Teri's Orange County Breast Surgery Experience

Teri was only 34 years old when she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Fortunate to be working for a breast reconstruction center in Southern California at the time, she knew a lot about breast cancer and quickly realized that she would be facing mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

"I developed early in life and was used to having large, remarkable breasts," says Teri. "They were a big part of who I was, who I had always been." But when diagnosed with breast cancer, Teri's top concern was survival, and saving her breasts became a secondary issue. Her doctor recommended a double mastectomy, and after talking things over with coworkers, friends, and family, Teri agreed this was the right step to take.

"When I was researching breast reconstruction options, I wanted to still be able to spend summers at the pool with my kids chasing them around in a bathing suit," adds Teri. "When I searched for breast reconstruction photographs online, what I found looked frightening. After those photos, I strongly considered not being reconstructed at all."

Reconsidering Reconstruction

Teri had a change of heart after attending a breast cancer support group one evening. She shared her fears and concerns, and was heartened by how many of the women at the meeting had positive and encouraging stories to tell. "A lovely woman took me aside and showed me her reconstructed breasts," says Teri. "They were beautiful. She gave me hope and the courage to move forward with the process."

Teri began to seriously consider breast reconstruction again and found Orange County breast surgeon Dr. Andrew Smith through her insurance plan. "Dr. Smith is everything I wanted in a reconstructive surgeon - charming, youthful, calm, cool and collected. What you see is what you get. He is caring and committed to doing his absolute best for you. I don't think Dr. Smith knows how to do it any other way."

Her Breast Reconstruction in Orange County

First Teri had tissue expanders placed to create enough skin for the eventual placement of silicone gel implants. She is happy with the new size, shape, and feel of her breasts, and she even had her nipples and areolas reconstructed and tattooed to appear very natural. Teri had several visits with Dr. Smith as she was having her tissue expanders filled. "One day I was in his office getting a fill and Dr. Smith said to me, 'Teri, you are my only patient who jumps off of the table and dances around in front of the mirror after getting a fill.' I told him this was the only fun part of breast cancer!"

Both Teri and Dr. Smith are very happy with how good her breasts looked after surgery. From seeing the results other women achieved through breast reconstruction, Teri considers herself especially fortunate to have found Dr. Smith. "Another highly respected Orange County breast surgeon saw my reconstruction and she was extremely impressed, telling me they were the best she had ever seen. I think that speaks volumes about Dr. Smith's surgical skill."

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Sharing the "Greatest Gift"

Teri works on a daily basis with breast cancer patients. She has had the opportunity to refer many women to Dr. Smith, and personally knows over a dozen who have chosen breast reconstruction at his Orange County practice. "Every woman I have sent to Dr. Smith has raved about her results," adds Teri. "The greatest gift I can give is to hold a candle and light the way for the next survivor."

At the end of the day, what are Teri's thoughts about her breast reconstruction experience? "Dr. Smith is an artist the truest sense of the word. I love my reconstructed breasts more than I ever did my real ones, because of all I have been through to get them. I love that they feel like my own breasts, real and beautiful. Believe it or not, there are gifts that come along with breast cancer...and Dr. Smith is one of them. "