Category: Finding A Surgeon

Primary Care; Radiologist; Breast Surgeon; Oncologist; Plastic Surgeon specializing in mircrosurgery

DIEP Flap Reducing Abdominal Wall Complications

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Looking at the analytics on the DiepCFoundation YouTube channel I realized this video, DIEP Flap reducing abdominal wall complications with Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo is worthy of a blog summary. For our viewers, some value watching the video while others find it helpful to read the information. Having in a blog will allow you to print it if you feel it will help you at your surgical consult. Speaking to your surgeon about reducing abdominal complications in DIEP flap breast reconstruction is an important part of the conversation. Hernia and Bulging in DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction Dr. C begins our conversation with “Well, you know how I feel about the belly”. I agree and point out the other video we did on the topic, “The Aesthetics of the Belly in DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction”. Dr. C and I like to share these across multiple channels. This video can also be found Continue Reading →

Episode 19: Efficient DIEP Flaps

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DIEP flaps are a type of breast reconstruction using a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct breasts after mastectomy for those affected by breast cancer. DIEP stands for deep inferior epigastric perforators. Epigastric refers to the abdominal area. The underlying tissue and perforators (blood vessels) are disconnected by the microsurgeon from the abdominal area and transplanted to the breast area to create soft, warm, tissue much like the breasts removed during mastectomy. We hope Episode 19: Efficient DIEP Flaps, has piqued your curiosity. Efficient DIEP Flaps Study To do an efficient DIEP flap requires years of training, skill, planning, and a team. My guest, Dr. Nicholas Haddock is one of the Breast Reconstruction Team at UT – Southwestern Department of Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX. He works with Dr. Sumeet Teotia performing state of the art autologous breast reconstruction in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas. In our discussion we reference the PRS Global Continue Reading →

The Intersection of Research and Decision for Breast Reconstruction

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One day your life is humming along as usual. Work, children, family, friends, school, house cleaning, errands, vacation, cooking, on and on. Then out of nowhere you hear the news that feels like a gut punch. “You have breast cancer.” Perhaps you get genetic test results back and you find out you have a genetic mutation putting you at high risk of getting breast cancer. You are thrust into a new role finding out all you can about your diagnosis. Will I be facing a mastectomy or choose a mastectomy for my treatment? When will the intersection of research and decision for breast reconstruction occur? The Research Process Why am I writing about this? I agonized over this part of my breast cancer diagnosis when I was told my best choice for my long-term survival was a double mastectomy. It was my second diagnosis and now in both breasts vs. Continue Reading →

Function and Management of Breast Reconstruction Drains

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The DiepCJourney Facebook group has members from all over the world. The purpose of the group is to nurture an ongoing learning community with people affected by breast cancer and those who serve breast cancer patients. A request was made to make a video about surgical drains. It is not a favorite part of recover but certainly necessary. I sat down with Dr. Randall Feingold of NYBRA, New York Breast and Reconstruction and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to discuss the function and management of breast reconstruction drains. Why Drains Are Placed at the Surgical Sites I start off the conversation by sharing my own experience with drains for my double mastectomy and DIEP flap. The general consensus from patients is that drains are not something that anyone likes. I feel when patients understand why they are being used, they become a bit more tolerable, especially knowing they are a short-term part Continue Reading →

A Celebration of 10K Breast Reconstruction Flaps

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On May 21, 2022, I will be back in San Antonio, Texas for a celebration of 10K breast reconstruction flaps. This event is put together by the plastic surgery group who did my DIEP flap surgery in December of 2014. This day holds great significance for me. I am grateful to PRMA for their fantastic efforts and support putting this 10K race together to celebrate the 10K flap surgeries they have performed for those affected by breast cancer. Thank you to the sponsors who are generously supporting this race. Honoring All the Patients Who Have Chosen Flap Surgery The 10K breast reconstruction flaps race is being held in San Antonio. The real honor goes to ladies across the world who have chosen or are planning flap surgery after being affected by breast cancer and losing their breasts to the disease. Over the years since I started my nonprofit organization, DiepCFoundation, Continue Reading →

Lessons from Mom Before, During, and After Breast Cancer

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I want to start with a gentle reminder that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a mom like I do. Some Moms have passed and are missed dearly. Others are not present physically or emotionally even though they are still alive. On Mother’s Day, it is important to be sensitive to this when we speak to others. We cannot assume that they celebrate Mother’s Day. It anguishes me to think what my own sweet mom went through learning I had breast cancer, not once, but twice. I am fortunate to be able to share the experiences and lessons from Mom before, during, and after breast cancer. Lessons from Mom Before Breast Cancer I am one of four girls born to my parents. However, I never knew one of my sisters who died shortly after a full-term pregnancy. My mom sorrowfully anguished over this, most of the time, with dignity Continue Reading →

Episode 17: Journey of the Caregiver

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Caregivers are called upon in the most unexpected ways through disease, an accident, surgery, or treatment. This is the story and journey of a thousand miles, two breast cancer diagnoses, multiple surgeries, and the story of how my son, Brian, taught me more about this role and what it means to be a compassionate caregiver on Episode 17: Journey of the Caregiver, on the DiepCJourney podcast. No Instruction Book for a Caregiver When a friend or loved one faces a health event and you know they will need assistance, your call to duty to be a caregiver begins. There is no payment for this role and certainly no instruction book. Both the patient and the caregiver shift their daily routine and begin to think in terms of strategy to help the patient. Considerations can include any or all of the following: This can all become overwhelming and require a great Continue Reading →

Packing When Traveling for DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

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Many women travel for breast reconstruction surgery. Why? Access to a plastic surgeon in your town may not be available. It was not for me so I decided to summarize a list of what I recommend you will be packing when traveling for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Why Patients Choose to Travel for DIEP flap If you are having autologous breast reconstruction, like DIEP flap or any other type of tissue reconstruction, finding a microsurgeon to perform your breast reconstruction is important. Microsurgery is a specialty of plastic surgery. These surgeons perform tissue reconstruction. Tissue reconstruction has warm blood flow in the transferred tissue used to reconstruct the breast. It requires great skill and additional training beyond plastic surgery training to tie the tiny blood vessels together to achieve the blood flow in the newly reconstructed breast making it feel more like the native breast tissue removed from a mastectomy Continue Reading →

Episode 16: Options for Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy

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When a person faces a mastectomy due to breast cancer, they have options to reconstruct their breasts. The options include using an implant, using the patients own tissue, or choosing to remain flat with aesthetic flat closure. Dr. Steven Pisano of PRMA, Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates, in San Antonio, Texas discusses all the options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy in Episode 16 of the DiepCJourney podcast. The Voice of an Expert in Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy Dr. Pisano is one of the original founders of PRMA in San Antonio. He started the practice in 1994 with partner Dr. Peter Ledoux to serve the San Antonio area with general breast reconstruction surgery. Since that time, they will be on track by the end of 2021 to perform over ten thousand flap breast reconstruction surgeries for patients from all over the world. They now have a team of eight highly skilled microsurgeons Continue Reading →

Global Collaboration and Learning on the Topic of Breast Reconstruction

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Collaboration is defined as an action working together with someone to produce or create something. My chosen profession is education. Working with my team in school districts to share ideas exhilarated me. Now, as a nonprofit leader and Founder of DiepCFoundation, I frequently experience global collaboration and learning on the topic of breast reconstruction. Developing a Community of Collaboration Our geographic world is expansive but our ability to collaborate is only an email, text, or message away. When I opened the DiepCJourney private Facebook page, often referred to by members as “The Journey” in the summer of 2015, I had no idea the global relationships that would develop on this page, let alone the other social media accounts I use for the Foundation. The need for education, support, and resources for all options of breast reconstruction after mastectomy continues. I witness this every day on “The Journey”. I set the Continue Reading →