Episode 51: Lymphedema Treatment and Surgery for Breast Cancer Patients
Release Date: 03/01/2024
DiepCJourney Podcast
In this episode of the I am joined by another podcaster. What I am most excited about is that he is one of our international guests this year. We have known each other for some time. Not trying to age either one of us but I have enjoyed knowing him, having robust conversations, and learning so much about the world of plastic surgery and microsurgery from him. We will talk about these topics in the podcast in a cross-continental discussion with my guest . Notice I said, “Mister.” That is because he is a well-respected microsurgeon in the UK and rather than Dr. as we refer to physicians in...
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Consider a young person who has been newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Add to the mix they are facing a mastectomy and exploring options for breast reconstruction. Let’s say they are someone who has grown up in the world of social media. The question arises, where do they connect and get their credible information? Breast reconstruction is a complex decisional process. Do they use a platform like TikTok based in thirty second increments or a more community-based platform like Meta/Facebook where patients can engage in more of a discussion about what they are facing after a horrible...
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Access to medical care for those affected by breast cancer is crucial, and often life transformative. This personal story will give emphasis to the voice of an advocate, a woman of strength, and determined to find the best care available for her during her personal journey from diagnosis to recovery from reconstructive surgery. My guest on this episode of the is Dana Brown, a 54-year-old wife, mother, and educator. She has been married to her best friend and soulmate for 35 years. She was intent on finding a well-qualified microsurgeon to perform her DIEP flap breast reconstruction after...
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This is a special episode of the DiepCJourney podcast. It is one of the most touching interviews I have done to date. Originally recorded during the pandemic as a , I searched through my audio archives hoping I might find it to repurpose the interview. Thankfully, you can now listen to the interview as a podcast. I added a special tribute at the beginning of the podcast to honor my own Father and share the intrinsic value and meaning of the necklace I wear. Next, I honor the mentor, , who changed the trajectory of my work in 2016 encouraging me to open . The interview is a tribute to his own...
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Imagine a world where a specialist surgeon on one continent could be virtually transported into any operating room of another surgeon specialist, anywhere in the world, to collaborate with one another visually and practically. That is now a reality with the system, an augmented reality telehealth platform and innovation in education and global surgery. if the Founder of Proximie. She shares the story of her childhood and the events that made a lasting imprint on her memory growing up in Lebanon. She learned a lot about community, people coming together and sharing and supporting each...
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Are you feeling anxious or confused about what to eat if you have had or currently have breast cancer? My returning guest on this episode of the is Cathy Leman. She is a dietician, nutrition therapist, and a certified personal trainer, who herself has had hormone positive breast cancer. Cathy developed the , a nutrition education and coaching program. She shares her personal experience being diagnosed with breast cancer. We are discussing how to mange the anxiety that can plague many who have had breast cancer and what to put in our bodies in the form of food to optimize our health. We will...
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Have you searched endlessly for days and weeks for a microsurgeon to perform breast reconstruction? Access to care is a real concern for patients who are affected by breast cancer. Finding a plastic surgeon who specializes in tissue reconstruction in the area you live in is not always a service afforded to all patients. Traveling for breast reconstruction is not out of the ordinary. It was something I did myself for my DIEP flap. I want to bring awareness to microsurgical services in various geographic areas and interview surgeons to help patients who are looking for a reconstructive...
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I have been fortunate to have discussions with surgeons in the U.S. on lymphedema. This is a topic I feel should be discussed with international surgeons as well. As part of my work with I am fortunate to meet surgeons from around the world at various plastic and microsurgical conferences. I will be talking to one of these microsurgeons on the We need to know all we can about lymphedema, lymphedema surgery, how microsurgeons across the world are treating breast cancer patients for this condition, and so, this is our topic of discussion from a guest in London, in the United Kingdom. is a...
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The two-surgeon model in microvascular breast reconstruction and concerns about insurance coverage is a topic we are tackling on the . I have NOT come to understand the complexities of insurance but have gained a great deal of empathy for those in the breast cancer community who deal with these complexities, and that includes patients and surgeons. I was certain I needed to invite a guest I was completely comfortable discussing this topic with. We go back a bit. I have built trust in his principles over time and his focused passion on patient education. You have heard him on the podcast...
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Whether you have had a breast cancer diagnosis, have a genetic mutation placing you at high risk of getting breast cancer, have had or are facing a mastectomy due to either of these situations you will want to listen to this episode of the . The time has come to share a personal story of a woman I interviewed twice about her decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy and implant reconstruction. This is the continuation of her Journey. She came to a decision to exchange the implants she never quite felt comfortable in and transition to DIEP flap breast reconstruction and use her own tissue this...
info_outlineThis episode of the DiepCJourney podcast is well-timed to publish on March 1, 2024, the first day of lymphedema awareness month. We hope you will share this in your community for breast cancer patients affected by lymphedema to provide them with the resources needed to treat this condition and let them know there are specialists in surgical treatment options as well.
My guest is one such specialist. Dr. Charles Anton Fries is Chief of Plastic Surgery and faculty surgeon at UT Health San Antonio and works as a microsurgeon with the team at PRMA, Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates, in San Antonio.
It is important for listeners to understand the function and importance of the lymphatic system. Dr. Fries begins by explaining this and what can happen during breast surgery of any kind. He describes how the pumping mechanism that is the lymphatic system is compromised with patients who present with lymphedema.
Anything that damages or interrupts the lymph circulation can cause lymphedema as in axillary dissection and breast cancer surgery. Radiation adversely affects the muscle of the lymphatic system and can also cause lymphedema.
Dr. Fries tells us some of the symptoms at the beginning are heaviness and swelling from the accumulation of fluid. This is the time to start intervening with treatments to prevent progression. Lymphedema is incurable and progressive. He shares with us that compression, massage, and pumps are affective in managing the progression of lymphedema and the burden of fluid that can accumulate.
He points out the importance of patients taking a holistic approach to the management of lymphedema including maintaining a healthy weight. One such study shows there is a real correlation between obesity and severity of lymphedema.
We continue our discussion with surgical options both in the office and in the surgical theater. Dr. Fries and I touch on issues with insurance coverage, and he proudly shares that one of his own patients was an advocate working for insurance coverage for the treatment of lymphedema.
Links we discussed in the podcast:
PRMA lymphedema measurement chart: https://prma-enhance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Lymphedema-Chart.pdf
YouTube video of the Podcast with Dr. Fries: https://youtu.be/PlY5lb14ovY?si=Jyr7v-p2RhYuDpSD
Dr. Fries Social Media Accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonfriesplasticsurgery/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonFriesMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-fries-md-phd-a4167318/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/AntonFries