How Jane found new
options for her life after
mastectomy*
After years of chest numbness, read how the
Resensation® technique with Avance® (acellular
nerve allograft–arwx) helped Jane find new options
for life after mastectomy.
2 minute read
Choosing to persevere
Jane knows how to persevere proactively through the unexpected. When she and her husband experienced fertility issues, they decided to use a surrogate. When a routine mammogram discovered tumors in both breasts, she chose to get a double mastectomy.
But life after breast reconstruction continued to reveal hurdles, and for the first time, Jane didn’t have a plan to overcome them.
During a mastectomy, the nerves that supply sensation to the breast are cut so that the breast tissue can be removed.1 For Jane, this resulted in loss of sensation in her chest. This numbness disconnected Jane from moments she didn’t want to miss—including the pivotal moment of finally feeling her newborn daughter.
“I remember taking her in my arms and putting her on my chest,” Jane said. “But I couldn’t feel her skin. I didn’t know that she was there unless I looked at her.”
And it wasn’t just about emotional pain. Jane’s chest also hurt due to complications with her breast implants. This led her to a new plastic surgeon, who helped Jane realize she had another choice to make.
“Part of telling my story is to really encourage other women in my situation to be proactive,” Jane said.
Ask your surgeon if it’s possible to do the Resensation technique.Jane
Deciding to reconnect
In Jane’s case, her surgeon recommended removing the implants and replacing them using free flap reconstruction. In free flap, or autologous reconstruction, the surgeon uses tissue from another part of the body to recreate the breasts.2
Her surgeon also told Jane about the Resensation technique, a surgical procedure with the goal of reconnecting nerves in her chest that were cut during mastectomy.2,3 When Jane heard this, she felt the stirrings of hope.
*Each patient outcome is dependent upon the nature and extent of nerve loss or damage, the timing between nerve loss and repair, and the natural course of the patient’s recovery. These testimonials reflect the experience of the individual and may not represent typical results.
References
- O’Neill RC, et al. Modern approaches to breast neurotization. Clin Plast Surg. 2023;50(2):347-355. doi:10.1016/j.cps.2022.10.003
- Djohan R, et al. Sensory restoration in abdominally based free flaps for breast reconstruction using nerve allograft. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023;151(1):25-33. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000009773
- Avance® (acellular nerve allograft-arwx) US Prescribing Information, Alachua FL: Axogen corporation; 2026.
Read more stories
Hear from more patients about their experiences with the Resensation technique.
What is AVANCE® (acellular nerve allograft-arwx)?
AVANCE is a sterile nerve graft prepared from donated human tissue. AVANCE is implanted in patients with cut nerves to help restore sensory function.
Important Safety Information
AVANCE has risks related to surgery and the use of donated human tissue that you should understand before treatment.
Surgical and Procedure-Related Risks
As with any nerve repair surgery, complications can occur. Risks related to the surgical procedure and use of AVANCE may include pain, increased sensitivity at the implant site, swelling, bleeding, and infection. Other risks may include scarring (including thick or raised scars), delayed wound healing, scar tissue, and formation of a painful nerve growth. Some patients may experience loss, decrease, or change in sensation or movement in the area being treated. A serious problem involving wound healing has also been reported.
Risk of Infectious Disease Transmission
Because AVANCE is made from donated human tissue, it can pass on infectious diseases. Donors are carefully screened and tested for viruses and other infectious agents. However, these measures do not completely eliminate the risk of disease transmission. All infections thought to be transmitted by AVANCE should be reported to Axogen Corporation at 1-888-296-4361.
What to Watch for After Surgery
After your procedure, your doctor will monitor your healing and nerve recovery. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following:
- Redness, swelling, warmth, or increasing pain at the surgical site
- Drainage or signs of infection
- New or worsening numbness, tingling, or pain
- Changes in movement or weakness
- Any other symptoms that concern you
Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions during recovery and rehabilitation.