Searching for Plastic Surgeon

[KevB]

I am looking for a plastic surgeon in Louisiana or East TX who has references from SCI persons. I've used LSU in the past and had a brilliant Dr. who is no longer there. I have also suffered the conceqences of plastic surgeons who only do breast. Anyone who is familiar with a surgeon who's done flaps/ skin grafts/wound vac ect. in my area, please let me know. - Thanks, Kevin

[SCI-Nurse]

I would recommend contacting someone at the rehab center at Baylor in Dallas. They should be able to refer you to a good plastic surgeon in the Dallas area. You might also see who does this at the SCI Center at the Dallas VA. If their plastic surgeon only works at the VA, he/she will undoubtably know the other non-VA good plastic surgeons in the Dallas area.

(KLD)

[KevB]

Thanks KLD, I don't know when you may check back with this post. I've not had a chance to make any calls. However I've looked into Both Baylor and the Dallas VA. I found a Dr. who sticks out. Dr. Mimi Leong. I believe she is associated with Baylor and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Med Ctr. Beyond reading about her on the web, any suggestions as to checking her out further? Reading about a Dr. on the web is kinda like looking at the personals. You see the best picture and all the positives but no negatives to form a real opinion on. If I seem over cautious, it's because I've went in - in bad shape and came out worse. I learned the hard way that all Docs aren't created equal. Thanks for your help. Kevin

[SCI-Nurse]

Call the SCI unit nurses station at the VA and talk to one of the RNs. They will know her, and you can ask them what they think. Ask if they would send one of their own family members or a favorite patient to her, and why (or why not). You can learn a lot about physicians from the nurses that work with them.

(KLD)

[KevB]

I am having ZERO luck obtaining any information. SOS! I called the VA and that is like a dog chasing it's tail. I was told by the VA to contact Methodist Hospital in Houston. I spoke to a nurse in Plastics there and that Dr. only takes cash. They knew nothing about Dr. Mimi Leong. I was then told by Methodist Hosp. to call Vanderbilt. I just can't believe it's so difficult to find a surgeon. I love pretty people - apparently, being pretty must mean big money. There is apparently a huge void in surgeons who will do a reconstructive type surgery like may spinal cord injured people need or unfortunately most likely will need at some point in their life. Signed Frustrated Kevin

[SCI-Nurse]

Did you ask your physiatrist for a recommendation and referral?

(KLD)

[KevB]

Hey KLD, I live in small town USA. My physiatrist is a quack. Or, as I call him, a squirrel. Sad, but it's true. When it comes to health care, I've been pretty much alone in this life. I've been paralyzed for 14 years. I have a good friend who fell out of a deer stand 3 years prior to my injury who now lives in AR. His wife is an RN. The last time he needed a surgeon, he called me. Fortunately, I was able to recomend the Plastic surgeon that had been at LSU. So, with that said, I know that I'm not the only one stuck with a pysiatrist that don't know his butt from a hole in the ground.
The fact is, there just aren't many people in this area who are sci patients and need the type care sci patients need. So, doctors just don't know what to do when we show up in their clinic or who to refer us to.
I'm really w/o options at this time. That is why I joined CareCure. Hopefully, I can learn and also share experiences with others. First though, I have to find a surgeon! Have you heard of TIRR? I am about to go to their site and look at it. Have a great 4th! - Kevin

[SCI-Nurse]

TIRR is in Houston. I thought you were only interested in Eastern TX. If you want to travel further, you can certainly contact them.

(KLD)

[KevB]

Hi KLD,

I am still searching for a Plastic Surgeon who is more of a reconstructive surgeon. I've had no luck at all. Not only am I searching, I have a friend who is a Dr. of PT @ LSU who's sent out letters to her contacts asking if they can refer a surgeon who's experienced with reconstructive type surgeries and the after care that it takes with SCI patients.
I consider myself a fairly educated man. And, if I'm not, she certainly is educated. I am expanding my search - AR, TX, MS,TN,AL. As difficult as it will be with follow up visits, it won't be a costly as a botched surgery like I've had in the past. I'm getting rather frustrated and disappointed. It just seems inconceivable that finding an experienced surgeon would be this hard.
With that all said, I'm still needing help - any help is always greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kevin

[SCI-Nurse]

I find it hard to believe that you can't find a competent plastic surgeon in all those locations. Did you call Spain Rehab at the UAB in Birmingham, AL? Methodist Hospital in Jackson, MS? The university hospitals in Oxford, MS, or other large universities with medical schools in those states? What are you asking when you call??? Who are you calling??

Did you try a search at this website??

http://www1.plasticsurgery.org/ebusiness4/PatientConsumers/findasurgeon.aspx

(KLD)

[KevB]

KLD, thanks for your help. Finding a plastic surgeon to cut on me has never been a problem. Finding one who has references from patients or other health care professionals who've seen their work is. I was hoping with this post that someone could actually throw me a name and say "hey, I've had great luck with this surgeon. Or please don't use this surgeon, he/she nearly killed me." Having a list of surgeons @ these medical centers or in private practice who've dealt with wounds caused from HO, ect. ect., is very important. Not just from the stand point of what their web page say's their credentials are, but from personal experiences. With that said, if you are any of the other members on here have had success with a particular surgeon w/in driving distance, please let me know.
Here is a quote from a Dr. of PT in Chicago.
"I have a current patient with SCI and HO who just finished his second flap surgery:
- first surgery was done after he was referred to the wound care program at RML Specialty Hospital (long term acute care) in Hinsdale, IL. www.rmlspecialtyhospital.org . The surgeon was Dr. Sami Bittar, who is affiliated with Rush Presbytarian in Chicago.
- The second surgery was done by Dr. Robert Galiano at Northwestern Memorial. Here's the link to info about him: nmhphysicians.photobooks.com/profile.asp?pict_id=5823&Search=Y&alpha=G "
If anyone can give me info about a surgeon such as Galiano a bit closer, I'd love to hear from them. I have not contacted Spain Rehab, but I will try them tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Kevin