Help need plastic surgeon advice

Scared462016
Scared462016 Member Posts: 44
edited May 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

hello I'm with kaiser. I live in santa Clarita ,ca . I have had 2 lumpectomis without getting a deep clear margin. Now moving onto mastectomy. So very upset. Been crying since I received the news 4 days ago. I'm trying to stop looking at Internet because it's freaking me out more. What I really need is some help from you ladies about a good plastic surgeon. I'm going for expanders then implants. I really feel if I could get some good recommendations I would feel better about my choice. Feel more confident about my end result. I'm assigned to dr arteagga but no one can tell me about his work and that scares me . Please help me with this. Thank you


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  • pab
    pab Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2016

    You should have your own choice for a doctor. Especially one as important as a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon for this. Do some digging. Make sure you go to a plastic surgeon who does reconstruction not just cosmetic. That is ultra important. I would also do some research on a breast surgeon and oncologist. Get very specialized doctors. They are out there. I don't live in CA but I'm sure the web has plenty reviews and call your local cancer society they may have some help for you as well. being comfortable and confident with your team is huge! I love all my doctors and can talk with them and tell them what I want.Best of luck!!

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2016

    scared, I feel so bad you are crying. I felt so upset, the word mastectomy was the scariest thing I could imagine. Right behind chemo. But try not to feel too bad plastic surgeons can do wonderful work.

    My plastic surgeon is in Seattle and his work was great. I would ask if you can talk to someone you has been through the same reconstruction you are having. I agree with Pab check around for a PS yourself.

    Are you thinking immediate reconstruction?

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited May 2016

    Hi, Scared462016 -

    So sorry you are going through this. It's overwhelming, and you are right: Dr. Google is a liar and a fearmonger. Don't go there.

    I see you have another thread going, looking for Kaiser PS recommendations in Southern California.

    According to kp.org, there are only Medical Offices in Santa Clarita. Is that why they referred you to Dr. Arteaga? Is he in Woodland Hills? That might be because Kaiser is referring you "outside the system" because their Plastic Surgeons only work where there are Medical Centers (full service hospitals.)

    I would strongly recommend that you PM whippetmom to ask her if she has any names for you (Kaiser or otherwise.) She's been doing this for years, and is aware of lots of surgeons.  Do a search for her name and tell her I told you to write.

    The beauty is that you can have your surgery at any Kaiser in the system, and keep your benefits.

    Probably, the first thing I would do is check at the Kaiser you went to for your lumpectomies, and ask to speak to a Nurse Navigator for Breast Surgery. They may refer you to the nearest Kaiser hospital.

    I have Kaiser. I was diagnosed in 2011, and I was so amazed at how quickly I was assigned a Medical Team who would be taking care of me throughout the entire process. They were all amazing.

    I wish I had some names for you, but I am in Northern California.

    Once you have more information, and feel more in control about what's going to happen, I think you will feel better. Right now it's all just too new.

    Wishing you the best!

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  • Scared462016
    Scared462016 Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2016

    thank you to all of you ladies. I really appreciate you taking the time to write. I will take your advice. Hoping to feel more confident soon. Hoping your so doing well yourselves. Thank you again 😊

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