Episode 64: Microsurgery and Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction
Release Date: 08/28/2024
Episode 65: Breast Reconstruction at Tucson Plastic Surgery
DiepCJourney Podcast
Are you aware of the value of the two-surgeon model in reconstructive microsurgery? Have you heard about the benefits to patients of ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol? I spoke with two board-certified plastic reconstructive surgeons who practice at to answer these questions and others on this episode of the . My guests are and . They met at the , a well-known yearly gathering of microsurgical specialists from around the world who present the latest techniques in flap surgeries. Their combined training in breast reconstruction microsurgery and aesthetic plastic surgery offers...
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Episode 64: Microsurgery and Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
When you think about breast reconstruction do you only think about breast implants? If so, it is because many people are still choosing this option for reconstructing their breast after mastectomy. However, there are options. Using your own tissue is an option and the tissue, along with a blood source, can come from various parts of the body. Fat grafting to shape and form the breast is also an option many ask about but not all know about. This is our topic on this episode of the . My guest, , is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Hopewell, New Jersey at the ....
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Episode 63: Sensation and Sensibility in Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
Breast sensation, “sensibility,” is a topic I personally cannot talk enough about. Breast cancer patients want to be protected from burns. They want to feel the hugs from their children, grandchildren, partners, friends, and family. Sensibility refers to awareness, emotional response, and feeling so it makes perfect sense to use this word in our conversation on this episode of the . To be honest, the feeling of numbness that many feel after a mastectomy just feels odd. I speak from experience, and I listen to other survivors who tell me this. It felt odd for me, but I was fortunate to have...
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Episode 62: Flap Neurotization in Autologous Breast Reconstruction - A Systematic Review
DiepCJourney Podcast
This edition of the highlights a recently published paper in , an International Journal of Surgical Reconstruction. The title of the paper is: To our listeners, who may be patients, surgeons, or medical professionals we are going to explore the elements and details of this research paper and how it can be of benefit to you. I am pleased to have two returning guests who have collaborated across continents from Australia to the U.S. sharing their combined microsurgical skills to improve patient outcomes in sensate breasts. is an author of the paper and an internationally trained microsurgeon...
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Episode 61: Microsurgery, Lymphedema, Neurotized Breasts, and Robotics
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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Episode 60: Credibility in the Noise - Social Media, Breast Reconstruction, and Your Experience
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 59: A Breast Cancer Patient Intent on Finding Access to a DIEP Flap Surgeon
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Special Episode 58: Fathers, Mentors, and Microsurgery
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 57: Proximie, Augmented Reality in Surgical Education
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 56: Cancer: Nutrition and Managing Food Anxiety
DiepCJourney Podcast
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...
info_outlineWhen you think about breast reconstruction do you only think about breast implants? If so, it is because many people are still choosing this option for reconstructing their breast after mastectomy. However, there are options. Using your own tissue is an option and the tissue, along with a blood source, can come from various parts of the body. Fat grafting to shape and form the breast is also an option many ask about but not all know about. This is our topic on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast.
My guest, Dr. Eric Wimmers, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Hopewell, New Jersey at the Plastic Surgery Center. He is part of the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction (IFAR) network of surgeons across the U.S.
Dr. Wimmers has unique training in microsurgery and immunology. Although he operates on the entire body, his special interests are breast reconstruction, abdominal wall reconstruction, and peripheral nerve repair.
His pathway to his current practice as a microsurgeon developed over time. Dr. Wimmers shares his personal journey with us from beginning as an emergency room physician to a surgeon. Once he had exposure to the scope of plastic surgery, restoring form and function to the human body affected by trauma and disease he never looked back.
Dr. Wimmers shares the value of his surgical practice being part of the IFAR network. He points out that they are grouping up with other like-minded microsurgeons across the U.S. to tackle problems and issues patients face when they have been told there is no hope or fix. Combined resources and talent within the IFAR network are providing greater access to care for patients.
We continue our discussion with an explanation of the types of breast reconstruction available. Dr. Wimmers utilizes the tummy tissue most often to perform DIEP flap breast reconstruction. However, he points out not all patients have the excess tissue in their own body in the right places to do autologous reconstruction, meaning using the patients own tissue. He does get inquiries about fat grafting only.
Patients are interested in it for a variety of reasons. It might be that they have already had a tummy tuck. It may be that their fat distribution is in other places other than the abdomen. Most of his patients requesting fat grafting only tend to be on the smaller side and prefer a smaller size breast. He explains the fat grafting only procedure in detail in our interview. Dr. Wimmers tells us fat grafting only is a series of procedures done over time. Fat grafting is a very technique driven procedure.
Be sure to watch our interview on the DiepCFoundation Educational Channel
Connect with Dr. Eric Wimmers:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEricWimmers/
Connect with The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedReconstruction
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advancedreconstruction/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/AdvancedReconNJ