“We pledge to provide information and support to breast cancer patients who desire restoration that enhances a positive physical and mental vitality so that every survivor lives each day to its fullest.”       

Houston Methodist Cancer Center is hosting a celebration for local survivors of breast and other cancers on June 12, 2018, 12:30-3 p.m..  HMCC invites you to join them to honor those living with a history of cancer.   #breastreconstruction #breastcancer

The day will be celebrated with guest speakers focusing on survivorship, self care and living your best life after cancer.  Registration is required.  Visit events.houstonmethodist.org/hmh-survivor or call 713-790-2700. Refreshments will be served.

Guest Speakers: 

Ellen Cohen  Mayor Pro Tem, City of Houston Breast Cancer Survivor	Polly Niravath, MD Cancer Survivorship Program Houston Methodist Cancer Center

Renee Stubbins, PhD, RD, LD, CSO, Clinical Dietician Specialist

Sandra Lopez, LCSW, ACSW, Clinical Social Worker

Parking is available at the Outpatient Center Building, 6445 S Main St, Houston, TX 77030. 

Google Maps to Houston Methodist Hospital Outpatient Center.

Take the elevators to the second floor. Take a second elevator or escalator to the first floor, event is located in the lobby of the Outpatient Center. 

For parking at Smith or Scurlock garage, take the second floor crosswalk over to the Outpatient Building. 

View Houston Methodist Hospital Outpatient Center map here.

To learn more about breast cancer,  breast reconstructive surgery, breast correction, breast enhancement, lymph node transfer, and possible nipple sensation restoration after breast cancer,  click here to visit my website.

To Your Good Health~

Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel

Breast Cancer Care

If you haven’t heard already, I wanted to be sure you know about the great programs Houston Methodist Hospital Cancer Center has put together at no cost to help support you through your breast cancer journey.  They include a guided tour at a local grocery to learn more about healthy food choices, a beauty workshop called “Look Good Feel Better ®” for professional woman undergoing cancer treatment, monthly yoga and nutrition classes, a tobacco cessation program, music therapy, and a breast cancer support group just to name a few.  Click on the picture to the left for more information about these programs.

Acupuncture, massage, and lymph edema programs are available for a fee and may even be covered by your insurance policy.

Contact our oncology nurse navigators for more information and resources:

Claudia Bartos, RN, CCRC, CN-BN at cibartos@houstonmethodist.org or 713-441-9379

Melody Simonini, MBA, RN, OCN at mrsimonini@houstonmethodist.org or 713-441-6069

Houston Methodist Cancer Center is one of Houston Methodist’s six centers of excellence.  They have a dedicated nationally recognized team focused on providing the best possible cancer care using the most advanced techniques available.  For more information about the cancer center, cancer screenings, treatment options, high-risk program, genetic counseling and more click here.

To learn more about breast cancer,  breast reconstructive surgery, breast correction, breast enhancement, lymph node transfer, and possible nipple sensation restoration after breast cancer,  click here to visit my website.

To Your Good Health~

Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel

Houston Methodist Breast Care Center  and Houston Methodist Cancer Center are hosting a ladies night out, Positively Pink for Breast Health at Hotel ZaZa on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 from 6-8pm. 

Please join Drs. Luz Venta, Breast Radiologist, Tejal Patel, Breast Medical Oncologist, Sherry Lim, Breast Surgeon and Aldona Spiegel, Breast Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon for an evening dedicated to breast care-from early detection to advanced treatment of breast cancer.  

Visit events.houstonmethodist.org/breast-hmh or call 713-790-3333 to register.  Complimentary valet parking will be provided.  Registration is required.  

Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main Street, Grapevine Room, Houston, TX  77005

We’d love to see you there!

Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel

Houston Methodist Cancer Center Survivorship Series 

Whole Foods Market on Kirby

Join the oncology team at Houston Methodist Hospital and fellow cancer survivors for a store tour to learn about smart food shopping and healthy eating choices.

Learn how to choose and shop for foods that are fresh and healthy to support your well-being.

Sample healthy prepared foods, ask questions about nutrition for cancer survivors, and receive recipes and money-saving coupons, courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:30-7:30 PM

Whole Foods Market-Kirby at West Alabama

2955 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX  77098

RSVP is required and availability is limited.

For more information about the Houston Methodist Cancer Center Survivorship Series or to attend this event, contact Claudia Bartos at clbartos@houstonmethodist.org or 713-441-9379

Dr. Aldona Spiegel

We are excited to announce Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel is now carrying Eau Themale Avene Skin Care and Post Procedure products and Ducray hair care solutions to restore and maintain healthy looking hair and scalp.  Rooted in dermatology and hydrotherapy, Avene has over 270 years of expertise in the management of sensitive skin.  Every year, up to 2,800 dermatologist-referred patients, visit the Avene Hydrotherapy Center in France for treatment of dermatitis, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis with Avene Thermal Spring Water.  All Avene products are dermatologist recommended, safe for sensitive skin, manufactured under pharmaceutical standards, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and gluten free.

Avene products address the gamut from hypersensitive allergenic skin, hypersensitive irritated skin, skin recovery, post procedure, aging, acne, redness, dehydration, dermatitis/itching, dry and flaky skin, and sun care to name just a few.

Ducray products address chronic (pattern baldness) and sudden (childbirth, seasonal changes, malnutrition, emotional and/or post-surgical stress) hair loss in men and women.  Alopexy is clinically proven to help grow new hair in 2-4 months on average, reactivates the hair follicles to stimulate regrowth, stabilizes hair loss by prolonging the growth phase of hair cycle.  Use in conjunction Anaphase Shampoo to increase Alopexy penetration. Neoptide reduces the appearance of hair loss, revitalizes and strengthens for stronger, healthier looking hair, boosts volume, preserves hair density and promotes nutritional exchanges in the hair bulb.

Alopexy/Neoptide Results

29 year old male 

Before                                                After

February 2017                                  July 2017

If you would like more information about these exciting new products, please call Robin at 713-441-6922. 

Dr. Spiegel is honored to be invited to speak at the WSRM Congress this weekend in Seoul Korea.  She will be presenting on “ Aesthetic Refinements in Autologous Breast Reconstruction” to other reconstructive microsurgeons from around the world.  

The (WSRM) is a world premiere organization that was created when the International Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ISRM) , established in 1970 and International Microsurgical Society (IMS), established in 1972 merged. The organization organizes meets every two years bringing together world renowned reconstructive microsurgeons to share their thoughts, ideas and techniques, and to meet pioneers in different specialized fields within the field of reconstructive microsurgery. The theme of the WSRM Congress this year is “Bridging the gap and beyond”.

Meet Marcela~

Marcela Rodriguez is a young woman who was 19 weeks along in her third pregnancy when a small lump in her breast was discovered.  After ultrasound, Marcela learned she had ductal carcinoma and would need a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.  Once her treatment was completed, Marcela elected to have breast reconstruction with Dr. Aldona Spiegel at the Center for Breast Restoration.

At one time smiling was hard to do, but Marcela relied on her faith, family, and friends to get her through this journey.  Through it all, she stayed strong and positive, and today…Marcela’s smile is free, easy, and infectious.

Developing cancer during pregnancy is not common, however, it is important to remember that with proper planning, treatment is safe and possible during pregnancy.

If you would like to learn more about:

Ductal Carcinoma

Marcela Rodriguez

Young Survival Coalition

Dr. Aldona Spiegel

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is extremely rare and treatable T-cell lymphoma, not breast cancer.  There appears to be an increased risk of developing BIA-ALCL in women with breast implants, requiring further investigation.  It has been noted that most reported incidences are women who have textured implants.  To the best of our knowledge, at this point the lifetime risk of developing BIA-ALCL is approximately 1:30,000 in the United States.  While there appears to be evidence of a correlation between the two, it is important to note that ALCL is associated with all implants, including dental.

Currently there is insufficient data to determine the cause of women developing BIA-ALCL.  However, the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the Food and Drug Administration have been working together since 2012 to identify, gather and analyze data of women with breast implants that have been diagnosed with ALCL to determine how to prevent and treat this disease.  Patients that present with late onset, persistent seroma, capsular contractures or masses next to the implant should be tested with CD30 immunohistochemistry.

For more information, FDA, ASPS, Mentor.

In an article published today on the front page of the New York Times, Dr. Aldona Spiegel, a pioneer in breast sensation restoration, discusses the success she has had restoring breast sensation for many of her patients.  Her patient Karen Holt shares her experience in the article as well.  Dr. Spiegel hopes to bring returning breast sensation to the forefront of breast reconstruction, a very important issue for many women.

Read the NY Times article.

For more information on Dr. Spiegel and her work with nerve restoration.

This year Houston is hosting the 2017 Super Bowl and welcoming the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots to our fine city.  No matter who you are routing for, we hope you enjoy the experience and festivities.  With our close proximity to NRG Stadium and approximately 1 million visitors expected in Houston, traffic will be unusually heavy in and around the medical center.  The week prior to Super Bowl may be particularly difficult to travel in the city since most events leading up to the big day are in and around the downtown area.  If you have an appointment anywhere in Houston, it would be wise to plan for additional travel time.

Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel and her breast reconstruction team at the Center for Breast Restoration are excited for Super Bowl 51 and wish both NFL teams the best of luck!  May the best team win!