Gary J Rosenbaum, MD

I met a Dr… Dr. Rosenbaum… not egotistical, not conceited, calm and warm in nature. A gentleman, a professional, a perfectionist… sure of himself… but in a quiet way. Highly skilled and talented beyond the scope that the average person cannot imagine. He transforms people, and takes them from their lowest point and brings them back to even better than before… I’ve been his patient now for over a year, and was diagnosed with breast cancer August 18, 2014, with DCIS. It was beginning stages and was cure able. Still, it was the most devastating news I had ever gotten. What was only supposed to be a lumpectomy, with radiation treatments, turned into a double mastectomy, as my margins were too spread. Everything went blank, and I was unable to make any sense of things, let alone make any decisions. Thanks goodness, my husband was there for me all along the way. He was my strength, and was able to make these horrible decisions for me, like, remove one breast or take off both, keep nipples, don’t keep nipples… I was numb, and sick to my stomach. My surgical oncologist, Dr. Mesko, another great Dr., decided I needed a double mastectomy, (let me reassure you, I REALLY didn’t want to.) I don’t remember much from that point, but, I knew nothing about reconstruction doctors, and before I knew it, I was sitting in Dr. Rosenbaum’s office at the request of my surgical oncologist. There was no waiting time, the office was warm, and receptive, and Nora, the receptionist, put me right into a room, and, immediately, I saw Dr. Rosenbaum. He was soft spoken, calm, absolutely NO arrogance, NO ego. Now, remember, I couldn’t focus much, I was crying, and a mental mess. I don’t believe «I» was sitting there faced with all this. Dr Rosenbaum, stood in front of me, and calmly reassured me that he would do the best he can. Showed me some before and after pictures, and in his soft demeanor, told me that he «specializes in breast reconstruction» and, if you mention in conversation, or on the internet, his name will always come up. I left his office, so confused and still upset from all this. I get home, and ran into a friend of mine who saw me crying and asked what happened. I told her that I was going to need a double mastectomy, and I had just come from a Dr.‘s office, and I was so confused about this whole thing. She then called her friend, who just had breast reconstruction, and looked great and happy with her results. I called her and asked who her Dr. was and she said” DR. Rosenbaum.” It was true, that from that point on, all roads led me to «Dr. Rosenbaum.» I didn’t bother for another opinion, or another Dr. I went back to him a second time, my head clearer, and knew that he was the one. I showed him a picture of me in a bathing suit and told him «this is exactly what I wanted to look like.» All I wanted is to look myself again, and in his usual calm self said,” I think I can.” We’ll its been over a year of a lumpectomy, mastectomy, infection, blood clots, skin expanders, implants, and MOST importantly, NO CANCER. I feel and look better than before. I’m almost finished with all my surgeries. Happy and sad at the same time because I want to keep going to his office, which i will for any other cosmetic work. In the beginning, when I had just gotten my mastectomy, I was a real mess, physically, and mentally, and I was in Dr. Rosenbaums office with my top off, and I looked down at my self and asked him: «Can you really fix this mess? Because if you can, you are truly a miracle worker, and I will always come to you for any of my cosmetic needs» And, of course, in his usual, casual demeanor, he says «I’ll do the best I can.” We’ll his best is beyond what I ever expected. He gave me back my life, and I will always be indebted. One last note: A friend of mine told me that in life, its the journey, not the destination. In the reconstruction its the destination, not the journey. because in the end of this whole process, if your in Dr. Rosenbaum’s care, you will be perfect again. Thank you Dr. Rosenbaum. Cathy Durante