Dr. Mai Huong Brooks, MD

It was a first time visit. I spent on a referral from my OBGYN. Upon arrival, the wait time was minimal and staff courteous. I was very impressed with Dr. Brooks on her thoroughness in questions and exam. Dr. Brooks bedside manner was great her concern was very appreciated and put me at ease.

Dr. Brooks was my surgeon 17 years ago at Ucla she saved my life. My cancer has returned and I was very disappointed whence returned to the Revlon Center and she was no longer there. She is an amazing Doctor.

Everybody told me my lump was normal. My OB referred me to a surgeon. He sent me to have mammogram and ultrasound. The x-ray doctor saw nothing. The surgeon stuck a needle in my breast. It was real painful, even though he said that he numbed it. He said result was OK, told me to follow up with my OB doctor. My friend told me to go see Dr. Brooks. Dr. Brooks looked at everything again and found that my lump was actually cancer. She did surgery on me and took out my cancer lump. She helped organize all my treatments afterwards. The transition was smooth. I liked the radiation doctor she sent me to see. And the oncologist too. Iâ??ve been fine since. Of course, I have to take that hormone blocker pill, and I get hot flashes few times a week. But Dr. Brooks told me that means the pill is working, so sweating is not so bad after I know that. Every year when I celebrate my birthday, I think of Dr. Brooks. I am so grateful to her for saving my life. I shudder to think what… could have happened to me if I just believed the first surgeon and did nothing. Now I have another friend. She found a lump last week, and her breast is red and tender. She's breastfeeding though, so her OB thinks it's just mastitis and gave her antibiotics. I've got to call her to tell her to check it out with Dr. Brooks. What if it's this awful thing called inflammatory breast cancer I read about. I know a thing or two now that I've been through all this. You never know when cancer sneaks up on you. Better safe than sorry.

I have never had an abnormal mammogram and have religiously gone for a mammogram every year. For the first time, this December, I had an abnormal mammogram and my OBGYN referred me to Dr. Brooks for follow up. Dr. Brooks is a surgeon and that's the type of doctor who diagnoses breast cancer. What fun! It took about a week but I was able to schedule an appointment with her. Her receptionist said usually people can get in right away, but Dr. Brooks was out of town. When I had my appointment Dr. Brooks was somewhat concerned. There is no immediate history of breast cancer in my family as neither of my two older sisters or my mother has had breast cancer, by my grandmother's sister did and so Dr. Brooks wanted to run a number of additional tests. She told me that some insurance companies would not automatically approve all the tests, but she told me that it would be important for me to have these tests to best understand my situation. I guess there's a lot of red tape in… getting some tests approved, but she said she would call to get these tests approved by the insurance company. I didn't know doctors had to go through so much red tape, but I really appreciated her efforts. I thought I had good insurance, but didn't really know what to expect. Dr. Brooks handled all of bureaucracy. After a few days, Dr. Brooks called me and told me the tests had been approved and where to go to get them. I was very impressed with Dr. Brooks. She is very thorough and knowledgeable. Two days after the tests she called me to say "Ms Jones (not my real name), I have good news, your tests are negative, there is no cancer, you're okay." I'm a divorced mother of two with two teenage kids and that was some of the best news I've ever heard. "There is no cancer." I really appreciate all that Dr. Brooks did for me. She is a very detailed, thorough and kind.

My sister got breast cancer at 30. We were all shocked because my mom and my aunts are all fine. Her oncologist found out that she has the BRCA gene disease. He told her to tell me to go tested. My gynecologist sent me to a genetic counselor. Unfortunately, I also have the same BRCA gene mutation as my sister. The genetic counselor did a family tree and figured out that it came from my dad's side. I always assumed that breast cancer is passed on through your mom. Well, guess I was wrong. So, I researched for six months. I went on the internet. My gynecologist did mammogram and breast MRI and pelvic ultrasound (to look at my ovaries), and everything was OK. I saw an oncologist. I was told I could get a double mastectomy, I can go on tamoxifen, I can get my ovaries out, etc. I don't want my ovaries out yet; I still want to have a kid or 2. Plus, the doctor said the ovary cancer comes later, so it's alright. The tamoxifen side effects scare me, and I don't like… taking pills. So, I can do the mastectomies, or I can get checkup often so that breast cancer can be found early. Next came my round of shopping for plastic surgeons. It turns out the mastectomy part is done by a surgical oncologist or general surgeon. The plastic surgeon at the same time puts implants in. At this time, I also discovered FORCE. If you have the BRCA gene like me, you should go on their website www.facingourrisk.org. I came to the support group to get the inside scoop on which surgeon I should go with. After talking to everybody there, it looks like Dr. Mai Brooks is the best in this area. So, I went to see her. She did my mastectomies and let me keep my nipples; you cannot even see the scars with my clothes off. I'm so happy I chose her as my surgeon. I look great (if I may say so myself), and I sleep better at night.

I have now been to Dr. Brooks three times, once for an initial evaluation, the second time for my procedure and the third time two days after my procedure when I was having some pain and wasnâ??t sure if this was normal. I had the procedure done on a Friday at the Los Robles Surgical Center. I have never had surgery before so I was a bit anxious but the staff there was very nice and helped relieve some of my anxiety. On Sunday I was experiencing some discomfort and when it didnâ??t improve throughout the day I was worried and called Dr. Brooks office around 8pm. The answering service put me in touch with her immediately. I apologized to Dr. Brooks for calling so late on a Sunday, but she said she was glad I called if I was concerned. Based on my symptoms she told me that everything I was experiencing was normal, but she asked me to come in to see her at 8:00 am Monday morning just to be sure. I think she came in early just to see me. Dr. Brooks made me feel very special. … I really appreciated her kindness and concern for my well being before during and after my procedure.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and told by another surgeon that I needed a mastectomy. I felt as if my world had come to an end and I just cried and cried with my husband for days. I felt so alone and the weight of the world on my shoulders. On the advice of a friend who had been to see Dr. Brooks because of a suspicious mammogram â?? she was luckier than me â?? not cancer, I made an appointment with Dr. Brooks to get a second opinion. After meeting with Dr. Brooks there was no way I was going to have anyone else do my surgery. Dr. Brooks is the most caring and compassionate doctor Iâ??ve ever been to. She really took charge of my situation and helped taked the weight of the world off my shoulders. I felt as if I had a real advocate to help me with my battle. My husband and I went together to see Dr. Brooks, armed with dozens of questions. She was very patient and explained everything to us in terms we both could understand. I think she spent nearly an hour with us on that… first visit. Because my cancer is a type requiring chemotherapy and radiation, Dr. Brooks referred to those doctors and helped coordinate my treatment. I also chose to have breast reconstruction and Dr. Brooks explained to me the various options and then coordinated with a wonderful reconstruction surgeon. So this is four doctors in total I need see and follow a treatment plan with. The entire experience is stressful and daunting, but Iâ??d highly recommend Dr. Brooks to help anyone out going through this dreadful process. She is a wonderful doctor and person.

Dr. Brooks is the most courteous doctor I know. The people in her office are nice too. I had surgery and needed insurance forms to be done. Her office girls were so patient. You know insurance, you have to fill out form after form. Dr. Brooks personally calls me to tell me my test results. My family doctor makes me come in for another appointment and charges me an office visit. I ask her to mail me my x ray report to my house - no problem. My pediatrician charges $10 for a copy of my kid's vaccination paper. My husband's internist wants 25 cents for every page copied from his medical chart. I run late and just call to reschedule. My gynecologist sends me a bill if I cancel my appointment less than 24 hours in advance. If Dr. Brooks runs late even 15 minutes, her office calls me to let me know. I wish Dr. Brooks can be my doctor for everything, not just surgery. In general, I dread going to the doctor, but I like going to see Dr. Brooks for my cancer checkup every six… months.

This guy is a cyber bully! Let me tell you about the Dr. Brooks I know. This year was horrible for me, 20 thirteen really unlucky number. I lost my job. I lost my insurance. Dr. Brooks saw me for FREE! My operation cost me a fraction of what other surgeon offices quoted me (I suppose she has to pay the rent and the help). She is an ANGEL !!!

Came to Dr Brooks last summer with extreme pain and possible need for cholecystectomy. Since my tests in the ER were inconclusive, rather than just schedule the surgery, she was very thorough with examining me and ordered more tests, and an appt with GI. She spend a lot of time with me that week and was compassionate and helpful. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, she scheduled the surgery for 2 days later and did a great job. She even gave me her cell phone number and encouraged me to call her for any problems. I did call her with a question and she answered right away. I also had questions during my recovery and she was very helpful then too.