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Diep flap scheduling

Posted by he614 @he614, Mar 1, 2023

I had a mastectomy in January 23 (a recurrence after previous lumpectomy in 2014).

Because I’ve had radiation previously I had an expander put in during the mastectomy. I healed well and have a low oncotype like I did last time so don’t need chemo and cleared to schedule Diep flap— I was a bit surprised to learn. I can’t get in till July (6 months after mastectomy).

I know there is a lot to coordinate between operating room time and surgeons but I am wondering if this is a problem because I live in New York City and go to NYU LANGONE that’s massive or do others experience this type of scheduling issue across the country. It made me a bit uneasy like don’t you guys do this all the time lol. I can’t help but wonder if I went to Sloan Kettering, if they would be able to take me sooner because cancer is all they do.

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dmcdonald44 | @dmcdonald44 | Mar 2, 2023

That is a long time. I just scheduled out of town in New Orleans at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. I go in April so only a two month out wait. They are 500 miles away but in network for my insurance! I have to stay in New Orleans area for ten days but I think well worth it to have surgeons who do DIEP everyday.

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1 reply
cathybrown98 | @cathybrown98 | Mar 4, 2023
In reply to @dmcdonald44 "That is a long time. I just scheduled out of town in New Orleans at the..." + (show)
@dmcdonald44

That is a long time. I just scheduled out of town in New Orleans at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. I go in April so only a two month out wait. They are 500 miles away but in network for my insurance! I have to stay in New Orleans area for ten days but I think well worth it to have surgeons who do DIEP everyday.

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I would think that there's a plastic surgeon closer to you. Try Google/

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sharonemma | @sharonemma | Mar 4, 2023

Here is what Mayo in Rochester told me. They wait 6 months after radiation to do a DIEP flap. They were backed up 14 months at one point because only one surgeon was doing them. They can only do one per week because they take an entire day to do. The same surgeon does mastectomy, lumpetocomy and fat graphing. Hope that helps!

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