Lisa Hunsicker, MD

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0

Nov 22, 2024

I am 44 and was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time January 2017. This time I needed bilateral mastectomy, and it needed to be done quickly. I had consulted with other surgeons and I was left feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the limited options I was given. What I was told was that reconstruction would involve tissue being taken from other parts of my body (additional scars and functional impairment), tissue expanders would be used over several months, and then after that I would need another surgery to finally put the implants in. Therefore I decided to just do bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction and hope that I could handle the result without too much mental trauma. Fortunately a friend of a friend introduced me to Dr. Hunsicker after having such a great outcome after her surgery. Dr. Hunsicker was very thorough in her exam and spent quality time with me going over all of my options, including the Direct to Implant Approach (which I didn't even know was possible). Fortunately I was a candidate (even though 12 years ago I had radiation and tissue damage to one side) and I was easily able to move forward with my surgical decision. Dr. Hunsicker and Colleen Berry NP gave me clear step by step instructions for how to prepare for the surgery and what to do and expect after the surgery (including alternative supplements and treatments to help with healing and recovery). This really helped to ease my stress during such an overwhelming time. I spent one night in the hospital, and was home the next day. Now I'm not going to lie, the recovery isn't a cake walk, and especially the first 2-4 weeks were difficult. It is major surgery after-all! However despite being sore, tight, fatigued, and limited with my arm mobility, I was off prescription pain medication by day 3. And just the fact I could look down and see myself still "intact" (I have my own skin and my own nipples over the implants) and knowing that the surgery was "one and done" well, that made all the difference in the world with being able to accept my breast cancer diagnosis and move forward with some level of normalcy. I have been so pleased with the outcome, and from start to finish everyone in the office made me feel right at home. When I had questions or concerns they were always addressed promptly. I am now about 10 weeks post op and feeling pretty good. I still have tightness as the tissue is still healing and expanding over the implants, and my previously radiated side is taking longer to adjust. Therefore physical therapy is crucial to the recovery process. But I was able to return to work 3 weeks ago and the cosmetic result already after only 10 weeks is quite remarkable!
I highly recommend to anyone facing breast surgery for breast cancer to at least include Dr. Hunsicker on their list of MDs that they are consulting with before making a surgery decision. Her approach is by far the most cutting edge, detail oriented, best cosmetic result, and quickest recovery. Nobody should have to make a decision about surgery until they know ALL of their options.

Karin Tomsik — google_place

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