Episode 3: Breast Reconstruction and Breast Sensation

In Episode 3 of the DiepCJourney podcast I discuss breast reconstruction and breast sensation with two surgeons who have performed this procedure together in their practice. Dr. Anne Peled and Dr. Ziv Peled work in tandem in the operating room to preserve and restore sensation to the breast for those affected by breast cancer. The paper published by Dr. Anne and Ziv Peled can be found in the PRS Global Open under the title, Nerve Preservation and Allografting for Sensory Innervation Following Immediate Implant Breast Reconstruction PRS Global Open Dr. Anne Peled, who was diagnosed with breast cancer herself, was torn about what surgical option to choose for her own diagnosis; a lumpectomy, oncoplastic surgery or mastectomy. She was aware, due to standard training of breast surgeons, a mastectomy would mean the likelihood of losing sensation to her breasts. Most patients who undergo mastectomy are left numb and as she Continue Reading →

Episode 2: Blood Vessels in Breast Reconstruction

I take you on a Journey of the amazing and complex system of blood vessels used in breast reconstruction in Episode 2. My “guest navigator” is Dr. Tim Matatov, a board-certified trained microsurgeon whose professional focus is performing autologous breast reconstruction for those affected by breast cancer. Let’s dive into to this podcast, Blood Vessels in Breast Reconstruction. Learning the Blood Vessels in Microsurgery Microsurgery is a subspeciality of plastic surgery and takes additional years of training and practice. Microsurgeons, like Dr. Matatov, perform a variety of autologous breast reconstruction using various flaps comprising this system of blood vessels. These flaps are often referred to using acronyms to describe the part of the body they come from. Here is a list of breast reconstruction flaps performed at Dr. Matatov’s practice. DIEP flap: deep inferior epigastric perforators using the tummy tissue. TDAP: Thoracodorsal artery perforator using tissue from the back. DCIA: Continue Reading →

Episode 1: Breast Reconstruction Advocacy

Have you ever been excited and nervous at the same time? I was on January 3,2021. It was an exciting day to publish the first episode of the DiepCJourney Podcast with guest, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. A few days in advance of the first published episode, I sent a message telling him I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Hitting the published button felt scary and exhilarating at the same time. We hope you’ll follow and listen to Episode 1: Breast Reconstruction Advocacy. After a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2014, Dr. C performed my DIEPflap breast reconstruction in December after a double mastectomy in April of the same year. He not only was the microsurgeon I chose, but he has also become a mentor to me, the voice in the corner, always cheering me on to “keep the momentum going, Terri”. The Continue Reading →