I'm usually not one to review medical professionals, but I feel I have to, even if only to reassure future patients. Me: Gen Y, high risk breast program for 15 years

FIRST CONSULT
My first consult was a few years before my surgery. The visit took well over an hour, it wasn't rushed, it was informative and I left with a plethora of additional reading and online content that Dr. Musgrave suggested

DECISION TO SURGERY
After a stressful and drawn out biopsy scenario, I decided I'd move forward with a double preventative mastectomy (with immediate reconstruction) and reached out. In spite of being in the middle of covid, Dr. M was responsive, kept me up to date on the provincial guidelines to surgery times and as soon as it was possible, I met with her once again to go over the consent. During this consult, there was once again a very fair time allocation for questions (even those repetitive once). There was no holding back on the risks associated with the procedure - both acute and long term.

SURGERY
The day of my surgery I met with Dr. Musgrave at the registration, where all markings to my breast happened. They were meticulous and she took her time. What struck me most was the respect of nursing staff, who repeatedly told me (from pre-op to discharge) that Dr. M is one of the few doctors who deeply cares, is very concerned about outcomes and is known 'to take her time to make it perfect'.

AFTER
I'm a rather anxious person - and have reached out to Dr. M multiple times since my surgery (4 days post). Each and every time, she explains, supports her rational and reassures that I can call back for anything and everything.

So in short, if you're assigned Dr. M for your surgery, please feel that you are in great hands and take the (second hand, decade old) reviews below with a grain of salt. She is an incredible doctor and a patient advocate and I feel in great hands.

Submitted July 29, 2022

Staff1 Punctuality1 Helpfulness1 Knowledge1
DO NOT trust this person with your life and health needs. I was suffering a fracture and her and her staff kept me in the dark regarding my treatment options and outcomes. For weeks I thought i would be getting surgery to fix my fracture, however her and her staffs remedy was: “THERAPY SORRY WE CANT FIX YOUR FRACTURE IT WILL BE DEFORMED, YOUR 4 WEEKS HAS PASSED FOR SURGERY”. She didn’t even come in to check my fracture, she would just pop in time to time, and not even fully look at it thoroughly. Definitely will be getting a second opinion. TF has canadian health care become....

Submitted Sept. 2, 2020

Well Dr. Musgrave ruined my life in 2010 when she screwed up my breast reconstruction after a double mastectomy. I developed sepsis, was in a coma and ended up in a rehab facility for 3 months because when I woke up I couldn't walk. I still have half reconstructed breasts and the wounds on my stomach from the tram flap surgery are still open and continue to have surgical mesh growing through the wounds. It's been 10 years and I continue to see a wound specialist at another hospital who keeps cutting back the mesh. My wound care doctor believes this will continue for the rest of my life. Add me to the class action.

Submitted May 8, 2020

The post below was very gracious giving this woman a 1, to be clear the staff, if they mean nurses were great. I can't believe St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto haven't done something to get rid of this woman. If they had you wouldn't have gone through the experience you did, along with countless others it seems from the posts. My sister had a very similar experience to yours, she almost died, it was very frightening. She was having breast reconstruction due to a mastectomy from breast cancer. After the surgery she went to the hospital on a Friday night because she ended up with an infection, we were told she had to stay the weekend. No one told us what was going on, her heart rate was high and they couldn't get it down even after pumping her with excessive antibiotics all weekend. We were told that she would have to have surgery even though her heart rate was above the level for surgery. My mother having been a nurse at St. Michael's herself asked one of the residence, as the physician herself never did speak to us, if it was the implant, since she had been on heavy antibiotics they would have cleared up any other infections. The implant not being part of the body would not respond to an antibiotic. The resident was very hesitant to answer, but saw the look of terror on our faces, and agreed. He rushed off in a hurry afterward. Can understand after the following experience how the implant got infected, this doctor's infection control procedures are dangerous. The day of my sister's surgery she came into the room while the nurses, who were very good, were preparing my sister for surgery and setting up the stretcher to take her to surgery. This doctor walked in, in her surgery gowns (why was she wearing these around the hospital), she screamed at the nurses in front of everyone while she started pulling out the connected equipment from my sister's hospital bed saying that it was her procedure to take the patience in the bed. The bed was full of food crumbs etc my sister had to remove her slippers and throw them back at my mom, while the doctor pushed and hurled the bed about to get it out. My mother and I were along with the nurses dump struct. It was the most frightening couple of hours waiting for that surgery to end. My sister made it through, after the surgery this doctor actually thought my sister would proceed. My sister said NO THANKS, she never wrote this review because the medical community is close knit and thought no one else would touch her, so she let it go. My sister has since past away from breast cancer, so I feel I need to let people know about this woman before they make any life threatening decisions. I am sorry you had to go through a very similar experience, lets hope the powers that be do some soul searching a do something about this, it is long past due.

Submitted April 30, 2020

Horrible doctor! Doesn't take any accountability for her actions and screw-ups! My oncologist was horrified in her work and sent me to another plastic surgeon to try to fix her mistakes. I'm still deformed from my original reconstruction. Like the other patient's comment below, I worse a vacuum for 6 months to close the gaping hole in my chest. Hospitalization for 1 week for, one infection after another, I almost died! She brushed everything off, like it was no big deal! If there is ever class action legal suite - please feel free to contact me... I'd be happy to tell my story to help someone! I can't believe she's stil reconstructing breasts and disfiguring women! She is the only surgeon who I've ever known to NOT USE drain tubes after this kind of surgery .

Submitted Feb. 23, 2020

Recipient of surgery from Dr Melinda Musgrave to make repairs to 7inch stomach surgical hernia originating from a previous operation. Dr Musgrave performed a great job, and has relieved all of my post operative concerns. Now it’s on my shoulders to follow her’s and her medical team’s advice on a full recovery. In my eyes she’s THE BEST! Edward Newell

Submitted Nov. 24, 2019

Worst experience of my life....Arivved to have a draining spot removed from right side 40D breast next to the nipple.....I was left in a horrible state, full breast reduction 38 A and now 3 draining cyst like spots...I wished I was dead for years after dealing with her...it was never cancer treatment, that had been ruled out earlier.....All over 1 cyst (or a draining something) they put it BACK on me so it's now three draining spots and they oozed into incisions eating away at skin leaving a 6 inch x 6 inch skinless wound for 6 mths, with nurse coming to house for bandaging....10 yrs later never did return to my normal life...still to this day can only where a bra for couple hours a day due to scarring...Dr.Musgrave was indignant, standoffish, deflecting and passed me off to doctors that required MY $10000 to fix her work....I dont have $10000 for breasts , she never once offered to pay...I will NEVER trust any Dr. again after no other doctors would stand up for me while I was a wreck, but they ALL admitted there was a problem..ALL suggested a lawyer...I was in such bad shape for years feeling assaulted I just stopped functioning ....no more with clothes on magazine photo shoots/ no sex/ no confidence/ no trust....there is no excuse for her behaviour. Take your "Oh Well" attitude and shove it Melinda

Submitted Sept. 5, 2019

Clear direct communication. Knowledge and skill. Greatly appreciate her help.

Submitted April 23, 2018

It's been a few years, I'm pleased with the results of my surgery and am amazed that people have posted such negative experiences. I didn't have any.

Submitted Feb. 27, 2015

Dr. Musgrave did breast reduction surgery so that I was symmetrical after cancer treatment. I found her thorough and knowledgeable, and the results were fantastic. I was given all advantages and drawbacks to the surgery, and the follow-up care has been excellent. Her administrative staff has been equally as helpful. I have nothing but positive comments for this fine doctor.

Submitted Jan. 8, 2015