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How Shared Decision-Making Works in Breast Reconstruction

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The term shared decision-making can be used across multiple disciplines in medicine. The process of shared decision-making takes place when a patient and their health care provider work together to make a health care plan that is best for the patient. It is a topic I speak of often in my community as a patient advocate for all options of breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Let’s talk about shared decision making and how it works in breast reconstruction. How Shared Decision-Making Works for the Patient Whether implants are chosen or you choose to use your own tissue, being your own best advocate and doing your homework prior to your initial consult is beneficial. Prepare your questions and findings ahead of time. Your physician will go to the consult prepared. Doesn’t it make sense then, that you are just as prepared? This first step will empower you with a voice to communicate Continue Reading →

A Network of Support Through your Breast Reconstruction Journey

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It is an honor to present a project I was asked to participate in. The focus of the project is patient centered stories in breast reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on the shared decision-making model for patients through their own personal breast reconstruction Journey. The program is available in a video presented on a Balancing Act segment of Lifetime Television and embedded in this blog for you to watch. It is truly a network of support through your breast reconstruction Journey. Rebecca’s Network of Support I was approached by Mentor to participate in the project. It did not take me long to know my voice was an important part of the network of support. The story focused on Rebecca, a young woman who tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene. She sought guidance from a genetic counselor after watching her mother go through breast cancer. She knew she was at higher Continue Reading →

Is There Guilt Associated with Choosing Breast Reconstruction?

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Sometimes, yes, sadly there is guilt associated with choosing breast reconstruction. I hear this conversation too frequently. It is a feeling I can relate to on some level. There are varying reasons women feel this way during the process of deciding to have breast reconstruction when they are faced with mastectomy. Let’s look at some of the reasons and answer the question, “Is there guilt associated with choosing breast reconstruction?”. Perceived Vanity Associated with Choosing Breast Reconstruction To some who hear the words breast reconstruction and plastic surgery in the same sentence, there is sometimes a perceived notion the patient is choosing this for appearance sake, vanity. I cringe when I hear the phrase, “boob job” referring to breast reconstruction. Sadly, a leading beauty magazine actually used the phrase talking about breast enhancements and reconstruction in the same article just this year. I won’t be including the name of the Continue Reading →

Prosthetic Nipples After Non-Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: an Option for All

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A Guest Blog By Naturally Impressive, LLC Some women are able to successfully do nipple sparing mastectomy and some are not, for a variety of reasons. Many of us are surprised to find out how emotional it is to look in the mirror and see a missing nipple (or two!). It’s almost like our reflection is shouting back at us “You’ve had cancer” which can hinder our growth into a more positive self-image.   Most women are aware of the options of surgical nipple reconstruction or nipple-areola tattoos, but an option that is less known and often overlooked is nipple prosthetics as a short or long term option. For any of these scenarios, consider Naturally Impressive nipple prosthetics as an elegant way to “have nipples” that look very real and stay on securely for weeks. You want nipples, but aren’t sure which choice yet. You plan to have surgical nipple Continue Reading →

DiepCFoundation attends the GRYT Virtual Cancer Conference

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I have attended a number of conferences as a patient advocate since opening DiepCFoundation in 2016. Traveling takes time and financial resources. I am happy to share with you a virtual conference you can attend from the comfort of your home. Come with me as DiepCFoundation attends The GRYT Virtual Cancer Conference held Saturday, October 5th, 2019. How to Participate in the GRYT Virtual Cancer Conference The conference will be “open” from 8am-9pm Eastern Standard Time. During this time, you can listen to a variety of speakers and attend breakout sessions from a number of organizations across the cancer community. You can also visit the Exhibit Hall to interact one on one with the hosts of the virtual booths. They will be available during various times of the day to answer questions from participants. Ongoing Resources after the GRYT Virtual Cancer Conference There is an added advantage and ongoing resources Continue Reading →

What is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day?

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Each year in October, a day is set aside to provide education to women and men about what options are available for breast reconstruction. Medical practices, plastic surgeons, and organization across the country host various events inviting those who need resources and information about breast reconstruction. Attendees to BRA Day events include those affected by breast cancer. Let’s take a closer look at topics covered and answer the question of what Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day is and the information it provides. Options for Breast Reconstruction Autologous breast reconstruction: Using the patient’s own tissue to reconstruction the breast. Implant-based reconstruction: Using an implant filled with silicon or gel to recreate the breast. Autologous tissue and implant combined I had autologous, DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The lower tummy tissue is disconnected along with the underlying blood vessels (deep inferior epigastric perforators). It is then reconnected to the breast area to create soft Continue Reading →

My Journey with Breast Cancer

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My journey with breast cancer began as a 6 year old little girl that watched her mother battle the disease in May of 1987. My mom didn’t undergo breast reconstruction (I don’t even know if they gave her the option) so she remained flat after a single mastectomy was performed followed by chemotherapy. In May 1991, the disease returned, and it has metastasized to her bone. She ultimately succumbed to the disease 2 ½ year later in December of 1993. I was 13 years old. I spent a majority of my 30’s undergoing genetic testing, scans, self-breast exams, and biopsies at the recommendation of various physicians including my ob-gyn and a hematologist I had visited due to iron deficiency in my first pregnancy. 2 biopsies had already come back negative. Then on Thursday, November 15th after having undergone a 3rd biopsy on the same breast, I got the call that Continue Reading →

Patient Advocacy at Plastic Surgery the Meeting

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Preparations begin for the fourth year in a row for me to attend PSTM, Plastic Surgery the Meeting in San Diego. This is the annual national conference of plastic surgeons both nationally and internationally to present the latest in plastic surgery techniques. It includes all aspects of plastic surgery, including aesthetic and reconstructive practices. My patient advocacy at Plastic Surgery the Meeting will focus on breast reconstruction. The Value of Social Media and Patient Advocacy at Plastic Surgery the Meeting The first year I attended I was the tenderfoot, the novice, wandering the expansive convention center in downtown Los Angeles not even knowing the layout, what sessions I could attend, or the flow of the conference. I opened my nonprofit, DIEPCFoundation.org the month before I attended my first PSTM in September of 2016. Many attendees did not know who I was. However, they recognized me because of my presence on Continue Reading →

Trust in your Breast Reconstruction Surgeon

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How do you know when you have complete trust in your breast reconstruction surgeon? I can share my experience, but I am not you. My breast cancer experience was unique to my circumstances. It was my second occurrence of breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy and for seven long months lived without my breasts. Then I had what is known as delayed DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I honestly felt like a mangled mess the day I first saw my plastic reconstructive surgeon for my initial consult. I had skin sparing, nipple sparing mastectomy. Looking down at the folds of skin laying on my now breast-less chest wall always made me towel off quickly after each shower to put something over the area left marred by breast cancer. Each side of my chest looked different since I had radiation twelve years previous on my left side only. Scarring, tightness, and Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction From the Clinic to the Canvas

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It is a remarkable patient experience from the clinical consult for breast reconstruction to the day the plastic surgeon begins the process of rebuilding a patient’s breasts. Whether you have breast cancer or are having a prophylactic mastectomy to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer, breast reconstruction begins the day of your initial clinic visit. It culminates the day of surgery, on the canvas, the skin and tissue your plastic surgeon has to work with. The Journey from the Clinic to the Canvas A plastic surgeon begins to look at all aspects of the canvas. They work with different coloration from pale white to the deepest hues of browns and everything in between. Is the canvas rough, smooth, or does it have its own unique characteristics; previous scars, moles, stretch marks? What is the suppleness of the skin, the canvas? The surgeon might be working with young, taut skin, Continue Reading →