DIEP Consult
Our consult with Dr. Duffy, the plastic surgeon who does the DIEP procedure for breast reconstruction, went very well.
I appreciated that our appointment started out in a conference room designed for talking, and nary an exam table in sight. I smiled when I spotted the Andes Mints on the end table. I had two. Then, after the nurse completed her paperwork, she offered us a cold drink, and they had Diet Coke. At this point, I am a very happy camper! DC and chocolate mints, hard to beat! Later on, during the actual exam, they had fabric robes, not paper! Have I found my doctor, or what?! :-)
Dr. Duffy was....what is the word? For all the chocolate and hospitality, I did not feel "schmoozed". I think he is obviously very intellegent and skilled, but he wasn't arrogant. As we discussed my various doctors, he knew of them and spoke well of them. And, as we discussed my options for reconstruction, he validated both the implants and the DIEP. As he said, he is not a "purist", but believes in educating his patients about what can be done, rather than making a sales-pitch for one or the other.
The result...a very good meeting. I am a candidate for the DIEP, and it seems that it is a situation where the immediate consequences are pretty hard--it is a tough surgery--but, in the long run, it might be the better choice. And, Dr. Duffy stated that we have not lost any ground with what we have done so far. In fact, he was extremely impressed by my other doctor's work and approach in my surgeries thus far.
The decision...well, we are giving it a little time. We want to make sure we know what insurance will do. We just want to be sure. However, I did run into a friend who worked for an oncologist for years. When I told her what we were considering, she said without hesitation that she would go for the alternative to implants. She said she has seen too many people over the years have problems. My oncologist is okay with me going with the DIEP, and it appears that we might have some extra help with the girls should we go that route. So, it appears circumstances are pointing that direction, but the verdict is still out.
I must confess that there are times that I have just considered, "Why not take the expanders out and quit here?" However, I remember how nice it was to start getting some shape back. And, I think there is some "normalcy" for the girls in having a Mom with breasts. They will already be asked if they live with their grandma (I get asked if they are my grand-daughters all the time). I would like to spare them the question of why their Mommy doesn't have a chest!
I must also confess...I am rather glad I didn't do much reading last year. Give me one consent form for my implant surgery, let me review the stats, and I am off and researching and finding...! It doesn't make me doubt last year's "choices to trust" one bit. I am hopeful though, that all this consideration and an "informed choice" will be a good one, too.
I appreciated that our appointment started out in a conference room designed for talking, and nary an exam table in sight. I smiled when I spotted the Andes Mints on the end table. I had two. Then, after the nurse completed her paperwork, she offered us a cold drink, and they had Diet Coke. At this point, I am a very happy camper! DC and chocolate mints, hard to beat! Later on, during the actual exam, they had fabric robes, not paper! Have I found my doctor, or what?! :-)
Dr. Duffy was....what is the word? For all the chocolate and hospitality, I did not feel "schmoozed". I think he is obviously very intellegent and skilled, but he wasn't arrogant. As we discussed my various doctors, he knew of them and spoke well of them. And, as we discussed my options for reconstruction, he validated both the implants and the DIEP. As he said, he is not a "purist", but believes in educating his patients about what can be done, rather than making a sales-pitch for one or the other.
The result...a very good meeting. I am a candidate for the DIEP, and it seems that it is a situation where the immediate consequences are pretty hard--it is a tough surgery--but, in the long run, it might be the better choice. And, Dr. Duffy stated that we have not lost any ground with what we have done so far. In fact, he was extremely impressed by my other doctor's work and approach in my surgeries thus far.
The decision...well, we are giving it a little time. We want to make sure we know what insurance will do. We just want to be sure. However, I did run into a friend who worked for an oncologist for years. When I told her what we were considering, she said without hesitation that she would go for the alternative to implants. She said she has seen too many people over the years have problems. My oncologist is okay with me going with the DIEP, and it appears that we might have some extra help with the girls should we go that route. So, it appears circumstances are pointing that direction, but the verdict is still out.
I must confess that there are times that I have just considered, "Why not take the expanders out and quit here?" However, I remember how nice it was to start getting some shape back. And, I think there is some "normalcy" for the girls in having a Mom with breasts. They will already be asked if they live with their grandma (I get asked if they are my grand-daughters all the time). I would like to spare them the question of why their Mommy doesn't have a chest!
I must also confess...I am rather glad I didn't do much reading last year. Give me one consent form for my implant surgery, let me review the stats, and I am off and researching and finding...! It doesn't make me doubt last year's "choices to trust" one bit. I am hopeful though, that all this consideration and an "informed choice" will be a good one, too.
posted by Beverly @ 10:26 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home