my first plastic surgeon visit not good

aysemari said:

Teresa
some doctors can be so insensitive, my PS is a perfect example for that.

He made me feel like I am a wuss when only after a week of my mastectomy,
I asked for more painkillers. If he wasn't a genius of a surgeon I would go
somewhere else too. But now I just ignore his command and behavior. Please
don't let it get to you. Most people totally underestimate what it means to
have cancer. Honestly, including MYSELF!

I seem to think constantly, ok I am better now and set myself back with
too much activities and chores. If I myself underestimate this beast how
can I blame others for doing the same thing?

You just keep up the good work and take care of yourself, don't let her
belittle your efforts!!!

Hugs,
Ayse

To B or to C...that is the question
I'm not sure about reconstruction, my surgeon has never mentioned a word of it to me. I met another patient of his with the same triple negative diagnosis during chemo, she told me he said she was a 'poor candidate' for reconstruction. I'm not sure what that means, but I will ask when I see him in October. The same woman also told me that my primary care doctor should write the prescription for prosthesis, but that guy told me nope.

My surgeon can be aggressive, but I like that in a surgeon...and Hell, I can be aggressive too.

teresa,
i had my 1st ps
teresa,

i had my 1st ps visit yesterday. finished 6 rounds of chemo 6/23 and have 9 more of rads to go. i also gained weight during all this. he told me my stomach was a 'bit big' to do tram flap and i should consider other options. not that i was really considering that, not really sure what direction to go but was still not what i needed to hear.

I think it's a plastic surgeon thing
They aren't the most tactful bunch. Were you thinking of implants or a flap procedure? I was overweight at diagnoisis, lost 40 pounds during chemo and radiation (taste and smell issues) and I'm definately still overweight. In fact, my oncologist wants me to continue to lose weight and be on a big exercise routine.

I saw a plastic surgeon last week at the suggestion of my breast surgeon to find out about my options. I met with the plastic surgeon, his resident and an intern who explained my options. For me it was implants or a diep flap procedure. They didn't recommend implants because I had radiation and showed me some pictures of how that might turn out. My weight wasn't a problem for implants though.

Apparenly my weight was an issue for the deip flap. They explained the surgery and told me I had the perfect body for it because I had good stomach fat. (Oh yea - just what I always wanted to hear!) The plastic surgeon explained that you can't be too thin or too fat to have a deip flap procedure. Then they all stood there and discussed how my fat was just right. It was so embarrasing. I asked about my oncologists instructions to lose weight and he told me that I shouldn't lose more than 10 pounds or I would be underweight. Seriously - I haven't been underweight since I was 7 years old. This has to be the first time in my life that a medical person told me that having fat was a good thing. It makes me wonder if they all have their own version of what they think is right.

What about getting a second opinion? I've heard some really good and bad stories about plastic surgeons. Hopefully you could find someone who appreciates how hard you are working to be healthy and not be so rude!

Teresa
I went to see the ps before my bilateral mastectomy. I am very overweight )-: My weight has been a rollercoaster for a few years. The ps was very kind. I was not a candidate for either flap not because of weight but because I have degenerative disc disease and broke both shoulders and have balance issues. He did however, tell me I could have reconstruction at a later date with implants. He had just done reconstruction for a woman who was 15 years out. For now I plan on getting prostheses and bras. I'm 61 and don't really relish the idea of more surgery. Good luck with getting another opinion from a ps who cares. Sending {{hugs}},
Char