Dr Atwood is amazing. His staff is ok. Not the friendliest.

Submitted Feb. 22, 2022

Dr. Atwood is so easy-going, charming, with an excellent bedside manner-as long as you are the perfect patient. Which I was, until I wasn’t.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma Feb 17th, 2016. Dr. Atwood recommended a latissimus dorsi flap surgery, which takes the largest muscle in the upper back and loops it under the skin to the chest wall, improving blood flow and allowing faster healing after bilateral mastectomy. When asked what the side effects of this were, he smiled in response and stated “you won’t be able to row a canoe as well, or drive a golf ball as far”. Which sounded fine to me! The concept of not having breast reconstruction at all was never mentioned. And Dr. Atwood’s considerable easiness and charm made me trust him.
Months later, in agony of severe chronic nerve pain, I found a medical journal from the UK showing a statistic of 74% of women who have a latissimus dorsi flap surgery end up in chronic life-altering pain.
At my one year follow up, I was crying and begging for his help, asking when the pain would go away. He smiled and lied to me again. “It will,” he says.
It took me 18 months of my own research to discover a condition called CRPS, nicknamed The Suicide Disease, due to the powerful levels of pain, graded at about amputation level pain. I was diagnosed with this condition by a pain management doctor. I also learned that other women who have had this procedure done also suffer greatly, and this practice is considered barbaric.
When in discussion with Dr. Atwood regarding reconstructive surgery, if you ask him if implants are safe, he will say unequivocally “yes!”.
Ah, but what he doesn’t offer you is the information regarding the ingredients in breast implants (even saline have silicone shells).
The heavy metals and toxins on breast implants are pesticide level poisons. But women are not given this basic information, like a warning that we get with any prescription drug and its side effects.
And don’t dare go see Dr. Atwood again, complaining of not only extreme pain, but also illnesses that gradually pile up and weigh you down until you cannot speak for the brain fog, and you cannot walk for the pain in your bones, joints, muscles. The autoimmune disorders that pile up like dirty laundry around you. The complete inability to take care of yourself, depending on others to bring you food and water and even to help you sit in the shower and wash your hair for you. And yet, you still go see this doctor, hoping he has some insight to what turned your slender, beautiful 42 year old body into a mass of useless bone and tendon, glowing with pain.
When you cry in his office, he leaves the room without speaking, questions unanswered.
Somehow, through the pain and the fog, you find other women suffering in online forums about breast cancer, reconstruction, and BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS. When you mention those 3 words in yet another appointment, hoping for answers, Dr. Atwood will deny it is real. And leave the room again.
Then you discover a gene called the HLA-B27 gene that rejects silicone. You ask your oncologist to test for this. You find out that you test positive. At this point those toxic bags of pesticide chemicals have been in your body for 4 years. They have caused lesions on your spleen, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Your lymphatic system glows like a lit Christmas tree iN MRI’s, showing sarcoidosis (inflammation). Your brain, spinal cord, lungs and heart have also accumulated damages. You even show Dr. Atwood the angry red skin around your reconstructed breasts, and he mumbles “that’s just blood flow” and vacated the room without answering your questions, yet again.
Ladies, do your research. Get on social media forums and discussions about your health. Find women who live in huge urban areas where the “Good” doctors are. Find out what the procedures they suggest could do to your life, and don’t trust the doctors to answer you honestly. It might save your life.

Submitted June 22, 2021

As a patient of Dr. Atwood's I felt that my time, desired outcome and finances were the least of their concerns. Instead of completing my breast reconstruction post double mastectomy with Dr. Atwood, I found a new doctor who hears my needs, gives me options and is upfront about cost. I wish I'd found this other doctor prior to removing my breasts. I would never recommend Dr. Atwood or his staff to my friends and family.

Submitted April 8, 2021

I got a facelift one year ago and absolutely love it!!! Dr. Atwell does great work and his staff are wonderful.

Submitted May 16, 2018

Dr. Atwood and his staff are incomparable in their level of care and concern. I know I can completely trust them in every detail.
Dr. Atwood is a perfectionist in his work, very important to one having breast reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy and radiation therapy!

Submitted March 17, 2017

I had breast reconstruction with tissue expander following a bilateral mastectomy. Dr. Atwood is the best. He is extremely kind and sensitive and an artist in his work. He is patient and informative, explaining processes and encouraging me to ask any questions I might have. I just completed the final phase of reconstruction with silicon implants. I am so pleased with my new breasts. I feel very blessed to have Dr. Atwood as my surgeon and I highly recommend him for breast reconstruction.

Submitted June 16, 2015

I think I know MORE than most patients that have EVER seen Dr. Atwood. I've had three surgeries with him from 1995 to 2005. Planning, yet, another one. I'm quite hard to please and would never put up with a condescending, ride or incompetent doctor, nor go back 3 times! I've had three breast augmentations, and one breast lift. I had a non-malignant nodule removed 2 yrs after first breast aug. It ruptured my implant so I chose to redo. I had a child in 2005 and Dr. Atwood did a lift and replaced my implants bc the pregnancy pushed the implants out of the pockets. I have a lot of acne scarring and want Dr. Atwood to fix. I've spent WELL over $15000-18000 through the years w this physician and have NEVER felt cheated, talked down to nor unhappy. One thing to remember, not everyone's skin heals like others and if you're expecting complete perfection perhaps you should seek psychological instead if a plastic surgeon! Not even God believes in making anyone perfect! Good luck & God bless.

Submitted March 14, 2014

Dr. Atwood was recommended by two friends who went to them for a breast lift and reduction. They claimed they were happy with the results, but I am NOT happy with mine. I am very OCD and explained in great detail what I wanted.... Including showing him pictures. He was very condescending and rolled his eyes when I speaking. I reminded him of my requests right before surgery, but it does not meet my expectations. When I wen tot my post-op he explained my unhappiness and he agreed it wasn't his best work. He offered to do a revision surgery... but it was going to cost 4K!! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!! I shouldn't have to pay a dime! Plus, I can't afford ANOTHER SURGERY! It has been 10 months since my breast lift and reduction surgery and my breasts look worse than they looked before surgery. When I had my 6 month check up I don't Dr. Atwood that, but he just brushed off my concerns. I will be seeking a revision surgery from another surgeon. I don't trust him & wouldn't recommend him!

Submitted March 9, 2014

Seven weeks ago I had a facelift. Dr. Atwood was kind, gentle, and sensitive to my concerns. My results are incredible and I contribute that to his commitment to pre-op care, his artistry, and light hand. His nurse, Candy, is supportive and extremely knowledgeable. The whole experience was great. I never even had to take a pain pill during my recovery. I am very happy I chose Dr. Atwood.

Submitted July 23, 2012

I was not pleased with my result. I should have seen the red flags. Dr. Atwood was abrupt and condescending.

Submitted March 27, 2012