NOLA vs Charleston - PBM GAP

I will be (finally ....fingers crossed!) having my recon in Charleston in August.In the years since my diagnosis I have had several in person and phone consults with doctors,including NOLA and Charleston.I originally thought NOLA had better outcomes based on the photos on their website.Then I realized that most if not all on the NOLA site had skin sparing and those just seem to have a better cosmetic outcome...so with that out of the way,I prioritized what was most important.I wanted to be treated with care and respect,Charleston won out for many reasons,not the least of which was the fact that NOLA basically would not answer any questions for me until I filled out a bunch of paperwork.I had to wait a few weeks to get a phone consult with a doctor at NOLA,Charleston I talked to Dr.Kline the same day I called with questions.Charleston staff and doctors have been helping me try to get this surgery for well over a year and have been kind and courteous and make me feel like a person,not a patient.The second thing for me was insurance.No problem with Charleston,they take almost every insurance out there.NOLA assured me it would not be a problem,even out of network......but when my insurance proved difficult,it was thrown back in my lap and I was told to see what I could work out..Why would I fight to get insurance coverage and be balance billed when I could go to talented,caring surgeons that accept my insurance and have an office staff that will bend over backwards to help in any way they can??? Choose based on what is most important to you.

If you haven't spoken with Dr. Marga Massey yet, you should.  She is the most kind, caring woman I have met.  She felt like a friend from the first phone consult.  She operates in NOLA for Stage 1 and can do Stage 2 in Charleston, Chicago or NOLA. This can help reduce your travel costs since this is not a one and done procedure.  She has been perfect for me. (drmarga.com)

I have heard from a variety of patients from both NOLA and Charleston - all are happy with their outcome and many say that Nola is more businesslike or Charleston is more businesslike.  A lot of interchangeability in the likes and dislikes.  

Since you have not had MX yet, you will most likely qualify for skin/nipple sparing - that does give the best final result (sort of like scrap it out and re stuff).  There are advantages to that and the GAP flap will give you a butt lift.

Good Luck with your Decision!

Hi Koalabear,  I do not believe the NOLA docs have a higher success rate than the Charleston docs, I believe they are all top notch.  None of them are perfect, and I believe they all do an excellent job of dealing with "Plan B's" when things don't go as expected.  I started out talking with Dr. Massey, she is an excellent surgeon, and great person to talk to.  I had issues with payment and insurance uncertainties that came to light about a month before my scheduled surgery date, which led me to seek another opinion in Charleston.  I ended up with Dr. Craige.  It was a gut feeling with me; and I have been very happy with my decision.  It is a great relief not to have to worry about insurance and payment issues since they are in network for most insurance companies.  I think you have to go with what feels right to you.  Take care, and good luck with your decision.

I'm a NOLA girl. I looked at Charleston, too, and that certainly would have been cheaper, but it was the advice of a trusted doctor and the pictures that won me over to NOLA. I had a skin and nipple sparing bilateral mastectomy with cancer in both breasts so I didn't have the luxury of time. I was told by the Charleston doc that I would have a football shaped piece of skin inserted on each breast and I didn't want that. But they seemed very nice and I've heard good things about Charleston.  I'm thrilled with my results and care at NOLA.  Because of the active cancer they got me in very quickly. The only part about the process that I didn't like was dealing with the billing person about my out of network cost. But after that I was treated like a queen in every way. I had the DIEP surgery with a stage 1 and stage 2. 

Koalabear,

That's great to hear everything went perfect for you and your recovery has been easy, too.  Do you mind sharing where your scars are on breasts to do the "fill?"

Horizontal, vertical, etc?  On Vinnie's site I see pictures of NOLA patients with football patches on breasts. So I'm confused why Charleston doc said you have to have a patch. I had no choice because if major complications elsewhere with implant failure, revision failures, radiation rot, so alot of my breast had to be cut away and patched. Mine is not football shape though. 

When do you return for Stage 2?

Was your insurance accepted?