What should I bring to the office on my appointment day?
Please bring
all of your pertinent xrays,mammograms and lab tests
a list of questions you wish to ask
a friend or family member to listen with you
your medical/health insurance card


Is Dr. Donahue Board Certified?
Dr. Donahue obtained his certification from the American Board of Surgery in Feb,1985.
Dr. Donahue was recertified by the Board of Surgery in 1993.

How long will it take to schedule surgery? Where will the surgery be performed?
Generally speaking, 2-3 days are required to precertify a surgery, schedule the surgery, and obtain anesthesia coverage. The amount of time will, of course, vary depending on whether or not additional imaging, such as Breast MRI, PET scans, or biopsies is necessary to evaluate other abnormalities that may be detected prior to surgery.

Dr. Donahue has surgical privileges at St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and St. Joseph's Outpatient Surgery Center.

We perform surgery as soon as we have received certification from your insurance company, and after we have received the necessary medical clearance for surgery from your own physicians. All other necessary testing, imaging and preoperative evaluation is performed by the Hospitalists at St. Joseph's hospital.


Do I need a second opinion?
Dr. Donahue encourages his patients to seek a second opinion if they so desire.

Has the doctor performed this operation before?
Dr. Donahue performs more than 700 surgical procedures every year. These procedures encompass all aspects of breast surgery.

Can I fill out my paperwork before I come to the office?
Our office staff is happy to fax/email your forms to you prior to your appointment so you can fill them out ahead of time.

Does the office accept credit cards?
Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be used for your copay or outstanding balance.

Why does Dr. Donahue perform surgical biopsies in the office.
Many times an ultrasound guided biopsy performed in the office, under local anesthesia through an incision less than 1/4 inch in size, can provide the doctor with a precise diagnosis regarding your breast lump. With this information an exact treatment plan can be developed and consultations with other members of the health care team can be arranged prior to proceeding with a definitive operation. In addition an office based ultrasound guided breast biopsy is significantly less expensive than a biopsy performed at the outpatient surgery center or in the hospital