- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn 2015, Rebecca Blizzard was about to begin a new chapter of her life in more than just one way. The year she turned 40 was the same year she chose to follow the cancer screening guidelines for detecting cancer early. After scheduling a visit with her doctor for her first-ever mammogram, results showed something wasn’t right. She went for a biopsy. It was breast cancer. In June 2016, she had a lumpectomy at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) followed by six weeks of radiation therapy to lower the risk of her cancer coming back. It wasn’t until a few months later that she would find out she tested positive for BRCA2, sometimes referred to as the “breast cancer gene.” Rebecca proceeded with the removal of her breasts. “At this point I didn’t want to take any chances, so I decided to have a double mastectomy,” she says. Her doctor referred her to Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery for options regarding breast reconstruction. “After hearing all of my options, I chose a DIEP flap reconstruction,” Rebecca says. “That’s where I learned about the nipple tattooing procedure since my nipples could not be saved.” A new option AAMC’s Chief and Medical Director of Plastic Surgery Devinder Singh, MD, and Virginia “Ginny” Lobach, M.S., PA-C, informed Rebecca about breast reconstruction options, including nipple tattooing. As an alternative to nipple areolar reconstruction, which requires surgery, this caught her attention. “I was nervous about how another surgery would impact me,” she says. “I’m young and in my head, I didn’t want to not have anything. Ginny told me she recently trained to do 3D nipple tattooing, so I was all in for it.” Whatever your age, relationship status or orientation, it’s hard to predict how you will react to losing a part of your breast. According to breastcancer.org, there are many feelings an individual can experience when giving up a part of the body that is a hallmark of becoming a woman – including anxiety, uncertainty and sadness. This is the reason Dr. Singh and Lobach wanted to bring 3D nipple tattooing to AAMG Plastic Surgery. AAMG Plastic Surgery is unique in that it offers patients several innovative breast reconstruction options, including tissue expansion with Aeroform AirXpanders, pre pectoral implants, and microvascular deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) procedures. 3D nipple tattooing is part of this comprehensive list. “It gives normalcy back to a patient,” says Lobach, who started the clinic after taking a course to learn the 3D technique of nipple tattooing. “I think nipple tattooing is for the woman who says, ‘I don’t want to look at my breasts,’ and doesn’t feel comfortable in her own skin. I want to give back that comfort. I want to create a full breast.” What is it? 3D nipple tattooing is done at the end of breast reconstruction after the nipple is removed during the mastectomy. It’s a noninvasive approach that Lobach performs in the office using a needle and pigmentation to create a 3D-looking nipple and areola. This approach creates an image of a nipple that feels flat to the touch but looks real. “Tattooing is the least invasive, low-risk way of providing a patient with a complete breast,” Lobach says. “Nipple reconstruction has been around for a long time as part of breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, reconstruction means another operation taking skin from somewhere else to create an areolar and nipple, leaving additional scars. The nipple usually loses projection after a year.” According to Lobach, the aesthetic results of nipple reconstruction are not as pleasing as a 3D nipple tattoo. “Working with the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center, we get to see many breast reconstructions that do not have the end result of an areola and nipple,” she says. “I saw that patients were not finished. And many were just OK with that result. They didn’t want to go through another operation. With 3D nipple tattooing, we are able to offer a completed breast reconstruction without another operation.” Is it safe? “Nipple tattooing is a safe technique and it’s always my patients’ choice,” Lobach says. “I want it to be an option so the patient can make their decision either way.” Despite a lingering negative connotation attached to tattoos by some, a 3D nipple tattoo is a safe alternative to regaining a full-looking breast after a patient has been diagnosed with breast cancer. There is a difference between the tattoo pigmentation Lobach uses and that of the one used at a tattoo shop. “I use an organic pigmentation made from lake salts,” she says. “I only like to use very safe products with very low risk of infection. It’s the same type of pigments that are used for cosmetic and facial tattooing. The pigment is a very soft and beautiful color. The patient also has a choice in the color we choose for tattooing.” Tattoo artists, on the other hand, often use metal-based pigments containing titanium, led or chromium. 3D tattoos are permanent but like any tattoo, will fade over time. Usually only one session is needed to create the tattoo, but an additional touchup session may be required over time. When a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is one of the scariest times of their lives. It can change them completely, particularly physically. Once a person has beaten cancer, they can focus on rebuilding themselves emotionally and physically. “I feel like the tattoo gave me my confidence back, which I needed after everything that happened,” Rebecca says. “It made me feel more comfortable looking at myself in the mirror.” Nipple reconstruction is often the last step in breast reconstruction. Find out more about our different options and schedule an appointment with AAMG Plastic Surgery today.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent of four, I understand how stressful it can be to carry that title. Being a parent means carrying a world of responsibilities. We have to watch out for all sorts of external triggers – think peer pressure, social media and school shootings – to help our children navigate through this world as best as possible. And we’re also needed to help them through their various developmental stages. One of those stages is puberty and all the mood swings that come with it. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced the eye-rolling, the snappy response out of nowhere, and the need to ask the same question multiple times before something gets done (asking them to look up from their phone during dinner!). Sometimes those behaviors are normal, it’s your child navigating new emotions and developmental changes. But sometimes, it’s a result of something more than just puberty or “kids being kids.” I have been working in the mental health field for the past 30 years and a lot has changed. What used to be a slight increase in mental health problems reported over the years has turned into an ever-increasing peak. But why? Think about everything that society has dumped on kids nowadays: Anxiety based on school safety, higher expectations, challenging curriculums and, of course, there’s social media. This is a lot of “weight” for a child to carry. How do you know what’s normal and what’s not? Here are a few warning signs that can help you tell if your child needs another layer of support and/or professional help: Elementary Age Change in behavior or change in play (hitting, bullying, biting). Intensity of emotions (anger or fear). Increased physical complaints. Change in sleep patterns (nightmares). Difficulty concentrating. Middle School Age Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger. Difficulty relating to peers. Thinking and/or talking about suicide. Avoidance of friends and social activities. Confused thinking or problems concentrating. High School Age Excessive worry or fear. Feeling excessively sad or low. Extreme mood changes. Abuse of substances (alcohol and drugs). Thinking and/or talking about suicide. The best thing you can do as a parent is provide a safe, nurturing home and community with realistic limits on social media and screen time. Give them a sense of stability and a true balance of exercise, activities, nutrition, family meals and something I call the “gift of time” for optimal emotional health. The gift of time is listening without interruption and giving one’s full attention if even for 15-30 minutes a day. Take the time to listen – really listen – to your child without interruption and judgement. Encourage them, foster their independence and above all, love them unconditionally! Providing stability among our world’s instability is one of the most critical components to supporting our children and teenagers. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Author Cindy Radovic, MA, BA, BSN Board Certified, is the manager of Mental Health Services at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Emergency Department. To schedule an appointment with her, call 443-481-3519.
- General Page Tier 3BlogThese vegetable-based zucchini noodles, also known as “zoodles,” are the perfect pasta substitute for a lighter option. Here’s a tip: it works best if you have a spiralizer or spiral cutter. These tools are available at most kitchen stores and often only require turning a handle after cutting off the ends of your zucchini. Try this easy-to-follow recipe for a healthy dose of vegetables, most of which you can find at your local farmers market. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 yellow onions 4 small zucchini, spiral cut ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes ½ cup sliced mushrooms 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons low-sodium teriyaki sauce 1 tablespoon sesame seeds ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger INSTRUCTIONS Heat oil in a wok or medium-sized pan over medium heat. Add onions, and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until translucent and tender. Add other vegetables including the spiral cut zucchini and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds; mix and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Remove from heat and serve. Yield: 4 servings Originally published Aug. 1, 2016. Last updated Oct. 17, 2018.
- Orthopedics, Senior Care, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor some people, having a heart attack can be life changing, spurring them on to healthier life choices, like regularly exercising, starting a heart-healthy diet and taking medication. A bone fracture is not unlike a heart attack — they are both a sign that something is wrong. In the case of a fracture, it could mean you have osteoporosis or a weaker form of bone loss called osteopenia. Bones shouldn’t break with low-energy falls such as from standing height or less. When they do, your doctor may want to run blood and bone density tests to determine if you have osteoporosis. If diagnosed, you should learn about weight-bearing exercise, fall prevention and nutrition for healthy bones. In addition, you may be a candidate for an osteoporosis medication. There are several medications available to treat osteoporosis: Bisphosphonates make up the largest class of drugs. This includes Fosamax (Alendronate), Actonel (Risendronate), Boniva (Ibandronic acid), and Atelvia, which are pill form, and Zometa and Reclast (Zoledronic acid), which are once-yearly injections. These drugs have been studied in large clinical trials for up to 10 years, and complications are rare. We typically recommend patients cycle on and off bisphosphonates in three- to five-year cycles. You can take a “drug holiday” with careful follow up and strict attention to weight-bearing exercise and good calcium and vitamin D intake. Prolia (Denosumab) is a newer treatment option administered through a shot every six months. It is very effective in protecting bone mass and is well tolerated by patients. There is a slight risk for patients who are prone to infection or who are on immunosuppressive therapy, since it is an antibody therapy. It acts on the same cells as bisphosphonates, so it could have similar risks. Hormone replacement therapy for women after menopause may help protect bones. Evista (Raloxifene), a pill taken daily, affects the estrogen receptors on breast and bone tissue and helps protect against both breast cancer and osteoporosis. Forteo (Teriparatide) is the only medicine currently available that builds bone. It is an injection self-administered daily. It is limited to two years of use. Once the two years of therapy are complete, you switch to one of the other medicines to maintain the gains you made with Forteo. Most of the medications reduce the risk of having a new fracture by about 50 percent. If you’ve had a fracture from a low-energy injury and you have osteopenia, you’re also a candidate for one of these medications. Osteoporosis is one of the most undertreated diseases of modern times, despite the abundance of good treatments. Fractures from osteoporosis lessen your quality of life with each new fracture. We must treat fractures as a life-altering event triggering treatment of osteoporosis, just like a heart attack triggers treatment of cardiac disease. Author Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She has opened a dedicated osteoporosis program at her practice, AAMC Orthopedics. To reach her office, call 410-268-8862. Originally published Sept. 25, 2015. Last updated Aug. 26, 2025.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGetting breast implants after a mastectomy is an emotional process. Preparing your body for the implants can also be an arduous task. It can involve weekly doctor’s visits, needles, saline and an often uncomfortable process. However, new technology has changed the landscape for many women. There’s now an option that eases the stress for breast cancer survivors and gives them the opportunity to play an active role in the healing process. With the AeroForm tissue expander system, patients use a remote-control device that communicates with expanders in their body through Bluetooth-like technology. This gives the patient the choice to expand their breast tissue anytime and anywhere with up to three puffs of air a day with a few hours in between. With one press of a remote control, the patient releases a dose of 10cc of carbon dioxide. This gradually expands the breasts over time. READ MORE: Tips on supporting a loved one through cancer This new technology is an alternative to the traditional method of tissue expansion still used at most hospitals, with patients having to visit their doctor frequently to have 50cc or more of saline injected. And, although the upfront cost is higher for this technology, in the end, we think that this novel technology lowers costs since there will be less visits to the doctor. The reward for patients is incalculable. Here are the top benefits of the expander system: It is patient-controlled. Patients are in control and decide how often to dose and when to stop expanding their breasts. You can do it anywhere. Patients can release the puffs of air anywhere and anytime they want without having to schedule a doctor’s visit, take off from work or even worry about daycare. There are no needles involved. Therefore, there is no need to feel anxious! By using the remote-control device, patients can press a button to release a dose of air that expands their breasts steadily. Each small dose can barely be felt. Less risky. No needles also means there is less risk for infection or rupture, which can happen occasionally with saline-filled expanders. It’s more empowering. With an AeroForm expander, the patient has full control and releases her own doses instead of having to come in every one to two weeks to have a doctor inject fluid into the breast. Patients enjoy playing an active role in their own recoveries. AeroForm is a game-changing technology that allows patients to be fully involved in the process — it decreases pain and complications and literally hands them control. Author Tripp Holton, MD, is a plastic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery and specializes in breast reconstruction, including microvascular surgery as well as cosmetic surgery of the face and body at Anne Arundel Medical Center. You can reach his office at 443-481-3400 or AAMGPlasticSurgery.com.
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