Patient Finds Breast Reconstruction Close to Home at the Oklahoma Breast Center

A routine mammogram marked the beginning of an unexpected journey for Traci Wells.

Later that same day, Traci received a call asking her to return for additional testing. By the following Monday, she was meeting with Denise Rable, MD, and learning that she had invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer.

As Traci began considering treatment, she also had important decisions to make about breast reconstruction. Through The Oklahoma Breast Center, she learned that reconstruction could be coordinated with her breast cancer surgery and completed close to home at Norman Regional Hospital.

“I think one of the great things about this place is that everything that you need to do as far as women’s health can be done all in the same place,” Traci said.

Understanding Breast Reconstruction Options

Many women are familiar with breast reconstruction using implants, but implants are not the only option available after a mastectomy.

Depending on a patient’s diagnosis, health and personal preferences, breast reconstruction options may also include oncoplastic surgery or a DIEP flap procedure. DIEP flap breast reconstruction uses a patient’s own skin and fat to rebuild the breast.

For Traci, using her own tissue felt like the right choice.

DIEP flap surgery is a highly specialized procedure. Nabil Habash, MD, explained that the goal is to provide a natural reconstruction option while harvesting the tissue in a way that preserves function and avoids removing abdominal muscle.

For younger patients such as Traci, Dr. Rable said reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue can offer lasting benefits because the reconstructed breast naturally changes with the patient over time.

Bringing Specialized DIEP Flap Surgery to Norman

Access to DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be limited, particularly for patients living outside large metropolitan areas. In the past, Oklahoma women interested in this type of reconstruction often had to travel out of state.

That could mean undergoing a mastectomy in Oklahoma and then traveling elsewhere for a separate reconstruction procedure. In addition to the financial costs of travel, lodging and time away from home, multiple locations and procedures can create physical and emotional strain for patients and their families.

The Oklahoma Breast Center has developed a collaborative approach that brings specialized reconstructive surgeons to Norman Regional Hospital. Dr. Rable and Dr. Habash work together to coordinate breast cancer surgery and reconstruction around each patient’s individual needs.

“We approach every patient encounter as a team,” Dr. Habash said.

Their goal is to make complex breast reconstruction procedures more accessible and help patients move through treatment as seamlessly as possible. By working together from the beginning, the surgeons can develop a plan intended to meet the patient’s expectations, reduce complications and limit the number of surgeries when possible.

Choosing Care Close to Home

Traci and her family considered traveling elsewhere for surgery. Ultimately, the care she had already received from the Oklahoma Breast Center helped her feel confident about remaining in Norman.

“Because of the care that I had gotten from the radiologists, from Dr. Rable, the nurses and the people scheduling everything, it just felt like this is where I needed to do it,” she said.

Staying close to home meant Traci did not need to arrange an extended hotel stay or travel out of state for the procedure. She could receive specialized breast cancer surgery and DIEP flap reconstruction at Norman Regional Hospital, surrounded by the care team she had already come to know and trust.

For patients from rural communities and other parts of Oklahoma, having this level of breast reconstruction available in Norman can also make specialized care easier to reach.

“You get to stay here and have those same procedures done here in Norman now,” Traci said.

Personalized Support Throughout the Process

The personal attention Traci received was another important part of her experience.

She remembers receiving calls directly from Dr. Rable before and after surgery. When Dr. Habash needed to speak with her, he worked around his travel schedule and arranged a time to call while riding from the airport.

For Traci, those conversations made a difficult decision feel more manageable.

“We had so many personalized calls,” she said. “It was easy after speaking to both of them to make that decision.”

That communication reflects the team’s commitment to helping patients understand their options before moving forward. Breast reconstruction is a personal decision, and the right choice may look different for every woman. The first priority is developing a treatment and reconstruction plan that fits the individual patient.

More Breast Reconstruction Options for Oklahoma Women

Today, Traci encourages other women to learn about the services available through the Oklahoma Breast Center.

“I would definitely recommend the Oklahoma Breast Center for all of your women’s care,” she said. “Dr. Habash and Dr. Rable working together here now and doing the different flap procedures brings a lot of options for women.”

For patients facing breast cancer surgery, access to coordinated care can make a complicated process feel more manageable. Through the collaboration between the Oklahoma Breast Center and specialized reconstructive surgeons, more women can explore advanced breast reconstruction options without leaving Oklahoma.

Most importantly, they can receive that care close to their families, their support systems and home.

Learn More About Breast Reconstruction in Norman

Women considering breast reconstruction after a breast cancer diagnosis or mastectomy are encouraged to speak with their care team about all available options, including implant reconstruction, oncoplastic surgery and DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

To learn more about breast cancer care and reconstruction services available through The Oklahoma Breast Center, call us at 405-307-2623 or fill out our online contact form today.