ShareIn This Article
What is shared decision-making and why is it important in the breast reconstruction journey?
Every breast reconstruction journey is different and each individual’s situation and reasons for choosing said journey is unique. But one thing is constant—shared decision-making is key for success!
Shared decision-making occurs when the health care professional and patient work together to make a treatment decision that is best for the patient. The best decision takes into account evidence-based information about available treatment options, the physician’s knowledge and experience, and the patient’s preferences and values. Multiple studies show this collaborative approach improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. At PRMA, we believe shared decision-making is the most important aspect of patient-centered health care.
Our surgeons want to know about YOU. During your consultation we want to learn and understand your needs, your expectations, your situation and most importantly, your preferences. Then, based on your medical history, and clinical and social situations, your surgeon will address each of your options from a patient health and safety perspective. We want to ensure you know all of your options when it comes to reconstruction, including the pros and cons of each, and how your choices will impact your life and what’s importantly you, not just in the short-term during recovery, but long-term too.
We very much look forward to discussing your options with you and creating the best treatment plan for you, together.
We also recommend you download the Breast Advocate® App prior to your initial consultation. Created by our very own Dr Chrysopoulo, Breast Advocate® is the World’s first shared decision-making app for breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction, and will be a very useful tool for you to review information before and after your consultation.
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
Our surgeons want to know about YOU! During your consultation we want to discuss your needs, your expectations, and most importantly what you want.
Leave Comment
-
-
Thank you so much for sharing your story Allison! We are so honored to have served you during this journey.
July 20,2020
-
Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter
Continue Reading
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect December 09, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Following DIEP flap breast reconstruction, patients are typically in the hospital for about 2-3 days. During that time, patients often wonder what they should expect. Here is what a typical hospital stay for PRMA patients entails… Flap […]
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles. It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments. These can be temporary or permanent. Periods can be unpredictable following […]
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap October 22, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts. We were also able to share information on […]
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes. The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction. The purpose […]
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy. Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently. Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”. Many patients believe […]
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]
How I wish my mastectomy journey had begun at PRMA! My home is in Georgia and there are only two options given to women here. I could either have implants or a Tram Flap procedure where I would lose my stomach muscle. I wanted to keep my stomach muscle and went with the less invasive choice of implants. When I woke up after my mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction, I was in SO much pain! I literally couldn’t move I hurt so bad. One drain under my left armpit had already made my skin red and painfull. Two weeks later, my left breast was hiot and red and I had a fever that made me delirious. It turns out I had MRSA! Since this deadly infection loves plastic, my expanders had to come out a week later. Immediately I felt better physically but emotionally I felt like my chest was so ugly. The whole experience was so awful that I just decided on wearing a prosthesis. I looked good with clothes on but I avoided looking at myself in the mirror because it made me feel depressed.
During the next four years, I researched breast reconstruction and was surprised and pleased to find the DIEP Flap procedure. Not many places were doing this microsurgery but I remember being most pleased by PRMA in San Antonio (with over 600 DIEP Flap procedures done each year). I really liked that PRMA did these procedures all the time not just periodically. Also, PRMA’s website answered all of my questions, showed before and after pictures, and had a video animation of the procedure. After four years, everything fell into place for me to have this surgery in San Antonio. My college roommate from 34 years ago was able to come and take care of me. Her daughter had a place in San Antonio that we could stay while she was away on an optometry internship. These were unexpected blessings! I was able to pull money out of a Roth IRA and get a surgery date right after school was out where I worked as a teacher. I found two camps and a friend (along with my husband) to take care of my son. God was with me every step of the way..
Since I needed a recliner, I was able to rent a really comfortable one at Rent-a Center for $50 plus dollars. They delivered it, set it up, and then picked it up before I left Texas. Uber was nice to use since a rental was expensive.
Dr. Arishita was my PRMA surgeon. He was so patient and kind. He listened to me and answered all of my questions. My surgery went flawlessly and I was surprised at how well I felt when I woke up. I was up walking the next day and couldn’t believe it. I kept waiting for the pain to hit and it never did. PRMA uses an ERAS protocol which includes nerve blocks during surgery. Whatever it is, I’m a believer! I feel great and smile now when I look in the mirror. Thanks PRMA!
Allison Burley
July 20,2020