Need address to correct reconstruction

[michka]

Hi ladies
4 months ago I went for my left breast reconstruction by "SGAP". It turned into a nightmare because of an undetected hemorrhage. This group gave me so much support that it made me feel better.
The first result was horrible. The reconstructed breast was enormous much too high on my chest and hanging on the side. And everything was tense. The surgeon said it was normal and he would fix all of that. He made me wait 4 months. I was scared stiff to go back but I did the day before yesterday. Well, the result is the same. It is horrible and I still cannot dress and even less wear a bra. I feel like Frankenstein.
I would like to get an opinion from a US hospital. Preferably on the east coast because I live in France.
Do you have any suggestions? I was thinking either of BWH in Boston or Sloan or Johns Hopkins in NY. Any thoughts?
Michka

[Becky]

I have lots of recommendations of top plastic surgeons in the New York/Philadelphia area.

Those that have a / between the names are partners with each other but both excellent.

Dr. Liza Wu/Dr. Joseph Serletti - University of Pennsylvania (Philly)

Dr. Robert Allen/Dr. Joshua Levine - New York University (NYC)

Dr. Mark Smith - Beth Israel - NYC

Dr. Salzberg/Dr Askari - offices in NY and NJ (I will get phone numbers for you as these guys are the most highly recommended plastic surgeons for breast reconstruction in the NYC area (and maybe anywhere)).

Let me know Michka. I know there is a Dr who can make you look great.

[swimangel72]

Michka - I'm so sorry you're having this problem! I just want to say that from my research last year, Dr. Ashikari's office was not experienced in flap reconstructions........although they are experts at the one-step Alloderm. Still they might be able to fix the flap problems you had, but I'd be wary since I don't believe they are microsurgeons. Since you're travelling so far anyway, check out Dr. Dellacroise and Sullivans at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans Louisiana. Although they didn't do my Stage 2 repairs, they are very experienced with all flap reconstructions and many of their patients come to them with second or third stage repairs because their stage 1 got totally botched. Here's their web site:

http://www.breastcenter.com/welcome/

You m ight also wish to check out my new plastic surgeon (who's also a sculptor) He repaired a botched free-tram Stage 1 for me and I'm very happy! He works in an excellent hospital on Long Island, New York near the airports. Here's his web site: click on "About Us" then scroll to the bottom and click on "Our Medical Board":

http://www.breastreconstruction.org/

Good luck!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Michka,

I had tram flap recon in '98. What the hey is SGAP???

I had it done at the same time, on the same table, w/my mastec.

My recon breast was Dolly Partonesque. I am a 36 D, but wow! Doc (perfectionist, brilliant, specializes in this procedure -- on Long Island, 30 min from Manhattan) asked if I was pleased.

Too big, too high (like a 16 yr old's breast). He said they make it overly large b/c if it is too small then you have to go back into the hospital for another surgery, but if it is too large it is a simple liposuction (???sp) procedure in the office.

After chemo + a few mnths to heal, he lipo. I returned a wk later and he lipo'd again. It is perfected shaped but still too high. I guess they guestimate when you are laying down how to match the other one, which does not take into consideration the degree of sagging incurred due to one's age.

But in a bra now I am even. Without a bra, lopsided. Yet, happy to have 2 breasts. Nurses (from varying doc offices in NY and Fla) who see me in exam rooms always comment about what a great job my doc did. Really????? I ask. Oh yes, you should what some women look like that come in here. So, I am grateful.

I do know some women who had saline implants w/expanders, which I was not a candidate for. They all seem unhappy w/the end result. They go back for adjustments. Their nipples are pointing in different directions.

May be the nature of the situation.

I wish I could have had implants, yet...

My plastic surgeon insisted on creating a nipple for me. It did not really take. Whatever. I just wanted to be able to wear clothing and look normal, balanced. I did not want to wear a prosthetic, which I hear, and have noted, slip about and peek out, exposing a bit of a cavity where the breast should be.

With tram flap they take skin from your belly which my doc warned me would be lighter in color. I said fine. Well, I look kind of like a patchwork quilt, but again, glad for what some call my *foob* (fake boob). Makes me smile.

What befuddled me the most was that when I went for my first mammog after my TRAM flap surgery, I was told I was to have a UNILATERAL, vs bilateral. You see, I think of my foob as a breast. Whereas medical people know there is no breast tissue in my foob and it is therefore not in need of mammog.

I said to my husband, so does that mean if GOD FORBID ONE GAZILLION X I had cancer there, I would have stomach ca????? LOL...

As for the cut from hip to hip (the supposed equivalent of a tummy tuck) -- mine is quite jagged. Not that I would be caught in a bikini, but alas this scar cinches that as a major NO.

Please let us know how you are. Please don't think you look like Frankenstein. You are YOU, and you are beautiful. I did go through the I am disfigured phase, but have spent much time learning to love myself as I am. My beloved husband says I look perfect. (He is older and his vision is not great, but I love him to pieces!) Wishing you success in your mission to have a pair of matching breasts. Seems like such a simple desire, doesn't it?

Andi

[michka]

Thank you for these first addresses! I'll start working on them.
Andy, the "SGAP flap (superior gluteal artery perforator) is a tissue flap procedure that uses fat and skin from your upper buttock to create a new breast mound".
I loved your descriptions! You made me laugh with the "nipples pointing in different directions". I do not expect something perfect but just to be able to dress and feel comfortable.
Michka

[harrie]

Michka, I had a DIEP flap and would highly recommend my surgeon. He is in Southern California, close to Los Angeles. If you are interested, please email or PM me. Would be happy to give you more info.
Maryanne

Dr. Robert Allen/Dr. Joshua Levine - New York University (NYC): I don't know them, but I have read a lot about them. They are among the most experienced doctors for flap reconstruction in the country. I think they (or possibly their colleagues) invented the DIEP procedure. You can find more information about them and their contact information at www.diepflap.com. I think that their group only does breast reconstruction and specializes in flap reconstruction, so they have a lot of experience.

Good luck!

Jill

[alicem]

I highly recommend my female plastic surgeon, Dr. Aldona Spiegel in Houston, Texas. Her website is

www.breastrestoration.org

She has great before and after pictures there.