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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0
Apr 26, 2025Dr. Lin literally changed my life!
Two years after fighting breast cancer: double mastectomy, chemo and radiation (I had the works!), I developed an infection in my left breast, where I had an implant. It felt so unfair, I had already been through enough. For 6 months I had one breast. And where my left breast was did not look like it could ever look right again! I was devastated and felt completely broken. I could not have the implant replaced because of the high risk of another infection.
I visited my original plastic surgeon at Mass General and her recommendation was to have a TRAM flap surgery. I ski, golf and am very active. I researched TRAM flap surgery and spoke to a woman that had one. TRAM flap surgery could have meant an increased risk of a hernia and loss of abdominal muscle. The woman I spoke to had developed a hernia and had surgery for it. She described the hernia surgery and recovery as more painful than the mastectomy and child birth! I was so scared to go forward with the TRAM flap surgery.
I went for a second opinion at another prominent Boston hospital. I waited weeks for a “screening” appointment, I didn’t get to meet the doctor only his nurse. The manner in which she took the photos of me and measurements of my breasts left me feeling so embarrassed and degraded. She told me that my nipples would NOT be able to be sparred but that I could have tattoos in 9 – 12 months. She continued to say that it would be multiple surgeries and over a year until I was done. I left the appointment feeling completely hopeless. There was not an ounce of empathy or compassion. BTW - Dr. Lin was able to do the nipple sparring, so I still look like me!
Just by luck, I met a colleague of Dr. Lin. He told me that I didn’t have to my abdominal muscles cut (which would be life changing not to mention a major challenge as I got older) and my nipples may be able to be sparred. He said, "go see Dr. Lin, he’s the best.” He wasn’t lying!
I called Dr. Lin’s office and explained my situation. I got an appointment for the very next week. I was treated so kindly and compassionately at Dr. Lin’s office. When I met Dr. Lin, his demeanor and “bedside manor” was phenomenal. It was the first time in 6 months that I felt like everything was going to be okay! Dr. Lin performed a DIEP flap surgery on me. My stomach wasn’t this flat when I was 17 years old! I am so happy with the outcome. The recovery went great. I had a couple of optional touch up day surgeries months later that also went wonderfully! My new "normal" is beyond my expectations!
What makes me sad and frustrated is that the surgeon at Mass General was never even going to tell me about my other options i.e. DIEP flap. She was going to do the TRAM flap, put me at risk of a hernia and my stomach muscles would be destroyed for the rest of my life. When I called her about the DIEP flap option, she told me that she didn’t mention it because she doesn’t do them. That doesn’t seem right to me.
I do not know how I could ever possibly show my gratitude to Dr. Lin and everyone at his office! They made me whole again, physically and emotionally! Dr. Lin and his staff made me feel like I was their only patient! He really is the best!
Jillb thorpe — google_place
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