Lisa Cassileth, MD, FACS

In December I had surgical excision of bilateral axillary accessory breast tissue (formerly soft and puffy) which had hardened and become extremely painful after being T-Boned by a distracted uninsured driver 9/30/2016. After years of hoping it would go away (which is what many doctors told me, or they told me it was in my head...!) I finally asked Dr. Cassileth to remove these nodules of red hot poker pain in my armpits. I called them the "tits in my armpits" and had tried all the non-surgical options presented to me (castor oil packs, supplements to reduce inflammation, etc.). When I awoke from surgery I was astonished at how calm I felt and the absence of the constant pain that I'd come to consider normal after 6 years since the MVA. I am SO astonished at the difference this made in my overall health and well-being. This experience was the BEST! Dr. Cassileth and her team were amazing and my armpits look great too!

I have fought with severe body dysmorphia for decades. The enormous breasts (getting implants at very young only complicated the matter as my breast tissue never decreased post pregnancy), shortest torso ever and my athleticism never coalesced. Getting ready to go out was mentally debilitating and I usually just opted for something baggy or wildly different just so no one would notice my body and judge it as severely as I did. Let them talk about my fit and judge it, leave judging my body up to me since I'm the harshest judge and jury for that, I didn't need any help in that department. There were some very dark days and depression would creep in to hang out just to make my self-image worse. I loathed my body.

Due to significant health issues, I have been terrified of anesthesia and surgery. But that all changed when a girlfriend who had a very aggressive and deadly form of breast cancer had a double mastectomy and complete rebuild by Dr Cassileth and my gosh she did an fantastic job. I booked my appointment after hearing her experience with Dr Cassileth and her team. After meeting the staff (they were all amazing, every single person) and talking with Dr Cassileth, I swear I was crying inside with joy. She is brilliant. We talked about every single detail of what needed to be done (I was also having severe inflammatory and neuroendocrine issues at the time along with genetic hypertension that had caused two near catastrophic events when being put under anesthesia prior, along with old implant removal so I was not going to be a simple case) and I felt entirely comfortable literally putting my life in her and her team's hands. After a 5 hour surgery, the team at Palladium After care were incredible (Carollee is amazing). Every single employee and affiliated person Dr Cassileth has brought into her practice is absolutely spectacular. I cannot stop thinking about how intelligent, kind compassionate, and genuinely sincere they all are, I've never seen anything like it before in my life.

Here we are only 7 weeks later, post a very complicated surgery and I have never felt better. For the first time in decades my ANA is negative (which values had been skyrocketing when positive and changing appearances), the random shooting pains up and down my spine and in my shoulders are gone. I am so happy and feel so good that I have to stop myself and reflect how it used to be to make sure I remember to feel gratitude for this incredible group of people. For the first time in my life, I feel good about my body. It's bizarre for me to say that, I've never said it before in my life. Dr Cassileth is brilliant, strong and works magic. I could have gone to any surgeon, I know many of them and Dr Cassileth is the only one I trust. She understands the mental and physical relational connections biological females have, it is something a biological male doctor cannot understand nor appreciate. To no fault of their own, they simply can't. Their physiological construction isn't the same, they don't produce the same hormones or hormone levels as biological females. If you can swing it financially, and have something you would like addressed knowing it will shake off the suffocating burden of a negative body perception, and/or if there's possibly a health impact resulting from prior body work, there's no reason to wait any longer. Please, make an appointment.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, has a mastectomy with implant reconstruction. If you've had this you know the process. I was told to do daily exercises, form a nice pocket for my implant and if capsular contracture was going to happen it was most likely going to occur within 6 months.

In 2017, I was struggling with some tightness on my right side, some hardness. I went to a breast surgeon and I was then sent to physical therapy to see if they could break up the bands of scar tissue that had formed. A painful process when your breast has no feeling, it definitely felt this. By the 2018/2019 I was experiencing pain in my shoulders, my upper back, right arm and pretty much my upper right front side of my body. It got worse. My breast became rock hard and distorted in shape. I couldn't even look at myself naked, it looked so bad now. My skin around the contracture became blotchy and pinkish in color. I woke every morning in pain and tried to move and reposition my implant to no avail. I tossed and turned all night, never sleeping through the night. Couldn't sleep with the shoulder pain, was taking Advil, stopped exercising, was tired ALOT. Depressed over my appearance either in clothes or out of them. I was a mess. I asked one of the PA's at my primary care, surgeons and they all downplayed it. I knew what I was experiencing and no one seemed to care or understand.

After a couple years of searching I HIT GOLD. Dr Lisa Cassileth is an amazing surgeon and was empathetic towards my struggle. She's heard this from other patients I am sure but for once I wasn't made to feel that all my experience had no relevance. I ended up with stage 4 capsular contracture. Every doctor I had seen or talked two offered me the same options I had 13 years ago. Replace the implant or DIEP. So what did this entail? We'll cut open the capsule, remove the implant and replace the implant. Hmm, what about this mound of scar tissue that developed...leave it in me. That never set well with me. The implant was never the issue, it was the capsule that formed around it. DIEP, you get a tummy tuck out of it. But you also get 4 days in ICU to ensure your new tissue takes and doesn't die. It involves micro surgery to bring blood supply to the new tissue. Months to recover. I wanted to talk to other women and although they were all very happy to have had DIEP, it was their tissue, no implant, they all had a long road to recovery. I also consider what are the long term ramifications of this? Taking blood supply, would I need that in the future if I had a different health issue? The tummy tuck in nice in theory but scared me beyond other's experiences. Well not everything is for everybody. But these seemed to be my only options. I just couldn't believe we had not come further in 13 years or more.

I searched every reputable website and clinic to find anything I may have been missing when I came across this procedure called SWIM flap and Dr. Lisa Cassileth's name kept appearing.

Dr. Cassileth is on the leading edge. I am so GRATEFUL to have found her, met her and have her as my surgeon. With COVID lockdown my first meeting was by telehealth video call. Over a couple months all my questions were answered, we drove 1200 miles, met her in person the day prior to surgery. I wish I could broadcast what a great experience I had with her entire staff and what a personable surgeon she is. Being a woman, I truly appreciated a female surgeon that could understand my concerns as she did. Without a doubt I made the right decision and highly recommend Dr Cassileth.

If I knew her and her techniques were available when I got diagnosed in 2007 (which weren't at the time) I would have gone to her but I am grateful for a technique she was involved with early on and have benefited from her talent, skill and she's given me so much more back in the process.

On my right side (mastectomy side) I had a capsulectomy. Mine was "like rubber" so imagine leaving that in my body, the source of all my pain and agony. I had pectoral repair (again no other doctor I had talked to offered or suggested I would need to consider it) and to my surprise I had a serrates muscle that needed repair, the source of my rib pain. SWIM flap and fat grafting to rebuild my breast to about a healthy A cup along with a nipple graft from my left side as my previously reconstructed nipple had not only flattened out but did not look anything like my left side (natural breast).

The great thing is within about 3 days of surgery I woke to no shoulder pain. GONE. I am still healing but I also no longer wake or go through the day having to readjust my right capsule or massage daily to help with the tightness which I would never be rid of until the capsule was removed.

My new reconstructed breast is real, it is me, fat grafted from my body. NO IMPLANT. It will either grow or shrink with me (weight loss or gain) now. I didn't have to go DIEP option, implant was not on the table. If you have capsular contracture every one I talked to said you will get it again. I didn't want to go through more of this in another 13+ years. I wanted to be done with it.

I asked so many questions when I was first diagnosed. What I didn't know that I wish I had known is implants under the muscle will result in either a cut and or tear of the pectoral, the pectoral will be stretched by the implant and not in it's natural position. In my case, I had damage to another muscle that probably just occurred in time as I developed the contracture. Now Dr. Lisa Cassileth fixed me, all my issues. She has been very straightforward on expectations, the process and what can be expected.

It's been a long time coming, but time to review this absolutely spectacular office. I have a nursing background, and tend to be more judgmental when it comes to assessing medical care.
Dr. Cassileth's office itself is physically beautiful and comfortable. The staff is friendly, very efficient, and make every effort to accommodate your schedule. Shout out to Sonya and Star in particular.
As far as the medical care - Dr. Cassileth is absolutely amazing, as a surgeon and a person. She listens carefully, and addresses all your concerns. She is a master at surgery, and if there is anything that's not perfect, she'll make sure it will be.
Dr. Cassileth's right-hand expert for assisting in post-op care is Carollee, an R.N. who is exceptionally knowledgeable. She always, always makes herself available ~ for both medical care and emotional support. Dr. Cassileth and Carollee are both stellar people who'd be fun to hang-out with in the "real" world.
In regards to the surgery itself, implant removal, all went very smoothly. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Brown, was magical. It was the first time I've ever awakened after a surgery of any kind, and had no nausea (!). That was Dr. Brown's goal, and, to my delight, he met it with flying colors.
From beginning to end, the care has been fantastic. This expert team is definitely much more than just 5-star.

I had the Gastric Sleeve surgery in 2011. My medical group continously denied skin removal surgery. Then I finally found Dr. Cassileth and her amazing team for changing my life. I look and feel like wonderful.

Dr. Cassileth and her team were amazing. Coming from Alaska, the experience can be nerve wracking (post cancer reconstruction), but they walked every step with me with compassion and kindness. I also appreciated the open and honest recommendations for the plan ahead. Appointments from consultation to post treatment were coordinated perfectly with our geographic location and travel plans. Huge thanks to everyone at Cassileth!

After terrible experiences with other doctors, Dr. Cassileth has made me feel whole again. She is an amazingly skilled surgeon with an incredibly warm heart. You can trust her instincts, her knowledge and that she wants the absolutely best outcome for her patients. I highly recommend Dr. Cassileth and her team! I’m so happy with the results.

Found myself in a plastic surgeon’s office after kids & 19 years of pondering, researching, & soul searching…after my consultation with Dr. Cassileth, I knew I had come to the right person.
Honestly I cannot express the level of knowledge, skill, and compassion that Dr. Cassileth possesses. She listens; that bears repeating – she *listens*. My goal for my fat transfer breast augmentation was not like most. I was not looking for a noticeable increase in size. In fact, almost the opposite; really did not want anyone else to be able to tell except for myself and my husband. My hope was to have the asymmetry corrected and lost volume restored – did not want to move to a B cup, simply wanted to once again fully fill my A cup bras. Maintaining *my* shape was also very important. Definitely did not want to look in the mirror and see unfamiliarity. The only way this would have been achieved was if the surgeon listened. She did & the results are what I had been imagining for so many years.
Dr. Cassileth has the most remarkable & unusual combination of talents – truly gifted surgeon, creative artist, and genuine empathy. I am a RN, worked in ICUs & post-op units, and have encountered many surgeons. None possess the qualities of Dr. Cassileth. Because of her skill set/personality, she is able to technically & artistically achieve the vision – which is yours; not hers. I never felt at any time that her ideals were placed upon me. Dr. Cassileth understood my vision and laid out all the options; images of very modest increases to more aggressive volumes & what each would entail from a procedural point of view (how larger increases in breast volume would obviously mean more aggressive lipo/recovery, etc.). She answered every one of my questions (regardless of how small/mundane), addressed my concerns (which after 19 yrs were many!), and calmed my fears. I almost did not go through with the surgery, but she answered my pre-op evening panic text thoroughly…had she not responded so quickly, I probably would not have had it done.
Dr. Cassileth has assembled a wonderful staff & created an atmosphere that can only be described as confidently inviting. From the moment you walk into the office, you feel welcomed, calm & that you are in secure hands. Most notable for me was Carollee, RN – her expertise during my post-op days was invaluable - her guidance helped me achieve the best possible post-op results; in the office, Star – who always made sure everything was in order as well as making me feel at ease & supported.
As part of the journey, one must fully research every single aspect of any elective procedure. From "should-I-really-do-this" to the different methods of the considered procedure to the surgeon, but please (please) place Dr. Cassileth very high on that list. My results are wonderfully natural & most importantly, me. I see myself in the mirror. I feel like myself again.
Dr. Cassileth is wonderfully unique & deservedly top in her field. I am immensely grateful to have had this experience with her.

I had first set of implants 21 years ago at
The age of 24. I knew right away that my body reacted negatively. First thing I noticed was an overall “puffy” or
Inflamed feeling throughout my body. Other symptoms were anxiety attacks and depression. At that time there was little acknowledgement that having implants could have negative side effects other than leakage, etc. These implants started to encapsulate and harden slowly .

At the 9 year mark, I had removal and replacement. Fat transfer was not given as an option and because I had little to no breast tissue , the only choice were new implants. Upon removal, there was incredible amounts of scar tissue. All of the same symptoms from original implant experience were there , but would be exasperated by any extra burden on my body, i.e. pregnancy, stress as I then was in my 30s.

Late 30s to now mid 40s, adrenal fatigue, brain fog, achy joints have been added to my list. At this time I was seeing doctors , Acupuncturists, nutritionalist to help me Feel better. I would feel better short term after some of these treatments, but the symptoms would return . It became more clear to
me that I needed to have my implants removed.

Upon removal, again I had mounds of scar tissue that my body produced .
I am 1 week post op and I feel amazing! I feel like myself! I feel alive! I don’t feel that I’m grinding thru the day, and I’m still recovering. Imagine how I will feel at 100 percent!

Dr Cassileth was sharp and compassionate and very much experienced with this type of implant experience. I feel extremely fortunate to have had her not only perform the surgery , but to have her oversee my progression. Her staff is well appointed and enthusiastic to assist any way that they can. Although, Dr. Cassileth comes highly recommended by friends and doctors that I know, I want to thank realself.com because I used this as a resource for research.

Dr. Cassileth performed my One-Stage Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants following (or in tandem with) my double mastectomy performed by Dr. Richardson. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer a few months ago and originally opted for a lumpectomy with radiation as my treatment. Having known many women who have had mastectomies, I couldn't imagine putting myself through such a radical procedure, with multiple surgeries and extensive downtime. I was also afraid that my post-mastectomy scars would be a painful reminder of my cancer every day for the rest of my life. When Dr. Richardson explained that she worked with Dr. Cassileth to perform a nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, I decided to meet with Dr. Cassileth to learn more about the procedure. From the minute I met Dr. Cassileth, I knew I was in the best of hands. She told me that she thought my breasts would look even better after my surgery, and that the recovery is much easier (and far less painful) than I had expected. I tend to be a skeptic, but Dr. Cassileth quickly came across as a perfectionist who sincerely wanted me to look and feel great, and that she would make it her personal mission to make sure that would happen.

I had the surgery about 10 days ago, and I never imagined I would look and feel THIS good. The surgery and recovery so far have gone exactly as Dr. Cassileth said it would. My drains and bandages were removed just 5 days after my surgery. The first time I looked in the mirror, I genuinely smiled for the first time since I received my cancer diagnosis, and I haven't stopped smiling since. I am practically pain free, other than some pain near the sides that can easily be treated with a couple of Advil. I spent about 5 or 6 days after the surgery in bed, but after that, I've been able to get out of the house every day, and I can easily dress myself and move around. My friends and family are all shocked by my easy recovery. The best part is that I am thrilled with the way I look, even this soon after the surgery -- and once I'm completely healed, I know I will look even better.

I want to make sure to make a couple of very important points:

First, Dr. Cassileth's entire staff is first rate, attentive, and compassionate, especially her nurse, Carolee. I have felt supported and safe every step of the way.

Second, I can say with 100% certainty that I would not have gone through with a double mastectomy if I had not been so impressed with Dr. Cassileth's technique and demeanor. My doctors felt comfortable with the lumpectomy/radiation option, so the double mastectomy was an optional procedure for me. This is especially significant in my case because the post-mastectomy biopsy revealed that I had a second small tumor in my breast that none of my many scans had shown. I would not have discovered the second tumor at such an early and treatable stage if I had opted for the lumpectomy because it was in an entirely different part of my breast. So, I can't thank Dr. Cassileth enough for saving my life (and for making me look great at the same time!)