He listened as I explained why my patient needs lymphovenous bypass surgery. It’s a surgery that can treat the painful swelling in her arm caused by breast cancer treatment and prevent it from getting worse.
She has done everything right. Compression. Therapy. Expensive garments. She’s changed her life to spend an hour a day with every resource she can afford. It’s affecting her ability to work as a nurse.
And she is getting worse.
This is the window where we can fix it. Early enough that surgery can actually change the course.
We can do this surgery outpatient. Two hours. CMS even has a code for it.
The man on the phone agreed it would help her… But he couldn’t approve it… Because he’s not a plastic surgeon and doesn’t have the specific knowledge necessary to make this recommendation.
He gave me the help he felt he could. He told me to appeal and told me not to expedite it, because that wouldn’t work in my favor.
Every human involved in this case knows what we should do. But the system is inhumane.
03/28/2026
Have you ever had a moment where you realize your parents aren’t as invincible as you thought?
My dad has always just been… my dad. Strong, steady, the one who taught me everything.
He’s 84, and this past week something shifted. He hasn’t quite bounced back, and it’s been sitting heavy with me.
I’m heading home to Georgia to be with him.
If you’ve walked through this with your parents, I’d really love to hear—how did you navigate it?
03/27/2026
When I started my practice, I chose because I wanted my team to feel comfortable and taken care of.
But this past year, I saw something more.
When my practice was facing real challenges, they didn’t just listen… they showed up.
And not just for me. For all of us.
They helped create the Healthcare is Human Act,
a bill that would give healthcare workers up to $6,000 in tax credits.
My respect for this company is real. My commitment is real.
Come back and comment “signed” once you’ve done it. Thank you!
03/25/2026
Not everything needs to end in cancellation. Cancel culture just isn’t my vibe.
I believe in conversation, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Curious what others think about this…
03/24/2026
The American Healthcare system almost broke me last year.
There was a point where I was losing energy, feeling the weight of insurance, the marketplace, and a system that has become so business-driven it can feel soul crushing.
And when I looked for support in the places you’d expect… I kept hearing the same thing, “we can’t help you.”
Last week at W, I got to be in a room with people who are actually willing to face the mess of American healthcare and do something about it.
Leaders. Builders. People who aren’t just talking.
The energy was palpable. The vibe was boss ladies, yes, but also generosity, fierce kindness, and a real commitment to doing the hard work to get something big done.
That kind of room changes you.
, you kept me afloat this year. And now we are stronger than ever, ready to tackle the next challenge. Literally.
And to this crew… I’ve got your back and I know you’ve got mine.
We’re not just sitting in the mess. We’re fixing it.
03/23/2026
I’m very particular about everything we do at
And yes… that includes my headlight.
It might sound small, but when you’re doing microsurgery or working deep in the breast pocket where it’s dark and the angles are tough, your light is everything. We’re often operating in spaces you can’t see clearly without the right setup.
I’m a total snob about it. Brightness. Battery life. Fit. Adjustability. Clarity. All of it matters.
Because the better I can see, the more precise I can be. And that directly impacts patient outcomes.
I have searched for the best one and can confirm is it.
This is the one I reach for every time!
03/16/2026
You may have seen headlines that insurance companies pledged to reduce the burden of prior authorization.
I watched the press conference.
I read the statements.
I reviewed the details.
Unfortunately, the pledge does not create new laws, rules, or enforcement.
It is voluntary.
Prior authorization continues to delay care for patients every day. One of my patients experienced this just this week.
Patient stories matter. Provider stories matter.
You do not have to have a policy solution for your experience to be important.
Telling the truth about healthcare is how systems eventually change.
If prior authorization has ever affected you or your family, I would like to hear your story.
03/13/2026
A little over a year ago, I stepped out of the operating room to take a call from an insurance company. That moment unexpectedly pulled me into a national conversation about how our healthcare system treats patients and the people caring for them.
On Monday, I’ll be continuing that conversation on stage at South by Southwest.
I’ll be joined by Trina Spear, co-founder and CEO of FIGS, to talk about the health of our $5.6 trillion healthcare system, the value of independent voices, and the future of the healthcare workforce.
If you’re in Austin, I hope you’ll come join the conversation.
🗓 March 16 | 4–5 PM
📍 JW Marriott Austin
03/12/2026
This is happening more than people realize.
A woman fighting breast cancer showed up for surgery today…fresh off of chemo, port in place, nothing to eat or drink, mentally preparing for the thing no one can ever truly be ready for.
And then we canceled.
Not because she didn’t need surgery.
Not because it wasn’t medically necessary.
But because the hospital said they won’t get paid without prior authorization.
This is the system we’ve learned to work inside, one that denies and delays care for administrative reasons. A system where responsibility is spread everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Where having insurance doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the care you need. Where paperwork can matter more than a patient sitting in a hospital bed.
Prior authorization reform may be announced, but on the front lines, it’s not what we’re seeing.
Today, a cancer surgery was canceled because the system is designed to protect payment…not people.
03/11/2026
Over the past week I’ve seen several patients with Medicare or TRICARE who were told they were not candidates for breast reconstruction using their own tissue.
But that wasn’t the real story.
The reality is that reimbursement from Medicare and TRICARE for these procedures is very low, and some surgeons simply cannot afford to perform them.
That is a real system problem that needs to be addressed.
But telling a patient they are not a candidate when they actually are is not the answer.
Patients trust what their doctors tell them. When we say someone isn’t a candidate for a procedure, many people never seek another opinion.
So if you are a patient with Medicare or TRICARE and you are being told you are not a candidate for DIEP flap breast reconstruction, ask a very direct question:
“Is reimbursement affecting this recommendation?”
Patients deserve honesty and transparency when it comes to their care.
And we also need to have an honest conversation about fixing the reimbursement system so that surgeons can provide these procedures without being financially penalized for doing the right thing.
03/09/2026
“If I didn’t have this test, I would have no idea I have stage four cancer.”
Over the weekend I attended the conference where I met Lori.
Lori was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2024 and completed treatment. When she asked what monitoring would look like afterward, she was told it would mostly be based on symptoms.
That wasn’t good enough for her.
She asked for the Signatera test to detect recurrence earlier. Her oncologist supported it…but insurance denied it multiple times.
And here’s the part that stopped me in my tracks: the test was ordered by her oncologist, but the denial was signed by a family medicine doctor working for the insurance company.
Lori told me something during our conversation that meant a lot to me: watching my videos helped her understand how important patient advocacy is, and it gave her the determination to keep pushing.
Eventually she was able to get the test.
Her first result was negative.
Four months later, the second test came back positive.
A PET scan confirmed stage four metastatic breast cancer with no symptoms.
Because she advocated for herself, her cancer was detected earlier than it otherwise would have been. That means more treatment options and a different path forward.
Lori, it was an honor to meet you. Your courage and determination are going to help so many other patients learn to advocate for themselves too.
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With expertise and compassion, Dr. Elisabeth Potter guides her patients to embrace self beauty and strength.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Elisabeth Potter holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and a medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine.
Building upon her expertise, Dr. Potter completed a Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a Microsurgery Fellowship at MD Anderson, one of the world’s most respected centers dedicated to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.
Specializing in natural breast reconstruction, Dr. Potter has performed over 900 DIEP flap surgeries using patients’ natural fat and tissue. A former regulatory analyst of FDA law, Dr. Potter possesses a uniquely informed view regarding the safety and efficacy of breast implants. Tailoring treatment options to each individual, Dr. Potter and her team always put patients first. From educating women on their breast reconstructive and cosmetic surgery options to helping them achieve their very best results, Dr. Potter is committed to her patients and her role in their journey.
To help patients look and feel their personal best, Dr. Potter also offers body cosmetic surgery, including liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and arm, thigh and body lifts. Among her dedicated staff of healthcare professionals includes Licensed Medical Aesthetician, Injection Specialist and Laser Therapist Alissa Saenz and Cosmetic Nurse Injector Ashley Sartin. Adding to her practice’s comprehensive care services, Dr. Potter and her team offer aesthetic treatments ranging from HydraFacials, microneedling, chemical peels and laser treatments to injectables and dermal fillers.
From consultation to implementation, Dr. Potter and her team provide excellent patient care every step of the way. Here’s what some of Dr. Potter’s patients have to say:
“When I became very nervous about the increasing coronavirus spread in Austin, Dr. Potter and her co-surgeon Dr. Sprunt jumped through all the hoops (including a change of hospitals) to move my cancer surgery up a week so that I could have the procedure and be out of the hospital quickly to recover and "shelter in place" at home. My recovery has been almost painless as well as anxiety- and trouble-free, and Whitney and Sarah and Heidi and all of Dr. Potter's staff have been there for me whenever I had questions or concerns. I feel very lucky that I will have Dr. Potter and her staff there for me throughout the reconstruction process. Thank you all!”
-Chrissi M.
“Dr. Potter is fabulously gifted and a warm human being. I went to her after my initial reconstruction was botched. I was so afraid I would have to go through life with one breast smaller and deformed. Dr. Potter took all the time I needed to understand what needed to happen and what she was going to do. 10 weeks later I could not be happier. Not only do my breasts match but I have a beautiful belly.”
-Julia B.
“She is incredibly caring and nurturing. She's a fierce patient advocate and will go above and beyond to care for her patients. She's friendly and funny and kind and most importantly very honest. She's not the kind of surgeon to "cut" and run. She only offers options that are in the best interest of her patients. I trust her implicitly. You won't be able to find another plastic surgeon in Austin that is more skilled and more caring than Dr. Elisabeth Potter. Guaranteed.”
