HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Having Trouble Finding a Breast Surgeon - HELP!!

Support Forums
>
Breast Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/14/2005 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
About a month ago I found a lump in my breast. I couldn't get an appointment with my gynecologist, so I made one with my GP. The GP sent me to have a sonogram which I scheduled a week later. They found nothing on my sonogram and I had already had a clear mammogram in January that showed nothing. I went back to my GP for a recheck (a week later) and she recommended that I see a breast surgeon. The lump has disappeared, but I still feel sore and "noduly" in the area. I have an Aetna PPO and they have only three surgeons listed in my area. The closest one can't see me until June 7th!! For the other two - one is in Manhattan and the other is near Newark. They can't see me until May 25th. Most of the surgeons that my GP recommended don't take any insurance.

I'm scared to wait so long and am frustrated. If anyone has gone through this, what would you recommend and what factors should I consider? I live in Bergen County, NJ.
Posted 5/14/2005 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm sorry you had to find this board, but this is a great place to come for support. I know how traumatic it is to find you have to wait to see the breast surgeon. I was diagnosed a little over two months ago.I had the same problem. Fortunately I was able to see a general surgeon that had done breast biopsy's.I got in with her in less than 4 day's.Once I had my diagnosis the breast surgeon got me in within a week.I don't know if this helps any, but I hope so.There are other women on this board that may be in your area that can be more help. There is a roll call at the top of the page where you can add your information, and read about everyone else.
I've heard 80% of breast lumps are benign.I'll be praying that's the case for you.
Best Wishes
Michelle
Posted 5/14/2005 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Makingmusic!

I recently moved to NJ and had trouble finding a surgeon. However, I did finally find someone who I absolutely love and highly recommend. She's fabulous, although her receptionist isn't. So, if you can work past that, I really do recommend her. I was having trouble finding a surgeon who would take my insurance, but she takes Aetna (which I have). She saw me relatively quickly, and scheduled my bilateral mastectomy one week later! Love her. Dr. Jan Huston. She has 4 offices. You can find out all of them at www.breastline.com. Her main number is 908-918-0001. She also works with another surgeon, but I haven't met her.

I wish you the best of luck and please let us know how everything goes for you!

Huggs,
Laure'
Posted 5/16/2005 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Just knowing that there are other women out there to give me some insight and their experiences really helps. I will try Dr. Huston's office on Monday and hope that she can see me before June 7th. At least I can get closer to ending the mystery and worrying.

You all are great!!!
Posted 5/17/2005 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you are able to make connections with Laure's doctor and you can get in soon. There are several ladies living in NJ who can help if it doesn't work out. This weekend was not very busy here on the board. Keep us posted. Hugs Mary K.
Posted 5/18/2005 2:02 PM (GMT 0)

 i too used dr. huston and she is fabulous! her partner is dr. o'shea and she is great too!

good luck!

hugs,

stacy

Posted 5/18/2005 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Well, here's my update on my insurance/breast surgeon nightmare. I put my husband on it and he was able to get me an appointment this Friday with a Dr. Patricia Joseph who was recommended by my primary care physician and my gynecologist. It is out of network, but I just can't wait any longer. I have another appointment with an Aetna surgeon in Belleville on Monday (in case I need a second opinion). Dr. Huston's office couldn't see me until the middle of June. My general practitioner recommended that I move forward with an MRI, but the MRI facility is now questioning it. They want me to wait until June 12th because of when my last period was. Aetna said that it was bogus. Now the MRI place is saying that I should have another mammogram first. They make it really easy for us don't they? If anyone has any medical/insurance insights on all this, I would appreciate it.
Posted 5/18/2005 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I do know Aetna is one of the most difficult insurance companies to deal with, but if you fight and hang in there you will succeed. I had a friend several years ago who was Dx with pancreatic cancer. As most people know pancreatic cancer is never curable, but she wanted to live as long as she could. She found a doctor willing to work with drug companies to prescribe experimental type drugs. Aetna fought for a good while and Joan went to the media. Believe it or not 20/20 came to TX and did a story on her and she was written up in the New York Times. Well, 20/20 never ran the story on TV, because after the NY paper article Aetna was willing to do whatever she wanted. Joan lived four years and most of the time she lived a liveable quality life. She wanted to see her daughter graduate from high school and the older one graduate from college. She got her wish. Even knowing that she could not possibly be cured she got Aetna to agree to what she needed. So don't give up, keep after them until you get the tests you need and the doctors are satisfied. Keep us posted. Hugs, MK
Posted 5/19/2005 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi making music

 

I and Vicky on this board went to the city to get the surgery, and got oncologists closer to home.  We went to Beth Israel's breast surgeon, Sheldon Feldman.  He was great.  Maybe he'll have availability.  He was very accommodating to me.

 

I have GHI-HMO.  I have no complaints, Thank Goodness

Posted 5/21/2005 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I finally got into a surgeon's office on Friday - out of network ($300). All I have is fibrocystic breasts. She said that it tends to affect women in their 40s (That's me!!) Finally, the worrying and nightmare is over!! I was told to take 800 mg. of vitamin E everyday and to see her in 5 months.

Thanks again for all of your help!!
Posted 5/21/2005 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm glad you got in. I do find it interesting, tho, that a doctor could tell you that it is fibrocystic disease without a biopsy. If that many docs recommended further study I would be hesitant to just assume it's just normal lumpiness. Just might consider a follow-up mammo or something.

No one know for certain what any lump is without a biopsy.

Julie
Posted 5/21/2005 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have an appointment (in network, $20) on Monday with a surgeon in Belleville. Based on your comment, it maybe worth a second opinion for $20.

Thanks
Posted 5/22/2005 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
That's great. It never hurts to have a 2nd opinion.
Good luck to you.
Julie
Posted 5/23/2005 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Music,

I'm happy that you got some relief from worries with your last expensive doc. I, too, would feel more comfortable with you seeing another surgeon, so I'm glad you're going to Belleville this week. Will you be seeing Dr. Pappas? I hear she's quite good, too. And if you want a 3rd opinion, I can't recommend Dr. Huston enough! Best of luck to you!!!!!

Laure'
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply