News Archives - Page 9 of 22

Is There Guilt Associated with Choosing Breast Reconstruction?

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Terri

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

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Terri

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

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Terri

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?

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Terri

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 →

Patient Advocacy at Plastic Surgery the Meeting

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Terri

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 →

Patience and Persistence: Pregnancy Post-DIEP – Part 1

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Terri

When I found out in September 2014 my cousin had been diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently found out in January 2015 that I am positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, I felt like time was not on my side. At the time my daughter was four years old and I had dreams of a second child. However, my husband and I didn’t feel it was the right time to try. Fast forward to early 2016, the time was finally right, and we began to try for baby number two. We tried for two years with no success. We even saw a fertility specialist and confirmed that we had all the right parts in all the right quantities to have another baby, we just needed more patience and persistence: pregnancy post-DIEP – part 1. By Spring 2018 I was wrapping up a Master’s degree and decided I just couldn’t wait Continue Reading →

Allergan Textured Implant Recall

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Terri

Why the Recall for Allergan Textured Implants? There has been recurrent media coverage over the past year about a rare subtype of lymphoma that has been diagnosed in a small but increasingly reported number of women who have textured implants. It is called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). From the FDA website: BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer – it is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body. At this time, the overall incidence of developing BIA-ALCL is considered to be low; however, a BIA-ALCL diagnosis is serious and can lead to death, especially if not diagnosed early or promptly treated. In most patients, BIA-ALCL is treated successfully with surgery to remove the implant and scar tissue surrounding the implant; however, Continue Reading →

Nipple Prosthesis after Mastectomy from Naturally Impressive, LLC

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Terri

Decisions and Waiting It’s SO hard to wait! -for pathology report or test results -to be done with chemo / radiation -to be done with breast reconstruction That moment when you’re finally done with treatment and breast reconstruction is so exciting! The next thought is to get nipples and you’ll be completely done with it all and able to feel “normal” again. Sounds so simple, but a good nipple solution can be frustratingly elusive. If you are planning to have a permanent option like nipple tattoos or surgical nipple reconstruction, you might get the news that you need to wait at least 3 to 6 months for tissue to settle. That can feel like forever to have to look in the mirror and see a “blank slate” or lopsided chest. We never knew how important our nipples were before we lost them, did we? But wait…you CAN have nipples much Continue Reading →

Breast Surgery Recovery Shirt I Wish I’d Had

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Terri

Here it is, the breast surgery recovery shirt I wish I’d had and you can order it right here: from the Healinincomfort site. Healincomfort will pay shipping. Now that’s a deal! One part of my job as a patient advocate and Founder and Director of DiepCFoundation.org is finding products making healing and recovery from breast cancer easier for patients. I have been through six different surgeries for breast cancer and breast reconstruction. My double mastectomy and DIEP flap breast reconstruction both required surgical drains. They were not my favorite part of recovery but necessary to drain out accumulated surgical fluid. The amount of time a patient has surgical drains can be a couple of weeks and sometimes a little over a month. It really depends on the individual healing mechanisms of each patient. This is why I am happy to write about the Healincomfort breast surgery recovery shirt I wish Continue Reading →