DiepCJourney Podcast

In this episode of the DiepCJourney® Podcast, we sit down with Tina Tsan, a dual‑licensed acupuncturist and Certified Lymphedema Wound Care Therapist whose integrative approach is reshaping how patients understand and care for their lymphatic health. As noted in the interview outline, Tina brings "a high level of expertise in the field of non‑operative and post‑operative edema control," blending Eastern medicine with modern lymphatic therapy to support patients recovering from surgery and cancer treatment. Tina shares her professional journey, what drew her to acupuncture, how she entered the world of lymphatic and wound care, and why combining these disciplines allows her to treat patients with a more holistic lens. She breaks down the fundamentals of the lymphatic system, why it becomes so critical after mastectomy and reconstruction, and the early signs of lymphatic dysfunction patients should never ignore. We also explore one of the most confusing areas for patients: the difference between lipedema and lymphedema. Tina explains how these conditions develop, why they're often misdiagnosed, and why early recognition matters. She also discusses how breast cancer treatments, including mastectomy, lymph node removal, and radiation, can disrupt lymphatic flow and what patients can do proactively to protect their long‑term health. A major highlight of the conversation is Tina's insight into how acupuncture supports lymphatic drainage, inflammation reduction, scar tissue mobility, pain, tightness, and fatigue. She demystifies what a session feels like, addresses common fears, and explains why acupuncture can be beneficial both before and after surgery. We close with a powerful discussion on integrative healing, the role of emotional stress, trauma, empowerment, and lifestyle habits in recovery, and Tina shares details about the upcoming Lipedema Summit 2026, a growing movement in patient education and advocacy. This episode is packed with clarity, compassion, and practical guidance for anyone navigating breast cancer recovery, lymphatic challenges, or integrative healing. To learn more about her work Tina shares how listeners can connect with her work and continue learning about lymphatic health and integrative care. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-tsan-daom-clt-17842634/ Website: Harmony Lymphatics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmony_lymphatics/

In this powerful DiepCJourney® podcast episode, Dr. Anne Peled and Dr. Ziv Peled, renowned experts in breast reconstruction and pain management join forces to explore the groundbreaking potential of Journavx, a new non-opioid oral pain medication designed to address acute post-surgical pain. With a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on opioids, this is the first FDA approved non-opioid oral pain medication for acute pain approved by the FDA in twenty years. They unpack the science behind Journavx, its clinical applications, and what it means for the future of recovery after breast reconstruction. Listeners will gain: 🎙️ A deep dive into how Journavx works and why it matters 💡 Insights from Dr. Ziv Peled's experience as a peripheral nerve surgeon 💬 Dr. Anne Peled's perspective on patient-centered care and her personal experience after her recent implant-based breast reconstruction surgery 🔍 Discussion on shifting paradigms in pain management and survivorship Whether you're a patient, provider, or advocate, this episode offers hope, innovation, and practical knowledge for navigating post-operative healing with greater confidence and comfort. Be sure to check out the video episode on the DiepCFoundation YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXOO8yotZyc&t=1365s Connect with Dr. Anne Peled on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drannepeled/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-peled-31626284/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drannepeled Connect with Dr. Ziv Peled on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peledsurgery/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-m-peled-md/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeledSurgery

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 DiepCFoundation 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 DiepCJourney® podcast 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 Dr. Summer Hanson who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. She is an expert in treating a wide range of conditions, offering everything from complex breast reconstruction, trunk reconstruction and extremity reconstruction to skin cancer treatment, revision surgery and lymphedema surgery. Dr. Hanson takes a holistic approach to care and is committed to offering each patient a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan. She works with her patients to understand their individual goals and concerns, and together they establish a plan designed to improve recovery and deliver long-term success. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Hanson is also devoted to research. We are discussing her involvement and work with the Bionic Breast Project and more specifically the FEEL Project (Focus on Educating Everyone about Sensation Loss and Pain). The FEEL Project was born from listening deeply to patients share the personal impact of their mastectomy experiences. From loss of sensation and mobility to ongoing pain and other challenges, these stories inspired the creation of professional, evidence-based video content. Through candid conversations with patients, the project aims to educate the public and raise awareness about the often-overlooked physical and emotional effect of mastectomy. Whether you are a researcher, student, patient, family member, or caregiver your feedback on the video is of great importance. To be part of this project please reach out on the following forums and links. The Lindau Lab Woman Lab Dr. Summer Hanson at the University of Chicago Connect with the Bionic Breast Project on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionicbreast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575127590603 Connect with the Woman Lab on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearewomanlab

It's great to be back at the microphone after a summer break from podcasting and focusing our efforts on the inaugural DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium. 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 DiepCFoundation educational channel 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 BioCircuit table in the exhibit hall. After an invitation from the team at then vendor table I sat down to give it a go. You can actually watch that experience on the DiepCFoundation educational channel under the shorts. To search for it, type in the words, BioCircuit Nerve Tape®. Check the links below to watch the video. I was amazed at how easy it was for me to use it and also how strong it is. In surgical procedures, nerves are cut during the surgical process. The nerve tape we discuss is used across various specialties. At the Foundation on the DiepCJourney® podcast, we focus on all types of breast reconstruction for those undergoing mastectomy who are affected by breast cancer. In this interview we will be focusing on that specialty of surgery in this discussion. We will be discussing the use of the Nerve Tape® in reconstructive surgery using implants with our guest surgeon. The feeling of numbness across the breast area is a topic often discussed and is of concern in the community we serve at DiepCFoundation. It is a consideration in both erogenous sensation but also as a protective mechanism to prevent burns and injury to the breasts. My guest is Dr. Lisa Hunsicker. She has been practicing medicine since 1995, and she opened Revalla Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics as her solo practice in Littleton Colorado in 2001. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston before moving on to her General Surgery training at the University of Colorado/Denver. Dr. Lisa Hunsicker is a strong advocate for women's health issues and enjoys giving back to underserved communities. In addition to volunteering at health fairs, such as Tri for the Cure and at other local events, she has traveled many times to countries like El Salvador and Peru to perform reconstructive surgery on children and adults. To view my experience using the Nerve Tape® click here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QedVwJfubfE Connect with Dr. Hunsicker on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revallaaplasticsurrgery/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlisahunsicker/ Connect with BioCircuit Technologies on the following platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biocircuit-technologies/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nervetapeit/

This is a follow up of my interview with Margaret Tueller Proffitt who I spoke to after her phase one DIEP flap surgery at PRMA in San Antonio in January of 2024. I invited her back to the DiepCJourney podcast 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 Dr. Whipple about your phase via a ZOOM call. · What did she pack for phase 2. · Who she traveled with for this phase of her surgery. · The details of what Dr. Whipple did for phase 2. · Compression garments, medical dressings, and showering. · Pain medication, bruising, and change in clothing size after fat grafting. · Flying home after surgery. Margaret is a strong advocate and voice for the BRCA and breast reconstruction community. She is a mother, wife, loves to read, travel, has pets and she is a rock star on our Foundation YouTube channel with over a thousand views of video interview of phase one surgery. She is living life, enjoying activities, travel, and family celebrations. I love success stories so I asked Margaret what she wanted to share with those listening to the interview who might be considering DIEP flap surgery. "This was a short period of hard. Go forth with confidence. I love the body I have now." Connect with Margaret on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmproffitt/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-proffitt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margaret.t.proffitt

We are going to discuss the topic of scars and cover several topics related to scars on this edition of the DiepCJourney podcast. 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 Dr. Andrew Gassman joined PRMA in San Antonio, Texas in 2021. Dr. Gassman completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles, California, and a general surgery residency, as Chief of Surgical Resident Education, at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood Illinois. Following his residency, Dr. Gassman completed his fellowship in breast and reconstructive microsurgery, with a specialty in facial reanimation at UTSW Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Gassman and his team practice the co-surgeon model in breast reconstruction, meaning each patient undergoing autologous breast reconstruction will have two board-certified microsurgeons in the OR at the time of their reconstruction. They are part of the IFAR (Institute for Advanced Reconstruction) network collaborating with other microsurgeons in the IFAR network to improve patient safety, care, and outcomes. Dr. Gassman discusses the importance of scars and the considerations for plastic surgeons regarding scars for their patients. He tells us, "These are marks that a patient is going to carry with them for their lives." He tells us about techniques used at his practice and considerations like: · Scar placement · Scar healing · Different types of scars and skin types · Scar management after surgery · Scar revisions at phase 2 · Emotional impact of scars We reference a DiepCJourney podcast in our discussion you can listen to here: Ep. 60: Credibility in the Noise _ Social Media, Breast Reconstruction, and Your Experience. Connect with Dr. Gassman on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gassman_ps/ Instagram: PRMA https://www.instagram.com/prmaplasticsurgery/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.andrewgassman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRMAPlasticSurgery

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 DiepCJourney podcast. Be sure to watch our conversation on the DiepCFoundation YouTube channel when it is published, and you can sit with us and watch our conversation. I first met Dr. Daniel Murariu at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in San Diego in September of 2024. What impressed me at our first meeting was his interest in the resources breast cancer patients provide. We talked about the resources provided by DiepCJourney Foundation, but we also discussed the many other breast cancer support groups helping patients navigate their decision through treatment, surgery, and recovery. I was also impressed with the time he spent listening and I thought to myself, if I were a patient of Dr. Murariu, I think I would feel very much a part of my decision process with his thoughtful demeanor. He is a TEDx UC Davis speaker, Rotarian, speaks three languages, has published multiple papers, an impressive resume to be sure!! Further, Dr. Murariu practices the co-surgeon model at his private practice office in Honolulu, Hawaii at Hawaii Aesthetics and Robotic Plastic Surgery. He collaborates with his team member, Dr. Peter Deptula. We are going to learn more about the work of Dr. Deptula and his training in the interview. They are both board-certified reconstructive surgeons who perform autologous breast reconstruction, lymphedema surgery, complex abdominal wall reconstruction, and complex microsurgery focusing on head and neck and breast reconstruction. We wrap up our conversations with an announcement by Dr. Murariu. It is exciting to know that he and Dr. Deptula are organizing the RAMSES 2027 meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. RAMSES stands for The Robotic Assisted & Microsurgical Endoscopic Society, "The group represents the 'early adaptors' of robotic technology in the field of microsurgery." He graciously invites surgeons to visit them to observe their work and learn more about robotics in plastic surgery. Connect with Dr. Murariu and Dr. Deptula across these platforms: LinkedIn: Daniel Murariu Instagram: The Aloha Plastic Surgeon Facebook: Dr. Daniel Murariu Dr. Deptula: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.petey/