Dr. Margaret E L Bertrand, MD

I had a routine mammogram in 2011. The results were inconclusive so I was called back for an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, a nurse brought out my results on a paper indicating I had a mass in my right breast. At the time of my ultrasound Dr. Bertrand was not in the office, another Dr. reviewed the ultrasound. The nurse told me if I wanted the mass removed I could call the office and schedule a Fine Needle Aspiration. I called Solis Womenâ??s Health Care and scheduled the procedure over the telephone. The day of the procedure, Dr. Bertrand came in the room and discussed the procedure with me. She told me that she would be using an ultra sound guided fine needle aspiration so there would be no danger of puncturing my implant. She neglected to mention any risk factors. Yes, I signed a consent form. However, the form was never witnessed by the nurse. The form was general and vague and did not outline or list any risk factors of the Fine Needle Aspiration. For those of you… with implants, the consent form for mammography outlines in great detail all the risks; rupture, etc. Three days after the procedure, I noticed my right breast was deflated. I called Dr. Bertrand and went to her office the next morning. I was expecting remorse and compassion; instead, I was hit with pure arrogance. She refused to believe that she could have punctured my implant. I was now faced with a surgery to replace the deflated implant. I asked her if the implant came back with a puncture, would she take financial responsibility for costs I incur for the surgery. She said she would not personally, but, Solis Womenâ??s Health Care would. A few weeks later I had the breast augmentation surgery, the implant was sent to Mentor for evaluation. Yes, there were three punctures in the lower right side of the implant. What I learned from the plastic surgeon who did my replacement is that the implant is not totally covered my muscle. The location of her needleâ??s penetration went straight into the implant. After the weeks of living with a deflated breast and the painful surgery and recovery time, my husband and I scheduled a meeting with Dr. Bertrand. I went there in good faith armed with the results from Mentor, and my receipts for the surgery I had paid for, my medical records from her office that indicated her, nor her associate, ever had a conversation with me regarding the risks of the procedure. I never threatened a lawsuit, I just wanted financial restitution. I thought our meeting would bring closure to me for the torture I had been through for six weeks. I wanted to be reimbursed and move forward with my life. Our meeting did not turn out as planned. Dr. Bertrandâ??s attitude to me was belittling. I was humiliated. The conversation became about her, and how she was a breast cancer survivor and I should be thankful I did not have cancer. Within the same week, I received a letter from her attorney stating that a ruptured implant is a common risk of FNA and I was fully warned. So, I would not receive any reimbursement. I wanted to scream with frustration! I would have never moved forward with that procedure had I known the risk. Over the last six months, I have consulted with other Surgeons and Doctors specializing in the Breast. I have also spent hours on internet research. I now know that FNA is a practice that most doctors donâ??t even do anymore. The results are inconclusive because the specimen is so small. A FNA normally leads to yet another procedure, Excision. Lesson to be learned- do your own research before having procedures. Make sure to choose a physician that is focused on your needs and does not promote unnecessary procedures for financial gain.