Rewritten Me
Luan Lawrenson-Woods
Deciding what reconstruction is right for you can be overwhelming, the medical terminology can be confusing and it can be just plain scary. And lonely. But you're not alone.
My name's Luan. In 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and told I needed a mastectomy. I had no idea about the different types of reconstruction and didn't know anyone who'd had a reconstruction. Hearing about my reconstruction options gave me hope that I could be 'me' again. I'm creating a community that supports and empowers women who want to know more about reconstruction after a mastectomy so that they can feel confident in their choices.
On the Rewritten Me podcast I talk with leading surgeons about all aspects of reconstruction, including the latest techniques that they're developing to help improve women's quality of life after a mastectomy. I also talk with healthcare professionals who can help with practical advice to support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing after reconstruction. And I talk with the wonderful women from our community who generously share their stories to help inspire and raises awareness of life after breast cancer and reconstruction.
Rewritten Me is here to help women make an holistic, informed decision so that they can have a say in how they re-write their story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Rewritten Me episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Rewritten Me for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Rewritten Me episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
What about aesthetic flat closure?
Rewritten Me
03/27/24 • 43 min
Welcome to season 2!
In the first episode of this new season, Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon, Dr Kylie Snook, about aesthetic flat closure. Also known as optimal flat closure or ‘going flat’, it is a reconstruction option that can be considered alongside implant and autologous/‘own tissue’ reconstruction after mastectomy.
Taken from an Instagram Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A session, Luan and Dr Kylie’s discussion provides valuable insights for women considering aesthetic flat closure, including:
- Impact of previous surgeries & treatments
- Effect on chest shape & perspective
- Recovery time compared to breast reconstruction.
- Corrective/revision surgeries
- ‘Dog ears’ & aesthetic outcomes
- Scars & scar placement
- Lymphoedema
- Breast reconstruction after going flat
- Having an open discussion with your surgeon
Send an DM to Luan for a copy of the BCNA research referred to in this episode.
Links for this episode:
Instagram Live video of this episode
Not Putting On a Shirt website
Flat Life Australia Facebook group
Breast SurgANZ website
DM me on Instagram for a link to the BCNA report referenced in this episode.
Where you can find Luan:
Luan Lawrenson-Woods devised the Instagram Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A series and hosted the 2022 series on Pink Hope's Instagram account as a volunteer ambassador.
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The good & bad of social media
Rewritten Me
09/19/23 • 51 min
There's lots of free information about breast cancer and reconstruction on Instagram. But how do you know it’s factually correct?
Dr Liz O’Riordan is known as the breast surgeon who has breast cancer. Liz talks about why she uses Instagram to create evidence-based content about breast cancer and how you can check the accuracy of online information. And she talks about how even she found it difficult to ask her doctor about a information she'd seen on social media.
If you’re a patient, advocate or medical professional who uses social media – or is thinking of using it – this episode for you!
Luan and Liz cover a lot, including:
- Online community
- Doctors using social media
- The CRAP test
- AI & Chat GPT
- Digital literacy
- Equity of representation
- Responsibilities of advocacy
And Liz talks about her new book, ‘Under the Knife: Life Lessons from the Operating Theatre’, and how its publication was community-funded through her Instagram account.
Links for this episode:
Listen to Dr Minas Chrysopoulo talk about the Breast Advocate® app.
Since this recording, Liz has had a second local recurrence. As she goes through treatment, she’s putting her breast cancer vlog on her YouTube Channel, where you can find all her breast cancer videos.
You can also find Liz:
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BRA-va art and Foobs & Fitness
Rewritten Me
10/03/23 • 53 min
BRA-va art is a first-of-its-kind global Instagram campaign that uses exercise to promote BRA Day (Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day). Luan launched the campaign in 2022 and Rori Zura picked up the BRA-va art baton when she ran around New York in a pink striped ‘where’s Waldo’ top as she made BRA-va art!
Rori has always been a fitness enthusiast. When she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer during COVID, exercise was a key concern and topic of discussion with her surgeon. They encouraged Rori to keep moving to support her treatment. This advice was surprising to Rori – why didn’t everyone know of the benefits of exercise for cancer patients?
Rori is now a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and founder of Foobs and Fitness, which encourages people to live a more active lifestyle before, during, and after diagnosis. Rori’s passion is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone, and with her they don't. She has unwavering enthusiasm, creativity and joyful outlook. And she's an awesome battle buddy!
In this episode Rori shares her story of her treatment and implant reconstruction, and how her diagnosis set her off on a new career path. And she talks about the BRA-va art challenges she’s created so that you can have even more fun taking part this year!
Luan and Rori also talk about tips for making BRA-va art and how you can be help put BRA Day on the map on 18th October.
Listen in and then join them for #BRADay2023!
Links for this episode:
- BRA-va art Instagram
- BRA-va art website
- Foobs & Fitness BRA-va art challenges
- Foobs & Fitness Instagram
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why consult both a breast & plastic surgeon?
Rewritten Me
07/26/23 • 69 min
It isn't vain to want your breast/s reconstructed after a mastectomy. Some women choose not to reconstruct because they think it's cosmetic. And some women aren't given the option to reconstruct.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Dr Kirstin Miteff, talks about consulting both a breast surgeon and a reconstructive plastic surgeon when you research your reconstruction options.
Dr Kirstin also talks about how a referral to a plastic surgeon at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis may reduce the reconstruction timeline for some patients.
Luan and Dr Kirstin also talk about:
- What a reconstructive plastic surgeon does
- The role of plastic surgeons & breast surgeons
- And how they work alongside each other
- What to consider when choosing your reconstruction
- Telehealth consults for regional/rural patients
- What to ask a reconstructive plastic surgeon
- The training path of reconstructive plastic surgeons
- How some women haven't been offered recon
You might also want to:
- Listen to Dr Joe Dusseldorp talk about DIEP 'flap' strategies
- Listen to Dr Bish Soliman talk about other 'flap' options
- Subscribe to be notified when the episode about public & private health drops!
Links for this podcast:
- Aspire Plastic Surgery website
- Aspire Plastic Surgery on Instagram
- Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Under & over the muscle implants
Rewritten Me
07/10/23 • 45 min
When it comes to implant-based reconstruction, you might hear the terms UTM and OTM. But what do they mean and why might you choose one over the other?
Luan talks to one of Australia’s leading consultant breast surgeons, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier, about under and over the muscle implants, including:
- What’s involved for UTM & OTM
- What might dictate your decision
- The benefits of each
- Acellular dermal matrix
- UTM dual plane technique
- OTM two staged approach with expanders
- Exercise after UTM/OTM
- What happens if you have a port?
- What about radiotherapy?
- Potential complications of each
- How these can be addressed (eg rippling)
- Surveillance imaging after UTM/OTM
You might also want to:
- Listen to Dr Kylie Snook talk about mastectomy and expanders
- Subscribe to be notified when the episode about public & private health drops!
Links for this podcast:
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Having a baby after implant reconstruction
Rewritten Me
08/23/23 • 59 min
Natasha Cauchi was 29 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. As part of her treatment she had a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Three years later Tash and her husband decided to try for a baby.
Chemotherapy can affect fertility and Tash was in early menopause. She had IVF, which was unsuccessful. Then she became pregnant naturally!
While the arrival of baby Oliver is joyous, Tash shares how she feels grief and sadness that she can’t breastfeed. Tash also talks about how she needed to advocate, especially when a nurse in hospital told her to ‘put him on the boob’ to breastfeed.
Tash also shares her story of:
- Treatment and fertility preservation
- Ovarian tissue freezing
- Trying for a baby after breast cancer
- What IVF was like
- Oliver’s dramatic arrival!
- The pressure to breastfeed in hospital
- Using donated breast milk
Thank you, Tash, for sharing your story with us. And welcome to this wonderful world, Oliver AJ, it’s so much more wonderful knowing that you’re in it!
Links for this podcast:
Where you can find Luan:
Subscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published.
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Informed risk reduction decision-making
Rewritten Me
06/19/23 • 44 min
The results from a routine mammogram in 2022 led to a whirlwind of investigative tests for Dr Sandy Minck. Sandy was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and found out she carries the CHEK2 genetic variant. She also had dense breast tissue. This all contributed to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Sandy’s mother died of breast cancer. When Sandy researched what options she had to minimise her own risk, she was aware that her decision-making was very emotive. She sought evidence-based opinions but, even as a non-practicing GP with a high level of health literacy, Sandy found the process overwhelming.
Sandy wanted a ‘one and done’ bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and direct to implant (DTI) reconstruction.
So, how did she decide what was right for her? And is she ‘one and done’ or will she have more surgery?
Luan and Sandy talk about:
- How Sandy assessed her risk of breast cancer
- Why she decided to have a risk reduction mastectomy
- Why Sandy chose implants for reconstruction
- Whether she’ll have revision surgery
- Reconstruction decision-making tools that helped
- Breast density and other breast cancer risk factors
- Her advocacy work
Links for this podcast:
- Sandy Minck LinkedIn
- BCNA Breconda
- Breast Advocate app
- Pink Hope, Australian genetic risk charity
- EVIQ
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
In this podcast Luan and Sandy talk about Sandy’s personal experience. They don’t recommend any surgeon, practice and/or procedure or treatment. The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Breast Advocate decision-making app
Rewritten Me
06/27/23 • 39 min
In Rewritten Me’s first ever ‘extra’ episode, Luan talks to Dr Minas Chrysopoulo who devised the Breast Advocate® app.
Breast Advocate® is the world's first shared decision-making app for breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction. It's the app that helped Dr Sandy Minck when she was researching her risk reduction surgery (episode 8).
Dr C, as he’s known, is an American-based board-certified surgeon and micro surgeon who co-created the Breast Advocate® with patient advocates and leading specialists.
Listen in to find out how the app’s easy-to-use wizard can be a useful decision-making tool, even for those who live outside of the States. And hear Dr C share how the process of partnering with patient advocates to create the app has helped him become a better clinician.
Links for this podcast:
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Medicare and private health cover
Rewritten Me
08/08/23 • 56 min
What does Medicare cover for breast reconstruction? What do you need to consider if you choose to be treated privately?
The two different systems in Australia – public and private – can be confusing, and potential financial costs of reconstruction can cause anxiety. It can also be an awkward discussion to have with your team.
In this episode Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon and President of BreastSurgANZ, Dr Melanie Walker, about how to navigate finances.
Luan and Dr Melanie talk about whether Medicare covers:
- All types of reconstruction
- Elective mastectomy
- Revision surgery
- Delayed reconstruction
- Liposuction and fat grafting
- Nipple reconstruction
Luan and Dr Melanie also talk in general about private cover, including:
- What to ask your specialist’s team
- What might not be covered
- What your quote may include
- Negotiating costs
Links for this podcast:
- AMA Guide for patients
- BreastSurgANZ
- Cancer Council resource
Where you can find Luan:
Subscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published.
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
Note: this podcast talks about what is covered by Medicare. What you have access to and what resources and services are available to you, including waiting times, can differ depending on where you live. And things change. This information was correct at the time of recording (3rd July 2023).
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Advocating to 'go flat' after implants
Rewritten Me
12/06/23 • 54 min
Robyn has the BRCA2 variant and had a risk-reducing mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction in 2019. She experienced side effects that impacted her quality of life and made the decision to have the implants removed and ‘go flat’.
When a plastic surgeon told Robyn that she would look “aesthetically unpleasing”, she knew she had to self-advocate.
Robyn's story is one of courage - to challenge and re-think her own initial reconstruction choice and then to stand up for what was right for her and her health.
Luan and Robyn talk about:
- Hereditary cancer risk
- Robyn’s decision to have a mastectomy
- Why she had implants
- Her decision to remove them
- Finding the right surgeon
- Reconstruction framing bias
- The Australian flat community
- 'Flat' research with Flinders University
Resources for this episode:
- Informed consent
- Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A video: aesthetic flat closure with Dr Kylie Snook
- Flat Life Australia Facebook group
- Flinders research
- Not Putting On A Shirt
- Not Just a Linear Closure: Aesthetic Flat Closure after Mastectomy
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Rewritten Me have?
Rewritten Me currently has 33 episodes available.
What topics does Rewritten Me cover?
The podcast is about Plastic Surgery, Health & Fitness, Australia, Podcasts and Breast Cancer.
What is the most popular episode on Rewritten Me?
The episode title 'Advocating to 'go flat' after implants' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Rewritten Me?
The average episode length on Rewritten Me is 51 minutes.
How often are episodes of Rewritten Me released?
Episodes of Rewritten Me are typically released every 14 days, 8 hours.
When was the first episode of Rewritten Me?
The first episode of Rewritten Me was released on Dec 18, 2022.
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