Geoffrey E. Hespe, MD
We post reviews for MSK healthcare providers who have at least 30 patient experience surveys completed. If you do not see reviews for a provider, it may be because they do not yet have enough survey responses, or the provider may not be part of the group of healthcare providers included in the survey.
Only outpatient providers are included in the survey. Healthcare providers who only work in the hospital or in urgent care are not included in the survey. Pathologists or researchers who do not provide direct care to patients do not have reviews.
Areas of Expertise
Conditions I Treat
- Breast cancers and conditions
- Head and neck cancers
- Skin cancer and conditions
My Specialties
- Breast reconstruction
- DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery
- Head and neck reconstruction
Get to Know Me
I am a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with special training in complex reconstruction following treatment for breast cancer, head and neck cancer, cancers of the chest and extremities, as well as skin cancers.
I see patients at the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and perform procedures at Memorial Hospital and the Josie Robertson Surgery Center in New York City.
With my extensive training in plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery, I am experienced in a wide range of approaches to restore both a patient’s appearance and functional outcome following treatment for cancer.
Every patient has unique goals for their reconstruction. My approach is to listen carefully and provide education about all the available options. We then work together to make decisions and create a personalized treatment plan than aligns with the patient’s expectations.
My fellowship in microsurgery allows me to reconstruct defects from head to toe using a patient’s own tissue. This approach is called autologous reconstruction. Microsurgery involves transferring tissue, which can include skin, fat, or muscle, to a new location on the body and then reconnecting blood vessels under a microscope.
In certain instances, I use perforator flaps, such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap commonly used in breast reconstruction. This is a technique which can help reduce some of the negative effects associated with autologous reconstruction.
Beyond clinical care, I am committed to improving results for patients through translational research. The challenges my patients face after cancer treatment inspire me to better understand these complicated processes at a basic level so that I can develop ways to help them.
My research focuses on understanding the biology of lymphatic vessel development and repair following injury. This helps better understand lymphedema, a condition that effects many cancer patients, with the goal of developing new treatment options.
Outside of the hospital I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, running, and playing golf.
I'm a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, which is a doctor with special training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. These procedures make your body work better or look better.
- Assistant Attending Surgeon
Conditions I Treat
- Breast cancers and conditions
- Head and neck cancers
- Skin cancer and conditions
- Lymphedema
My Specialties
- Breast reconstruction
- DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery
- Head and neck reconstruction
- Mohs reconstructive surgery
- Lymphedema surgery
- Microsurgical breast reconstruction
Education
- MD, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Residencies
- Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan
Fellowships
- Reconstructive Microsurgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
TBD
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.
If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.
If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
Make an Appointment
Contact and Location
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
- Hespe GE, Sugg KB, Stein EB Ellsworth WA, Kung TA, Momoh AO. Contralateral autologous augmentation in DIEP flap reconstruction: Employing CT angiography and volumetric analysis for pre-operative planning. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2024 May 14. (PMID: 38742873)
- Hespe GE & Brown DL. Management of neuropathic pain with neurectomy combined with dermal sensory regenerative peripheral nerve interface (DS-RPNI). Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2024 Jan 19; 38(1): 48-52. (PMID: 38495065)
- Hespe GE, Matusko N, Hamill JB, Kozlow JH, Pusic AL, Wilkins EG. Outcomes of breast reconstruction in patients with stage IV breast cancer. JPRAS. 2023 Apr 19;83:51-56. (PMID: 37270995)
- Hespe GE, Ly CL, Kataru RP, Mehrara BJ. Baseline lymphatic dysfunction amplifies the negative effects of lymphatic injury. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2019 Jan; 143(1): 77e-87e. (PMID: 30589786)
- Hespe GE, Kataru RP, Savetsky IL, García Nores GD, Torrisi JS, Nitti MD, Gardenier JC, Zhou, J, Yu, JZ, Jones, LW, Mehrara BJ. Exercising training improves obesity-related lymphatic dysfunction. Journal of Physiology. 2016 Aug 1; 594(15): 4267-4282. (PMID: 26931178)
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Hespe’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
Your trust is our main concern
We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.