Has anyone here changed their surgeon before having a mastectomy?

I was in a hurry to get through everything & after meeting with a local surgeon, I rushed through all the required testing but was then told that I "wasn't urgent" & that my surgery (lumpectomy) would not happen for another 2 months. I called Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle which is a much better (but farther away) facility & met with the (more accomplished) surgeon soon after on a Thursday & she did the surgery that following Monday. It saved me 6 weeks of waiting & I'm sure the results were better, too. I'm really grateful that I got a 2nd opinion.

I had bilateral breast reduction, the biopsy showed atypical cells, so follow up with plastic surgery and oncology for prevention. I had terrible results with my surgeon, even though she was highly recommended. I changed to a different plastic surgeon within the same group and had much better results, communication and felt like I was a participant in the treatment plan. It’s all about being comfortable in knowing what’s going on.

Yes, I did change the surgeon before the mastectomy. Because he didn't explain any surgical details to me at all. I found out from the consultation note on the PC that he is going to do the Sentinel node biopsy along with Axillary lymph node dissection . I was upset and surprised. So, I requested to have second consultation. He said that this was the routine for everybody since he started doing surgeries more than 40 years ago. I am living in LA, California. The hospital is specialized for Ca and is very reputable. He said if you don't want to have these procedures done, I am not going to do the surgery for you. I was shocked by his statement. The operation was scheduled. I cried. But since I have researched my Ca's characters and I do NOT believe that one size fits all. So I found another surgeon and she was willing to listen. She is very understanding and patient. She explained to me the Pro and Cons. which I fully understand. She did what I requested. After the surgery she said to me that she didn't find any suspicious tissue at all. My U/S and PET scan were all negative and the Ca grade was one, Onco score was 22. No chemo. I only need to take AIs for 5years. When you have the lymph nodes removed the chance to get Lymphedema can be 20-30%. That will be lifelong struggle when you get it. So I am very glad that I changed surgeon.
Caution! When you have a consultation with your surgeon. Please make sure you understand all the details about the character of your Ca. Ask what the details of the surgery are. Ask questions. Get a second opinion if you have too. You are the owner of your body. I am close to 70 years old.

@songfamily2025
Thank you!

@cherl79

I didn't change my surgeon, who was terrific and explained everything, but later during my chemo treatment I did try to "break up" with my oncologist. I was fine with the chemotherapy plan but when I had two hospitalizations early in the process she never contacted me or made an appearance. The first time was one week into my chemo treatment, when I was a nervous wreck about the whole process and was probably dehydrated, I passed out in the bathroom, hitting my head on the tile floor, and when I came to I was in atrial fibrillation which happens sometimes when I faint (a vasal-vagal situation). I went to the ER, had a head CT scan, and was put in the cardiology unit due to the a-fib, but I was focused on my chemo and breast cancer. I didn't care about the cardio part, just wasn't worried. I did convert to a normal heart rhythm in about 24 hours and was sent home, but no contact with my oncologist.

Three weeks later I developed neutropenic fever and was in the hospital 4 days. My doctor's nurse visited me, but no word or follow up from my oncologist. I was quite perturbed, and sent a message to her asking to be switched to another oncologist in the hospital practice. She then, finally, called me and asked to talk about it. We had a lengthy and for me emotional discussion, and she apologized asked me to reconsider and give her another chance. She was very sincere, and I agreed to stick with her. No other problems occurred, I was started on Neulasta injections, and I was so glad we had had that talk. It was cathartic for me, and I hope a good lesson for her.

When I was diagnosed with male breast cancer at the first provider, because the surgical team had never met a man with breast cancer, I chose another provider, Northwestern Medical. After meeting with head of surgery who was not sensitive and rushed the consultation, I reached out to Mayo for a 2nd opinion. Spent a week at Mayo, met with variety of Mayo staff including the surgeon that was very gentle, funny, I knew Mayo is where I will have surgery.
1 key item that sold me, Northwestern uses twilight during mastectomy whereas Mayo uses general anesthesia. I loved Mayo’s response on why use general, if they cut into my body, they don’t want me to accidentally wake up. 🙂