Surgeons in Rochester, NY

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Eema
Eema Member Posts: 493
edited September 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Just wondering if anyone out there knows of good reconstructive breast surgeons in Rochester, NY.  I went to one last week that has never done breast reconstruction 'all the way through' and I don't want to be his first.  He also looks to be about 12.  OK, maybe not 12, but looking for someone with experience that can give me a rockin' pair of bilateral reconstructed boobies.  Thanks in advance!

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited July 2011

    Hi.  I am in the Syracuse area and Dr. Anthony Deboni is my Plastic Surgeon.  He told me that he has an experienced collegue in Rochester.  I wonder if they would tell you his name if you called his office. Also you might try the DIEP 2011 thread, I am pretty sure there is someone on there from Rochester.  Username Carberry, I think.

  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2011

    Hi, I am in Rochester and am very happy with my Plastic Surgeon. His name is Dr. Stephen Evangelisti. I Also have an amazing surgeon as well, if you need that name as well. Please feel free to get in touch with me. I would be happy to help any way that I can.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    I'd love to know your surgeon! I saw Vega yesterday and was impressed. I see Langstein tomorrow. I was not impressed with one I saw last week, so any information is helpful. Thanks!

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    Can't get to that DIEP post :(

  • DC197
    DC197 Member Posts: 371
    edited July 2011

    I haven't had the need for a plastic surgeon myself, but I know someone who had breast reduction surgery and she went to Ralph Pennino, who has excellent recommendations.  He's part of the Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester, with locations on Portland Ave (RGH), Linden Oaks, and Long Pond Rd. (Unity)  www.rochesterplasticsurgery.com

  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2011

    What type of reconstruction are you doing? I have heard that Vega is the guy, if you are doing a flap procedure. If you are looking into tissue Expanders, that is what I did.

  • jax65
    jax65 Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2011

    Eema my plastic surgeon did an amazing job his name is Mark Davenport he has offices at both RGH and Linden Oaks

  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited July 2011

    For DIEP 2011 try the Jump to Forum Box at the top of the page.  Click arrow: Go to Tests, Treatments, and Side Effects and you will see Breast Reconstruction then hit the Go button, that will give you a list of reconstruction threads.

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited July 2011

    I saw Dr.Langstein last year.I was very impressed with the fact that he asked me why I did not want implants and accepted my answer.He also picked up on the fact that I was not quite ready emotionally for a long surgery and recovery and suggested that I might try having my remaining breast lifted and reduced to ease my discomfort caused by one flat side and one huge breast.I would definitely have had him do my surgery,but I decided to have a proph mast and he does not do bi flaps.If you are looking for bilateral implants,you have a ton of options in your area.If you are looking at bilateral flap surgery,the closest will probably be NYC.

  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 1,153
    edited July 2011

    I saw Vega for PS and he is a dream, also staff is great and for the breast surgeon  Dr. Caldwell is the leading breast surgeon for NY, studied at Sloan Kettering and really knows his cancer of all types.  He is the one that dictated my treatment plan all around.  If you see Dr. Caldwell first he will tell you that he only works with 2 PS and one of them is Vega and the other I think is Dr.Smith.  Good luck with your decisions.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    I liked Vega's staff better than the staff in Langstein's office.  I see him this afternoon.  I've also heard good things about Caldwell, and Penino was great when I had a problem with my elbow--it was more of a random thing than this.  My breast surgeon is Dr. Skinner at Wilmot at Strong.  I am very pleased with her.  She is tough but caring and a straight shooter!

  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2011

    My BS is Caldwell as well. He is the top in the area and I have nothing but great experiences with him. Caldwell works with Evangelisti as well. Depending on what kind of reconstruction you are having, be careful with Skinner. Just what I have heard from other people.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2011

    Hello Eema,

    My PS was Dr. Mark Davenport, who is in Dr.Pennino's group and I received many recommendations for him. I even had one nurse say "oh, he does GREAT boobs".  She used to work directly with him on the surgery floor.  I am very happy with his work.  I also have friends who have used Dr.Langstein and Dr.Vega, and they are very happy with them.

    My primary breast surgeon was Dr. Joel Yellin, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. He is now specializing in breast surgery only, and is not only an excellent surgeon, but is also very warm and caring.  Great man!

    Best of luck with your treatment.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    eulabt, what is the problem with Skinner?  Lill, I've also heard great things about Yellin.  If RGH hadn't not called me with the results of my mammo and biopsy, I'd be there...

  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2011

    Eema,

    I was strongly cautioned by may people(like the CEO's of a couple of the top hospitals in the Rochester area.) who really know there stuff, to stay away from her. Just my 2 cents. I am sure she does a great job, I just haven't heard great things.  I do know 1 person that used Smith and 1 who used Davenport and both were very happy with their results. Good luck.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    She just called me to question my decision with PS.  She told me things about him I didn't know that cause me to question my decision.  She said he is a 'cowboy', which is something I"ve heard from other oncologists.  Now I don't know what to do...

  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2011

    Do you mean that Skinner just called you? I have heard that she has a tendency to butcher people with the mastectomy. I didn't want to say anything, but I know that I would want to know this. Even the Dr who diagnosed me at Wendi Logan told me that she would not be a good fit. BTW, who is your oncologist? Mine is Alyssa Huston and I love her. I worked with Wilmot and Pluta and found Wilmot to be a better fit. Good luck.

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited July 2011

    Don't make a fast decision about the recon,it is too important.I am seeing my fourth PS next week and plan to see another after that.Then I will decide which one and what type of recon is right for me.Take your time and read the postings on this forum and especially look at the photos on TimTams site, so you know what to expect.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited July 2011

    Who or what is TimTam? I'm very confused now. I like Skinner and think she did a great job on the lumpectomy. I trust her if she says Vega wouldn't be a good choice. I just want this to be over :(

  • Kelley41
    Kelley41 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2011

    I used Dr Caldwell for sugery and Dr Vega for reconstruction.  They are both great and both perfectionists.  I just had my nipple reconstruction done on Monday.  I liked the way he does this - he uses the skin on the breast and ties and cuts....sounds gross but good results. My friend had reconstructive surgery and her doctor took skin from the inside of her thigh and used that for nipples....you then have two places to heal.  I liked Dr Vega also because he came across to me as an extreme perfectionist.  I think he was more concerned about the results than I was!  Good Luck!

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited July 2011

    Eema,if you post asking for the picture site,someone who does it will respond.You have to have special passwords to get to it,but it is excellent.Lots of photos of all stages and types of recon.I am not sure who is the "gatekeeper",but just start a post and ask for the picture site.I know all the recon decisions are daunting.I think I have finally decided what I am going to do and what surgeon I will use,it has taken me over a year.I am glad I took my time though.

  • jodeb64
    jodeb64 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2011

    I had Dr. Yellin for BS and Dr. Davenport for PS, they both were given as recommendation from HS classmate.I absolutely LOVED Dr.Yellin, he spent over 2 hours with me at my initial appt.My consult with Dr Davenport was good  also. I was hung up on the losing my nipple(have widespread calcifications so NSM was ruled out) he told me a story about one of his patients that went on a BC survivor cruise and wont a trophy for "BEST NIPPLES" I was sold.Apparently he tells this story to all his patients.I am 5 weeks post op and had my first 1/2 fill monday,I have some delayed healing in one area. I met with a local (canandaigua area) PS and did not care for her personallly, she did not seem to be very caring and unfortunately I needed some hand holding in the beginning of this process.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited August 2011

    I'd love to win BEST NIPPLES! So far, my new ones look awesome. Just weird with no nips. And I have phantom THO pain. Anyone else?

  • janhart
    janhart Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2013

    Trying to research info on Dr. Langstein.......I have silicone implants placed last Jan. 2012. I continue to have tightness, pain, and a squeezing feeling in my chest. My PS has offered no help and I need to check out another PS. Langstein was referred by a friend of a friend. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

  • 3mom
    3mom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    janhart

    I am looking for PS also - not sure I want to go the implants route..but having hard time getting a variety of local PS in area to see.  Have you had any luck?  Met with 1 PS in Williamsville last week who only does implants and then another in Buffalo who is now doing DIEP'S.  Am also going to go to Rochester in 2 weeks to have consult with Dr. Vega.

  • janhart
    janhart Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2013

    3mom,

    Dr. Shastri did my implants. I don't feel he did anything wrong but I have constant pain which he will not address with me. Has not offered any suggestions to deal with it, tells me to take advil and give it more time. It's been over a year. I did 20 sessions of PT which helped somewhat and I do yoga daily which also helps somewhat. I'm not sure what the solution is or if there is one. That's why I'm trying to find a PS that might be able to help. My advice to you is to see several different PS and talk to others who have had the procedure. I went into this whole thing blindly and didn't question enough. Good luck to you. Let me know what Dr. Vega is like.

  • 3mom
    3mom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    janhart,

    I am going to Rochester tomorrow to see Vega's Practice to see what they have to say.  From what I can tell they are doing the largest volume of flap procedues in the Western New York area - so I will let you know what I think.  

  • janhart
    janhart Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2013

    3mom,



    Thank you and good luck!



    Jan

  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited February 2013

    Just a thought - T.J. Dill from White Tiger Tattoo in the Rochester area specializes in nipple/aerola tattoos.  She has most likely seen the work of many of the plastic surgeons in the Rochester area.  I am guessing she could possibly be another source of information in terms of who does reconstructions that tend to end up looking good.   

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