Surgical Services & Treatment
Montclair Breast Center is recognized as a preeminent center for breast care by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), after passing a rigorous year-long evaluation and review process which culminated in our designation as a true Breast Center. We are the only private, free-standing facility to have achieved this exemplary status. Many places call themselves "breast centers" these days; as a patient at Montclair Breast Center, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of a multidisciplinary team that has been recognized as one of the very best.
At Montclair Breast Center, if the need ever arises for one of our patients to see a breast surgeon, we attend to that need immediately. For instance, if a patient has a finding on her mammogram that requires further evaluation, or if she is deemed to be at high risk for developing breast cancer, or if a patient has a relevant symptom (breast lump or thickening, skin changes, nipple discharge, etc) she will undergo the necessary imaging studies on the day of her appointment, and she will have her results explained to her personally by her breast imaging doctor (radiologist). The radiologist will then immediately consult in-office with one of our own certified breast surgeons, Dr. Nancy Elliott or Dr. Marcie Hertz, and they will review your films together. You will then be seen privately by the surgeon, who will take a complete history, conduct a physical examination, and possibly perform a breast ultrasound examination. After a full evaluation, the surgeon will personally discuss with you, and a family member or friend if you wish, their recommendations. If further procedures are indicated, they will either be performed on the same day if possible, or scheduled within the next few days. After the results are received, a multidisciplinary plan will be put into place by our team, after complete discussion with you. Your preferences will be fully considered, your options will be explained to you, and your questions will be answered. Such hands-on, focused, coordinated care helps to ease our patients' fears at an often stressful time. When you have a problem, it is important to feel that you are being truly taken care of by a team that will not let you down.
This service-oriented, compassionate approach is quite unique in today's healthcare system, and it sets our practice apart from the vast majority of breast imaging facilities, which are not in side-by-side practice with breast surgeons and cannot accommodate patients in need as seamlessly as we can. This efficient rendering of service allows us to expedite the evaluation process, easing our patients' very understandable anxiety, as well as facilitating excellent communication between your breast imaging doctor and your surgeon. As an out-of-network provider, we are able to practice medicine in the way that most satisfies the needs of our patients; while we keep in mind the often nonsensical "rules" of third-party payers (insurance companies, Medicare, etc), they do not dictate the way in which we practice our profession. Our patients recognize the value of such individualized, compassionate, patient-centered care, and are willing to go out-of-network for this priceless benefit.
If I require a surgical procedure, where will it be done?
Within our freestanding "private hospital" at 37 North Fullerton Avenue reside not only Montclair Breast Center, but also North Fullerton Surgery Center (NFSC) and The Plastic Surgery Group. The NFSC has achieved accreditation by The Joint Commission and The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc., which measure performance standards and ensures the safety and quality of our surgical practices. The outpatient procedures performed at our center include excisional breast biopsies, lumpectomies, mastectomies, and sentinel lymph node surgery.
If surgery is necessary for you, you will meet with our exceptional board-certified anesthesiologist prior to the surgery for evaluation and to answer all of your questions. On the day of surgery, you simply come to NFSC on the lower level of our building; there are no big-hospital hassles and headaches. Newer anesthetics minimize the nausea and grogginess that accompanied most surgery in the past. After being individually monitored and cared for by our nursing staff, most patients are able to go home 1-2 hours after the surgery is completed. A follow-up appointment is made for pathology review with you within 2 days.
What if reconstructive or plastic surgery is part of my surgical plan?
The Plastic Surgery Group resides in the middle floor of our "private hospital"; they jointly own North Fullerton Surgery Center with us, and they offer both surgical and non-surgical services for facial rejuvenation, breast enhancement or reconstruction, body contouring and skin care.The Plastic Surgery Group has a reputation for delivering exquisite results with attention to providing comfortable, quality care. Montclair Breast Center also works with several other plastic surgeons in the community, and we are happy to provide recommendations.
The surgeons at Montclair Breast Center work in conjunction with your plastic surgeon to create your reconstructive surgical plan, considering your personal preferences for reconstructive surgery, as well as your body shape, aesthetic concerns, prior surgeries, current medical problems, and cancer treatment needs. By working together as a team with top surgical professionals, we are able to provide you with remarkable, personalized, private breast care — all under one roof.
