Dr. Rachel Michele Brightwell, MD

In approximately November, 2023, I was told that I had a "complex cyst with septum" after a transvaginal ultrasound and sent to a gynecology oncologist (Rachel Brightwell) for evaluation. Dr. Brightwell did not explain my options (told me that the cyst "needs to come out immediately." She also told me that my uterus was "a trophy of years gone by." She further told me that I needed to remove both ovaries immediately. The cyst was on my left ovary. I asked for a cystectomy and her reply was "absolutely not, your ovaries should not be doing anything because you are in menopause." THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. I allowed her to remove both ovaries and felt the loss IMMEDIATELY. I felt nothing when my fiancé kissed me. I had no sex drive. I had painful joints (started almost immediately, never had them before) and was an emotional wreck. I am 60 years old and I have aged more in the last ten months since my surgery than I had aged in the ten years since menopause. I have to be on expensive and… risky hormone treatments for the rest of my life just to feel "normal." At my post-op, she threw the surgery report on the table and said "no cancer" then rushed me out. When I read the biopsy report after my appointment, I saw that the questionable cyst WAS NOT a complex cyst (can be cancerous) but merely a simply cyst (just needs to be monitored). I was devastated. Dr. Brightwell has a terrible bedside manner, does not listen or communicate well and performs unnecessary surgeries. She could have done a cystectomy, she could have left the ovary that had no cyst on it. She wanted to remove my uterus (I have no family history of female cancers) but I would not let her. She had the wrong surgery listed on my patient consent form day of surgery. GOOD THING I READ IT. She is no longer with my local practice and left her TX practice suddenly. I am not sure what happened but I am certain that I am not the only patient to have this experience with her. I think she is dangerous and should not be trusted for your medical care. Please find another surgeon.

She took time to explain everything to me and addressed all of my concerns.

She did not explain her plan to me for my treatment. She did not give me alternative options for my treatment. She did not inform me of my test results or imaging readings. She insisted that she remove my port in her office only to realize after cutting me open that she could not remove it and that I needed to go to the hospital so a vascular surgeon could remove it.

Dr. Brightwell and her staff were terrific! They explained every step of my procedure with me and answered all of questions. I never felt rushed. She did my surgery robotically, which made the recovery so much easier. I had the surgery one morning and went home the next day. I highly recommend Dr. Brightwell and her team.