Rewritten Me

Mastectomy and breast reconstruction can change more than how your body looks. And it can be complex. How can you prepare for changes to sensation, function, identity and the way you feel in your body? Luan is joined by body-image researcher Dr Helena Lewis-Smith to explore the emotional adjustment that can happen before and after surgery, and why gratitude for treatment can exist alongside grief...

If you’re having breast surgery or reconstruction through Australia’s public health system, what are you entitled to as a public patient, and what should you know before agreeing to use your private health insurance? Luan is joined by Dr Margaret Faux, one of Australia’s leading experts on Medicare and medical billing law, to unpack how Medicare, medical billing and public hospital care work aroun...

Scars after breast surgery can bring up fear and a lot of questions. What should they feel like? When can we touch them? And how do you know what’s normal? Luan speaks with Shannon Chandler, a remedial massage therapist with more than 18 years specialising in post-operative recovery, about scar care, fascia, swelling, movement, lymphatic drainage and how to nurture your scars during healing. This...

What can you eat to help support healing after breast reconstruction surgery? Originally recorded in 2023, this episode returns as a Rewritten Rewind as part of the Before and After Breast Reconstruction mini-series. Luan talks with nutritionist Associate Professor Teresa Mitchell-Paterson about food choices that may help support recovery from mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. In this...

What movement can you do to prepare for breast cancer surgery, and what may help once you leave hospital? Luan speaks with Anna-Louise Bradley, senior exercise physiologist, about exercise before and after mastectomy and breast reconstruction. In this episode we talk about: •what an exercise physiologist does •exercise physiology vs physiotherapy •prehab when surgery is close •early movement in ho...

DIEP flap breast reconstruction is often the own-tissue option people hear most about. But what happens when it isn’t suitable for you? Associate Professor Bish Soliman, who specialises in reconstructive plastic surgery, explains PAP flap reconstruction and where it may fit among the options available after mastectomy. In this episode, we talk about: what PAP flap reconstruction is how it differs...

Elle is waiting for a date for her risk-reducing mastectomy and PAP flap reconstruction through the public health system. Without knowing when surgery will happen, preparing means keeping work, family support, her home and recovery plans on standby. In Part 2 of her story, Elle shares the practical and emotional realities of getting ready for major breast reconstruction while the timing remains un...

After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, followed by a single mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction, Elle thought her next surgery would be a revision. Then updated genetic testing revealed a CHEK2 pathogenic variant and changed the decision in front of her. In Part 1, Elle shares how she decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy on her remaining breast, and why choosing what type of reconstruc...

Why do we share our most personal experiences, and what do we hope those stories give somebody else? Four women featured in Conquering Breast Cancer join Luan to talk about why they chose to share theirs. Rewritten Me was always going to come back. The release of this Australian documentary felt like the right time. Luan was honoured to take part after women featured in the film shared how Rewritt...

Rewritten Me is back! Australia’s podcast dedicated to supporting people having reconstruction after mastectomy returns with a new mini-series looking at the before and after realities of breast reconstruction. Here’s a short sneak peek at what to expect. Follow Rewritten Me wherever you listen to podcasts so you hear first when new episodes drop. CREDITS: Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods...

From surgical signs to patient peace of mind, Dr Joe Dusseldorp breaks down what flap monitoring involves and why it matters for your recovery. For patients who choose flap-based breast reconstruction like DIEP, one of the biggest sources of anxiety is the fear that something could go wrong with the flap after surger and it “fails”. In this episode of Rewritten Me , I speak with leading reconstruc...

This isn’t a usual episode - it’s an important update. Rewritten Me has always been about more than reconstruction. It’s about agency, questions, courage - and the quiet (or loud) moments of self-advocacy that shape our healthcare experiences. In this special episode, Luan shares what’s next for Rewritten Me , how self-advocacy has always been at the heart of the podcast, and why she launched Rega...

Breast cancer treatment or surgery can have long-term or late effects that can affect your quality of life - for life. One of those is breast cancer-related lymphoedema, a condition that causes abnormal swelling due to damage to the lymphatic system. Early monitory, detection and intervention can make all the difference! This is a crucial conversation for anyone affected by breast cancer and at ri...

As cancer treatment becomes more personalised and complex, staying informed to advocate for yourself can feel overwhelming. In today’s digital world, finding trustworthy, evidence-based information is often challenging.   For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'm excited to share my conversation with Dr Anne Bruinvels, who was inspired by a friend's traumatic breast cancer experience to create O...

Join me as I sit down with Dr Joe Dusseldorp, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, to talk in detail about nipple-sparing mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction after breast cancer surgery.   We talk about: What the procedure is How it's done Why it may be appropriate for a patient When it can be done – immediate or delayed? What can impact results If it increases risk of DIEP flap failure Nippl...

One of the most frequently asked questions from people who’ve had their nipple removed as part of their mastectomy is: “is nipple reconstruction worth it?”   As with all decisions around reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, this one is highly personal. I speak with Dr Matt Starr, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, to explore this topic further and talk about some of the myths about nipple rec...

What if there was something you could proactively do before breast surgery to help reduce the risk of complications and support healing? Something that’s drug-free and simple to do at home with minimal effort.   Bloom43 is a wearable device designed to gently warm the skin, which patients can place in their bra the night before surgery.   Developed by reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr S...

From shock diagnosis to choosing a reconstruction surgeon. Bec didn’t think for one minute that the lump in her breast was cancer. After the shock of being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, she was stunned when genetic testing revealed a mutation (as she has no family history of breast cancer).   That kicked off an intense treatment plan. But the hardest part for Bec was choosing...

Are you concerned about your FRACS Surgeon’s behaviour? Here’s how you can give purposeful feedback to help future patients.   Historically, it was accepted that some surgeons had great surgical skills but poor bedside manners. However, research now shows a direct link between poor communication and patient complications.   Luan talks to A/Prof Rhea Liang, General and Breast Surgeon, abo...

Discover a pioneering post-mastectomy nipple option that you might not know about! If you've lost your nipple(s) as part of breast cancer surgery and are looking for non-surgical options, this episode is for you.   Niki Crillo from Procosmediq is a pioneer in Australia, a medical tattooist and silicone prosthesis artisan who handmakes custom prosthetic nipples. She molds and colour-matches ea...

Allison Gordon Parry wanted a DIEP flap reconstruction following her mastectomy. After she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, her priorities changed - “time is short, I’ve got other things to do!”.   Still, she grieved for the reconstruction she’d wanted. Her body was a daily reminder of what she’d lost – flat on one side and her natural ‘G’ cup breast on the other.   The breas...

Katy Morrison was left with a single 20DD breast that caused her severe back pain after she was denied reconstruction at the time of her mastectomy because she had incurable breast cancer.   Katy advocated for a breast reconstruction*. And in this episode, she shares how her reconstruction and reduction surgery immediately relieved her back pain.   Katy’s recovery from breast surgery was...

DIEP flap reconstruction is called the ‘gold standard’ of reconstruction after mastectomy – but is it the gold standard for everyone? Whether you’re considering DIEP breast reconstruction or have had DIEP breast surgery, this episode is for you. It's for your loved ones too as it'll help them understand how they can support you.    In this episode Luan talks with Dr Beryl Tan, Plastic an...

What does MDT mean? How do they work for patients? Are there breast reconstruction MDTs?   As a patient, learning medical acronyms can be like learning a new language!   In this episode, Luan talks to A/Prof Rhea Liang ,General and Breast Surgeon, about MDTs (Multidisciplinary Team meetings) and their importance in breast cancer treatment.   An MDT can feel like a mysterious behind-...

Find a bra that hugs you!   What bras can you wear after surgery for breast cancer? And when can you wear an underwire bra?   Finding the right bra fit is crucial for post-surgery recovery and can have a positive impact on a person's confidence and well-being. Bras can also help create symmetry after reconstruction, with options such balance shapers and bralettes.   But what should...