She saved my life, but beyond that she has no suggestions about post-operative pain or reconstruction. That would be ok, but NYU puts her in charge of your patient care. I felt she was more interested in being a friend than using her expertise to improve my quality of life.

Submitted Sept. 2, 2021

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Axelrod. She is personable, knowledgeable, a breast cancer survivor and works with the highest degree of integrity. I am blessed to call her my breast surgeon. She's amazing!!!!!

Submitted Feb. 12, 2021

Had a very very negative experience with Dr Axelrod and her staff. I’ve seen her fawn over celebrities and VIPs in her office but not being either I felt ignored and rushed through my appointments. I hate seeing her for checkups but I am still in the 5 year window when it has to be done. Definitely wouldn’t recommend. Cancer is traumatic enough without a surgeon this indifferent to her patients.

Submitted July 4, 2020

Well that Doctor leave a bad scar on my left breast, with pain and surferring that i don't think cold ever erase. I don't know if she did it on purpose because that's how bad it is. For someone with a 1cm tumor on the skin of my breast . The doctor took out so much fat, muscle and skin. Left me with nothing to work with for reconstruction that i had to use a very painful tissue expander. I didn't know nothing at that time and relied on her and she failed me badly as a patient. And she she would not talk to me at all during consultation. She would be in her computer...All i can say she is a cold hearted person she 's just doing a job.

Submitted June 25, 2020

Why the mixed reviews? I think I know. I am a former patient of Dr Axelrod's and right off, let me say, she's a wonderful doctor: brilliant and caring, a perfect combo. I was one of the lucky ones whose cancer was less aggressive in nature and was caught and treated early. Prior to and following surgery, my visits with the doctor were brief and to the point. As others have mentioned, I too had to wait for two to three hours in the crowded waiting room. This is because she treats soooo many patients and that's because she's in demand. Yes, she's that good. She made it clear that the reason she spent so little time with me was because there were women who were far sicker than I was who required more attention. As much as I would love to have had more protracted visits, I understood that her priorities to give more time to those most in need signified her professionalism and ethics. She's a great surgeon and I feel very fortunate that I was under her care when I needed her.

Submitted Jan. 8, 2020

Awful experience in every way.  This was my first visit with a surgeon following cancer diagnosis, and I went with a list of questions and concerns. I left with no answers, and even more anxious and confused than I was going in.  First there was a 2 hour wait in a crowded waiting room.  Dr. Deborah Axelrod has very poor personal and communication skills, did not answer my questions or explain things clearly, and was sometimes condescending in addressing my concerns.  The meeting felt super rushed.  We were  interrupted numerous times during the discussion, and I got the feeling that she wasn't at all interested in in me.  
Do not be deceived by her celebrity status and publicity/marketing machine. As I learned the hard way, none of that makes her a good doctor.
If you want to work with a doctor who treats you with respect, is compassionate, and has an inkling of the vulnerability created by a cancer diagnosis, speaks clearly and explains things thoroughly in layman's terms,  GO ELSEWHERE.

Submitted Dec. 21, 2019

Dr. Axelrod and her team gave me medical care at such a high of level, I never could have imagined it existed previously. She saved my life. She has such great expertise, and was so on top of my case and its details. She is so supportive and available to talk as needed. Her team was amazing, too in the office and at the hospital. Dr. Axelrod connected me with a great oncologist and a plastic surgeon. I just couldn't be more grateful for her passion and commitment to her patients and fighting cancer. Dr. Axelrod was also very timely, she got me through surgery before it got into my lymph nodes, and kept me at Stage 1.

Submitted Dec. 23, 2018

There aren’t enough stars to rate the person who saved my life. Dr. Axelrod has been nothing but professional, caring, and a great supporter in my journey with breast cancer. Her knowledge,expertise , and compassion are truly above and beyond other surgeons I had consulted with at diagnosis. The whole experience with NYU went very smoothly. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Submitted June 3, 2018

Be ready to wait for several hours and only see the doctor for a few minutes. I had a horrible experience with Dr Axelrod. I really contemplated if I should write a review. She didn't bother to get to know me and see what I wanted to do with my body. She was more interested in filling her paperwork then talking to me. Before she left she didn't even ask if I had questions. I understand this is her job and at times everything can seem routine but this is not routine to me and want a doctor with more compassion. My husband was very upset with the whole situation as well. Really hope she is better for others but for sure left a scare on me during a very difficult time.

Submitted April 30, 2018

Dr. Axelrod is not only brilliant, she is caring. She realizes that she is treating actual people and I wouldn't want anyone else in my corner.

Submitted March 13, 2018