Category: DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

We are Not Sleeping: Protect Women’s Health and Access to DIEP Flap

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The publish date of this blog is July 22, 2023. If you look at the 2023 Congressional Calendar, you will find a “white out” section in the month of August. The United States Senate and House will both be on summer recess. I wish to inform all of Congress that we are not sleeping and continue our work to protect women’s health and access to DIEP flap. When faced with breast cancer and loss of breasts, there are several decisions to make. One of the most important decisions is whether to reconstruct your breasts or remain flat. Either way, it is a women’s choice and right to do so after the effects of a breast cancer diagnosis. DIEP flap is the most advanced, and in fact the best medical choice for reconstruction for many women. It is in danger of not being available to many and we are concerned. Our Continue Reading →

Democratization in Microsurgery: The Proximie System

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Democratization is a noun. The meaning of democratization as it pertains to microsurgery is the action of making training and education available through technology, in this case, microsurgery in breast reconstruction. The chosen field of microsurgery requires hours of training and practice. Observing colleagues perform this sophisticated and complex surgery increases their own skill set with the primary goal being improving patient outcomes in breast reconstruction. My guests are going to discuss their cross-continental experience working live in the operating theater practicing democratization in microsurgery using the Proximie System. An Introduction of the Microsurgeons Using the Proximie System I invited back to the DiepCJourney podcast two internationally known microsurgeons. Dr. Joe Dusseldorp practices in Sydney, Australia and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of surgeons. He has a keen interest in microsurgery and did his training overseas to achieve this status. He is also trained to do robotic Continue Reading →

Introducing BulbPendant for Drain Management During Breast Surgery

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The perfect solution for the management of Jackson Pratt bulb drains. From the HandandHand Medical website Successful recovery depends on the ability to heal without worry. But as physicians, patients and caregivers know, bulb drains are incredibly stressful. After surgery, the bulbs are loose, and patients do not know what to do with them. Drains can also become dislodged, requiring another procedure to replace them. BulbPendant for drain management during breast reconstruction not only solves these problems it relieves patients of the stress of dealing with bulb drains. Eliminating learning curves is a huge advantage. They (BP) are simple, so intuitive, it’s self-explanatory fitting 99% of all patients. The patient simply bows their head, keeping their elbows down at their sides while the neoprene band slides over their shoulders. The drain bulbs insert into the mesh pedant and easily clip into place, 30 seconds and you are done. BP is designed Continue Reading →

Episode 20: Planning Your Breast Reconstruction

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You have been diagnosed with breast cancer or find you are at high risk of getting breast cancer and are facing a mastectomy. Now what? If you choose to reconstruct your breast what does this process look like? Dr. Santosh Kale, MD, MBA is my guest on Episode 20 and planning your Breast Reconstruction, of the DiepCJourney podcast . He is a board-certified Plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon who practices in Gahanna, Ohio at Midwest Breast and Aesthetic Surgery outside of Columbus, Ohio. Along with his team at Midwest Breast he specializes in breast reconstruction (implant and tissue-based), aesthetic breast surgery, body contouring, and lymphedema surgery. Patient Considerations in Planning Their Breast Reconstruction Patients are inundated with information at the beginning of a diagnosis or finding they have a genetic mutation. They see an oncologist, breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiologist, and other medical specialists. Where does a patient begin the research and planning for their Continue Reading →

Cancer Survivors Day 2023

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I did not title this blog “National Cancer Survivors Day” for one reason. Cancer is an international disease. How it is treated, the access to care, the stories of cancer survivors are global. We should celebrate every cancer survivor around the world, every day. I am glad there is one day set aside to honor us and bring awareness to what being a cancer survivor is. I salute all of us this year on Cancer Survivors Day 2023. Living “With a History of Cancer” Many are confused by the word ‘survivor’, but I feel this is a well-defined statement. There is a website dedicated to Cancer Survivors Day. This is the statement from their website. According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, “A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.” National Cancer Continue Reading →

Education about DIEP Flap: One Simple Rule

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Can we assign one simple rule regarding education about DIEP flap breast reconstruction? Yes, this one simple rule is to listen. This is where it begins. I have learned from patients and surgeons that listening is the first action required to educate. It reveals what is important for patients and what they desire to understand about the process and decision to have DIEP flap. I have learned from surgeons it is important for patients to take the time to listen to surgeons to understand what they can achieve for a patient in a DIEP flap consultation.   My Introduction and Education about DIEP Flap I was a student in April of 2014 during my second diagnosis of breast cancer. In the months following my double mastectomy I did what I now tell others to do. “Do your homework to find the right plastic surgeon”. I listened to all breast reconstruction Continue Reading →

My Letter to CMS

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I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. My first diagnosis I had left chest radiation that left me with tethered tissue that affected my range of motion and ability to sleep on my left side. Because of this, DIEP flap was the only safe breast reconstruction option for me. Had I had implants along with an expander placed first, I ran a very high risk of infection and further breakdown of the tissue due to the radiation. This is my letter to CMS preserving women’s right to choose DIEP flap. Instead, my highly skilled micro-surgeon removed a great deal of the scar tissue that resulted from the radiation and replaced it with new, soft tissue from the DIEP flap he performed on me twelve years after my first diagnosis. I now lay comfortably on my left side. Additionally, my range of motion is greatly improved. Patient Stories to CMS I Continue Reading →

Women I Know and Admire

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May brings many celebrations that honor women. It is Mother’s Day weekend, but I have seen so much more on social media this month celebrating women. There are many women I know and admire, and I wish to celebrate them. The Mothers we Know and Admire They are not all with us, which gives me an even greater sense of appreciation that my ninety-two-year-old mother is still quite well and living. Admiration does not begin to embody all my thoughts and feelings for this woman. Not all mothers are admired through life and even after they have passed. It is the way of our fragile and emotional human nature. But for those who have been there for us you deserve some kudos and few more as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend. Wiping tears, listening, making tough decisions on behalf of their children, working exhaustively at home and in their Continue Reading →

Why DIEP Flap is the Best Recommended Breast Reconstruction Option

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The focus of this blog is two-fold. I will provide information regarding an upcoming public hearing concerning recent changes to insurance coverage for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. It will be held on June 1, 2023. The hearing will allow patients affected by breast cancer to become involved. I share my personal feeling that it is important for readers to understand the magnitude of this hearing regarding access to and coverage for breast reconstruction. There are many medical reasons why DIEP flap is the best recommended breast reconstruction option. Information Regarding Public Hearing on Breast Reconstruction Over the past few months, there has been a lot of information sharing on social media regarding coding changes to DIEP flap surgery. The collective voices sharing this information in multiple formats, coalitions formed, and no matter what organization it is from, has resulted in the public hearing held by CMS. I want to share Continue Reading →

Volunteers Moving the Mission of DiepCFoundation Forward

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Since before opening DiepCFoundation.org in the summer of 2016 I have been surrounded by volunteers. Being part of a nonprofit organization requires time, talent, and passion. I could not do this without our volunteers. This blog is dedicated to those who have and continue to believe in the mission of the Foundation. Every day I see volunteers moving the mission of DiepCFoundation forward. The First Volunteers for DiepCFoundation It all began with a phone call. Late in the day in February of 2016 the surgeon who performed my DIEP flap breast reconstruction called encouraging me to open a nonprofit foundation. Thank you, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, for taking time, for volunteering to make that phone call after your workday in surgery on your way home. I promised him I would begin giving this consideration. A month passed and I was visiting our oldest son and daughter-in-law to help with the care Continue Reading →