Dr. Lynn Didonato Canavan, MD

Dr. Canavan is a rock star in the breast cancer surgery space. Is she sugary sweet, no. But she is confident, direct and clear, and based on conversations with many, she seems to be notch in her field. With my fi4st visit, she gave me a decision tree flowchart and walked thru it twice. It really helped me to understand what my journey would likely look like. She did an amazing job on my mastectomy and sentinal node dissection. The incisions were done with care and, to date, are healing well. Her staff is wonderful as well! I know a few have commented on her bedside manner, and I get that some need the kind, hand holding. But for me, I'd prefer a respected doctor in the field that knows her $hit and is all about being thorough, efficient and effective. I'd see her again if necessary, though I'm confident she's helped me removed BC for life (though she'd probably say there is still a 1% chance of recurrance). Best of luck on your BC journey.

I read through the reviews on Dr. Canavan and her staff. I'll be honest, I was a little bit disturbed by a couple of the reviews. Did not know what to expect from this doctor when I went in. The staff was great, no hiccups, all were very professional. Dr. Canavan came in and consulted with me. Gave me her undivided attention did not hurry through the consultation and was very matter of fact and did not sugar coat my condition. Plain and simple if you want facts and a game plan go to this doctor, if you want it sugar coated and your hand held don't.

Dr Canavan was horrible. Her personality is cocky and rude. I think she needs meds and no scalpel.

I can not say enough great things about Dr. Canavan and her entire office staff. I am a fellow physician and a patient, and I have sent countless women (and my family members) to her for treatment. She works tirelessly and always puts her patients ahead of herself. She is compassionate and yet still tough. The perfect attitude for taking breast cancer head on! She works with some of the best oncologists, radiation oncologists, and reconstructive surgeons in the city. There is no one I trust more with my care, the care of my family, and all of my patients.

I initially really liked the PA Jacq who I was only allowed to see because I didn't have an actual breast cancer diagnosis, but am high risk. She put me on a good preventative schedule of MRI/Mammo/Office visits. Things changed once I had a MRI that showed a highly suspicious area, which had grown from -0- at Halloween, to 3" long in May. It was followed by a mammo and biopsy. I was not allowed to speak to Dr. Canavan about any of this until my biopsy results came in, which was almost a month later. Being my 38 year old sister died from breast cancer, this was such a scary time to not be able to even speak with her by phone. The radiologist called with results 2 days after the biopsy because she said she didn't want me to worry and gave me my diagnosis which was not cancerours, but was precancerous. She said decide further treatment with my doctor. I still didn't get a call with these results from their office and had to wait until I saw her a week later. My pathology report… was written in a little confusing way, and there was both a non cancerous diagnosis and precancerous diagnosis on there as well. At the appointment a week later, Dr. Canavan told me great! I didn't have cancer and could continue the same regiment. When she looked at the report again, she told me she'd follow up with the lab that day because of the confusing wording and that it could be something more. We decided at that appointment to do a prophylactic double mastectomy and started the process with her office. She told me there was no rush, but I wanted to get it done in summer. Because I was getting a second opinion, I went to the hospital 5 days later and was able to pick up the amended report at the hospital which clarified I did have precancerous cells which would require additional intervention. I called her office multiple times for 2 1/2 weeks to get information about it. I kept being put off my the PA saying they were still working to get the report, hadn't forgotten about me. (Remember I had it all this time.) A full 3 weeks after that appointment Dr. Canavan called me herself and left a vm with a panicked message that I needed to get in immediately for a lumpectomy to determine if there was cancer in any area the biopsy didn't test. I called immediately back (I had been driving) and wasn't allowed to speak to her nor have her call me back!! I said can someone please have the doctor call me and tell me if I have to do a lumpectomy in addition to the mastectomies. I had already been scheduled reconstruction surgeon appointments by their office, so they were fully aware mastectomies were what I was doing. Instead the PA called, and kept telling me it was likely cancer, but calling it the other non cancerous diagnosis and saying it wasn't the precancerous one. I had to correct her and told her to look at the lab report. She did and realized her mistake, but called it noncancerous 3x again afterwards. She also don't worry because the dr now said I didn't have to do the lumpectomy because she had forgotten I was doing the mastectomy! I got the impression she hadn't even spoken to the doctor. I don't understand how a report was not looked at for 3 weeks despite my calling repeatedly, and that the doctor hadn't read over my chart before telling me I needed a lumpectomy. The PA also told me I'd never have to have a mammogram again, which Dr. Canavan said the opposite. I cannot think what how this area would have grown if I waited another 6 months, waited on the mastectomies as she said I could do, and didn't push for them to follow up on my report. What if I went back to find out in 6 months to find out it was now cancer because they dropped the ball?? Additionally, my 2nd opinion dr said a lumpectomy is not a good choice when doing a mastectomy after bc it will make the surgery harder and results would not be as good. I will say Dr. Canavan herself was very thorough at the appointment, and allowed plenty of time for questions. I just think her practice is too big to follow up appropriately and stay on top of her patients. Also I found out who she teams with for reconstruction (Dr. Lemmon) I asked her for a different plastic surgeon. If you check reviews on him, they are not good at all. My friend had used him and said he basically butchered her and just kept telling her to return for more surgeries to correct the problems. After 5 additional surgeries she left. If you check his gallery of photos on his website you can see they are not good either. My gynecologist said she stopped referring to Canavan bc of similar stories. She said she's just become too busy and relies on her PA to do a lot of the work other than surgery. I have opted to use Dr. Alex Miller for the oncology surgeon and PRMA Plastic Surgery Center for Breast Advanced Reconstruction (Dr. Nastala) in San Antonio. They are a 6 dr practice exclusively for breast reconstruction (not cosmetic breast surgery like here) and use the most up to date procedures as well as 2 surgeons in the OR for reconstruction. People travel nationwide to use them. Check their website and read and see the difference. (2 day hospital stay vs. 5-7 here). If you do stay with Canavan be sure you take tons of notes on your diagnosis, research it, and know what to follow up on.

She saved my life. She got me on the fast track after my diagnosis connected me with the best oncologists around. Always stayed on top of my treatment. Highly recommend her.

I'm not here to invalidate anyone else's feelings and review, just to give my own point of view about Dr Canavan. I read the reviews the day after my diagnosis as is my usual way of approaching important decisions, and crossed Dr Canavan off my short list because of the reviews. And yet, both my PCP and Radiologist used their professional tact to knock some sense into me. For a variety of other reasons, I choose to follow their lead, and I owe them both a huge debt. Dr Canavan on first meeting is friendly, not cold. She's very patient, she takes whatever time you need to thoroughly understand where you are in this battle for life. My husband and I chose the lumpectomy option. The day of surgery, however, I saw another side, perhaps the business-like, "cold" attitude that hurt the feelings of others? All I know is what my heart told me: that day she was there to take on my battle, to do her part, and she was in her "battle mode" -- a deeply serious doctor when 3 or 4 surgeries… are lined up before her. Two days later, when I got up the nerve to take off the special "bra" (it was more like a compression sun top) to see the damage to my breast for the first time, it took my breath away. She incised around the edge of the areola so that when it healed, it would be hardly noticeable. Two+ weeks later and it is hardly noticeable. That is the ART of doctoring, and not all breast surgeons do this. Two other women, one of them is a friend, also commended Dr Canavan's skill. My friend's face beamed when I answered her "who was the surgeon" question. I am thankful for, and very grateful to, Dr Lynn Canavan.

After receiving the unexpected diagnosis of breast cancer at 41 with a husband & 4 children at home, I was devastated & terrified. As an RN, I immediately started gathering information from my professional network on who was THE BEST in the field. Dr. Canavan's name kept coming up from every resource that I contacted. I am very happy that I chose her for my surgeon & would go back again in a heartbeat! As I've seen mentioned in other reviews, she may not be overly personal & warm/fuzzy, but she is extremely knowledgeable & highly respected by peers as well as nationally recognized. She is one of the best in her field & I choose that over a hug or sugar coated information any day.

Dr. Canavan explained everything that I needed to know about my breast cancer and the treatment I would receive in an extremely professional manner using words that were easy to understand. She was thorough, kind, confident, and knowledgeable. She made me feel comfortable that I was under the best care available.

If I had to go through this again, Dr Canavan would still be my choice.