Reconstructive Surgeons in Colorado?

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SummerAngel
SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
edited April 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I'm going to need at least a UMX (waiting for tests for the second side) because I can't have radiation due to connective tissue disease. I feel like I'm being railroaded into using one of the two recommended plastic surgeons in my area. I have consultations set up with both of them, but I'd really like opinions from any women here who have had reconstruction in Colorado. I'm definitely leaning towards a DIEP or muscle conserving TRAM if I can, but DIEP in Colorado seems almost non-existent. Is there anyone here who can give me a recommendation? Thanks!

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  • Sunflowercat
    Sunflowercat Member Posts: 177
    edited April 2015

    do you have a local BC support group? If so, I would attend and ask the ladies if they know of anyone who does TRAM/DIEP, if they had it done are they happy with the surgeon, results, etc... I know that in my area there are no surgeons who do it, but one of the ladies in my local BC support group had DIEP done in PHX, I believe. I imagine there's got to be several surgeons in the Denver metro area at least who do those types of procedures. Did you search for a Denver thread on here?

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    These are google hits for DIEP and Colorado, not endorsing either as I have no direct experience.  You might check the DIEP threads specifically for anyone from Colorado if you are only considering that surgery since your thread title is not limited to autologous only:

    http://www.parkmeadowscosmeticsurgery.com/blog/diep-flap-colorado-meet-our-breast-health-navigator.html

    http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/surgery/divisions/PlasticReconstructiveSurgery/Faculty-and-Staff/Pages/Aycock.aspx


     

  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited April 2015

    Thanks! Yes, I've been searching these boards and Google and I really don't like the looks of the ones on the Park Meadows site - but hoping someone on these boards can give me a personal perspective. I saw that someone here had DIEP done by Dr. Aycock but had it fail so I didn't want to bother her about it. Those are the only two I've found in the state. I'm not against a TRAM, but I sure would like to know if I can rely on the doctor! There is a support group near me but it meets in the middle of the day on week days and I can't get out of work to attend...

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    You might want to talk to some TRAM ladies before you try it, the ones I know would not endorse it.  Not condemning it but I wouldn't personally do it.  Have you considered traveling to PRMA or the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, or any of the other centers that specialize in autologous breast recon?  Have you looked at the "before and afters" on those sites?

  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited April 2015

    No, I haven't thought of that. I'm not opposed to traveling, either, but of course would prefer not to. I really would like more opinions on the TRAM, that seems concerning!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    TRAM is an older surgery, and there are some who will tell you they had a positive experience, but a lot of microvascular plastic surgeons don't do it anymore unless they can't perform a DIEP due to vascular issues with individual patients.  Even on this site you don't see TRAM done very frequently.

  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited April 2015

    I noticed that when searching! It's definitely good to know, thanks! I took a second look at the Park Meadows surgeons and they have a ton of positive reviews so I'm scheduling a consultation there. Thanks again!

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