SIL would like rec. on recon in Boston area specifically DIEP?

Meow13

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Meow13

bunp

Meow13

Anyone have recommendations?

Keepingitreal

Hi,

I had my recon done at MGH and am very pleased with the results. I didn't have DIEP but I feel like the surgeons are on the cutting edge and very experienced in all areas. The care I received while in the hospital was amazing. Very competent and compassionate care

Meow13

thanks keepingitreal

meg2016

I go to Dr. Chun at BWH, I love her and she is a total perfectionist, exactly what I wanted in a PS, but she does not do DIEP. In her practice is Dr Carty- he is well known for DIEP and you can search for his name on these boards and find lots of happy patients. I had a consult with him when I was considering DIEP and really liked him.

besa

I don't have a specific recommendation for someone in Boston but you want someone who does DIEPs in high volume, multiple times a week if possible and has done them for years (when not in training). It is usual to be able to speak to former patients. Anyone who is good has a large group of happy "customers" who will be more than willing to speak to a potential new patient and even show them their results in person. If you are not able to contact former patients it is a red flag. My feeling is that the plastic surgeons who are also able to do sGAP, and stacked DIEPS, or body lifts where they combine flaps (more complicated microvascular surgeries) are more skilled. Know that cosmetic enhancement is a different skill set than breast reconstruction.

I had a problematic DIEP done locally in Maryland (ps had great credentials - good schools and microvascular recon fellowship, but it turns out had done few DIEPs on her own when not in training.) I ended up traveling to New Orleans for correction of the DIEP and contralateral prophylatic sGAP surgery.

If she doesn't already have it, your SIL should get a copy of the latest edition of Kathy Steligo's "Breast Reconstruction Guidebook."

meg2016

Completely agree with besa. In Boston, there are multiple really good options who perform a LOT of DIEP procedures. Here's a slightly dated article on the practice I mention above and their volume. https://bwhbulletin.org/2016/03/24/bwhs-diep-flap-program-marks-a-milestone-provides-better-options/

Meow13

Thanks everyone, my SIL cancelled her Boston appointments after complications from mastectomy and expanders. I am not sure why expanders were put in for DIEP. I didn't have it. Anyway she decided no more surgery. I felt bad for her, my DIEP went really well. But she is trying to heal now and is putting reconstruction on hold.

CGG

Thank you meg2016, your comments on Dr. Chun are exactly what I was hoping to find! Did you have your mastectomy there as well? If so, who did it? I want to find out which surgical oncologist does cases with Dr. Chun doing reconstruction in the same surgery. Perhaps Dr. Teri King?

meg2016

Hi, yes I had my mastectomy there with Dr Barbie- she is amazing. They work together all the time. My mastectomy and tissue expander placement was one (long) surgery. If your sister is doing immediate reconstruction then they also can do that as one surgery.

Meow13

Hi Meg, she had such a terrible mastectomy and under the muscle TE experience that she said no reconstruction for her. I think she needs time, glad you had a good experience I will tell her about Dr Barbie.