Breast Surgery

The Breast Surgery service is part of the Moody Center for Breast Health at Parkland. This service offers patients treatment for breast disease that is tailored to their personal needs We are committed to providing breast care using the most recent breast care methods. This can include surgery, treatment without surgery such as chemotherapy, and clinical trials.

Treatment plans are tailored to meet your personal needs by working closely with the whole breast surgery team including:

Radiologists

A breast radiologist looks at images of the breast in order to diagnose and help treat different breast diseases. The radiologist looks at your mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRIs. The radiologist can also do breast biopsies if needed.

Medical oncologists
A medical oncologist is a doctor that treats cancer. There are many different ways to treat cancer including chemotherapy. Your oncologist will talk to you about what kind of treatment your cancer might need.
Radiation oncologists
A radiation oncologist is a doctor that treats cancer with radiation therapy. They work to remove or make the cancer smaller and protect healthy tissue..
Plastic surgeons (sometimes called “reconstructive surgeons)
A plastic surgeon works to restore the natural shape of your breast after breast surgery. There is more than one way to do this. Your plastic surgeon will talk to you about your options, should you need them.
Nurse navigators
A nurse navigator helps you understand your treatment plan and connects you with support services and resources. They are here to make your treatment easier to understand and to help you solve any problems that come up.
Genetic counselors
A genetic counselor helps you and your family find out if certain kinds of cancer run in your family. This can let you know if you or your family are at a higher risk of cancer. The genetic counselor helps you understand ways to prevent cancer, how to find it early and what your options may be for treatment. Genetic testing may also be helpful to other members of your family.
Oncology social workers
Oncology social workers address the social and emotional toll of being treated for cancer. Parkland social workers can connect you and your family with the resources you need, both at Parkland and in the community.
Physical therapists
A physical therapist can help you keep up your physical health and emotional well-being during and after your treatment. Physical therapists also treat swelling of the arm (lymphedema).
Pathologists
A pathologist is a doctor that looks at the tissue taken during a biopsy to see if cancer is present. They can sometimes tell from the biopsy how much the cancer has grown and if it has spread.
Mental health professionals
A mental health professional helps you cope with the changes that come with finding out you have cancer. They can also help you get through the treatment for your cancer. Our team of mental health professionals includes a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a mental health counselor.

How to Book an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists in the breast surgery clinic, please click here.

How to Prepare for Your Visit

Bring your questions!

Questions You Might Ask Your Provider (Download a pdf copy here )
  1. What type of cancer do I have?
  2. What stage is my cancer?
  3. How long will my treatment take?
  4. Can I have breast-conserving therapy?
  5. Is surgery right for me?
  6. What should I bring to my surgery?
  7. Who can help me fill out my forms?
  8. Will I be admitted to the hospital, and if so, how long will I be in the hospital?
  9. What could make my treatment hard or scary for me?
  10. Will I go home after the procedure?
  11. How long will it take me to heal?
  12. What help will I need at home?
  13. When can I go back to work?
  14. How can I apply for medical leave from my job? (FMLA)
  15. When can I exercise?
  16. When can I shower?
  17. Are there certain foods I should or shouldn’t eat?
  18. Is somebody going to teach me about taking care of my incision (cuts) or drains, if I have them?
  19. When do I come back for my next appointment?

Bring your medical records, if you have them.

Bring a list of your medicines.

Bring a family or friend (if COVID policies allow them to come).

Survivorship

Surgery is just one part of treatment, and your surgeons and medical team will continue to see you even after your surgery. Follow-up visits may include being examined by a provider, imaging, and blood tests. Learn more about survivorship here.

Learn More

If you want to learn more about breast health, listen to our breast care team in the videos from our webinar series below:

More resources: