Rewritten Me

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 conversation helps you understand what may be happening beneath the visible scar, why recovery can feel tight or uncomfortable, and how touch may help support comfort and movement around scars, even years later.We talk about:what tightness, swelling and unfamiliar sensations may meanwhy movement, breath and confidence help recovery so muchquestions to ask your surgeon about post-operative carehow to think about recovery support without feeling pressured to spend a fortuneCare note: This episode includes discussion of surgery, surgical procedures, scars, healing and how the body can feel after breast surgery. Please listen when it feels right for you.Please discuss your individualised scar care, lymphatic drainage, movement, hands-on treatment or any changes to your recovery routine with your surgeon or treating team.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find links to resources go to the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 episode we talk about:Foods that may support wound healingProtein and nutrition before and after surgeryHydration after an operationFoods that may help with constipationWhether you can drink coffeeWhat about chocolate?How to ease back into eating after surgeryPlease discuss any dietary changes, supplements or herbs with your treating team, particularly if you’re having cancer treatment or taking medication.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find links to all the resources mentioned on the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 hospital• the grey area before exercise clearance• adapting movement for different surgeries• cancer-related fatigue• rebuilding strength, fitness and confidence• Medicare rebates and subsidised programs*• finding an oncology exercise physiologist*Balanced Bodies Lifestyle Clinic is one of the partners delivering the Prostate and Breast Cancer Foundation subsidised program mentioned in this episode.Care note: This episode includes discussion of mastectomy, breast reconstruction and major surgery.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find links to all the resources mentioned on the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 ishow it differs from DIEPwhen PAP may be consideredsingle, bilateral and stacked PAP flapssurgery, hospital monitoring and recoveryrisks, benefits and changes to the thigh donor sitecompression, scar care and returning to movementpreparing for surgery and support at homeCare note: This episode includes discussion of mastectomy, major surgery, surgical risks and complications.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find a link to my other interview with A/Prof Bish on the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 uncertain.We talk about;waiting for a surgery date in the public system      the hidden costs of waiting on standbypreparing work, home and family supportPAP flap recovery restrictionsfood, clothing, drains and the hospital baglymphoedema management around surgerythe practical questions people may not think to askmovement, scarring and returning to the activities she lovesfeeling confident in a decision while still fearing what could go wrongListen to Part 1 first to hear why Elle chose a risk-reducing mastectomy and PAP flap reconstruction.Care note: This episode includes discussion of mastectomy and major surgery. And a few swear words, so you may want to listen with headphones if little ears are nearby.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find the resources mentioned on the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 reconstruction was right for her felt so difficult.We talk about:updated genetic testing after breast cancerdeciding on risk-reducing mastectomyreconstruction options after DIEPstaying flat, implants and further own-tissue reconstructionwhy movement and gymnastics influenced Elle’s choicequestioning whether choosing another major reconstruction was selfishhow counselling helped Elle feel at peace with her decisionwhy PAP flap reconstruction became the option for herIn Part 2, Elle shares how she is preparing for PAP flap reconstruction, including the uncertainty of waiting, time away from work, recovery planning and the support she’ll need at home.Follow or subscribe to Rewritten Me so you don’t miss Part 2.Care note: This episode includes discussion of breast cancer, mastectomy, genetic risk and major surgery. And a few swear words, so you may want to listen with headphones if little ears are nearby.Read more about this episode, meet the guest and find the resources mentioned on the dedicated Rewritten Me podcast blog page.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Please read more in our full disclaimer.CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

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 Rewritten Me had helped them make decisions about breast reconstruction.The film brings together research, healthcare expertise and lived experience, much like Rewritten Me.Luan is joined by Dyna Eldaief, Sandra Sturgess, Iman Zakhary and Sarah Powell, whose experiences span early breast cancer, inherited and family risk, and metastatic breast cancer.Thank you to Dyna, Sandra, Iman and Sarah for sharing their stories forward with such generosity, warmth and a sense of joy that comes through so clearly in the film.Conquering Breast Cancer is out now. You can find out where you can watch the film here.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.

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 is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Rewritten Me and Regarding Me podcasts.

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 reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr Joe Dusseldorp about what flap-based reconstruction involves, how the flap is monitored in the hours and days after surgery and what signs surgical teams watch for to support flap health.Dr Joe also shares details of a new trial to test a device called T-Stat, which is designed to support flap monitoring. He’s presenting the findings at the 2025 ASPS Plastic Surgery Congress this week.This episode will help you feel more informed during a time when you might feel out of control. And it's a powerful reminder that understanding what flap-based reconstruction is, what’s involved post-op and what recovery really looks like is all part of informed decision-making - a key aspect of self-advocacy.Want more tools and conversations to help you advocate for the surgery and health care that's right for you? Check out my new podcast, Regarding Me, or visit luanlawriewoods.com.au to learn more.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInWhere you can find Dr Joe:WebsiteInstagramIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.