Feeling & sensation after breast reconstruction

05/08/23 • 42 min

Hear about new techniques being used to try to preserve and restore feeling and sensation in the breast after reconstruction.

“That [extra] 20 minutes is this woman’s entire lifetime of [breast] sensation,” A/Prof Cindy Mak.

Loss of feeling after a mastectomy and reconstruction is a concern for many women.

Luan talks to A/Prof Cindy Mak & Dr Joe Dusseldorp about techniques they’re using to preserve and reconstruct nerves.

They also share the results of these surgeries: listen out for my "wow” jaw-drop when Dr Cindy tells us that they’ve observed that temperature sensation is developing after reconstruction.

And Dr Joe also tells us – hot off the press! – how he’s using the same nerve reconstruction techniques developed for the breast to help optimise the sensation in the tummy area after DIEP flap surgery.

We talk about:

Breast sensory nerve preservation:
For DIEP, TUG & implant
Can it be used for delayed recon?
‘Spare part’ nerve grafting
Breast sensory nerve reconstruction
Abdominal nerve preservation:
Sensory and motor (core muscle strength)
Things to consider about these techniques
How can patients find out more about them

Links for this pod:

Dr Cindy Mak’s website
Dr Cindy’s Instagram
Dr Joe Dusseldorp’s website
Dr Joe’s 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.

Hear about new techniques being used to try to preserve and restore feeling and sensation in the breast after reconstruction.

“That [extra] 20 minutes is this woman’s entire lifetime of [breast] sensation,” A/Prof Cindy Mak.

Loss of feeling after a mastectomy and reconstruction is a concern for many women.

Luan talks to A/Prof Cindy Mak & Dr Joe Dusseldorp about techniques they’re using to preserve and reconstruct nerves.

They also share the results of these surgeries: listen out for my "wow” jaw-drop when Dr Cindy tells us that they’ve observed that temperature sensation is developing after reconstruction.

We talk about:

Breast sensory nerve preservation:
For DIEP, TUG & implant
Can it be used for delayed recon?
‘Spare part’ nerve grafting
Breast sensory nerve reconstruction
Abdominal nerve preservation:
Sensory and motor (core muscle strength)
Things to consider about these techniques
How can patients find out more about them

Links for this pod:

Dr Cindy Mak’s website
Dr Cindy’s Instagram
Dr Joe Dusseldorp’s website
Dr Joe’s Instagram

Where you can find Luan:

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.

Previous Episode

Alternative 'flap' options

What other options are available if you want an ‘own tissue’ reconstruction, but you aren’t a candidate for DIEP flap?

Some women may not have enough tummy tissue for a DIEP. Others may have previously had abdominoplasty, or a DIEP reconstruction that didn’t work out.

Dr Bish Soliman is an internationally trained Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who specialises in complex microsurgical reconstruction, such as ‘own tissue’ or ‘flap’ reconstructions.

Luan talks to Dr Bish about the alternatives to DIEP, including the LAP flap, which is a relatively new procedure that may be a second-line option for women who’ve had abdominal surgery previously, such as a tummy-tuck or DIEP.

Luan and Dr Bish also talk about:

What is a ‘flap’?
Difference between a ‘free’ and pedicle ‘flap’
LAP/TUG/PAP/GAP/Lat Dorsi flaps
What’s involved in each
Benefits & downsides of each

What to know more about DIEP? Check out episode one in the series.

Links for this pod:

Dr Bish Soliman’s website
DIEP information sheet

Where you can fin Luan:

The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Owning your worth

What does it mean to be a patient advocate and to ‘own your worth’?

When Terri Coutee received her second diagnosis for breast cancer she was mistakenly diagnosed with incurable metastatic disease. This prompted her to blog about her experience and advocate for others.

Luan and Terri talk about how Terri went on to set up not-for-profit DIEPC Foundation, and create a 24/7 library of educational resources to help those affected by breast cancer make an informed decision about reconstruction after a mastectomy.

Be sure to listen out for the poem Terri melodiously reads that so beautifully sums up the work of patient advocates #WorkIsLoveMadeVisible

Luan and Terri also talk about:

The role of a patient advocate
Keeping calm when things go wrong!
Importance of open dialogue
How we can all learn from each other
Responsibilities of patient advocacy
Improving patient outcomes
Tips for navigating conferences as an advocate

Links for this pod:

DIEPC Foundation website
DIEPC Journey private Facebook group
DIEPC Instagram

Where you can find Luan:

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.