Anyone have a DIEP in Atlanta Ga

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juniper
juniper Member Posts: 110
edited October 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I live in Alabama where there is no (to my knowledge) surgeon who regularly performs DIEPs.  I would like to go to New Orleans, but my out of pocket costs will be too high.  There are a few surgeons in Atlanta. 

Has anyone had a DIEP in Atlanta and would recommend their surgeon?

Thanks

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  • tchmuzik
    tchmuzik Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2009

    I have a friend who had DIEP performed in Atlanta - I will get his name and send to you.    She was thrilled with him and very pleased with the outcome.   Oh - I found her letter to me with the info on him.   I will paste:

    Perimeter Plastic Surgery Staff | Atlanta Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Tummy Tuck, Breast Implants and Liposuction Exper   Hi Steph! I'm going to try to call you in a few minutes, but here is the link for my plastic surgeon, whose name is Mark Deutsch.  He performed three surgeries on me-- The original which was a diep flap (with abdominal tissue/tummy tuck) performed along with the skin-sparing mastectomy done by breast surgeon 10/06 Then, he did a lattissimus flap 10/07 to repair the damage from radiation (which I didn't think I was going to have to have in 06) Revision surgery 2/08 -- removing extra tissue and forming nipple.   I was very, very happy with this surgeon--you will note that he did part of his training at MD Anderson. I met several people in the office who came to him after botched jobs from other surgeons.  He also hung in there and encouraged me for months while I had that horrific, ugly, draining wound.  Talk soon. Love, Sheila

    Hope this helps.   Now - if you could tell me a bit about what happened with your insurance and the out of pocket expense  you mentioned.   I have just started the process with the group in New ORleans to see what my xpense will be and am really nervous about it - I know they are suppose to be the best but am scared of what the amount is going to be.   I have BCBS of TN - it's really good insurance - but . . . . . . well - any info you could share would be appreciated.    Thanks - I am so excited to get this done in the Fall - and will consider the doctor mentioned above if this doesn't work out.   Let me know - ok??   I, too - don't have anybody near me that does the Diep - I am located about one hour southeast of Memphis (MS).    

  • juniper
    juniper Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2009

    I have BCBS of Alabama.  The New Orleans group is not in their network.  They estimated by out-of-pocket costs would be about $9000!  I just can't justify that for cosmetic surgery.  I found Mark Deutsch and he is in network!

    I am going to have mine done over the summer.  I will let you know what I find out about Atlanta.

  • SandyinSoCal
    SandyinSoCal Member Posts: 2,034
    edited February 2009

    I went to NOLA four times and had a fair amount of out-of-pocket expense, but in the long run, it is definitely worth it.  Besides, women pay $10K for cosmetic lipo or facial laser treatments day in and day out and think nothing of it---they consider it a gift to themselves.  I spent the two months I waited for my mastectomies/DIEP fretting over the difference in fee between the two surgeons I had to choose from, and in the end would have spent far less just going to NOLA in the first place instead of ending up there later with complications.

    Whatever you decide, make sure that the surgeon has tons of experience doing the exact surgery you want to have performed---experience is key in obtaining the very best outcome.

  • ehall
    ehall Member Posts: 663
    edited February 2009

    Hi there--although I ultimately decided on a lat. dorsi--my PS in Atlanta is awesome. He is Dr. Keith Hanna with the Marietta Plastic Surgery group.  His partner Dr. Fabian is nationally reknown for TRAM and DIEP. It might be worth a consult.  I also have my pics on the photo forum if you're curious about the results.  Good luck--Erin

  • CaseyDoodle
    CaseyDoodle Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2009

    Juniper,

    Although I was not a good candidate for DIEP, I can second tchmuzik's endorsement of Dr. Mark Deutsch.  He did my Lat Flap surgery on January 19.  He is a very talented plastic surgeon and very supportive. 

    Good luck with whoever you decide to use!

    Kay

  • Aricenne
    Aricenne Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015

    What is the name of the group in New Orleans?

  • Aricenne
    Aricenne Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015

    What plastic surgery group were you considering going to in New Orleans?

  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited March 2015

    This is the NOLA group: http://www.breastcenter.com/

    I had DIEP with Dr. Marga Massey in Charleston and highly recommend her. I was able to get a suite at Extended Stay America through the American Cancer Society for $12/night which helped. My insurance is Cigna and she, the hospital, and the anesthesiologists are all in-network for me. I'm an Alabama native with some family also in Atlanta, and it was close enough for me to get help with my daughter during surgery. Dr. Marga is a sweetheart and did beautiful work. When my hubs and I were coming down with the flu en route to Charleston, she called in a Theraflu Rx for me and then offered to pick it up and drop it off at my hotel in case I didn't get to town before the pharmacy closed -- WHO DOES THAT?

  • ehall
    ehall Member Posts: 663
    edited August 2017

    Hi ladies....I'm facing this beast again and need to insight on the best plastic surg in Atlanta for DIEP flap surgery. Who would you recommend


  • AnaR
    AnaR Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2017

    Dr. Grant Carlson with Emory. He is the head of onco surgery and plastic surgery. I was diagnosed with DCIS and had a bilateral mastectomy.

    Your are in my prayers.

  • CarolinaMommy
    CarolinaMommy Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2017

    I second LAStar, dr. Massey I heard is great, though I used another in same group, dr. James Craigie, and couldn't be happier with the result. If you try it, I recommend using appointments as excuses for mini beach vacations. I'm just sayin. ;

  • ehall
    ehall Member Posts: 663
    edited October 2017

    I’m 10 years post bilateral mastectomy (lat. dorsi) with a reoccurence and pec muscle and chest wall invasion. Going through 12 months of chemo, surgery, and 40 rounds of radiation. The radiation will likely destroy my reconstruction. Looking for recommendations for DIEP FLAP surgeon in ATL. My former surgeon retired several years. Any insight or is anyone familiar Dr. Grace Ma at Peidmont

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