Dr. DellaCroce or Dr. Sullivan? Consult at NOLA Breast Center

kimme

Scheduling a consult at the Ctr for Restorative Surgery in New Orleans. Both Dr's have openings. What was your experience with either of them? Trying to get a feel for one over the other. I know they many times are both present during surgery. Background on me (if it matters as to which Dr is a better fit).....Immediate reconstruction 10 YRS ago., lat flap, expanders, implants, fat grafting. Several failures. I had chemo & rads. Went flat after a few yrs, my chest looks fairly disfigured. So, this would be a last ditch effort. Took me this long to get the nerve up to try again.

Thanks ladies:)

MaudeB

I would love to hear about NOLA too. I have a consult with Dr. Trahan coming up. It seems like such a long trip, and the hype seems irresistible. Is it worth it? It's out of network for me, can anyone discuss their experience at The NOLA center? Thanks!

Yuuki

Hi Kimme,

My surgery was with Dr. S - I have never met Dr. D - but from what I understand, I can’t imagine going wrong with either. In my case I had old implant reconstruction that had ruptured and was then radiated with a recurrence, so the scar tissue, capsule, and axillary cording needed a lot of cleanup. I believe there are photos on their website of botched reconstruction they have revised.

Perhaps there is a way to meet both, however briefly, so you can go with your gut instinct?

Regarding Dr. S I can say he understood my goals clearly and explained everything so there was no doubt in my mind what would happen in surgery and after, and no apprehension when I went into the OR. I was also struck by the visible respect the staff has for him both in the clinic and the hospital.

It was a long trip for me, too, and also out of network, but I’m so glad I went. Good luck to you and MaudeB - wishing you speedy healing, peace of mind and beautiful results!

Yuuki

kimme

Thank you so much for responding! You sound like you had similar issues. When was your surgery? And how long was it? Which procedure did you do (diep, etc)? Sorry for so many questions.

Yuuki

Hi Kimme,

You’re welcome to PM me and I’ll try to answer as many as I can. Surgery was a little over two months ago.

Yuuki

shadow2356

I want to go there but it will be a long trip for me as well. I had my bilateral mastectomy with DIEP in 2009. I had a failure on one side and an implant was placed. I hate the implant and I believe it is making me sick. I would like to go to NOLA and have the implant removed and another autologous surgery done. I am apprehensive due to the previous failures but I also know my implant needs to be removed. Good luck to you all and please post how the consult was.

MaryScout

Hello All,

I'm having discussions with the NOLA breast center, and they told me that I would be working with Dr. M. Whitten Wise. I wonder if any of you have any opinions about this surgeon? Would a different surgeon be recommended or is he ok? I just don't know enough about him.

Thanks for any and all advice/insight you might have!

Yours,

Mary

MaudeB

Hi Everyone!

I am scheduled for a DIEP at NOLA in June. I am traveling from the northeast. I had a Bi Lat MX 2 years ago, and am explanting my implants for the DIEP procedure.

They will most likely advise me about this, but since appointments are so hard to get in my area, I am confused about who to ask for followup care when I am back home - my PS does not do DIEP and my BS doesn't seem to do reconstruction, other than to screen for reoccurrence. If I come home with drains, or have a seroma or just need something - who do I ask for help? Thanks so much!