Dr. Mark L Mathers, DO

After breast cancer and breast lumpectomy, I had a double mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction. It is a 2 surgeon 8 ...plus hour procedure. After mastectomy by surgeon, the plastic surgeon completes the procedure, performing the reconstruction by tram flap process. That is when the breast reconstruction is done by harvesting abdominal tissue and muscle, moving it up to hollowed out breast cavity while still connected to the blood supply, thus creating the new breasts. This is a huge surgery. After six weeks, i had severe pain. When I reported this to Dr. Mathers office, his nurse was dismissive as was he when he replied by saying that his patients didn't have pain after six weeks. My thought was, "I AM your patient, and I DO have pain six weeks after surgery." After being dismissed by him, I was on my own to find relief. I learned that my pain was due to scar adhesion, which literally caused my abdominal scar, which runs from hip to hip, to be stuck to my tissue underneath. I also learned that this was not an unusual complication after a TRAM reconstruction, which I feel he should have known and considered when I reported my pain. After searching for the answer and suffering excruciating pain uneccessarily for several months,I finally found relief at Cancer Treatment Center. I was treated with myofacial release massage therapy. They literally "unstick" the scar tissue by focused massage to the area, thus relieving my excruciating pain. I just want everyone who has already gone through the nightmare of cancer and faces their decisions for post cancer prevention to be very aware that Dr. Mathers may not be there for them when they need him most. more details