DIEP flap Archives - Page 3 of 4

Breast Reconstruction: Seromas Pre and Post-Operative Assessment

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Terri

Breast Reconstruction: Seromas Pre and Post-Operative Assessment Breast reconstruction complications are possible as is the case with any surgery. A possible complication in breast reconstruction is the development of a seroma. Here we look at the pre and post-operative assessment of seromas after autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction. I speak to two ASPS board certified plastic surgeons from PRMA in San Antonio, Dr. Ramon Garza III and Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. I feel fortunate to share this information with the reader. The video in the blog will give a detailed explanation of pre and post-operative assessment of seromas. You can subscribe to DiepCFoundation YouTube channel after watching the video for a variety of educational topics on breast reconstruction. Dr. Garza begins the discussion by explaining who might be more prone than others to complications such as seromas after breast reconstruction. It is important to point out that their practice at PRMA Continue Reading →

Nipple Reconstruction after Mastectomy

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Terri

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 →

Surgical Loupes Used in Breast Reconstruction

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Terri

Sometimes we like to have fun at DiepCFoundation. This video about the surgical loupes used in breast reconstruction was one of those moments. Dr. Ramon Garza of PRMA in San Antonio was kind enough to bring his surgical loupes for me to try on. Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, his team member at PRMA, looked on with amusement when I tried to focus while maneuvering my hands to appreciate the magnification. What I noticed most was adjusting to the depth perception while I had the surgical loupes on. Dr. Garza verified it takes a lot of training and hours spent in the operating room learning how to use the surgical loupes and the technical aspects of the surgery. He states the following: Good optics allow micro-surgeons to do what they do. The surgical loupes help to see very tiny, delicate structures. Function always overrides form in microsurgical breast reconstruction. The surgical loupes help Continue Reading →

How Breast Reconstruction Changed Me

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Terri

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 →

A 3-year Anniversary: Blogging About Breast Reconstruction

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Terri

I am celebrating a 3-year anniversary blogging about breast reconstruction on March 17, 2018. When Did I Begin Blogging About Breast Reconstruction? It began as a cathartic experience after having successful DIEP flap surgery in early December of 2014. While I was at home healing, the events and challenges I faced the year after a second breast cancer diagnosis began to flood my thoughts daily. I put my M.Ed. program on hold to focus on my health. I met with a friend and artist in early January, 2015. We sat down together and planned two things; the artistic backdrop and platform for my blog on WordPress and an opening date, March 17, 2015. We are both Irish and it was a good goal. We met many times afterward to hammer out details. We hit our target date and celebrated together over a pint of Guinness. Why Did I Begin Blogging Continue Reading →

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

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Terri

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 →

Collaboration in Educating about Breast Reconstruction

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Terri

My favorite word throughout my education career has always been “collaboration”. So is the case now in my role as Founder of DiepCFoundation.org. I couldn’t feel any stronger about collaboration in educating about breast reconstruction. The change leaders I have met in the past three years on my own personal quest to educate more women and men about options in breast reconstruction motivate me daily to do more, explore new avenues to educate, support them in their mission, and stand beside them collaboratively to continue this work. This week on my social media feeds I have seen an announcement by Patricia Anstett that her book, Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction, What’s Right for You, is now out on paperback on Amazon. Congratulations are in order as this was a professional labor of love for Pat. Full disclosure: Yes! I’m featured in the book and proud of it. However, I have Continue Reading →

Delayed DIEP flap vs. Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Terri

Having delayed DIEP flap breast reconstruction and waking up with breast after being a breast amputee following a mastectomy is different for those who have immediate breast reconstruction. Having breast reconstruction of any kind due to breast cancer or a gene mutation is a fierce undertaking. The women I speak to planning and recovering from surgery go through a range of emotions from diagnosis, finding they carry a gene mutation putting them at high risk for breast cancer and finalizing the decision to move forward with breast reconstruction. Let’s discuss some differences between delayed DIEP flap vs. immediate breast reconstruction. Those Range of Emotions Vary Here is a list I often hear as I discuss and speak to those planning reconstruction: sadness in losing your original breasts fear of surgery anxiety in the aesthetic outcomes worry about the new feeling of reconstructed breasts concern about their sexuality after breast reconstruction Continue Reading →

Recap #PSTM16

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Terri

Recap #PSTM16 Plastic Surgery the Meeting may seem like a distant memory but a recap of #PSTM16 from a patient advocate standpoint summarizes the value of my first experience as an attendee. It was a fast and furious weekend for me at the Los Angeles Convention Center since I was only able to attend Friday through Monday. I scheduled classes to attend, met with plastic surgeons, and walked the vendor floor learning about products specific to breast reconstruction. The Educational Programs The first class I attended was one that focused on Cultural Competence in plastic surgery. I wanted to step outside the box of breast reconstruction a bit and understand the broader world of plastic surgery. It was a valuable instructional course. The discussion given by a variety of plastic surgeons at this session focused on recognizing and embracing cultural diversity in the workplace among plastic surgery co-workers as well Continue Reading →