Got a second opinion from another general surgeon today; I really liked him. He's in private practice, very experienced, thorough, talked fast but gave me plenty of time to ask questions and bring up issues. He shared the current literature views, his own thoughts, what he would suggest to his wife in the same situation, and then said it was up to me. I see the plastic surgeon he works with on Tuesday. He talked about some innovative things they do in terms of reconstruction and incisions, to get a better permanent cosmetic result and lessen trauma. If I like the plastic surgeon as well as this guy, I'll book with them. And they can do my surgery the beginning of September if not sooner.
Also got to talk to the pathologist who looked at my biopsy slides. She's the department chief and a two-year breast cancer survivor herself. She had a lot of sound, wise advice based on her own experience. I left the conversation with a lot of new thoughts.
So ... a very positive day! I'll also see the plastic surgeon who works with the first surgeon (the one I didn't like) next week, so I'll be able to compare the two teams - but I think I'll be hiring the guy I saw today. It's a tremendous relief to finally have some options and a sense of getting close to a firm plan. My brain may even clear enough to let me get some work done this weekend. High time.
