Great Choice for Me!

Update: I am currently 7 weeks post the diep flap reconstruction surgery with Dr. Rao, and couldn't be happier! Dr. Rao followed a phased reconstruction approach with me because I had had prior radiation on one side, and he wanted to increase the chances for a good outcome on that side. The phasing was the BMX with the breast surgeon and the placement of tissue expanders by Dr. Rao in April, and then 3 mo later the diep flap. The phasing worked really well for me because it allowed my breasts to heal in between the two surgeries and created nice breast pockets from the expanders for the eventual tissue transfer. For the diep flap Dr. Rao does team surgery with Dr. Frank Albino, and I really liked this approach for two reasons: 1) the surgery time is greatly reduced (my diep flap was 6.5 hrs) which significantly reduces the patient's risk; and 2) you have two surgeons each concentrating on different tasks of the surgery, so they can really fine-tune their work. I really recommend the team surgery approach. My diep flap surgery went very smoothly -- the vascular connections worked from the outset; my newly formed breasts with belly tissue were symmetrical and nicely shaped; my belly was flat and tight, but not too uncomfortable; and my incisions were nice and clean. The breast scars are primarily hidden, and the belly scar is below my bikini line. I couldn't have asked for anything more! Prior to the surgery Dr. Rao asked me what I hoped for and listened to what I wanted, which was smaller, nicely shaped breasts. I went into the reconstruction process with size DD uneven breasts and came out with even, symmetrical small size C breasts. Just what I wanted! My healing process has also been very smooth -- really very little pain and no complications, which is great because the diep flap is a very complex surgery. Dr. Rao has provided me with great advice and guidance throughout this process, and better than that he has delivered excellent results during each phase. When people talk about "bedside manner" I am not always sure what that includes, but I find Dr. Rao's professional style to be very bright, decisive, a listener, careful, detail-oriented, optimistic but not an over-promiser, action-oriented, and friendly. I really like his style. Before I met with Dr. Rao, my breast surgeon mentioned that she thought his personality seemed like it would be a good match for mine, which I think is true. The ability to connect and trust a doctor when you are having a complex procedure that is staged over the course of a year is really important. I have found Dr. Rao to be a person I trust and can easily communicate with. The other doctors in the practice also are very helpful and responsive when you have questions and they are on call. The nurses are also very helpful, skilled and supportive. I went back to work right at 6 weeks (which is a good recovery time for a diep flap), and I have had many people comment on how good everything looks! In fact, some women who do not know that this surgery has all been cancer-related, comment on how they want what I have had done! While I know they wouldn't want the cancer part, they may want to go see Dr. Rao! He continues to be a great choice for me! I have one more outpatient surgery scheduled in October for nipple reconstruction and some very minor revisions. My reconstruction experience has been very smooth and positive with Dr. Rao, for which I am very appreciative!