Topic: Anyone seen Dr. Toni Zhong re: Diep?

I didn't know that PMH brought someone else in.  That's great, because they are always so backlogged.  I'm afraid I can't help with your question though - I had my surgery there back when Dr. Lipa was still around.

If you don't get any answers here, since Dr. Zhong is new to Toronto, you might want to post the same question in the Reconstruction Forum because there may be some NY women there who've had reconstruction done by her.

Good luck with the DIEP.  I hope that you love the end result!

Thanks, Beesie, good suggestion.  I'll do that...and thanks for the good wishes!

Barbara, good luck with your recon!  We're on our way!

Hello ladies,

 I had my right breast reconstructed by Dr. Toni Zhong in December and I am thrilled with my result.  She only began seeing patients in November and I was her third DIEP patient since she started at Toronto General Hospital.  She did her specialized training in New York City, in one of the largest and busiest cancer centres there.  My reconstructed breast looks amazing and so does my tummy.  She saw me in the hospital everyday after the surgery and was so pleasant and lovely each time.  I cannot say enough nice things about her and her team of residents and fellows.  I really felt like I received the best care possible.  I would highly recommend her to anyone thinking about having DIEP surgery. 

Hi Katalin,

My surgery is in 2 weeks - April 17th.  Talked to Dr. Zhong and I am going to have tissue expanders with alloderm now; should allow for more fill on surgery day and less pain.  I am going to have the surgery at Mt. Sinai - not my first choice of hospitals, but that was the location with earliest date for me. 

Good luck with your surgery!  All the best with your recovery.

Via Beesie, here's a link to her bio....

http://www.surgicalspotlight.ca/Article.aspx?ver=Winter_2009&f=NewStaff

My surgery has been postponed from April 28 to June 16.  I guess this means I'm going to miss recuperating to the endless pongs of tennis balls in the French Open on TV....sad....

Cheers,

K 

Katalin, I think I'm in a similar situation, I am a patient of Dr. Zhong's and I've been bumped again...this time September (beginning of March, May 12, June 2nd and now September 15th (hopefully)....wondering what date you have?  How are you preparing now for the surgery?

Foatboys,  I'm sorry you're being bumped---did she say why? I was told it was due to other patients needing to be looked after first:  that cancer surgery patients needing immediate reconstruction come first, and that's okay by me.   

 I have done a complete re-think about this, strangely enough because I have been feeling sooooo good!  I don't recommend this to anyone else, but I've gone off my meds, for now, no longer taking tamoxifen or arimidex, and the result is I feel like a million bucks.  The thought of willfully putting myself into that recovery situation is too much to bear, so I've postponed to April 2010.  Will I still want to do it then?  I don't know.  This will sound crazy but I was in Buenos Aires for 6 weeks and I found a lot of clothes that made me feel fabulous, even with prosthetics, not schlumpy and fat.  Since I stopped the meds I dropped 10 lb. which also makes me feel more like my pre dx self.  I also can't afford to take the 2 months off right now because I was off work for those 6 weeks and spent a bit too much on clothes!  Hence:  the postponement.  I hope you get in soon!  Keep in touch!

Hi Helen, I did pack on a bit, maybe 15lb. with tamoxifen, felt sluggish, that gross discharge...but everyone's different, so don't go by me!  There are some good threads here on tamoxifen, one called something like "L'il ol' bottle of tamoxifen" so you can get a lot of info and support there.  I did tamox. for 2 years, and not sorry, but the other stuff, arimidex was really hard on me.  Within 2 weeks, I felt like I had arthritis.  Back, arms, joints.  I have a physical job, and couldn't handle the sfx.  But everyone's different.  My mother is on arimidex and notices NO side effects.  So don't assume the worst for any of it.  You may be one of the lucky ones with zero or few side effects.  Wait and see!  And you have to trade off the benefits vs. risks.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Dear Katalin,

So glad to hear that you are feeling ok.  I haven't been taking any post chemo drugs, because they have none for me.  I'm tripple negative, so there is nothing besides chemo for me.  I had radiation in 1984 for hodgekins so I'm not even eligable for that again either.  I'm high risk for a reoccurance and that's why I'm having a double diep.  I had the left side mastectomy in 2007 and the prosthesis has been fine, except for freezing during a ski trip. 

I am still looking forward to having the diep over and done with.  I was told that an emergency came up and I asked for clarification on what deemed someone an "emergency".  Dr. Zhong called and said that when someone's only option is surgery and no followup drugs (ie chemo) are given, they push those people ahead. I told her that I was concerned and didn't want to be one of her emergency cases, because I'm at such a high risk. 

I gained almost 20 lbs with the chemo, everyone around me seemed to be losing weight...not me and my toast, I just packed on the pounds. 

Hope all is well...thanks

For you Toronto and area women -- looks like the University Health Network is establishing a major focus on breast reconstruction for us. If the docs at Women's College can't do what we need then we are being referred to UHN and Drs. Zhong and Hofer. What a wonderful group of people. I met with Dr. Zhong yesterday and she was amazing!!!! I will go back in 3 months so she can monitor my healing from the rads. And then we'll decide how to go forward.

Hi Katalin,

I'm all done!  Surgery was September 15th.  I can't say enough good things about Dr. Zhong, she's amazing.  I don't know how she does, what she does, but she's amazing!  I'm still on the mend and fighting with my abdominal binder...but all is well.  I walk as slow as a turtle and a little stooped forward, but it's getting better with each passing day.  The day after surgery I asked myself "what did I do?", but after the shock wore off, things are getting better and looking great!

Hope all is well with you!

Carolyn2008,

I just had my exchange with Dr. Zhong on Sep 23.  I love her, and find her to not only be an excellent surgeon, but a wonderful listener.  My left breast had the DCIS and the implant I ended up with was the Allergan, anatomically shaped one.  On the right side was a round Natrelle implant - she said she tried many different sizes and this was what gave the best symmetry.  Everyone is right, the final implants are way better than the TE, it is actually soft; and so far does not feel cold.  However I got very bruised and swollen, so still waiting for the left side swelling to go down and for the implant to drop (fluff?).

Hope your meeting with her goes well. I found her to be very, very nice.