POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction Reviews
The BEST of the BEST! Lymphedema Surgeon Extraordinaire
ORIGINAL POST
The BEST of the BEST! Lymphedema Surgeon Extraordinaire
WORTH IT
Dr. Defazio is the BEST of the BEST! Another surgeon in the practice referred me to him while I was managing reconstruction following breast cancer. I was exhausted, scared, and trying to rebuild my life piece by piece. After having 19 lymph nodes removed, I developed severe, irreversible lymphedema. It felt like yet another mountain I didn’t know how to climb.
Then came Dr. Defazio. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He didn’t promise miracles. Instead, he offered a path forward, a plan. At first I wasn't a candidate for surgery, I needed to lose weight before we could move forward. I broke down. I cried like a baby. After everything I had already been through, it felt like one more door closing. But I didn't stay down. I wanted to work on my arm and I needed Dr. Defazio. So I did what I had. I was determined. I went through cancer I could do this.
I started with physical therapy while also trying to lose the chemo weight and the post baby weight because yes, I went through chemo while pregnant (a whole other story). I did it. I lost the weight. I showed up for myself because I wanted my life back, and because I trusted him.
When I lost enough weight for surgery, he was honest, there is no cure for lymphedema, even the surgery isn't magic. It’s a commitment. A lifetime of showing up for yourself. Wrapping, therapy, discipline, patience. I promised him, and myself, that I would do everything he asked of me.
I had a vascularized lymph node transplant in August 2023, and then in November 2025, he performed a debulking procedure on the top of my arm. Dr. Defazio is a GENIUS! My arm looks great! He truly is AMAZING! In terms of compression garments I went from a large to and xs! Its amazing. Beyond his exceptional skill, his honesty is unmatched. He delayed the surgery until I lost the weight to ensure the best outcome. He is transparent about everything, including the fact that the surgery isn’t a cure, and that integrity is what makes him the BEST. In November he 2025 he also did some fat grafting to my breasts due to all my weight loss. On top of my arm doing amazing, my breasts look great as well.
I am so lucky, truly blessed, to be under Dr. Defazio’s care. He didn’t just treat my lymphedema. He gave me back a part of my life I thought I had lost forever. He is, without question, one of the BEST doctors and micro surgeons anyone could hope for.
Then came Dr. Defazio. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He didn’t promise miracles. Instead, he offered a path forward, a plan. At first I wasn't a candidate for surgery, I needed to lose weight before we could move forward. I broke down. I cried like a baby. After everything I had already been through, it felt like one more door closing. But I didn't stay down. I wanted to work on my arm and I needed Dr. Defazio. So I did what I had. I was determined. I went through cancer I could do this.
I started with physical therapy while also trying to lose the chemo weight and the post baby weight because yes, I went through chemo while pregnant (a whole other story). I did it. I lost the weight. I showed up for myself because I wanted my life back, and because I trusted him.
When I lost enough weight for surgery, he was honest, there is no cure for lymphedema, even the surgery isn't magic. It’s a commitment. A lifetime of showing up for yourself. Wrapping, therapy, discipline, patience. I promised him, and myself, that I would do everything he asked of me.
I had a vascularized lymph node transplant in August 2023, and then in November 2025, he performed a debulking procedure on the top of my arm. Dr. Defazio is a GENIUS! My arm looks great! He truly is AMAZING! In terms of compression garments I went from a large to and xs! Its amazing. Beyond his exceptional skill, his honesty is unmatched. He delayed the surgery until I lost the weight to ensure the best outcome. He is transparent about everything, including the fact that the surgery isn’t a cure, and that integrity is what makes him the BEST. In November he 2025 he also did some fat grafting to my breasts due to all my weight loss. On top of my arm doing amazing, my breasts look great as well.
I am so lucky, truly blessed, to be under Dr. Defazio’s care. He didn’t just treat my lymphedema. He gave me back a part of my life I thought I had lost forever. He is, without question, one of the BEST doctors and micro surgeons anyone could hope for.
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