New breast reconstructive surgery program offering women homegrown options
Dr. Hana Farhang who is a past graduate student from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine holds a breast implant at the Windsor Regional Hospital Met campus. The plastic surgeon and her colleague Dr. Kristina Lutz won an award recently for their newly created breast reconstruction program.
By Dave Waddell, Windsor Star (November 2, 2018)
Five years after winning her battle with breast cancer, Lee Monaghan no longer feels likes she’s searching for the person she was before.
A new breast reconstructive program at Windsor Regional Hospital has eliminated the need to travel to London or Toronto for the surgery and finally given Monaghan closure to a difficult journey.
“I wanted to have reconstructive surgery when I was first operated on, but for financial and time reasons I couldn’t,” Monaghan said.
“In reality, I struggled with depression. I didn’t feel whole. I wanted that person back that I was before my surgery.”
Plastic surgeons Dr. Kristina Lutz and Dr. Hana Farhang, with support from the hospital, launched the program last December.
"We have the ability to physically, emotionally and psychologically impact peoples’ lives."
About a year ago, Monaghan had reached the point where she intended to have the reconstructive surgery out of town. While she was waiting to get a consultation appointment in London, Monaghan learned of the Windsor program.
Within days she had a consult with Farhang and her surgery was performed before she’d heard back from London.
“This program is a game-changer for women in this area,” Monaghan said. “I feel like I have control over the decisions about my body again.
“I know some people just look at it as cosmetic, but having this surgery available can have such a positive impact on your self-esteem.”
Dr. Kristina Lutz, left, and Dr. Hana Farhang are seen at the Windsor Regional Hospital Met campus on Oct. 31, 2018. The plastic surgeons won an award recently for their newly created breast reconstruction program.
Monaghan’s gratitude has been a common experience for Farhang and Lutz.
The area had been without breast reconstructive services for a decade leading to a growing frustration among local women that specialized healthcare stopped 90 minutes up Highway 401.
“We usually spend so much time with our patients, it’s like making new friends,” said Lutz, a Sarnia native who was recruited to Windsor along with her general surgeon husband and Tecumseh native Dr. Brett Howe.
“I have one patient, who knew I had a young daughter who liked cherry tomatoes, who brings me tomatoes from her garden and apples when she goes picking.”
Lutz and Farhang have made such an impact in a short time they were honoured recently with a Summit Award for service to the community by the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program.
“It’s very flattering to be recognized for what we just think is our job,” said Farhang, who arrived in town in August 2017.
Farhang attended New York City’s prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre on a fellowship having a special interest in breast reconstruction while Lutz also had a fellowship at another NYC facility focused on hand surgery.
"The program brings an emotional stability for families because they don’t have the stress and hardships of having to travel for surgery and the follow up appointments."
Brittany Danelon, a co-ordinator with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program, said Windsor Regional is fortunate to have landed two physicians whose community outreach goes far beyond the operating room.
“What’s unique about them was the way they go above and beyond,” Danelon said.
“They’ve (consulted with patients) to put together a patient education guide. They’ve partnered in professional education events and Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (Nov. 27).”
That public event will take place between 6-8 p.m. Nov. 27 at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Met Campus. Those wishing to attend can register online at bra-day.com.
The events of BRA Day will also be live streamed on WRH’s Facebook page for those who can’t make it in person.
Dr. Hana Farhang, left, and Dr. Kristina Lutz display breast implants at the Windsor Regional Hospital Met campus on Oct. 31, 2018. The plastic surgeons won an award recently for their newly created breast reconstruction program.
The program has also put together a questionnaire for patients based on one at Memorial Sloan Kettering to help improve the patient experience.
Lutz said the pair’s efforts have been as much about education and awareness as its been about surgeries in this first year.
“There are a lot of women locally I don’t think are aware yet of the program,” said Lutz, who came to Windsor in Sept. 2016. “We want to let people know we’re here.”
In its first year, the hospital agreed to fund at least 15 patients. The duo estimates they have helped between 15 and 20 women already.
The procedure is covered by OHIP, but the program has been able to afford a few extras in terms of materials and equipment thanks to financial support from the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.
"I had a patient, who said he’d been in complete depression, tell me that I’ve changed his life."
Lutz, sheepishly admits she started doing the reconstructive surgery before finding out there were no such procedures being done locally.
“This area has a high rate of cancer,” said Lutz, who is the chief of plastic surgery at WRH.
“It’s something that was definitely needed.”
A formal program couldn’t be set up until Farhang’s services were secured and the funding was confirmed from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Farhang said she knew there was a huge need in Windsor having treated so many area patients while at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital.
“The program brings an emotional stability for families because they don’t have the stress and hardships of having to travel for surgery and the follow-up appointments,” Farhang said.
The two physicians, who also do a variety of other plastic surgeries, agreed they’re fortunate their speciality has such restorative powers for patients.
