reconstruction recommendations New England area

Hi Junebug40-

I’m in the same region as you and was wondering if you had your previous surgeries around here? I haven’t actually started my recon yet, but my PS has a good reputation. I’m just hoping it’s not who worked in you and you’ve got a horror story to share! His name is Dr Babbit in Fall River, he’s got great manner, I’ve met with him twice so far. I have read good reviews online about him, and negative reviews on his partner in that same practice. My docs and nurses all seem to think he’s a good doctor as well, at least they’re not giving me sideways glances as they’re saying that. I hope you find someone you like who can “fix” your recon

Junebug40- I went to Louisiana and traveled for it. I wouldn't do anything different if given the option to do everything over. They are top notch and their goal is to put you as a whole back together with breasts/body you don't feel like you have to hide. I am happier with how I look now vs when I started and I looked pretty darn good then. Now I look fabulous. I have never encountered docs who care about quality outcomes like they do (and i work in healthcare with lots of docs and have had lots of surgery - for other things besides BC.)They are worth the travel for those outcomes you see in the photos. And it really was not a big deal to travel either, it's just that we don't think of that as being the norm.

Hi Junebug40;

My cousin had her reconstruction done, if I recall, by Dr. Christine Hamouri. It was about 15 years ago, but I think she's still practicing? She's in Duxbury.(The doc, not the cousin!)

Junebug40- the most difficult part about traveling was planning the trip. The trip itself is easy. Pocketbook-wise, the center has agreements with several different area hotels in every price range with discounted rates and extra perks like free full breakfast, discounted parking etc. Hope Lodge is also in New Orleans and their rooms are free of charge-they ask you to make a donation if you can. There are many women who do hope Lodge and take an Uber from/to airport and to/from the center. Most complications tend to happen/start to happen while you're there (if they happen at all.) complications once you're home are handled via phone and email including pics of areas of concern. In rare occasions you may need to return to NOLA for severe complications, and I stress that it happens rarely. It is definitely the exception & not the rule. NOLA's flap failure rate is <1% (compared to 10% for nation) and infection rate is <2%. Those two figures speak volumes in their favor. I'm also posting a link below to a video of Dr Dellacroce speaking at an international conference of microsurgeons. The overall theme of his talk is on quality outcomes. There is a case study of a woman with botched recon (6 surgeries' worth) all done elsewhere before coming to NOLA in his talk that starts at about minute 17. If you want to skip the actual surgery clips he shows, fast forward after watching the intro of her case starting at minute 17 to minute 21 for the final result.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lGmoI21Tfbc

Here's how the travel to NOLA breaks down:

Stage 1 surgery is a 10 day stay-

Day 1 - arrival

Day 2 - pre-op

Day 3 - Surgery

Days 4-6 - in hospital

Days 7-9 - discharge & recovery

Day 10 - post-op visit & travel home

If you want to stretch it out longer you can. Feel free to ask questions here or PM me. I'm also willing to talk live via phone if you like.

AliceKo- we traveled from central NC to New Orleans for the recon. 14 hrs by car/5.5 hrs by plane (shortest route). I only wanted to do this once and be thrilled with the results not just happy with the results considering I’d had a mastectomy/BC. That meant seeking out the best. NOLA fits that bill, they do more flap recons than anyone else, they hang their hat on quality outcomes that the patient would be proud to show, and the NOLA docs are the ones pioneering all the newer muscle sparing flap recons. They’re also one of the few groups that will take on botched reconstructions like the case study referenced in the above link. If they can correct severely botched recons and remake everything into a masterpiece, you know they’ll excel at recon starting from scratch with a blank canvas so to speak.

Thank you Lula. I watched the video. It was interesting. I don't think I have ever heard APEX when DIEP was discussed. I will ask my surgeon.

It sounds like that was quite the trip to NOLA for you. I will think about it.

Dr. Hughes was my surgeon. (Lumpectomy 3/9/18)

Great job, healing very well. Anyone who has seen it (and I feel like I've flashed my girls a lot lately!) has been impressed by how the incision, etc.He was kind, easy going, not pushy. I felt very comfortable.