I spent hours, days, and weeks searching for a plastic surgeon to perform my DIEP flap breast reconstruction. It was not an easy task. I learned a lot from three other patients, Whitney, Rene, and Tamara, who share with us their criterion and tips on finding a breast reconstruction surgeon to perform their DIEP flap surgery.
Whitney’s Tips for Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon
She tells us she had time to look for a plastic surgeon because she chose to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Whitney carries a gene mutation putting her at high risk to develop breast cancer. Watching her own mother pass from breast cancer when Whitney was in her early twenties was instrumental in her decision to have breast reconstruction, especially with two young children at home.
The first decision was the type of surgery to have. She chose DIEP flap. It was important to her to find a surgeon who did nerve reconstruction so she wouldn’t be completely numb. One of her criteria was finding a surgeon who followed up with their patients on healing after surgery but also preparing for the surgery. Whitney’s surgeon prepared her months before her DIEP flap and checked to see how her recovery has been progressing. She mentions an important element of recovery, physical therapy. Whitney states her surgeon looked at her as not only a patient but a woman, discussing her lifestyle.
Rene asks her if she interviewed other doctors. Whitney tells us she interviewed six different doctors. This brings up a point in my work as a patient advocate. Having a second or third opinion is often times important to find your “just right” plastic surgeon.
Rene’s Tips for Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon
She points out she also interviewed several doctors. Rene feels what it comes down to is a level of comfort, a gut feeling. I chime in to say it is a bit like building a relationship. Even though her final decision for a plastic surgeon required travel Rene tells us it was the least of her issues. Rene had complications with her initial mastectomy. She wanted to find someone who could promise her almost no complications for her DIEP flap. She soon realized no one can promise this but the success rate and volume of DIEP flaps the group she chose to go to helped solidify her decision.
Rene wanted to know, especially because she traveled, the surgeon and staff would be available to answer questions after surgery. She wanted to hear a realistic expectation for healing not the “picture perfect” timeline. Rene ask her surgeon what she could do to optimize her own outcome and healing. She was very pleased her surgeon reminded her to keep her own frame of mind in check and stay positive. It helped turn her focus on and she said, “I never let go of it throughout my own Journey”.
Tamara’s Tips for Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon
Tamara also researched other surgeons. Again, the success rate was an important part of her criteria. She emphasizes it wasn’t about just a number for success rate. Tamara asked them what they defined as success. She spoke to other plastic surgeons whose success rate was a flap that survived 24 hours after surgery. Tamara heard from the surgeon she chose who explained to her flap rate meant the flap survived, period.
Tamara was happy to hear part of the surgeon’s definition of success rate meant the patient was happy with the aesthetic results. She researched the infection rate of both the surgical practice and the hospital. Like Whitney and Rene, a surgeon who did nerve reconstruction was important to her. Tamara says it was important for her to feel comfortable with the surgeon she chose, someone she felt comfortable talking with.
Shared Decision-Making Result in Higher Patient Satisfaction
I wrap up the conversation with these amazing ladies by pointing out they all experienced a protocol I learned from my plastic reconstructive surgeon, shared decision making. The patient brings all of the research, expectations, concerns, to their consult and the patient is listened to. They all felt a part of the decision based on what they brought to the table combined with the knowledge of the plastic surgeon. The best surgical decision was put in place based on input from these ladies and their plastic surgeons.
I am grateful to Whitney, Rene, and Tamara for sharing their tips on finding a breast reconstruction surgeon. You can hear the interview here.