LA plastic surgeon list - any thoughts?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited October 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After
LA plastic surgeon list - any thoughts?
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  • elise24601
    elise24601 Member Posts: 155
    edited May 2016

    My official path report arrives tomorrow, but the doctor said that no matter what I should be looking at surgery options since its very likely I have 2 malignant tumors in left breast. I am 31 yo and have decided on immediate reconstruction.

    I have found the following plastic surgeons who accept my insurance, and wanted to see if anyone had reconstruction with any of them:

    (UCLA): Charles Tseng, Cris Crisera, Jaco Festikjian

    (City of Hope): Wai Yee Li, Marc C Tan, Sharon Clancy, James S Anderson

    (Private Practice): Jaime Schwartz

    Thanks!

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  • MargaretEleanor
    MargaretEleanor Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2016

    Dr. Christopher Crisera at UCLA did my DIEP reconstruction. He is the BEST doctor ever!

    His work is excellent and was complimented by two other plastic surgeons I consulted with on an entirely different issue. Dr. Crisera explains everything and answers all of my many, many questions.

    His scheduler, Marine, is just as awesome as he is. I had a prophylactic mastectomy, done by Dr. Paul Schmitt (UCLA also) on the "good" side at the same time as my DIEP.

    I live in Phoenix and travelled back and forth to LA for reconstruction. Even though I consulted with local plastic surgeons on an entirely different issue, I will travel again to have Dr. Crisera do that surgery.

    I recommend him to everyone I know who is seeking breast reconstruction. A lady who lives in Orange County used him for a uni-DIEP. Another lady, who also lives in Phoenix, used him for implants. They both loved him as much as I do


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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited May 2016

    Elise, I used Jaco Festekjian for Diep recon in 2008 -- way before it was as common as it is now. He was a Diep pioneer, is well published in the field (including a YouTube video on Diep), and is truly an artist, as well as a highly skilled vascular surgeon. I have had doctors tell me that compared to other recon they've seen, mine is exceptional, for which I'm very grateful, and it also feels totally natural. Dr. Crisera was Dr. Festekjian's protege, and I have heard many great things about him as well.

    The breast surgeons at UCLA are also wonderful. I used, adore and can highly recommend Dr. Racquel Prati. She will take great care of you and coordinate all with Dr. Festekjian or Dr. Crisera.

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  • aisling
    aisling Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2018

    Hi-

    Any LA folks on here who have had procedures with Dr. James Anderson, Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Kim, or Dr. Leif Rogers? Especially prepectoral or Direct to implant under the muscle. And if you don't mind sharing the BS you paired with them? Bonus: If you had NSM and if you happen to know if they "cored" out the nipple or left a little behind (there's no consensus right now among BS, some leave 3 or 5mm behind, etc).

    I must pull the trigger on a BS/PS asap. I have the direct to implant under the muscle scheduled at City of Hope on Sept 10th but may switch to Dr. Rogers or Kim on Sept 11th at Cedars so I can do prepectoral. Dr Kim does prepectoral with TE, Dr. Rogers also does prepectoral but DTI. But my BS at Cedars is more aggressive/ "cores" out the nipple and I'm scared I'll lose it with over the muscle. I'm on the verge of a full breakdown, somehow I imagine if I choose wrong I'll end up with poor results, complications or worse.

    Would love your experiences/thoughts!!

    Thank you!!

    Sam

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2018

    hi Elise-are you still looking for feedback on the doctors you listed? Dr. Tseng and Dr. Anderson? I’ve had surgeries with both of them, as well as Dr. Leif Rogers who was not in my Network but helped me so that I could go to him.

    If you are still interested, let me know! I had my first surgery with Dr. Anderson over 10 years ago, my bilateral DIEP flap with Dr. Tseng in February of 2018, and two revisions by Dr. Rogers since then. If my insurance will go for it, I will be going for a third and final revision before the end of the year (yes, I need three). Hopefully he’ll get closer to them being even after #3!!

    I know you asked months ago, but I’ve been super busy with work, and I travel all over the place with my job. So my year has basically been surgery/travel/surgery/travel/surgery/travel, and ONE LAST SURGERY...and then maybe an actual vacation to Morocco at the end of all of this work and surgeries!! If I can afford it).

    I hope you are doing well! Please let me know if I can help!

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2018

    sam...i’m back to the group after taking a break because I was too busy to post. I saw that you were asking about Dr. Leif Rogers and I will say that I absolutely adore him. He is a perfectionist, and so willing to work with you to help give you the outcome you're looking for. He has had an INCREDIBLY difficult job trying to make me even after initial bilateral DIEP flap, but I doubt anyone could have done a better job. I adore him. I hope you are happy with your decision if you’ve made one. I was not, bit it’s never too late to find someone else. I’m glad I did.

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  • Ayoney
    Ayoney Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2018

    hi there! Looking at having Dr Tseng perform a DIEP procedure in dec- any feedback that you wouldn’t mind sharing would be much appreciated.

    Total number of surgeries - as well as recovery


    Thank you!!

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