Dr. Trahan is top knotch and has given me my confidence back 100%! He is truly one of a kind. I have a brca2 genetic mutation and chose to have a preventative mastectomy, followed by reconstruction immediately after (diep flap procedure) I chose to travel from California to New Orleans because I wanted to seek care from an experienced surgeon (and mainly I didn't want to lose my nipples or have to have expanders-and then implants). Dr. Trahan exceeded every expectation I ever had, and then some! I'm so thankful, grateful, and blessed, to have found him. He's truly a humble and knowledgeable professional. He is not in this field just for the money. He cares about his patients and i am glad i was able to be one of them.
Dr. Trahan is not only a skilled PS who was able to make me look better than I looked before my double mastectomy, but he is also a wonderful caring person who wants to help his patients feel whole again. The procedures he performs are very tedious and complicated. The risks are explained before surgery. I have had a great outcome and have no regrets for going through the 3 surgery (for me) process. It is not for the weak of heart it does involve pain and a lot of recovery time. But as I said, the outcome is well worth it! Other Dr’s perform this procedure but Dr. Trahan and the other doctors at CRBS are among a club of few doctors that ONLY do these procedures so they are highly skilled. I would only want someone highly experienced and skilled performing flap transfer reconstruction on me.
I found Dr. Christopher Trahan to be a gifted surgeon & a very caring human being. I went to him mutilated & in pain after 12 unsuccessful surgeries by my local surgeons. During my first surgery with him, he & a colleague he had called in to assist spent approximately 7 hours finding & repairing a myriad of issues from my chest to my groin both externally & internally. The worst of these were 3 hernias, one of which would surely have killed me had I waited much longer. I was a challenging case but he was up to the task and after 5 surgeries by him, we are almost where we need to be. I say "we" with a smile. He is a perfectionist, a gifted surgeon with a heart who saved my life & put me back together physically & emotionally. I would not hesitate for a second to refer others to him or any one of his colleagues.
I was diagnosed with Ductile Carcinoma In Situ DCIS Stage 0 in March of 2018. I chose to have double bilateral breast reconstruction because I could just not handle having to go through the mammogram process the following year. It was a huge decision, but I knew once I met the surgeons, I wanted a double bilateral. A friend of mine told me about The Breast Center and I called and set up a Consultation with two wonderful surgeons Dr. Christopher Trahan and Karl Orydone I remember during my Consultation, Dr. Trahan words that just hit my heart. “We don’t just want to make women beautiful under their Blouse or dress we want women to be beautiful the moment they step out the shower in look into the mirror at themselves” Those were the words that determined my choice and also got that gut feeling that these were the surgeons God had chosen for me. I am so thankful for them and especially with the results Dr. Trahan has given me. He has been so important to me and has forever changed my life. I can never thank him enough. He has made me healthy and whole again (not to mention sexier) and giving me my self-esteem back. I have never met such a more compassionate and loving Doctor like Dr. Trahan. He really cares about his patients and is such a talented surgeon. I am so thankful he was my surgeon and my friend. I also want to stay the staff and St Charles surgical Hospital is AWESOME.. Dr T is definitely a Surgeon sent by God. If you are facing or thinking about a double bilateral, I would meet with Dr. Trahan first..
I was diagnosed with two different cancers in my right breast Feb 5,2015. After second opinions with surgeons and 2 ps, I have decided to have both breasts removed with delayed reconstruction. Since I had a tummy tuck previously, that type of reconstruction was off the table for me. It is my plan to have expanders placed in April but I am worried about living with implants vs my own tissue. Still working through this decision. Updated on 29 Mar 2015: Four days post and I'm definitely sore. Can't wait until I get some the stuff disconnected. The ON-Q will be gone tomorrow. Drains still working hard. I'll post some pics tomorrow. This road isn't for sissies.... Updated on 30 Mar 2015: Well it wasn't the news I prayed for. First lymph node was positive but second was not. So new game plan in the works. I guess I really need to step up my defense against this monster that is trying to invade my life. On to plan B. As a wise woman said to me today; dying is not an option. Updated on 12 Apr 2015: This morning when I woke I found the top thin layer over the bruised area of my incision had peeled a little away. Is this anything that anyone else has experienced? Thanks for your comments...... Updated on 16 May 2015: I had expanders placed two days ago. They are filled to 300cc and are very uncomfortable. Updated on 16 Jun 2015: I've started my 28 sessions of radiation and Arimidex for 5 weeks without any side effects. Thank goodness. I'm a bit tired, mostly of the whole business. I really just wanted to say it hasn't been too bad so far and although the expanders aren't any fun, they don't hurt and bother me as much after a month. This is a relief because one side really was bothersome for a few weeks and now I don't notice it. Yay! Hang in there ladies behind me...........sending all of you many thanks for just being here to listen. Updated on 14 Jul 2015: Five more treatments to go....pain the last two days where the expander is attached. I think it must be my skin is tightening up and putting some tension on the area my ps attached it to me. The other side has encapsulated. I just wish it was over....it will be, it just can't come soon enough. Good news is I have my first reconstruction surgery scheduled at NOLA for Oct 21, 2015. Good riddance to uncomfortable expanders. Updated on 21 Jul 2015: Thank goodness it's almost finished. My skin is really beginning to break down. I have even burned on my back shoulder. I discovered this when I scratched an itch and tore the skin. I sure hope this nasty treatment works like it's supposed to, and I haven't subjected my body to this treatment for nothing..... Updated on 13 Sep 2015: Planning for my trip to The Center for Breast Reconstruction in New Orleans. Dr. Trahan will perform my surgery with another associate MD. I'm getting a bit nervous but I know this is a good hill to climb on my journey through breast cancer. I would love to hear from anyone going or has been through the same experience, if you are out there..... Updated on 19 Sep 2015: Three weeks after my double mastectomy I developed cellulitis. Just recovered these photos as I prepare for reconstruction. What a year this has been........glad to be heading towards the end of all of this. Updated on 6 Oct 2015: I met with my MD and toured his the state of the art facility. I am blessed to be having my reconstruction surgery here at the St Charles Surgical Center. Big day tomorrow, with 10 hour +/- procedure. All marked up and ready to go. Scared and looking forward to having this last journey begin. Thank you to everyone for your support! Updated on 10 Oct 2015: Still majorly exhausted. But I made it. I haven't seen anything yet, but my MD spent 15 hours in the OR with me.thank goodness he didn't give up. He said I was a mess on my chest and had trouble connecting veins because of prior liposuction. At least it's done and I am alive. More to come later. Thanks for checking on me Updated on 11 Oct 2015: Lots of swelling and very sore. Updated on 17 Oct 2015: I can actually feel I bit more strength and energy by the day. Swelling is getting better everyday. A shower is about a 60 minute ordeal after drains emptying, shower, treat drain openings and bandage. Getting back into compression garment and making sure none of my tubing is touching my skin (they were very specific to avoid that), and a bandage covers all incisions. I don't think I mentioned my MD tidied up my original TT scar and plans to adjust the location of my belly button a bit lower on my next trip. I have never liked the look of it since the surgery and when he mentioned earlier thought it was placed too high, it clicked..... Ok, not the most gorgeous body but I'm encouraged. I left a job two days before I was diagnosed, because 2015 was the year I was going to make some healthy changes in my mind and body. I had no idea the route I was about to take........not sure why the pictures are not facing correctly. Maybe I can work it out later... Updated on 21 Oct 2015: Only 2 drains left and first night without a tight bra. I must be in heaven..... Thanks to everyone for all the positive thoughts, prayers and energy sent my way. I'm really starting to feel good that I pushed beyond my comfort zone and went to NOLA. I honestly could have changed my mind if not for some brave women before me. They opened their hearts and shared their story and gave me strength to move forward. Words can't describe the gratitude. Updated on 28 Oct 2015: I am so amazed by all the kind and encouraging words posted to me. Many thanks...... So it's been 3 weeks since surgery. I still have one drain on each hip. Will they ever be ready???? I can't wait because I will be able to get rid of the compression girdle a week later. But I'm not even going to consider rushing the process because that may have contributed to the cellulitis I experienced after my mastectomy. Not happening to my hips, I'll deal with drains for however long it takes. They just suck..... Swelling has reduced considerably. My right breast is softening a bit more than the left. I can't help but give it a bit of worry but I'm told I'm healing as expected. I'm using ibu daily as my hip joints can be a bit painful without it. Still sleeping on only my back, tough for a belly sleeper. Hard to believe I'm on the other side of this surgery when I look at a calendar and remember marking the dates and the fear in my belly at the time. Deep breathing, mind focused forward, support and encouragement got me there. It's possible........ Hugs everyone! Updated on 6 Nov 2015: I've been waiting for news of a CT scan I had this week on my right lung. In preparation for my surgery, I had a lung X-ray. This came back with a vague description of something noted. So CT was ordered for as soon as I could hold my arms above my head. End result ....all clear. Thank you God. One more challenge in December and then the most biggest sigh of relief.......... Updated on 10 Dec 2015: I'm off again to NOLA next week for my last reconstruction surgery. I am SO happy to nearing the end! Next up is fat transfer to the breasts, to shape and fill in around the transferred tissue. They are softening up more every week and continue to heal. I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to have this type of reconstruction and count my blessings that I am in the care of some wonderful providers. But, somebody please invent an alternative to taking Arimidex.....(not sure how I can handle another 4.5 years of this joint pain and other nasty side effects.) I'll post some pictures after surgery....... Updated on 10 Dec 2015: Updated on 20 Dec 2015: I am recovering from the second stage of my reconstruction. SGAP is now completed with fat transfers to both breasts, and I have nipples! Updated on 12 Jan 2016: After a couple weeks recovery from what I'd hoped would be my final surgery, my radiated skin wasn't holding the incision shut. So almost 25 days out from my 2nd phase surgery I had to have a revision on the right breast incision. I will post after photos later but I thought I'd share what happened. I've had a couple people ask me if I would go this route again and I can quickly say, yes. I know in the end this was the best choice for me. It's taking longer than I would like but I'm still very glad I didn't have implants. They just aren't for me. I can still see the light and I know I'm ever so near the finish line..... Updated on 26 Mar 2016: My right radiated breast struggled to heal. The nipple didn't fare well but my MD says he can make it right for me. The swelling continues to subside. The left breast healed great and the nipple looks good to me. The breast has a natural feeling of fullness. Surprisingly they are the same size as my originals. I'm finally moving back into regular bras from sport bras. One year since diagnosis and my first of 6 surgeries. I'm taking tamoxifen as I had all the side effects of the AI meds. My incision around my hip area continues to heal and I DONT miss my muffin top hips at all. Updated on 31 Jul 2017: One last surgery. Now that it's over I am so thankful. I had some necrotic tissue that had formed a uncomfortable lump above my right breast. It was recommended that I have it removed. So I decided to give a right side nipple another chance at the same time. I also wanted fill in some areas without volume that appeared sunken in from the mastectomy. I was also a bit unhappy with the "folds" that were developing instead of cleavage. The right breast was easily a size smaller than the left breast because if healing issues during my reconstruction. I'm hoping for some improvement in that breast size with this latest fat transfer because this is it, NO more for me. As soon as it heals I will seek out nipple/areola tattoos and be DONE. I will share a photo update in a couple weeks after the steri strips are removed and the final outcome of the second nipple attempt is apparent. Fingers, toes, arms, legs and anything else crossed that this was worth the procedure. I would have left well enough alone, if not for the lump of necrotic tissue. But, I am still glad I chose the SGAP for my reconstruction. Bless any of you reading this and going through treatment and/or the decision making process.
I had high hopes but I left looking ridiculous and they want me to pay for more surgeries. I thought Dr. Trahan was my surgeon but later found out a PA handled a lot of the operation, and Dr. Trahan wasn't available to see me afterwards either. i had the DIEP procedure and my stomach is a balloon. I have to fight tooth and nail to get anyone on the phone.
After my surgery in November of 2018 I ended up staying in the hospital for 13 days and had a open wound from the DIEP flap on my belly. Dr. Trahan let me sit for months like this after blowing me off about setting up a Debridement & closer of the wound 2 months after the surgery. No other doctor would touch me after I had to seek wound care on my own. I had no choice but to go back to Dr. Trahan to close my belly. He left me with damages beyond repair and disfigured. Not to mention he left out important information about my health with the issues I had in the hospital and left me with questions that I have no answers to. On one op report it tells me a strong history of Breast cancer but on another report it says Breast Carcinoma... Do or Did I have Breast Cancer???? I have lost everything my job, my credit and my life has changed dramatically not to mention the amount of money I had to pay for the 1st surgery and the cost of everything after that. Oh if you want to get ALL of your records be prepared to have to pay for them.
I paid over 15 thousand dollars for surgery and was left w nerve damage, disfigured, and couldn't get the doctor on the phone afterwards. i can't afford a lawyer. my breast looks like a pancake and I have a hernia that he didn't tell me about.
I wouldn't believe the hype. I know some women have good experiences at this hospital, but others don't and they treat them horribly. My surgeon was Dr Trahan. He wanted to cancel my surgery the day before, after sellling me on it for a year and me planning my life around it, because he had a "vibe" and "works on instinct." Everything is incredibly confusing with him like that. He also discussed my case with another patient which is a violation. He pushes a lot of propaganda and sells hard for people desperate, like I was. In my case, something went wrong after the surgery. I knew what it was. He made me feel like I was crazy for months and ignored texts and emails. When he finally got confirmation that I was right, he didn't contact me for a month to explain it. A month!!! And then explained that my result was extremely rare. Why would you wait a month to share results with an extremely rare case, especially if you need to schedule another surgery soon? When I asked questions about how they determine and define their 99% success rate - because he was suggesting I do the same thing over again, which is a very painful surgery - he dropped me as a patient. And this was after I lost insurance. Then my breast tissue began to change color and I lost skin. They didn't care. It was the worst experience I've had, made worse because Dr Trahan will talk for over an hour about what a great and wonderful person he is. Don't fall for it. Actually good and caring doctors don't have to go on and on about it. Also not a huge deal but he calls female patients "sweetheart," etc which made me super uncomfortable. It's all very weird and casual like that. Updated on 13 Jun 2020: I wrote a blog based on my experience - www.nolabreastsurgery.net. It is all very very carefully factual. I received a cease and desist letter threatening a lawsuit. They are terrible. They do this to everyone who speaks out. There would be a LOT more negative reviews of the NOLA hospital and Dr. Trahan if they weren't always threatening or buying them off.
