Where are the Skin Sparing Nipple Sparing Procedures Done?

Anonymous

elainsdaughter-

My husband and I did some research but the only breast surgeon we could find was down in Tucson.  Her name is Michele Ley and she is at the Arizona Cancer Center.  I know it is a long drive but she is wonderful!!!!  The Cancer Center is amazing, too.  Everyone is very kind.  Dr. Ley performed my NSM a few months ago and it was very successful.  My surgeon in Phoenix tried to talk me out of it but I think it was because she didn't do the procedure.  Dr. Ley will tell your Mom if she is a good candidate or not.

The Cancer Center does the actual mastectomy at the University Hospital.  It is up to your Mom to find a plastic surgeon to do the reconstruction but Dr. Ley recommended Dr. Cheri Ong to us.  She did her residency with Dr. Ley and it is really a team effort between the BS and the PS.  Dr. Ong has been incredible as well.  

It is obviously a lot of driving but I think it is worth it to save your nipples.  I feel a lot less disfigured.  If you need any more info let me know or PM me on this site.  I'd be happy to help your Mom any way I can.  I live in Mesa so even if she wants to call me PM me and I'll give you my phone #.  Good luck! 

Deirdre1

I'm with Kate!  Save the nipples if you can it really will allow your mind (or in this case your Mom's mind) to accept the mastectomy better.  I check out Phoenix and Tucson when I was first dx'ed in 2007 and no one in either place did them but now as Kate has said they are done at Univery of Arizona Cancer Center.

I live in Tucson but I would have made the trip to Phoenix if I had found a ps who did nipple sparing in 2007!!   Elaine good luck with you Mom and I am really glad that the nipple sparing is now being done at UofA.

Best, Deirdre

MBJ

This thread is a great idea so that women can know where to go in their area.

I was originally scheduled for City of Hope in Duarte, Calif. until I realized that they were a one procedure offered shop!  They told me I would need radiation and then a lat/dors flap with an implant a year or so down the road.  Thank goodness I got a second and third opionion.

I just had a skin sparing uni/mx at Norris Cancer Center in Los Angeles, CA on 4/20/10.  I have triple negative BC and the head surgeon there, Dr. Holmes is an oncoplastic surgeon who specializes in triple neg research.  He was able to cut into my chest wall so that I could avoid having radiation and have delayed/immediate reconstruction.  He is so gentle, thourough and does amazing work!  My PS, Dr. Schooler, who actually specializes in DIEP and natural procedures (which I wasn't eligible for) is also a specialist in the Alloderm Sling NippIe Sparing/Skin Sparing mastectomy with implants. 

They have a brand new facility for surgery just opened in March and a top notch staff.  I had made many requests, for instance, no Morphine and I also brought a bag of supplements with me, which they were completely supportive of.  They also take ALL INSURANCE PLANS!

I hope that I was helpful and if anyone has any questions regarding Norris, please PM me. 

PB22

MBJ, thank you for sharing your experience.  I can imagine how grateful you are that you persisted and found the surgeon who could cut into the chest wall avoid the radiation. Its so helpful to know these procedures exists.  Its so unfortunate that too many times surgeons are offering what they are comfortable performing but meanwhile not giving all the options if that means the patient will bring their business to someone else.  Sounds like your PS is multi-talented.

vmudrow

I had NSM in Salt Lake City, Utah - BS Dr. Lloyd, PS Dr. Self.  Hope this helps someone!

Dustysmom

I had a NSM (nipple sparing), skin sparing BMX with Alloderm and immediate reconstruction on April 13th at St Joseph's in Orange, CA. 

My BS was Helen Mabry, M.D. (only breasts)

MY PS was Linda Zeinah, M.D. (pronounced (Zaney). 

They are both fantastic!  If you want to know more, feel free to PM me.

I go back to work tomorrow and I feel fantastic!

montana7p

Dr. Alvarado at UCSF did my nipple-sparing mastectomy.  They were also willing to do expanders/immediate reconstruction even though I was having radiation. My PS is Dr. Foster.  Although it's kind of a hassle navigating a larger center (I live in Montana part time and have experience with small institutions as well) I highly recommend the doctors at UCSF.

All my mastectomy friends are jealous of my nipples and I feel like having been able to keep my nipples makes me ALMOST forget now and then that I've had a mastectomy.

whitedove

Montana,  That last statement is very promising. Thank you for sharing that. I hope it inspires many to seek NSM

MonikaV

Hi Dustysmom. I would like more info on your surgery. I also live in Ca. You can e mail me at Jp4fn@charter.net . Thanks Monika

TNLady

Bump!

IrishLass

I had my NSM in Kaiser, Oakland, California. My BS encouraged me to have it & I was just thrilled that I could. My PS would have prefered for me to have just a SSM because of blood supply issues! I'm so happy that I got to keep them.. Even if my PS did pin them up & now one is looking up at the sky & the other looks straight ahead with an inch in the difference!

hurleygirly

I had my NSM at Valley Med in San Jose, CA but my BS performs them at both Good Sam and at Stanford. The only reason I decided to go to Valley was because my BS prefers teaming up with a PS that actually works at Valley. I met with other "private" PS's for consultations who had swanky offices and was unsure at first about using a PS at the county hospital, but I liked her and my BS REALLY recommended her, so I took my chances. I couldn't be any happier or pleased with her work and his work. I highly recommend this team if looking for either a BS or PS in or near the South Bay Area. PM me for details. I will be posting pictures once I get my final exchange.

3monstmama

I spoke with a breast surgeon at Swedish in Seattle about it.  I ended up with a plain lumpectomy but the surgeon I spoke with, Shannon Tierney, specializes in that surgery.

Hummingb1rd

Duarte, CA at the City of Hope

whitedove

Skin Sparing Mastectomies. The New Standard of Care. Prettier Breasts, Equal Risks.

 from Cedars-Sinai

http://www.breastpreservationfoundation.org/faqs/

whitedove

Does it Matter What Type of Surgeon Performs the Breast Reconstruction?

Yes. Plastic surgeons (certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery) are the only surgeons trained at this time to perform breast reconstruction. The surgeon performing the mastectomy needs to work collaboratively with the plastic surgeon for the best result. Resources to seek out Plastic Surgeons: American Society of Plastic Surgeons; American Society of Breast Disease

PB22

Whitedove, thanks for the informative links.

Anonymous

Thanks whitedove!  Great idea!  You find some awesome links!

speech529

Mayo Clinic, Phoenix AZ

Anonymous

speech529- I had considered the Mayo Clinic but they are out of network for me. Just curious,  can you tell me who your BS and PS were?  

Robinlea

Does anyone know a good plastic surgeon in Maryland for after my skin nipple sparing procedure? Also my bs wants to make the cut from nipple out horizontal on both sides of nipple, I would like to have my scar under fold underneath breast! How can I look at pics of women who have had this done?

Anonymous

Robinlea- There is a separate picture forum where members post their photos but to gain access you have to have been a member on here, and have done a number of postings, to gain access.  The member in charge is called Timtam and you have to PM her.  Since you are a new member it is unlikely she will give you access until you've been around awhile.  This is to protect the privacy of the women who post photos so I hope you understand.

I would try to do some internet searches for nsm photos.  I do know that if you are large breasted most BS will do the incision through the center of the breast to allow access to all the breast tissue they need to remove.  Have you asked your BS why they are doing it that way in your case? 

Nordy

I had this done on a prophylactic side by Catherine Ronaghan in Lubbock, TX ... Unfortunately my implants failed and I eventually had another surgeon complete the mastectomy. BUT, it is important to note that my nipple did live.

Also Dr. Toni Storm-Dickerson does this in Vancouver, WA

Anonymous

Robinlea- I just found out that Timtam is shutting down the picture forum as it has become too much work for her.  So unless another member is willing to take over this will no longer be an option.  So sorry!

robynkk

MBJ,

Dr. Holmes operates out of USC?  I am going to call him and try to make an appointment.  I'm about 2 hours north of there and don't relish the drive but if it will save my nipples it's worth it   You were happy with the whole team there?  Do you have a long wait when you go there? 

Thank you, Robyn

PB22

Nordy and robynkk thanks for taking the time to post. Nordy that is wonderful your nipple survived!

Robyn, I am reposting your request.  I haven't seen anything come in from Maryland.  While you are researching this, ask your oncologist which PS they have seen who performs the nipple sparing and whose work they find pleasing.

Kate33, thanks for following up and keeping this thread active.

PB22

Anyone have a recommendation for  Robin in MARYLAND.    Please post for all and if you are uncomfortable listing a  PS's name, list the city and ask Nordy to PM you.

request for :            MARYLAND

whitedove

Nordy, Hooray. Hope all goes well as you move forward.

KellyMaryland

Nordy,

I'm also in MD and in just the beginning stages of seeking out a plastic surgeon. I'll keep you posted on what I find. Take care, Kelly

JAT

I used Shawna Willey (BS) and Scott Spear (PS) at Georgetown University Hospital in DC for skin sparing, nipple-sparing mastectomy on my "good" side (prophy) and a skin sparing mastectomy on the DCIS side-- Spear then grafted a new nipple from my "good" one at the time of the implant exchange. Looks good!

I think they do these procedures at Johns Hopkins, as well.--Julie