Where are the Skin Sparing Nipple Sparing Procedures Done?

Tucson, Arizona

Dr. Michele Ley at the Arizona Cancer Center was my breast surgeon.

Dr. Cheri Ong was my plastic surgeon.

They did their residency together and make a great team.  Both are wonderful.  I would highly recommend them!

PM me if you need more information. 

travelgal6979-

For those surgeons that do perform this type of surgery they do biopsy cells from the nipple during the MX surgery.  If any are detected then they will remove the nipples at that time.  Most also test the sentinel nodes as well.  

You also have to be considered a good candidate for the surgery before they will perform it.  Your cancer cannot be too close to the nipple and it works better on smaller breasted women because there is less distance to maintain blood supply to the nipple.

I'm glad you were ok with not having this done but a lot of women feel a lot less disfigured by being able to keep their nipples and more and more surgeons are finding that it is a lot less risky than previously thought.  You just need to go to a very experienced surgeon when having this done. 

Deirdre1-

I live in Mesa, AZ but my husband actually found a surgeon in Tucson (after much internet searching) at the Arizona Cancer Center.  Her name is Michele Ley and she is wonderful.  Probably the best and most comfortable doctor I have ever dealt with.  She is very compassionate.  She has a lot of experience with NSM which is very important in order to get good results.

 I wish there were an easier way for patients to find these surgeons.  My original surgeon in Mesa never even told me this procedure existed, was not trained in it and tried to talk me out of having it when I told her I was switching surgeons.  All I know is I have two perfectly pink healthy nipples right now.  Something I wouldn't have had if I had listened to my first surgeon.  Those of you considering this procedure please get more than one opinion.  The surgeons who perform these types of mastectomies are not going to do them unless they truly believe you are a good candidate and that it is safe to do so.   

Deirdre-

Dr. Ley started at the Cancer Center in January '08.  If anyone is interested in information on her they can go to azcc.arizona.edu

I would also recommend my plastic surgeon, Dr. Cheri Ong.  Dr. Ong did her residency with Dr. Ley and they work really well together.  A NSM is really a joint effort with your BS and your PS.

Dr. Ley has been giving presentations, lately, to local ob/gyn's trying to get the word out to them about this procedure so they can advise their patients.  This procedure was done in the past but was not very successful because surgeons weren't as skilled at getting most of the breast tissue while still preserving the blood supply to the nipple.   Dr. Ley said it is being used more now that more and more surgeons are learning  the proper procedures but it can still be a challenge for some women to find one in their area.  

She is also going to try to set up a kind of mentoring program where new patients can be put in touch with previous patients.  I told her I would love to sign up for it when it gets established.  In the meantime, if any of the women you know would like to talk to me I'd be very happy to tell them about my results.  You can PM me and I will give you my e-mail address or cell phone number.

What type of cancer did you have and where are you now in your treatment?  Are you finished?  I am currently going through the tissue expansion process.  I hope to have my exchange surgery in about 2 months with Dr. Ong.  I can't wait!  I hate these TE's! 

Hmmm, wonder if nipple transplant from cadavors (sp??) will ever be a possibility.

Hi Kate!  When I had my revision last year they did have a new plastic's man at UofA CC .. he was new here from Canada and I had intended to have him do the re-do, until I took stock of how many breast reconstructions he has done (not many) and that most of his plastics experience was on kids.  That and the fact that when I was doing my workup for the surgery - they called me twice thinking I was someone else with a different procedure - once maybe but I decided that twice might be an omen and I had already had one back experience.  The Canadian ps was really very nice but I needed and wanted someone who could handle breast reconstructions.  I don't know if he has left or if they too decided that they needed a ps who specializes in breast reconstruction.  I may be mistaken but I don't thing they can be called a "comprehesive cancer center" unless everything is under one roof... so they may be bending the rules yet again. 

I'm glad you have found two doc's that work well together AND were able to keep your nipples.  I totally understand the depression - it took me until this year to see light at the end of the tunnel, but you might be a bit better because one of my problems with all this was that I couldn't get the surgery I wanted (which was nipple sparing first and fully cohesives second).. I ended up with so many more surgical marks.  The counselor services at the Center may have gone away because there was an organization that was helping the cancer center called Sunstone that has gone out of business because of the financial problems.. so if you need someone try to get someone close to home AND if possible someone that has experience with breast cancer... I was a small b and they expanded to a c or small d so it is possible - maybe ask them if they can give you muscle relaxers and pains meds for the expansion - that might help!    Good luck with all the rest and text me any time

Amen to that Kate - many (not all but many) of the ps are tied up into believing that the way they already know and have been doing reconstruction is the best - instead of keeping up with newer options!!

I totally agree with you, Deirdre.  That is exactly what happened with my first BS.  Because she never trained in the procedure she never told me it existed and tried to talk me out of it.  Always get a second opinion, everyone!

We live in Phoenix Anyone know if there is a PS or BS who performs the NSM in this area.We were never told of this procedure either. So glad I found this sight My Mom was horrified when she was told about Bi lateral Mastectomy but when she was going to lose the whole breast nipple and all we cancelled the surgery to do more research. TY everyone for sharing your stories this site has helped us alot

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! 

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. 

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

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.

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