Women Traveling to PRMA for Cutting-Edge Breast Reconstruction Find New Hope From Local Breast Cancer Survivors USA - English USA - English

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) July 03, 2013 -- The decision to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy is not always an easy one especially for women who do not have access to an experienced breast reconstruction surgeon or surgical team. Traveling is not always easy either.

Local San Antonio women are trying to change that by visiting patients in the hospital, giving rides to those that need transportation and even offering a place to stay after surgery for those that can’t afford lodging.

Breast cancer survivor Jan Johnson is just one of many women who have been dedicating their time and resources to patients traveling to San Antonio’s PRMA, one of the country’s few centers offering state-of-the-art breast reconstruction to patients from Texas, around the nation, and also abroad.

"We are here for them in so many ways. None of us can do it alone but we can all pitch in and help with the things they need. They don’t have to feel alone," says Johnson.

One of PRMA’s patients, Julie Kostuch, who traveled from Colorado for the DIEP flap procedure—a type of reconstruction that rebuilds one or both breasts "naturally" using the patient’s skin and fat from the abdomen while preserving all the abdominal muscles—says that she couldn’t have done it without the duo who offered her their homes and took care of her after surgery.

"They have been an absolute blessing," says Kostuch. "I honestly couldn’t have done it without them and the outstanding team at PRMA."

Dr. Gary Arishita, one of the PRMA surgeons, says that having a good support system after surgery is crucial.

"Some of the women who travel from out of state don’t have spouses or anyone that can travel with them for their surgery. We are blessed to have our patients support each other and offer assistance to those that really need it," says Arishita.

Johnson says helping fellow breast cancer survivors in need, encouraging them and supporting them is a great feeling.

"Even if I just stop by the hospital and visit, smile, give them a hug and just laugh with them, I feel like I made a difference," says Johnson. "I know if it were me, I would really appreciate that. It’s a special feeling."

About PRMA

PRMA Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, Texas, specializes in state-of-the-art breast reconstruction. Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, fat grafting, Alloderm One-Step, and nipple-sparing mastectomy. Patients are routinely welcomed from across and outside the US. Connect with other patients in our breast reconstruction community on Facebook.

Brandy Korman, PRMA Plastic Surgery, (800) 692-5565, [email protected]