Grateful for Breast Reconstruction with Dr. Meade! Lift + DIEP Flap + Implants + Fat Grafting

Treatment Provider

Provider Review

• 28 Feb 2017

I've been called a tough lady with lots of fortitude...diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2002 @ age 37. Two lumpectomies, six rounds of chemo, 33 rounds of radiation, and 5 years of Tamoxifen provided me with protection from the dreaded "C" for 12 years. Fast forward 12 years (2014)...and a new/second cancer was detected in my opposite breast @ age 49. Yes, ugh.... more chemotherapy, more surgeries, and eventually, more anti-estrogen drug therapy. This time, I would be spared radiation and move forward with a bilateral mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction. Thankfully, father time had provided me with several years to research reconstruction options between my first and second diagnoses and surgical techniques had advanced greatly during that period. By the time I received my second BC diagnosis, I was a well studied student. Unfortunately, the lumpectomies and radiation received with my first diagnosis, created a significant defect/deformity in my left breast. Having received prior radiation, I was aware that my options for obtaining good reconstruction results after bilateral mastectomy were limited. I had considered getting a reconstruction consultation with the doctors at the world-renowned Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, but then I met an equally experienced contender in my own backyard in Dallas...Dr. Meade! Dr. Meade spoke candidly to me about my options. He laid out a customized and staged surgical plan to ensure I would receive the best cosmetic outcome, given my set of personal circumstances. He spent a lot of time discussing results to ensure we had a shared understanding/vision of what could and could not be accomplished. Ultimately, to get the best reconstruction results (which included compensating for the previous radiated tissue destruction), we decided on a breast lift, then mastectomy, then DIEP flap surgeries. Later we added implants and a bit of fat grafting to increase volume and help smooth out the implant edges. Not only did Dr. Meade give me two new beautiful breasts, he revised my chemo port scar, and gave me a nice flat tummy with a sexy belly button to boot! Because my three sisters have also been diagnosed with BC, between the four of us, we have seen a lot of cancer specialists and we all now know enough to be dangerous. That said, in hindsight, and at first, I was probably unfairly tough on Dr. Meade, peppering him with tons of neurotic and sometimes ridiculous questions. Even so, he was never off-putting, condescending or dismissing. Instead, he answered every one of my crazy questions and always treated me with kindness and compassion. With time, he and his assistant Trish, helped me change my overall perception of BC from "something lost" to "something gained." Dr. Meade is a perfectionist, he took no short cuts with my case and he wanted to be sure I left happy with my end results and that my newly reconstructed breasts passed the 'sister-approved' test. That is a huge order to fill...trying to please me and my three cancer-surviving sisters. For taking on that big challenge alone....he has gained my unending trust, respect and admiration. :-) So how do I thank an amazingly talented doctor that spent a significant amount of time and energy with me over a 2+ year period to make me look and feel whole again? The best I can do is share a few selfies of Dr. Meade's artistic work. I'm no exhibitionist, and like most BC survivors, wouldn't ordinarily post naked pictures of myself anywhere. However, I want to show how grateful I am and at the same time, provide an A+ recommendation for others who are considering plastic surgery and/or reconstruction with Dr. Meade. At the very least, my advice would be to make a consultation appointment and decide for yourself. A shout-out goes to Dr. Meade's staff as well...Trish, Becky, Angela and Janie. These girls are the kindest and most organized support staff I've ever met. Thanks ladies for everything you do...you truly are the best! I