Episode 35: Achieving Symmetry and Understanding Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction
Release Date: 06/28/2023
DiepCJourney Podcast
This interview was conducted at the practice in San Antonio during Breast Reconstruction Awareness week. discusses PRMA’s and sensation to the breasts. With extensive background training and twenty-five years of experience with the , Dr. Nastala is particularly interested in the sensation of the breast, nerve repair, and optimizing outcomes for their breast reconstruction patients. They achieve this through ongoing research and improvement in surgical techniques at PRMA. He discusses the nerve anatomy of the breasts and some of the limitations of the body’s own ability to...
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In the world of podcasting, you meet folks you feel like you’ve known for a while because of your connections, and you’ve only seen them through the lens of your laptop camera. This is the case for my guest on this episode of the , host of the podcast ! Marcylle Combs, MS, RN is an Entrepreneur, Leadership Expert, , Author, and Podcast Host committed to leveraging her experience in empowering individuals to realize their highest potential. She spent over 30 years leading a large healthcare organization, which she owned, operated, and grew from a small home health agency to a...
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In this powerful episode, and , renowned experts in breast reconstruction and pain management join forces to explore the groundbreaking potential of , a new non-opioid oral pain medication designed to address acute post-surgical pain. With a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on opioids, this is the first FDA approved non-opioid oral pain medication for acute pain approved by the FDA in twenty years. They unpack the science behind Journavx, its clinical applications, and what it means for the future of recovery after breast reconstruction. Listeners will...
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This is for patients considering their options for breast reconstruction surgery as well as residence, trainees, and practicing surgeons. Our topic is robotic DIEP flap breast reconstruction. This interview will contain information you may have questions or comments about. Please let us know in the comment section of the podcast after listening and we will do our best to answer any questions. You can watch the full video interview that includes a slide presentation on the . I am speaking to three guests today that include the patient, Gillian and the two board certified...
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We are discussing a topic today that is very important in the breast cancer community, breast sensation. It is important for me as Founder and Director of to learn about and understand the latest innovations to improve patient outcomes and quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. This will be available to watch on the DiepCFoundation YouTube channel. This interview is for patients and surgeons. Please let us know in the comment section of the podcast and video if you have any questions that arise from the interview. I am speaking with who specializes in . She is an...
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For patients exploring their options for breast reconstruction and learning they must travel, the very thought of a long car trip or airline travel can seem like an overwhelming task. It is important at DiepCFoundation then that we provide those practices who support patients who will be traveling for their breast reconstruction surgery. On this episode of the , I talk to and his team to learn how they support patients who travel to their practice at in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Please go over to the and look for this episode soon! If you have questions after you listen to the interview...
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It’s great to be back at the microphone after a summer break from podcasting and focusing our efforts on the inaugural . We have a crisp, clean new look to our podcast cover with a few important changes! Thanks so much for joining us and remember this will also be available on the under our podcast and video tabs. We are going to be talking about surgical technology that is used to connect nerves, a suture-less device for nerve repair. At a medical conference I attended I passed by the table in the exhibit hall. After an invitation from the team at then vendor table I sat down to give it a...
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There are many acronyms, terms, and procedures patients hear either in consultation with their plastic surgeon or online through various social media groups and platforms. Our guest on this edition of the is a board-certified microsurgeon who will help us sort out three of those terms today. The delay procedure, SIEA, and TDAP in breast reconstruction surgery. We appreciate everyone who is utilizing the resources. Be sure to for the video interview with my guest at the channel. I am joined by , who specializes and is trained in microsurgery. The primary focus at his practice at in Mt....
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This is a follow up of who I spoke to after her phase one DIEP flap surgery at in San Antonio in January of 2024. I invited her back to the to share details of the completion of her breast reconstruction after phase two. She traveled back to San Antonio seven months after phase one for her phase two surgery. We talk about the following: · Communication and discussion with about your phase via a ZOOM call. · What did she pack for phase 2. · Who she traveled with for this...
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This interview on the is with three nationally known medical tattoo artist. It will also be available on the for viewing. Our conversation today is on medical tattooing with three of the leading medical tattoo artists in the United States. I begin with the President and founder of , , a licensed and I speak to her about her vision and why she created AMT. Next is who is a registered nurse and licensed tattoo artist and is the vice-president of AMT. Last and certainly not least, is the medical tattoo artist in our beautiful city of Seattle, WA., Mr. . Eric and I are both of AMT. As a...
info_outlineAchieving symmetry and understanding fat grafting in breast reconstruction are topics patients frequently ask about. I reached out to an expert in the field.
My guest on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast is Dr. Tim Matatov of Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Matatov is a board-certified microsurgeon who performs procedures such as implant breast reconstruction, several autologous reconstruction procedures, autologous meaning using the patient’s own tissue to reconstruct the breast, nipple reconstruction, and a variety of other breast reconstruction procedures. He works with a team of two other surgeons, Dr. Joseph Zakhary and Dr. Matthew J. Mino.
We discuss mastopexy, or breast lift, in the setting of breast reconstruction. Achieving symmetry in the contralateral breast for a unilateral DIEP flap is important to the patient. It serves a functional purpose as well when wearing wardrobe items like a bra. He points out the psychological benefits to the patient since this becomes a quality of life and self-image concern for women. Dr. Matatov outlines the various names and details of mastopexy procedures and why one might be chosen over the other for optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Matatov shares how important it is to have an open discussion with patients about managing reasonable expectations.
Dr. Matatov continues the discussion with fat grafting. He points out that a lot of the techniques and percentages, and how it all works is for a majority of cases, theoretical. He states there is not any hard proof that one technique or device works better than the other. There are studies that are peer-reviewed but not randomized and controlled to a degree which backs up his statement on fat grafting methods. However, Dr. Matatov feels it is a very effective part of the breast reconstruction process. He points out again that managing patients’ expectations is very important in this step of breast reconstruction. It often takes more than one fat grafting procedure.
Techniques, patient outcomes, value of patient support groups, are discussed further in the podcast.
Social Media accounts to find out more about Dr. Matatov and his practice: