File Under "Hero"
File Under "Hero"
I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share my experience as a patient of Dr. Michael Loffredo.
SERVICE: Post-Bilateral Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction
AGE: 50
RATING: 5 Stars, Exceptional
In January of 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and put on a path to a bilateral mastectomy at age 50. During this emotional time, there are many important decisions to be made when choosing a surgical team, including whether or not to choose local providers, or opt for big city doctors in Boston. I had appointments with both, ensuring the proper due diligence.
Dr. Loffredo was recommended to me as a highly skilled, experienced and compassionate plastic surgeon, who had a high degree of interest and specialty in breast reconstruction. I had personal testimonials to his cosmetic work too, which appealed to me for obvious reasons.
It was minutes into my consultation with Dr. Loffredo when I knew that I would choose him. He had a warm, supportive and encouraging way about him that made me feel understood, safe and optimistic about the journey that awaited me. My very first meeting was filled with the good news that I would be a candidate for a nipple-sparing mastectomy, which is in and of itself a blessing.
My nearly eight-hour bilateral mastectomy consisted of extensive tissue extraction by my breast surgeon, Dr. Jill Oxley, followed by the delicate handiwork of Dr. Loffredo wherein he starts the reconstruction process and placement of the tissue expanders. It’s incredible that so much can happen in one surgery between this amazing team!
As soon as I “came to” in my hospital room (already a B cup from the expanders!), I was filled with relief and hopeful expectation of the recovery ahead - and it proved to be even more comfortable than I had imagined.
I saw Dr. Loffredo on a weekly basis at first, to “inflate” my expanders until we agreed on my “forever size”. This was a very comfortable process, both physically and emotionally, and I was well cared for by his assistant, Amy, who joined each appointment. I actually looked forward to these appointments, as they were filled with hope and healing, and even the promise of breasts I would actually love! (I should make a strong mention here that I am extremely glad I stayed local, and didn’t have to commute to Boston for follow-up appointments!)
Three months after my mastectomy, I was ready for the final reconstruction surgery. My weekly meetings had stretched out due to my excellent healing, and everything was perfectly positioned for my permanent implants. Dr. Loffredo continued to check in with me about my wishes for size and shapes, working within the limits that mastectomy presents, and in the end I gave him the green light to simply use his best judgement as I had come to trust him so deeply. I think I simply said “just make them look amazing!”
Well, I am writing this review exactly one week out of my final reconstruction surgery, and I could not be happier! First of all, I was so physically comfortable that I didn’t even require Tylenol after surgery, but moreover, the result is absolutely amazing! My breasts look so natural. I was expecting them to appear more as implants, but they really don’t. They are larger and full, but I still fit into all of my clothing with ease. He even worked some magic to realign my nipples, which were decidedly uneven after the mastectomy. I still don’t know how he pulled that off! I’ll admit to some vanity in the sense that I can’t stop looking at my new breasts - they are that beautiful (to me, anyway)!
BOTTOM LINE: If you find yourself on the path to breast reconstruction - for whatever reason - please do yourself a favor and allow yourself to be treated by Dr. Loffredo. Do you want to feel peaceful? Do you want to feel safe? Do you want to feel hopeful, and even excited? And most of all, do you want amazing results? Then look no further.
Thank you, Dr. Loffredo!


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