Episode 52: A Patient Story: Transitioning from Implants to DIEP Flap

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 DiepCJourney podcast.

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 time around.

Margaret Tueller Proffitt has a delightful Instagram account and describes herself as a lover of books, learning and travel. She is a Mom to four, wife to one, and friend to all. I am honored to have my friend Margaret on the podcast.

On a recent trip to San Antonio to do advocacy work for DiepCFoundation, I visited PRMA where I had my own reconstruction. I received a text from Margaret mentioning her desire to transition from implants to DIEP flap. More importantly, she told me she was considering PRMA and wanted to know who I would recommend. Knowing Margaret as I do, I gently guided her to contact Dr. Lauren Whipple.

In the weeks following that text, I watched and waited until her surgery date, answering more questions, and guiding her through a very familiar experience to me, traveling for DIEP flap. There are so many similarities to our story. We had the same breast surgeon perform our mastectomy in Tucson where both of us lived at the time and Margaret still does. The similarities grew when I found out who would be the co-surgeon with Dr. Whipple the day of Margaret’s DIEP flap. Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, the surgeon who performed my DIEP flap, would be working alongside Dr. Whipple that day. PRMA uses the two-surgeon model for all their patients that have autologous breast reconstruction.

I am delighted to share Margaret’s story with the listeners. She discusses preparations, traveling to and from her surgery, her support, and caregivers, where she stayed, recovery, and what she is looking for to for phase two surgery.

Learn more about resources mentioned and topics related to the podcast:

Video tour with Dr. Chrysopoulo of Methodist Landmark where Margaret had surgery.

First video with Margaret: A BRCA Story of Surveillance Through Prophylactic Mastectomy.

Second video with Margaret: Two days before Margaret’s implant-based prophylactic mastectomy.

Connect with those mentioned in the Podcast:

Margaret’s Instagram account

PRMA’s Instagram account

Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo on LinkedIn