Episode 85: Behind a Robotic DIEP Flap: Patient & Surgeons Unite
Release Date: 09/21/2025
Episode 85: Behind a Robotic DIEP Flap: Patient & Surgeons Unite
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 84: FEEL Project: Focus on Educating Everyone about Sensation Loss and Pain
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 83: Traveling to The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 82: Nerve Tape® Connecting Nerves in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 81: Delay Procedure, SIEA, and TDAP in Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 80: Completion of DIEP Flap Surgery: Going Forth with Confidence
DiepCJourney Podcast
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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Episode 79: Medical Tattoo Artists: The Alliance of Medical Tattooing
DiepCJourney Podcast
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...
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Episode 78: Managing Scars Through Surgical Techniques at PRMA
DiepCJourney Podcast
We are going to discuss the topic of scars and cover several topics related to scars on this edition of the . It is understood, anyone who has surgery will have scars of some kind. There is a mechanism to how scars heal. In plastic surgery, if you think of the Greek word, plastikós (πλᾰστῐκός it means to shape or mold. Scars are a significant consideration in plastic surgery then. I invited an expert in the field to share his expertise on the topic. My guest is joined in San Antonio, Texas in 2021. Dr. Gassman completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at UCLA...
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Episode 77: Nipple Reconstruction at PRMA
DiepCJourney Podcast
Do most people who have nipple reconstruction have breast reconstruction? Not necessarily. Do you think about nipple reconstruction if you’ve had breast cancer and are in a consultation for breast reconstruction? We are going to answer these questions and others on this episode of the . My guest is of in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Carpenter is passionate about utilizing her extensive expertise and experience to help transform lives through reconstructive plastic surgery. I want to point out that PRMA uses the co-surgeon model in breast reconstruction, meaning there are two...
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Episode 76: Robotic Surgery and DIEP Flap in Hawaii
DiepCJourney Podcast
How much do you know about robotic surgery for DIEP flap breast reconstruction? What areas in the U.S. are performing these types of robotic surgery for those affected by breast cancer? What if I told you robotic DIEP flaps are being performed in Hawaii? It is important to share with you surgeons I meet to provide access to care for those affected by breast cancer. Thank you for listening to the podcast to find out who these surgeons are. We are going to discuss robotic surgery and DIEP flap being performed in Hawaii with my guests on this edition of the . Be sure to watch our conversation on...
info_outlineThis DiepCJourney® podcast 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 DiepCFoundation YouTube Channel.
I am speaking to three guests today that include the patient, Gillian and the two board certified microsurgeons who performed Gillian’s recent robotic DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Dr. Daniel Murariu and Dr. Peter Deptula.
At age 33, Gillian was diagnosed with stage 3C triple negative & inflammatory breast cancer. Because of the treatment she received and her body proportions, her only reconstruction option was DIEP flap surgery. Drawn to the robotic approach for its ability to reduce pain and speed recovery, she spent months researching surgeons before choosing the right team with Dr. Daniel Murariu and Dr. Peter Deptula.
Gillian recently completed phase 1 of her DIEP flap reconstruction and is feeling more confident in her body. She’s looking forward to next year, when she will mark 3 years since her mastectomy and be cleared by her care team to start a family with her husband, Justin.
She shares her tips on traveling, recovery, and the research she did to find her surgeons and why she chose this team.
Dr. Murariu shares a presentation along with Dr. Peptula on the robotic techniques they successfully use in Hawaii. They share the following studies in the interview:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39191380/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39102843/
Although robotic DIEP flap is not readily available in the states at this time, it is growing in interest. There are surgeons in the U.S. and across the world performing robotic DIEP flap. Patients are asking about it so I hope this interview provides you with information you can ask about at your own breast reconstruction consult and as you consider your options and choices to make an informed decision.
Connect with Dr. Murariu on the following platforms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealohaplasticsurgeon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murariu-0ba2b7195/
Connect with Dr. Deptula on the following platform:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.petey/