4&t=56s
View explicit Presentation of Prof. Farhadi Breast Surgery Pads at London Breast Meeting 2018
https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=PPT+presentation+at+LBM+2018.pdf
Prof. Jian Farhadi
Consultant Plastic Surgeon and past Director Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, founder and lead plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Group in London and Zurich.
About Prof. Jian Farhadi:
Prof. Farhadi’s career is characterized by numerous international stations. He is a fifth generation surgeon. He completed his medical studies at the University of Basel and at the Pitié Salpetrière in Paris. This was followed by several years of surgical training at the Regional Hospital Burgdorf and at the Inselspital Bern. Prof. Farhadi entered a research fellowship at Yale University in the USA after obtaining a National Scholarship. He completed his training as a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at the University Hospital Basel in 2005. During the period of specialist training, he completed another research year in the field of tissue engineering in the Department of Biomedicine. He earned his habilitation in 2007. In 2016, he was awarded the title of professor at the University of Basel. To pursue his interest in breast surgery, he began a fellowship at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. Following this, Prof. Farhadi was appointed as a Consultant. In 2012 he was elected Department Head. During his tenure, he built the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department into one of the largest in Europe. This included 24 consultant and 34 junior doctors and fellows. During this time, Prof. Farhadi trained numerous specialists in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery.
“For years they have tried to finds methods to improve the blood flow in the skin of the breast and the complex areola and nipple, and thus reduce the risk of complications after a mastectomy.
Different systems for providing heat, such as electric blankets, hot water… all are uncomfortable for the patient and can sometimes pose negative effects, such as skin burns.
We found the solution in the use of a pad in merino wool from LANACare, which is placed on the breast the day before surgery. It acts as a thermal blanket, very pleasant and soft to the touch. It increases the temperature in the covered area. And because it is pure wool, which absorbs moisture without feeling wet, the skin may perspire, which is the most important condition for increasing blood circulation.”
Dr.Jaume Masia
Chief of Plastic Surgery Department,
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Hospital del Mar,
Barcelona, Spain.
In Norway there are an increased number of women with BRCA mutation, these women have an increased risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. The treatment is usually prophylactic mastectomy.
I perform many of these types of surgeries in team with a breast surgeon. In these procedures the breast surgeon performs a so called skin sparing mastectomy and I as a plastic surgeon then reconstruct the breast usually using implants together with skin- muscle flaps or with the use of cellular dermal plates. The main problem is that the skin coverage over the implant can be very thin and thus have compromised circulation and decreased thermal abilities.
The patients tolerate the pads very good and many continue to use the pads even after many weeks because they find them comfortable and they feel less coldness on the reconstructed breast.”
Dr. Georg Panczel
Head of plastic surgery, Aleris Private Hospital Rogaland, Norway
Consultant Stavanger University Hospital , Stavanger, Norway
“The pads provide warmth, promote blood flow and potentially reduce ischemic problems to breast skin”
Dr. Irene L. Wapnir MD
Professor of Breast surgery,
Chief of Breast Surgery,
Stanford Cancer Institute
Stanford, USA
FACTS OF THE PADS
The purpose was to develop a unique pad that would make the post operational phase for the breast patient optimal in healing as well as comfort. The pads quality is to maintain normal body temperature in the breasts and to prevent hypothermia which can lead to decreased circulation in the Breast skin. Essential features of the wool such as light warmth and breathability naturally contribute to optimising healing process, making it quicker and smoother.
Prof. Farhadi’s Breast surgery Pads are made in soft merino wool. Only clean and untreated wool is used. Merino wool is incredibly fine and soft, therefore can be used even directly to the skin. Wool regulates body temperature naturally and gives warmth which promotes blood circulation. It retains warmth even when wet.
The pads should be used as a warming top-bandage direct post-operative period or even after – as an additional layer of warmth in the bra. Many women continue to use these pads long after the operation. Low temperature can give an unpleasant effect on the treated area. These pads will give the warmth and softness to reduce this uncomfort.