Category: Plastic Surgery

Microsurgical Conferences: Why and How

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I still remember attending my first medical conference after launching DiepCFoundation in the summer of 2016. Since then, I’ve participated in more meetings than I can count, each one reinforcing how essential thoughtful preparation is for meaningful patient advocacy, whether the focus is breast cancer or breast reconstruction. My first event of 2026 will be the annual meeting of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), a gathering that always inspires reflection on why microsurgical conferences matter and how to make the most of them. In this blog, I’m sharing the strategies that have helped me prepare, stay grounded, and find success in these dynamic environments. Strategies Preparing for Microsurgical Conferences Registration for ASRM begins months before the actual conference. There is an early registration price and once that passes the cost increases. As a nonprofit, I remain mindful of our budget since I have to justify expenditure to my Continue Reading →

BioCircuit Nerve Tape®: Bridging Curiosity and Clinical Insight

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I was wandering around the exhibit hall floor at Plastic Surgery the Meeting 2025 (PSTM25) and was curious about a particular exhibit. The company representatives were demonstrating the use of Nerve Tape®, a suture free solution for nerve repair. The claim was “connecting nerves faster and more accurately than conventional  methods. I was invited to sit at the demonstration table and try it. As a layperson, I was skeptical about the “faster and more accurately” claim and determined to give them honest feedback. Here’s what happened next. Clinical Insight into BioCircuit Nerve Tape® Speaking to Michelle Jarrad, CEO of BioCircuit Technologies led to a collaboration to educate patients about the product. When the Foundation forges these partnerships, it is patient education focused to align with our mission to support those affected by breast cancer with education to empower and inform. If there are gaps in patient education regarding innovations in Continue Reading →

An Invitation to the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium

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This is your invitation to the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium, a valuable gathering for medical professionals, patients, and advocates aiming to advance knowledge and discussions surrounding breast surgery, breast cancer research, breast reconstruction, and patient care. Whether you’re exploring your options or supporting someone on this path, this event is designed to provide clarity, support, and empowerment to make the decision that’s right for you. Details To Prepare for the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium Seating is limited!! Be sure to register to attend on site by clicking on our Eventbrite page. Can’t Join in Person at the Symposium? Join Us Online by Signing up for the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium here. Before you sign up: we invite you to make a heartfelt donation to help us continue hosting these meaningful events. Simply click the donation image to support our mission-every gift makes a difference. Online Registration Link and QR Code: Webinar Link to Register See you Continue Reading →

Nipple Reconstruction at PRMA

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Do most people who have nipple reconstruction have breast reconstruction? Not necessarily. Do you think about nipple reconstruction if you’ve had breast cancer and are in a consultation for breast reconstruction? We are going to answer these questions and others on this episode of the DiepCJourney Podcast about nipple reconstruction at PRMA with my guest, Dr. Courtney Carpenter of PRMA in San Antonio, Texas. Meet Dr. Carpenter who Performs Nipple Reconstruction Dr. Carpenter joined PRMA in 2014 after moving her practice and family from Minnesota. She has over eight years’ experience in microsurgery, including head and neck reconstruction, facial trauma, juvenile breast deformities and craniofacial surgery. Dr. Carpenter is passionate about utilizing her extensive expertise and experience to help transform lives through reconstructive plastic surgery. I want to point out that PRMA uses the co-surgeon model in breast reconstruction, meaning there are two board-certified microsurgeons with the patient in the Continue Reading →

The Difference Between APEX and DIEP Flap Reconstruction

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Dr. Oscar Ochoa discusses the difference between APEX and DIEP flap reconstruction. A frequent question on the DiepCJourney Facebook page is the reason it was time to reach out to an expert. Dr. Ochoa is with PRMA in San Antonio, Texas. They celebrate thirty years of service to the breast cancer community this year. Congratulations to the growing team of surgeons providing breast reconstruction worldwide for patients. Learning About the Philosophy of Plastic Surgery in Breast Reconstruction Dr. Ochoa tells us in the video, Breast reconstruction is a topic that no one really learns about until they are actually dealing with it. ~ Dr. Oscar Ochoa Before we begin the slide presentation discussing the nuances of the APEX vs. the DIEP flap, Dr. Ochoa begins our discussion talking about the overall philosophy of plastic surgery. He tells us this philosophy is based on replacing like with like. Their goal is Continue Reading →

Reflections as October and Breast Cancer Awareness 2024 Ends

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I have not written one blog this month. This has been the most intense October for me since opening DiepCJourney Foundation in 2016. I can’t say why for sure, but I am exhausted and thought it was time to share some reflections as October and Breast Cancer Awareness 2024 Ends. Some Losses and Some Gains Reflecting this October Has anyone every said, start with the hard part first then finish with the easy stuff? That’s how I’m going to tackle this. The hard part is not that hard, mostly an annoyance. If you are a patient advocate reading this, it may resonate with you. I was an invited speaker at a conference. We were asked to record our presentation and listen to the other speakers for the recorded Q & A session. I worked diligently to prepare my slides and presentation. The first thing I said in my opening remark Continue Reading →

The Voice for a Community in Breast Cancer

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Many people who have had or currently have breast cancer choose to be the voice for a community in breast cancer. This week, as I prepare for Plastic Surgery the Meeting I will be using the hashtag #PSTM24 on my social media platforms to share the latest in surgical techniques and the newest innovations from industry that results in better patient outcomes and care in breast reconstruction. Each Voice in the Breast Cancer Community is Unique My focus is on breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. Not all patient advocates and voices in breast cancer identify with the same platform. We have each positioned ourselves through time, training, and passion to share our personal stories while at the same time providing scientific and evidence-based information to the unique communities we serve. It is a robust community with folks that include community voices in: Since opening DiepCFoundation in 2016, Continue Reading →

Should You be Telling Someone What Kind of Reconstruction to Have?

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There are a few layers to peel back when answering this question. It goes without saying I am referring to those affected by breast cancer and are facing a mastectomy. Whether you are a surgeon, patient, family member, or friend, should you be telling someone what kind of reconstruction to have? Understanding the Overwhelming Shock I see some differences but more similarities when I speak to women who are at high risk of getting breast cancer than those with an active diagnosis. Those who are at high risk of getting breast cancer are a those who have a genetic mutation. The first step is knowing your family history. This will be followed by a visit to a genetic counselor or oncologist to begin formulating a plan that might include: People who have just received the news they have a breast cancer diagnosis have considerations for planning their treatment that can Continue Reading →

The Rewards and Risks of Traveling for Patient Advocacy

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Let’s dispense with the not so good news first. It is far less than the good news I will write about regarding the rewards and risks of traveling for patient advocacy. The Risks of Traveling for Patient Advocacy Patient advocates I know go into this work with their eyes wide open when they travel to conferences or events for their work. We know what can and sometimes does happen. I wanted to talk about these first because they are short-lived risks. The fallout from any of the above items passes in a brief time. We deal with them as they happen knowing we will return to our advocacy work in no time because of dealing with any of the above-mentioned events. The Rewards of Traveling for Patient Advocacy This is the real magic sauce of being a patient advocate and traveling on behalf of the communities we serve. My work Continue Reading →

Achieving Symmetry and Understanding Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction

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This is a summary of the video and podcast interview with Dr. Tim Matatov of Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona area. When I see hundreds of views of a video and close to two hundred podcast downloads I also like to provide a written summary for readers to hit on all learning modalities and preferences. I will include the YouTube video of Achieving Symmetry and Understanding Fat Grafting in this blog post. You can listen to the podcast here: How Mastopexy Achieves Symmetry in Breast Reconstruction We begin with a topic that is often asked about in the breast cancer community served at DiepCFoundation, mastopexy in the setting of breast reconstruction. A mastopexy is a breast lift. Dr. Matatov points out that whether a person has a single breast reconstruction with their own tissue, and implant, or oncoplastic reconstruction, sometimes the contralateral breast will not match Continue Reading →