Patient Advocates and Health Care Professionals Call on CMS to Ensure Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Patient Stories

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

Patient Advocates and Health Care Professionals Call on CMS to Ensure Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joanna Morales (jm@triagecancer.org) Dr. Elisabeth Potter (elisabeth.potter@gmail.com)  Patient Advocates and Health Care Professionals Call on CMS to Ensure Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction  WASHINGTON, DC, April 3, 2023 – Advocates for individuals in need of breast reconstruction surgery delivered a letter and petition to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services […]

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Monday, February 7th, 2022

Dr. Potter Featured on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Panel on Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Potter was recently featured in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Panel on Breast Reconstruction. Read on to see Dr. Potter and patient Deborah discuss DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction. Dana Donofree: [00:00:04] Hi and welcome to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Panel on Breast Reconstruction. We’re excited to bring both physicians and patients […]

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Monday, November 1st, 2021

Denise’s Breast Explant Story: Finally At Home in Her Body

From a young age, Denise McLemore was inundated with images of the so-called “perfect” female figure. She saw images of full-breasted women in magazines and on television, and felt the ever-present societal pressures of having a particular type of body. After she had and breastfed her children, she was left with little breast tissue in […]

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

DIEP Flap Surgery: Cari’s Breast Reconstruction Journey

When navigating the journey of life-saving treatments for breast cancer, the option to undergo reconstructive surgery is personal and unique to every individual. Depending on each patient’s circumstances, there are several reconstruction options, including implant-based reconstruction, Aesthetic Flat Closure, or DIEP Flap Reconstruction. With a DIEP Flap Surgery, skin and fat are taken from the […]

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Friday, October 1st, 2021

Deborah’s Story of Early Detection: Self-Breast Exam Instructions Included

“If you notice a change in your breast tissue, consult your health professional,” the breast self-examination card hanging in patient Deborah Jones’ shower reads. For years, Deborah would go through the technique of routinely checking her breasts: pressing the pads of her index, middle and ring fingers to her opposite side with firm to light […]

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Friday, June 25th, 2021

“Mommy Makeovers” Aren’t Just for Moms: A Decision to Prioritize Your Health and Body

Mary McKeever had given birth to four beautiful children. Her oldest is almost 11 and her youngest is four. She’d been considering reconstructive body surgery, or a “mommy makeover,” to make her feel healthy and strong for several years. While researching plastic surgeons in the Austin, Texas area, she came across Dr. Elisabeth Potter. Through […]

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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Aesthetic Flat Closure: One Woman’s Journey

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is a very personal choice often made in the midst of a life-changing decision for life-saving surgery. This choice is driven by unique and personal experiences. Options may include implant-based reconstruction, DIEP flap reconstruction or a procedure commonly called Aesthetic Flat Closure. These were just some of the decisions Molly […]

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Sunday, September 8th, 2019

You Are So Much Braver and Stronger Than You Know

Andrea’s Story A cancer diagnosis brings with it what I call “so much more”. So much more time spent in doctor’s offices, MRI machines, corners of your closet crying so no one sees how scared you are. So much more time on the phone with insurance companies, staring in your mirror wondering who you are […]

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Wednesday, November 21st, 2018

Dani’s Story

A Patient’s Story of Breast Cancer & Breast Reconstruction “We’re going to make this look so pretty.” Those words, spoken by my breast reconstruction plastic surgeon, Dr. Elisabeth Potter, gave me hope for the first time in over 15 years. As I sat in her office during our first meeting, all I could think was, […]

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Monday, April 23rd, 2018

Cindy’s Story

In 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was 44 years old. My diagnosis of unilateral DCIS was shocking to my husband and me, considering that I was a very fit runner, maintained a healthy diet, and never, ever smoked.  The worst health issue I’d had prior was appendicitis. My tumor was too large […]

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Thursday, January 11th, 2018

Say Yes To The Dress – By Val Jones

How do you know when you have the best plastic surgeon ever? When she accepts your invitation to be part of your bridal entourage on TLC’s hit show, Say Yes To The Dress! For those of you unfamiliar with SYTTD, it’s a reality show about brides-to-be and their dress shopping experiences at Kleinfeld, a world-famous bridal shop, […]

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Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Surgery.  What Now?

If you’re familiar with breast cancer, you know firsthand about the host of surgeries and procedures involved in a diagnosis – all of which can, and sometimes do, leave a lasting physical impact. From biopsies to lymph node removal, lumpectomies, mastectomies and reconstruction, breast cancer surgery side effects can be problematic post-surgery for many patients. […]

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Monday, October 16th, 2017

My Story: Lessons Through Loss

The words still echo in my mind, as perhaps they are permanently etched there:  “I need you to mentally prepare for the worst.  I think you have advanced breast cancer”.  And so it began in May of 2016… my journey of survival through breast cancer treatment.  My breast surgeon, a woman who I will always […]

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Tuesday, February 28th, 2017

Facing a Double Mastectomy – A Story by Allison Mack

You probably remember Angelina Jolie’s preventative double mastectomy making headlines in 2013.  When genetic testing revealed she had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer, Jolie took matters into her own hands and scheduled her potential life-saving surgery. In an op-ed piece appearing in the New York Times, and written by Jolie, herself, she states, […]

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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: The Power of Online Community

  One of the most important aspects of undergoing any type of surgery is piece of mind.  This can come in many shapes and forms. Of course, any surgery under consideration should be well researched, and the doctor you choose should be carefully selected.  In particular, some of the more complex surgeries, such as DIEP […]

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Monday, January 5th, 2015

Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction Surgery- Patient Testimonial: Linda W.

Linda W. shares how Dr. Potter’s specialized Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction Surgery provides real value in the restoration of one’s mental & physical well-being. This is an encouraging testament, especially for those facing similar circumstances. Commonly performed for cosmetic reasons, fat grafting is another powerful and natural method of breast reconstruction. During fat grafting breast […]

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Impressed With Breast Reconstruction After Care

  Dr. Potter went above and beyond to make sure I was well prepared for my reconstruction. She fitted me in her office for my post-surgery compression garment, brought it with her to the hospital, and when I awoke from my procedure, I even found myself wearing a super soft healincomfort recovery shirt. Her preparedness […]

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Thursday, April 3rd, 2014

Recovery Easier Than I Would Have Thought

  I was diagnosed with DCIS, an early form of cancer, in the fall of 2013. My physician in my hometown suggested a mastectomy to remove the entire affected area. I really didn’t know what my options were, but I knew I wanted reconstructive surgery. My nurse navigator suggested I research DIEP Flap reconstruction. While […]

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