How to find a breast surgeon

If you look at the information for Vanderbilt-Ingram it lists the Vanderbilt Breast Center as affiliated.  I would imagine all the same certifications apply.  Unless the second opinion surgeon was booked specifically as a second opinion I don't think they would give you an appointment unless they were willing to take you on as a patient.  Most surgeons have availability - it is more of a question of how long is efficacious to wait, and how long until this surgeon has an opening in the OR schedule.  Also important to note - if doing simultaneous reconstruction (or beginning it) you will need to coordinate with a plastic surgeon, so that is another consult, and a coordination of schedules between both doctors.  If you are having surgery at a teaching facility you need to be prepared for residents to be in the OR and potentially participating in the surgery, even if your surgeon is the one "doing" the surgery, this is pretty common.  If you are unwilling to agree you need to specify this from the outset.

I suggest the NCI for sure.  I went to one that was also a teaching hospital.  The one thing I did find beneficial about having residents and the surgical oncology fellow was every time I went to see my surgeon, I would first see the resident or fellow. They would review everything with me and allow me to ask questions.  Then the surgeon would come in and review everything with me and allow me to ask questions.  I found between meeting with both of them each time it provided a lot more information. 

I am sure Vanderbilt has some excellent surgeons through the breast center.  Try to find one that specializes just in breast surgery - not every type of surgery.  Good luck!

LauraWarrior - how is anyone ever to get experience if they never get 'hands on' under supervision?    I had an anesthology student for my MX but the anestheologost was right there.   Last Jan, whenI had surgery on my wrist,  there were students brought in (with my approval) to be instructed/learn about the nerve block being done.

I do understand we ALL want the BEST!  The 'best' of today were once the "kids" with "no hands on".  Also some of the so called 'best' of today afe just skating on whag ghey once could do.

Deciding to be a "teaching" patient or not is a personal decision.

One caveat-If you are in one of the larger places some of the MDs are in fellowship programs to specialize in the area of medicine/surgery or whatever. Fellows are done with medical school and residency but doing "more".

If you are not comfortable its best to opt out because that way if you have anything unexpected happen you won't be thinking its attributed to the teaching aspects of having medical students an residents. Do know however that in the middle of the night if you have an issue it will more than likely be a resident who responds at least initially. Many hospitals have MDs called "hospitalists" but surgical issues are not their specialty unless they are surgeons who are on-call for hospital patients- somewhat rare but can be found.

There are plenty of us out there who are perfectly okay letting them gain experience so its not a "must" for anyone who is not okay with it.