Only in Canada eh? Reconstruction

Well how did everyone make out?

Hi Dr Zhong is who i had she is now going to Boston for a couple of months so wont be back until end of Aug I have a follow up appointment with her in Sept and if anything happens or concerns during rads i am to she Dr Hofer would like any feed back on him please.   I have also heard that Brown was really good did you see any of his work Helen?

It took me a year to get to see Dr. Amanda Fortin in London On.  I am in Orillia, but am willing to travel the 3 hrs to her.  She was trained at the centre for excellen in winnipeg and  in my opinion they are the best.

From today's Globe & Mail:

Breast cancer patients have a new Canadian online resource to help them through the recovery phase of their illness.The website provides an overview of breast reconstruction options, ranging from doing nothing to a variety of surgical procedures. The site also helps women locate a surgeon in their area.MORE RELATED TO THIS STORYDrug exemestane can cut risk of breast cancer among high-risk women: studyExtra radiation dramatically cuts spread of breast cancerOntario expands breast-cancer screening programMEDIAWatch Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man ReminderNicolas Guay, a surgeon at the Ottawa Hospital, has been the driving force behind the website’s creation. After realizing most patients are not fully informed about what can be done, he contacted about 170 doctors across Canada to create a consensus document on the pros and cons of various procedures. That document now forms the cornerstone of the interactive website –breastreconstructioncanada.ca.“Patients can make their own decisions about their care if they are given the right tools,” said Dr. Guay.

There are now many more options in Toronto with some great doctors. Dr. Lipa and Snell at Sunnybrook, Dr. Zhong and Hofer at UHN. I'm on the list for recon with both of them for a DIEP.

They are all trying to make recon much more accessible for bc patients which was evident by the events going on at National Breast Cancer Awareness Day last week.

I asked about fat grafting but so far none of them are interested in doing it here because they don't believe in it. That's the option that is missing here. 

I saw Dr. Lipa over the summer. I was referred by my onc as well - no issue with getting in to see her. I know it can take a year to get in to even see one of these ps but I am surprised she won't take any more patients. She works with Dr. Snell at Sunnybrook. Maybe try for an appointment with Dr. Snell.

Hi everyone, what the heck is fat grafting?  Also has anyone had their DIEP by Dr. Snell or Hoffer? were you pleased with your results

Mabel, I have an appointment with Dr. Lipa on November 30 (originally booked for October, but she had to change it). My referral was sent in this past July. You could always call her office and ask her secretary any questions you might have...that's what I did before I had my referral sent in!!

Mina, I agree with you. I also think PLJ is onto something - we need to coordinate our efforts and bring some pressure to these docs to give us more options. Drs. Lipa, Zhong, Bebur, Brown - and there were others in the room when I asked my question - Drs. Semple and Hofer and Snell (2 different events - but all heard the question and several responded) ...they are fully aware of Dr. Khouri in Miami and what he is doing. Dr. Lipa didn't give any indication of when she thought they might expand our options.

I heard there are new trials going on in Australia and I don't know if it's the same as PLJ is referring to. They implant a "scaffold" which I understand will dissolve on it's own but it provides a shape and space. Then they direct some blood flow to the area and implant some fat stem cells. The blood flow to the stem cells causes them to grow on their own and they grow over the scaffold which will dissolve and voila - your own breasts. Sounds easier than Dr. K's method.

I really think we need to bring pressure to these docs - is there a way we can unite in this? 

PLJ, I'm right there with you if you want to get this going. I only know the plastic surgeons in the Toronto area who seem to be committed to making reconstruction for women to be a priority and want to offer the best possible options for us. These doctors were instrumental in creating the National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. I know there are other doctors at St. Mike's but I don't know their names. The doctors at Sunnybrook - Dr. Lipa, the doctors at Women's College - Dr. Brown, Dr. Bebur, and the doctor at UHN - Dr. Zhong - these are the ones with whom I have had conversations about micro fat grafting. 

Just a suggestion, could we write a letter and get lots of signatures from the women on this thread who live in Ontario -- send a copy of the letter to these doctors and any others that are suggested. Someone else may have a better suggestion but that's a start. 

National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day WAS on October 19. There were presentations going on across the country. In Toronto, there were 3 - at Sunnybrook (full day), at St. Mike's (morning and early afternoon) and at Toronto General (an evening event). I went to the one at Toronto General. Drs. Brown, Bebur, Zhong gave presentations but Drs. Semple and Hofer were also there. They didn't know if anyone would show up but there must have been at least 200 people who came. Clearly demonstrates the need for information. They are expecting that next year, Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day will go international - they already have commitments from the US and other countries. I think the timing is right to push the agenda. 

Hrf and Plj

Did you know that in alberta patients do not have the option of a DIEP surgery and only have option of tram flap oir a Latissimus Dorsi flap surgery. Both of these surgeries require the use of muscles. which can create other problems. This is very sad when all a patient with Cancer wants is a good option for breast reconstruction. In Ontario you are luckier. For radiated patients having the option of fat grafting would be by far the best option.

Ladies I have a recurrent cancer and am in a position where I have had another partial masectomy and got clear margins but the recommendation is masectomy and I do not like the reconstruction options avaliable and am thinking to wait until the next recurrance. I have a 30-40 % chance of recurrance. 2007 Only tolerated tamoxifen for 7-9 months had severe side effects, fatigue and decrease in cognitive functioning...difficulty focusing, attending, decreased problem solving, and  decreased memory. First cancer 2007 stage 1 radiation no chemo, ER+, PR+.. 2011 recurrance partial masectomy and no chemo ER+,ER+ and can not have radiation again. Can not have implants due to radiation. What do you think if I wait till next recurrance will there be better choices for reconstruction? I am single and age 47. I want to have love in my life and not look like I came out of a war.

How do we get surgeons to change and get on board to see that women need more humane options for breast reconstruction?

Mina