Breast surgeon vs general surgeon

disneyfan2008
disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have heard and read here many have had BREAST surgeons. I was sent to a general surgeon who does many misc procedures. NO issues..but I wonder why I was not referred to specialist of breast?

Comments

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #2
    I found my breast surgeon on my own ... I found several
    websites ..and decided on a hospital, then I interviewed several Breast Surgeon's at St. Joseph's hospital, here in Orange, California. Selected my breast cancer specialist based on experience, if they had material published, current in the breast cancer teaching arena and clinical trial involvement.

    Personally, I hated the fact that most surgeon's are general and dabble in many fields. Just my personal opinion.


    Vicki Sam
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #3
    I have a general surgeon
    I guess it depends who your comfortable with. I work in surgery, and with this dr. I liked him bf breast xancer, so was comfortable with him doing my masts. He does not do reconstruction, so maybe that would be a reason to go to a breast surgeon. More contacts. I had implants 10 yrs ago under muscle. Even though my cancer is aggressive and 18/20 positive nodes, he was able to leave implants in and remove all tissue. Fortuantly didnt have muscle involment. He also did a fellowship in breast issues as a resident. So he is a little more knowledgable in breast issues. Good luck,Katz
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #4
    No breast specialists here in Springfield
    So Moopy and I went with the general surgeon recommended by Moopy's primary care doctor. We were glad we did. He did such an excellent job for Moopy that even her St. Louis oncologist, who thinks that the world as we know it ends about two hundred feet west of St. Louis County, was impressed. She even asked Moopy the surgeon's name!
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #5
    My general surgeon was fantastic!!!
    10 yrs ago I had a lumpectomy by a breast surgeon. What a jerk. Bad outcome, no communication, over-billed.

    It comes down to reputation, word of mouth, and how comfortable you feel.

    Sue
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #6
    There is a difference
    It depends how fortunate you are as to where you live. The more populated areas in our country have doctors who are trained as oncology surgeons. I started with a general surgeon who was an excellent general surgeon. After 2 surgical biopsies that still yield "margins that were not clear", I developed an infection in the breast (no fault of the doctor). I then researched and found out that there are oncology surgeons who specialized in breast surgery. They are specifically trained to operate on the breast. I went to the top oncology surgeon for breast at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. That doctor also had the reputation for being the #1 surgeon for breast cancer.

    I chose my oncology surgeon based on his reputation at a different hospital. I did not have a "say" on my general surgeon who was assigned to me at the hospital in my town. I had no opportunity to choose him. I am not sure how I got him. Did the hospital assign him to me or did my primary care doctor assign him to me? Before I let him operate on me, I did discuss him with my primary care doctor after I found out who he was.

    Hugs,
    Janelle
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    Different Ballgame said:

    There is a difference
    It depends how fortunate you are as to where you live. The more populated areas in our country have doctors who are trained as oncology surgeons. I started with a general surgeon who was an excellent general surgeon. After 2 surgical biopsies that still yield "margins that were not clear", I developed an infection in the breast (no fault of the doctor). I then researched and found out that there are oncology surgeons who specialized in breast surgery. They are specifically trained to operate on the breast. I went to the top oncology surgeon for breast at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. That doctor also had the reputation for being the #1 surgeon for breast cancer.

    I chose my oncology surgeon based on his reputation at a different hospital. I did not have a "say" on my general surgeon who was assigned to me at the hospital in my town. I had no opportunity to choose him. I am not sure how I got him. Did the hospital assign him to me or did my primary care doctor assign him to me? Before I let him operate on me, I did discuss him with my primary care doctor after I found out who he was.

    Hugs,
    Janelle

    thanks
    thanks for input and thoughts
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #8
    disneyfan2008 said:

    thanks
    thanks for input and thoughts

    one more opinion
    When I was diagnosed 2 years ago, my insurance group referred me to a general surgeon. That wasn't what I wanted so I got some referrals from "real people" - including the Komen center- for a breast surgeon and was pleased with the one I found. Insurance, availability (the first breast surgeon could not even see me for over a month--uh no, thanks) and comfort level all go into the decision.

    Maureen
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #9
    EveningStar2 said:

    one more opinion
    When I was diagnosed 2 years ago, my insurance group referred me to a general surgeon. That wasn't what I wanted so I got some referrals from "real people" - including the Komen center- for a breast surgeon and was pleased with the one I found. Insurance, availability (the first breast surgeon could not even see me for over a month--uh no, thanks) and comfort level all go into the decision.

    Maureen

    Honestly I never heard of Breast surgeon until after my surgery
    with General surgeon...he operated on my husband 2 x long long ago...how do they know what they are doing...with so many body parts? hehe...but ALL in fine with me...most drs can't even see the scars...when I go for mammos..have to really look to put the stickers on over scars...happy to say..
    (lop side yes...scared not reallY)

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