Category: Postoperative recovery

Nipple Reconstruction after Mastectomy

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I am often asked about the process of nipple reconstruction after mastectomy at the time of breast reconstruction. I am grateful to Drs. Minas Chrysopoulo and Ramon Garza III of PRMA in San Antonio who took time to make the video. It can be viewed from this blog explaining the procedure. My own experience during my DIEP flap breast reconstruction was a skin sparring, nipple sparring mastectomy. My breast surgeon clearly explained how she was going to make every attempt to save my nipples during my mastectomy. She also was very forthright in telling me, based on tumor size and location, she may not be able to save my nipples. I felt fortunate she successfully saved my nipples at the time of my double mastectomy. This is not always the case for every woman or man who has a mastectomy. There are reasons nipples cannot be saved. There are also patients Continue Reading →

How Breast Reconstruction Changed Me

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How breast reconstruction changed me is one survivor’s story. It is the topic of a recent video that was added to the DiepCFounation.org YouTube video channel. It was such an honor to meet and talk to Jan about her thoughts after being diagnosed with breast cancer and how choosing DIEP flap breast reconstruction allowed her to “conquer cancer”. Jan and I were Facebook friends for a while but never met in person. We finally had the opportunity after attending a fundraiser with other breast cancer survivors. We decided to spend the following day together getting to know each other. We met for coffee and the conversation began as it does with so many other women I meet who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She spoke about her fears after being diagnosed and the impact it had on her life. We shared our stories and the conversation flowed easily. Jan Continue Reading →

ERAS Protocol Breast Reconstruction

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A little over a year ago I learned about ERAS protocol as it pertains to breast reconstruction from the plastic surgeon who performed my DIEP flap. ERAS, Enhanced Recovery after Surgery, protocol was not in place at the time I had breast reconstruction in December of 2014.  I wrote a blog about our conversation and what I learned. I have been reading several social media posts about ERAS and the benefits to patients. One study shared recently on Twitter states in the conclusion of the study: Conclusion: Enhanced recovery pathway program implementation should be considered as the standard approach for perioperative care in autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction because it does not affect morbidity and is associated with accelerated recovery with reduced postoperative opiate use and decreased length of hospital stay, leading to downstream health care cost savings.  ~ Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ERAS Protocol Benefits Observed I Continue Reading →

Breast Cancer Patients Paying It Forward

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I have met so many breast cancer patients paying it forward after they have been diagnosed with the disease. I see these pay it forward breast cancer survivors writing blogs and sharing their lived experience. Some breast cancer survivors have opened nonprofit organizations to support and assist others going through healing and recovering from the devastation this disease can have on a person. Still others have become fierce advocates. They research and explore the science of breast cancer, clinical trials or they “go to the hill” to make policy changes in breast cancer care. It is inspiring and honestly keeps me focused and stimulated to continue my own DiepCFoundation work. I was recently the beneficiary of a breast cancer patient paying it forward from her own nonprofit organization, Nadia Strong, Beautiful Beyond Breast Cancer. Nadia’s mission is to empower women through breast cancer with her gift of photography. She invites Continue Reading →

Study of Body Mass Index post DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Patient Perspective

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I rely on research from evidence based journals I read to understand and share the latest information about breast reconstruction and breast cancer to the community I serve. One of the journals I utilize is Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. January is a month many of us focus on health, weight loss, and losing those extra holiday pounds. As a patient advocate who has had autologous, DIEP flap breast reconstruction, I wanted to share my thoughts and perspective from a study of body mass index post DIEP flap breast reconstruction from the December 2017 issue of the Journal : The Impact of Autologous Breast Reconstruction on Body Mass Index Patterns in Breast Cancer Patients: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.  I appreciate the focus of the article. It can be read here from the final statement in the conclusion of the paper: Our findings can be used to Continue Reading →

The Gripping Fear of PTSD after Breast Cancer

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This blog is long overdue. I like to write when I’m clear headed and have done research on the topic I am writing about. Not today. Today, after surviving breast cancer twice, I am once again experiencing the gripping fear of PTSD after breast cancer. It happens when I go for routine tumor markers, scans, or experience a new ache or pain. Today is emotional while I wait on test results, but I couldn’t feel more determined to finally share why PTSD feels like a choke hold around my throat.  Today I wait for the results with fear; fear so many breast cancer patients experience. The wait, the PTSD, all comes with the heavy burden of hearing you have breast cancer. Our Responsibility as Patient Advocates I spoke to a friend and colleague yesterday, a fellow patient advocate, about our responsibility to share our lived experience and voices with the Continue Reading →

Why do I Marvel at Breast Reconstruction & Plastic Surgery?

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I ask myself this question often: Why do I marvel at breast reconstruction & plastic surgery? October was a busy month for many who work in this field and educate about this topic. I think it was one of the busiest months I had this year. I was in six states and six different airports engaging with or educating about breast reconstruction with plastic surgeons, patients, advocates, and the public. I was exhausted yet exhilarated to know the innovations and developments in the field of breast reconstruction and plastic surgery continue to keep me motivated and captivated. It has been three years since my own breast reconstruction and yet, thinking back to November of 2014 and having no breasts on my body, it is easy to understand my own fascination with this topic. When you use your own tissue to rebuild your breasts after losing them to breast cancer, that Continue Reading →

How Long Does DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery Take?

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This is a question I wanted to write about after attending PSTM17 in Orlando as a patient advocate. Speaking to ASPS board certified plastic surgeons at the meeting afforded me the opportunity to understand the answer to, how long does a DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery take? It is an intricate, microsurgical procedure that includes incisions and work on both the abdominal area and the breast area. The assumption is, the surgery is long. In fact, when assessing my own DIEP flap, I often report my DIEP flap lasted nine hours. What we don’t often take into consideration is what the surgery entails from start to finish. I reviewed my own surgical report to write this blog. I also spoke with plastic surgeons at PSTM17 and wanted to share some important points of discussion. I gathered information from my sister, a nurse, who also shared some pre-op and post op data Continue Reading →

DEXA Scan after Breast Cancer & DIEP flap

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It is important for many breast cancer patients to monitor their bone density health. One monitoring test is the DEXA scan after breast cancer and DIEP flap. This is a segment of a comprehensive article from the National Institute of Health. Women who have had breast cancer treatment may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture. Estrogen has a protective effect on bone, and reduced levels of the hormone trigger bone loss. Because of treatment medications or surgery, many breast cancer survivors experience a loss of ovarian function and, consequently, a drop in estrogen levels. Women who were premenopausal before their cancer treatment may go through menopause earlier than those who have not had breast cancer. Results from the NIH-supported Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS) found an increase in fracture risk among breast cancer survivors. I recently had a DEXA scan and I was pleased with my results.  Continue Reading →

LIVESTRONG Class Assessment: Ready to Roll

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Last week at our Livestrong class we had personal assessments and now we’re ready to roll.  We broke into groups to assess endurance, balance, flexibility, and strength.  This was a baseline assessment to track our progress through the three-month class. Since we divided into small groups with one trainer for each group, it was great to see the support and comradeship among class members.  We are all at different levels of treatment, recovery, and survivorship. There is breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and brain cancer survivors. Some are using walkers or a cane for balance while others are former marathon runners who inspire me with their desire to push their physical limits at the YMCA program. Our trainers carefully watch each participant to keep us all safe within our own personal goals and boundaries. Endurance was tested with a timed three-minute walk around cones.  You could go as fast or Continue Reading →