Uneven Breast Reconstruction Pro
Procedure done:
en bloc capsulectomy, mastopexy, mammoplasty + fat transfer breast augmentation
You'd think the easiest thing to do would be to find a great breast reconstruction doctor in Los Angeles, the city of perfect breasts but I had a very hard time finding doctors that would listen, and didn't make me uncomfortable.
I've struggled with congenital tuberous breast deformity with EXTREME uneveness since I was 14 and had undergone multiple unsuccessful surgeries, including breast reductions, implants, and mastopexy. I was desperate for a solution that would address my painful uneven breasts without the weight, pain, and maintenance of implants.
After consulting with several surgeons in the South Bay of Los Angeles, and around Orange county and Beverly Hills, I was disheartened by their dismissive attitudes and pushy sales tactics. They seemed more interested in upselling secondary procedures than addressing my specific needs.
After months of research, I met Dr. Diaz. He was incredibly patient, understanding, and knowledgeable about breast reconstruction. Unlike the others, he didn't try to force implants on me. Instead, he explained the benefits of a more natural approach using fat grafting, mammoplasty, and mastopexy. Surgeries that require skill and time that unlike the implant-only doctors seem to want to avoid.
I'm now four days post-surgery, and I'm already feeling a sense of relief and hope. It already looks incredible even bruised and stitched up, the pain is minimal, and I'm incredibly grateful for Dr. Diaz's expertise and compassionate care.
As a note, I can't use narcotics because of a worry of an autoimmune disease flare-up, and am just on extra strength Tylenol and the pain has been bearable. So if you're needing breast reconstruction and can't use narcotic pain relievers, this is doable!
If you're struggling with extremely uneven breasts, I highly recommend Dr. Diaz. He's a true expert in breast reconstruction, and he'll work with you to find the best solution for your individual needs, not the easiest surgery for him to do, he's an artisan.
Here's how I chose my breast surgeon:
1. Check a lot of 3rd party reviews, "doesn't listen to patient" is a red flag:
Dr. Diaz and his staff listen and that helped manage my anxiety and answer questions without belittling
2. Has alternatives to implants for breast reconstruction:
Implants aren't always bad, but you need to replace them every 10 or so years and do you want to do that at 60? 70? A skilled breast surgeon has options.
3. Are they treating you like a patient or being dismissive?
Cosmetic surgery for congenital defects or for breast issues from cancer treatments can be very psychologically damaging and we're sensitive and exhausted. Insensitive doctors are the WORST.
If the surgeon is treating it like you're a vain idiot trying to get a mole removed and being rude and dismissive, walk out. But they should be honest too, a good doctor tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear just to make a sale.
Dr. Diaz understands congenital defects and my guess is he's also incredibly good with purely cosmetic issues too, he takes it seriously.
4 Cost: While the mastopexy and mammoplasty were out of the scope of my insurance, the implants explant weren't, and Dr. Diaz's office submitted it to my insurance for me.
My local surgeons said to me directly "we don't touch your insurance, you do that on your own"
As a note, two of the explant / implants quotes I received from the local cosmetic surgeons were about what Dr. Diaz charged for a much more skilled and professional surgery.
So if you're feeling lost and hopeless and feeling like you have no hope but to go through life with huge saline or silicone filled breast with absolutely unnatural cleavage, you don't.
Go to Dr. Diaz, get real breasts.
They'll have scars that will heal, but they'll look and feel free and real and like your own real breasts.
And if you have had severe tuberous breast deformity and different surgeries to correct that didn't really work, you won't believe you can be this happy about even bruised and stitched up breasts.
