Dear Dr. Levine,

Once in a while I return to your website to look at the before and after pictures of patients, so that I can remember that I too will have a success story. This time when I went, was far different from all of the times prior, because this time I know I am a success story. After all, I have now completed the second stage.

One week ago today, I felt more complete than I had for quite sometime because I had a COMPLETE set of breasts, nipples and all. When I first came to your office in New Orleans for the consult, I was a very scared and confused woman. At 24 years old, no female ever imagines going through some of the very situations with which I was being forced to endure. I never thought that I would have to loose something that makes a woman feel and look like a woman; like my breasts. Unfortunately, I had some bad occurrences, and after four lumpectomies, a VERY strong family history of breast cancer, and positive BRCA tests, I reluctantly gave them up. I believed at that point that I would never “look” normal again.

After my bilateral mastectomy, I was told by a doctor that the only option that I had for reconstruction, because of my very small body size, was implants. At the time that sounded great to me. However, they were terrible. I hated them, my self, and became angry with medicine for not giving more options. God knew what I needed, and He led me to you. I stumbled upon you while searching the internet, and immediately made an appointment. At that appointment, you gave me a new hope. I didn’t realize until after the initial DIEP procedure that there was no need for hope because it was fact. I healed so fast. I didn’t even need pain medication after the first day. I was so blessed to have found you. I gave you my trust, and you restored my faith. I could never thank you enough for that fact.

After the “storms” I thought that it might have been over that I would not be finished. I was scared that everything was lost at that time, and I would not be able to make contact with you. Again, you out did yourself, you made the appropriate changes, arrangements, and phone calls. Charleston was a long way away from home, but definitely do able. I cannot believe that you thought that much of your patients to remember that they needed you too. God Bless You Dr. Levine. You are a true God Send, and Artist.

May God Keep You and Yours,
A. L.
Lafayette, La
DIEP PATIENT
November 6, 2005

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light
shining somewhere nearby. -Ruth E. Renkel

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human
existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere
being. -Carl Jung