Restored is an evocative and uplifting art initiative featuring unique renditions of breast cancer previvors and survivors with the scars to prove it.
Breast reconstruction is, at its core, an act of restoration. A reconstructed breast cannot truly replace the tissue that was once in its place, but it can restore contour, confidence, and a patient’s sense of self.
Many newly diagnosed breast cancer patients look for images of reconstructed breasts and find only clinical before and after shots. While those can be extremely helpful, they often fail to capture any emotional context. Patients see reconstructed breasts, complete with scars, and don’t know how the women attached to those bodies are feeling.
In an effort to shift the narrative surrounding breast reconstruction, Drs. Ron Israeli and Jonathan Bank collaborated to create a new project called Restored. Restored is a book and art exhibit that tells the stories of twelve breast reconstruction patients from different walks of life. The project includes images, life casts, and words from each woman that convey the physical and emotional restoration that breast reconstruction can provide.
Ron Israeli MD and Jonathan Bank for a celebration of their collaborative effort Restored book and life cast sculptures. Allergan Aesthetics is honored to 12 inspirational women of diverse ages and backgrounds together to tell their story breathtaking exhibit of photography, video and body cast sculptures.
Although the moment captured by each sculpture represents a point of emergence for these women, their journeys of healing and recovery continue. Our Purpose in completing this project is to heighten awareness and provide a tangible understanding of the experience and techniques of mastectomy and reconstruction. Our desire is that these life cast sculptures provide a sense of hope and inspiration to all women facing mastectomy.