Finding surgeons.... So darn difficult

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Kb33
Kb33 Member Posts: 88
edited July 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

diagnosed with DCIS in right breast just under 5cm.   

I live in buffalo ny but have options for surgery in buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland or Washington, D.C. 

How does one even select the best surgeon.   I am so confused and have been in the healthcare field for over 20 years.    This is not an area I have traveled in, in the past.  And everyone has a different opinion and in buffalo... I feel like there are so few choices that none even seem worth exploring.  Need advice of how to find and select.  Ahhhhh....

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2014

    I'm in Rochester and picked a surgeon based on a friends friends recommendation. You have a NCI designated cancer center at Roswell Park that would be a good place to start. You will see your surgeon often during the first year and once a year after that, so pick somebody you are comfortable with. The office staff is important too, I actually like my surgeons staff better than my MO's.  I hope that somebody here can give you a personal recommendation.

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  • Kb33
    Kb33 Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2014

    thnx inks

    Looks like I am going to be looking at Rochester and Strong.  Can you give me any recommendations.  I am looking to have a DIEP

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2014

    There are not that many DIEP surgeons, but this site seems to have a pretty decent listing of them by location.  You definitely want someone with lots of experience doing this type of surgery.  It is important to note that the oncological breast surgeon and plastic surgeon do differing things but you need both, and for DIEP you need a  plastic surgeon who specializes in vascular procedures.

    http://www.breastrecon.com/id10.html


     

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  • percy4
    percy4 Member Posts: 477
    edited July 2014

    I don't know anything about your area or special concerns, but I will say this.  Surgeons vary a LOT.  Within my own HMO, the first surgeon I saw wanted to take half my breast and give me a big slash-scar across the mid-top (and I think she was a competent surgeon).  Just looking within my HMO, slightly further away, I found a surgeon who had a bit more experience, was skilled in onco-plastic surgery, etc.  She got clean margins, and left my breast looking fine (if smaller).  I understand mastectomy is so much harder, but the idea of searching for the best person is the same, as I can see you already know.  Just wanted to offer some encouragement.  Whatever surgery you have, do please find the right person, even in the midst of all this scariness.  A clear head, if only from shock, till the important stuff is done.  xx

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