fbpx

Game Changer

Last December, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration changed the conversation when it comes to reconstructive options for women following a mastectomy. That’s when the FDA approved marketing of the AeroForm Tissue Expander.

The device, which is implanted at the time of the mastectomy, gradually fills with carbon dioxide using a remote control given to the patient. Unlike the traditional saline tissue expander, a process that involves painful weekly injections of 50 cubic centimeters of saline, the AeroForm device allows the patient to independently trigger the release of 10 cc of carbon dioxide every three hours, up to three times a day.

Dr. Tracey Stokes
Dr. Tracey Stokes

“Aside from being painless and extremely convenient, it also speeds up the expansion process,” says Tracey Stokes, a Harvard-educated plastic surgeon and a partner with Laura Sudarsky at Esse Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale.

Darice Lang, 61, a two-time breast cancer survivor who underwent a bilateral mastectomy in March 2016 had the AeroForm expander implanted and called it a game changer.

“I had the expanders for 19 days,” Lang says. “It did not interfere with my routine, and I didn’t have to take time to go to the doctor’s office and go through all the pain of the [saline] expansion. It’s empowering to be in control of that.”

The device is covered by insurance companies, but, for patients, the psychological component is the most powerful selling point.

“Patients get to decide when they want to fill, and if they are having a bad day, they don’t have to fill,” Stokes says. “They don’t have to go to the doctor every Tuesday at 10, or leave their work or family to get filled.”

Perhaps the greatest testament to the device is when Stokes herself became a patient.

“I am BRCA positive,” she says, referring to the gene linked with a higher occurrence of breast cancer.

“I have more [medical] knowledge than the average person; when I had to undergo this surgery in May, [AeroForm] is what I opted for. [That’s] a powerful statement about the technology.”

You May Also Like

Revolutionary Chiropractic Care Center Opens in Miami

The Corrective Chiropractic Wellness Center focuses on physical, mental and emotional health. 

Seagate Beach Club in Delray Beach Hosts Full Moon Yoga Series

The events will be held during every Full Moon in 2023.

Bring On the Bliss 

August means specials on some of your favorite massages, facials and other treatments during Miami Spa Month.

Miami Spa Month
Fitness Finds

Check out some of the South Florida facilities offering different spins on the traditional gym.

Other Posts

Ghost Light Society Hosts Annual Soirée Fundraiser

The event benefits Broward Center’s arts-in-education programs.

New Tenants Sign Leases at Motif in Fort Lauderdale

Native Realty, the Jaime Sturgis-led real estate firm, finalized the leases.

Delray Chamber Hosts Birdies & Bowties Fundraiser

Tickets are $25 and attendees can enter a 50/50 raffle.

Friends of Jack & Jill Center Hosts Annual Power Lunch Fundraiser

Caitlin Stella, MPH, CEO of Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital, will be the event’s guest speaker.