Breast Reconstruction surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA

Hi Pennsygal,

Thanks for the note and love your photo. I'm not sure yet. Still receiving chemo treatment and have seven more to go. Like you the tumor is in my right breast and underarm axillary. Still working on finding an excellent PC with a caring and compassionate bed side manner. Just talked with people in Dr. Arndht's office. We discussed the possibility of picking doctor Nguen. I've heard a lot of good things about him.

Hi Sapphire

My friend really liked Dr. Nguyen, although she did not need recon as she was able to have a lumpectomy. Who is your MO? Three more chemos for me

Mine is Dr Rastogi. Surgeons are an odd lot, no question!

Very helpful Ladyduffer. Thanks so much!

Hi Sapphire, I had a BMX with reconstruction in April 2014 with Dr. Bonaventura and Dr. Gimbel. I felt very confident that I had chosen an excellent surgical team. My exchange surgery with Dr. Gimbel was in November 2014. I last saw him in June 2015. I fully agree with ladyduffer. When I first met Dr. Gimbel, I too felt he was all business; but I knew I was dealing with one of the best plastic surgeons in Pittsburgh. I would go into each appointment with Dr. Gimbel with a list of questions or concerns, and he would always address each and every one to my satisfaction. My husband always came to my appointments with me and took notes. I never felt rushed and felt that Dr. Gimbel was always very personable and professional with my husband and I. A friend of mine who had a mastectomy of her right breast and DIEP Flap breast reconstruction had Dr. Ahrendt and Dr. Gimbel as her surgical team. She was also very pleased.

Sapphire -have you met with Dr Nguyen?

Great news! I'm waiting to hear back from his office to schedule an appt

Hello ladies!

I just found this forum topic and am thrilled. I'm reading your posts about breast reconstruction and how you all love Dr. Gamble . I am having a mastectomy on Wednesday with immediate breast sparing reconstruction. My plastic surgeon is Dr. Shestak at Magee. Have any of you heard of him ,and if so any info on his performance would be greatly appreciated.

I know this is well after the time the questions were asked (maybe someone else can use the info still), but I did use Dr. DeLaCruz for PS. Her personality is a little unpredictable, but once you get used to her, she is pretty easy to get along with and will answer questions. She does have an ego.....though I suppose they all do! I am in the process of deciding what type of revision to have done. I have some issues as the result of radiation as opposed to anything wrong with the initial reconstruction (implants). I will likely go back to her, but may consider a second opinion largely because I am very thin to the point it limits my options.

As for breast surgeons, I had Dr. McGuire and can't say enough good things about her and what a caring person she is. While I didn't always like her message, she never failed to interact with me in the most compassionate way possible. She also returned my phone calls herself rather than having the nurse call me.

Hi Sapphire_15 and pennsygal

I had Dr Ahrendt as bs and Dr. Nguyen did my DIEP reconstruction. Couldn't be happier with my results. Love them both. Good luck.

Thanks Morningsun1. I'll be in town tomorrow for a consult with Dr DeLaCruz, but also have a second appointment and will be short on time. I'll still undecided, but have decided the Lat Flap is out after talking with my physical therapist (I already have shoulder issues). The PT suggested considering SGAP and/or fat grafting, so that's where I am. Has anyone had SGAP in Pittsburgh? I know not every doctor does it. I am thin, so my options are limited.

Good Luck to you Terry!  Sorry to hear that you've had to have so many biopsies.  I could have had a lumpectomy as well, but opted to do a BMX because I had already had 9 biopsies within one year, and also had dense breasts.  Dr. Gimbel just did my "exchange" surgery on Friday (tissue expanders to implants) and knock on wood, all went well thus far.  I have been more active than I thought I would be.  I hope things look good for you in March.

Great to have found this thread. I have Dr. Gretchen Ahrendt as my BS and I just met Dr. Nguyen today for my first consult. I was a bit overwhelmed, to tell you the truth. I was all set on having DIEP reconstruction during mx but after having lost over 100 lbs my skin does not have enough "tissue" ie fat unless he takes all of the stomach for just one breast. Then if we want to do a lift and fill for the right breast (for symmetry) we would need to look elsewhere or do fat grafting. All in all, we are talking about 10 hrs of micro-surgery with some risk. We also talked about implants which I'm still trying to wrap my head around. I know it's less recovery time and less complicated surgery. I'm just a bit disappointed. Dr. Nguyen was very patient with me, however, and answered every question I had. The consult lasted about an hour.