Surgeons offer new option to breast cancer survivors

Today, more women than ever are surviving breast cancer because of early detection and improvements in treatment.

In El Paso, two surgeons who specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery, are offering a new option for women who have undergone a mastectomy.

Dr. Mary Jo Wright and Dr. Anh Lee moved to El Paso about two months ago and opened their doors at Evolve Plastic Surgery at Sierra Providence East Medical Center.

The doctors use what is called a microvascular technique that allows them to remove tissue from the abdominal area up onto their chest wall.

In this procedure, Dr. Wright said muscle tissue is not used to prevent any future complications such as a hernia, or a weak abdominal wall.

“Not many people around the country do it because i’ts more technically difficult,” said Dr. Lee.

Between Dr. Wright and Dr. Lee, they have done more than 150 surgeries in their career.

They have worked together for the past eight years and came to El Paso as a team because they saw the need for more options for women in recovery after battling breast cancer.

“We realized women were traveling out of the city to San Antonio, Houston, even to another state to get this procedure done,” said Dr. Lee.

About 78,000 women undergo a mastectomy every year and 40 percent of them undergo some sort of breast reconstructive surgery.

“I think breast cancer can be treated here in El Paso,” said Dr. Wright.