Breast Reconstruction Reviews
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“How Do I Choose the Best Size Implants After Mastectomy? Going from 475cc to 650cc - Daytona Beach, FL”
db4758
Not Worth It
Spent: $5,000 in Daytona Beach, Florida
Spent: $5,000 in Daytona Beach, Florida
Bi-lateral Mascetomy in December 2010, 475cc implants in April 2011. I am very unhappy with the size and look of them. I am told I will never be perfect but as you can see from the pictures they are not even close. I have been very insistant that I want to go larger and have them re-shaped.
It is now June and I am told that my dr's schedule is full until the 1st of September. I go every day with some degree of pain. I am at a loss. I have no before photos but I am 53, 5' and 120 lbs.
Updated on 8 Jun 2011:
If I give my doctor pictures of what I want my breasts to look like can he change the shape and imperfections with the 2nd implant surgery?
Updated on 22 Jun 2011:
The pictures that are terrible breasts are mine, while the other ones I added is what I want. A beautiful job. I am so jealous. My dr's office just took another set of post op pics that look just like the ones I took of myself. Now we are waiting to hear from the insurance company, I am getting set up with a Pain Management Center and a nurse's assistance to see why I am still having pain issues.
Updated on 24 Jun 2011:
Opinions Please: I am having a 2nd opinion in regards to my replacement implants. I brought in pictures that I found of what I would like my breasts to look like, my dr. glanced at them after I told him that is what I was looking for but he DID NOT put them in my file. To me he is saying he does not care what I actually want. Am I wrong in that assumption?
Updated on 24 Jun 2011:
So it is now June 24th, insurance has been approved and now I get to wait until August 9th before I have my implants replaced. In the meantime I am going for a 2nd opinion since my dr and I do not seem to be getting along. I brought pics of breasts that I find very appealing and what I would like mine to look like and told him so. He barely glanced at them, and never put them in my folder. What is that telling me? The other dr I talked to said he could schedule my surgery 2 weeks after our consult.
Updated on 25 Jun 2011:
Getting a second opinion and hopefully sit down with my existing dr and have a heart to heart talk and try and find out why we are having personal problems. I am direct, I ask questions, I don't like the job he did and am scheduled for a replacement but scared.
Updated on 4 Jul 2011:
Anyone know of a surgeon located in Ponte Vedra who has a A+ reputation in reconstruction?
Updated on 17 Jul 2011:
I have finally found a new doctor in Palm Beach Gardens FL. that understands what I want, asks me questions regarding my wants. He took the time to talk to me as a person and was more concerned about my wants and needs than him thinking he knew best. He spent almost 2 hours with me during our first consult, again talking to me and asking questions. I am very excited about Dr. Pinsky. It may be 3 hours away but I feel like I now have some control over what I am going to look like which is something I did not have with Dr. Z. He even said he could try to open up the inner pockets depending on my anatomy to close the gap between my breasts. At least he is willing to attempt it once he has opened me up. He is also not going to use the same incision on my right breast that is now lost the roundness of my breast due to that incision being cut 3 times. This is another item that I asked my previous doctor NOT to do with the implant surgery. Now all I have to do is find some pictures of what I want. I will keep u updated and post pics with my new breasts.
Updated on 18 Aug 2011:
New doctor, New outlook, New Implants. I love all 3 of the above. Dr. Pinsky in Palm Beach Gardens is my hero. He has given me cleavage, he has given me a great shape and has filled in the divots, indentations and imperfections that were left in the "cancer" breast. All these things I now have my first doctor told me was not possible. Dr. Pinsky did the fat grafting same time as the implants, my previous dr never did the fat grafting, told me cleavage was NOT possible. And to top all the good things off I have less pain now than I did before this past surgery and that was after 4 months my first implants. Today is 7th day out of surgery and I have not taken a pain pill in 48 hours. Go figure. Dr. Pinsky is great, I see him tomorrow for my 1 week check up. I will post pics as soon as I can get some decent ones.
Updated on 9 Sep 2011:
Change of doctors to Dr. Pinsky in Palm Beach Gardens Florida. I cannot say enough good things about this doctor. He is a true reconstructive surgeon. He is caring, kind, wants to know how the patient feels and what they want. The Biggest plus in my opinion. Even though he is 4 hours from me I would never go to another surgeon. Dr Pinksy gets 5 stars across the board from me and that includes his staff.
Updated on 30 Sep 2011:
Just a short note I am doing great with my new implants, very little pain, only occassionally, twinges more than pain. Emotional outlook is 100% better, I am thrilled when I look in the mirror now even without the nipples yet. My implants are settling so great and I see improvements weekly. So glad I did not give up and Thanks to all who suggested I keep searching for a better doctor because I definitely found him. I will see him in a couple of weeks and give an update. Hugs!!! Darlene
Updated on 29 Oct 2011:
I want to post how happy I am with my new look and how grateful I am to Dr. Pinsky for his artistic work. I will be meeting with him in a couple of weeks to discuss nipple/aureola reconstruction. I would like to have texture for both the nipple are aureola and if anyone can accomplish that he can. Then I will follow with the tattooing of scars from where my nipples were(to match my skin now) and to darken both nipple and aureola. I am so happy I did not settle for less.
Updated on 29 Nov 2011:
Nipple reconstruction done, ouch, be prepared. 2 weeks post op and still pain but Dr. Pinsky is very happy with the results. Skin color is good,looks like nipples are going to be successful the first time, that would be a first with my track record. LOL Having hard time finding a bra that works with 5 4x4 gauze pads for each nipple without seeing the pads and without the bra mashing the new nipple tissue, any suggestions?
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Picking the correct size implants is almost impossible without some type of digital imaging or a way to try on different size implants using a type of bra. As silly as this may sound, get to know the staff is as if not more important on a personal level than the dr. They run the office, he relies on his staff to run his office, tell him his schedule and when he has what surgeries. The staff of my doctor is a nightmare, rude, uncooperative, and unaccommdating, even to my cancer surgeon, these were "his" words. Of course in front of the doctor they are all smiles and helpfulness but that is as far as it goes. My pain level has been continous since December 10, 2010 and I have to beg and plead for any type of pain meds and when I do I am made to feel like a drug addict from both staff and dr. I am very confused at this point and it has been 6 months. The only reason I am recommending my doctor is because I believe in the end I will be happy with the final results when ever we get to that point. The pictures that are terrible breasts are mine, while the other ones I added is what I want. A beautiful job. I am so jealous. My dr's office just took another set of post op pics that look just like the ones I took of myself. Now we are waiting to hear from the insurance company, I am getting set up with a Pain Management Center and a nurse's assistance to see why I am still having pain issues.
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Comments (47)
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Leif Liu Rogers, MD
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Hey D,
There is no predicting exactly how each individual will heal. Having been through the mastectomy and reconstruction process, I do know that it can require multiple procedures and all of that takes time.
What I am most concerned with is your unhappiness about your treatment by your physician and his staff. Have you discussed all the options available to you so you know what is realistic? Were you able to see photos of patients from this practice who have had similar procedures? Educating yourself about options prior to visiting with your physician will demonstrate your willingness to partner in the process to achieve the best possible outcome.
I am not a doctor, but it seems like a breast lift prior to placing the implants might give you the desired effect based on the ideal photo you presented. Was this option ever discussed? Again, I am not a physician and this option may not be suitable for you.
It is never too late to get a second or even a third opinion.
Don't give up on being the best you can be.
Please keep us informed.
We are rooting for you,
Beverly
Again Thank you.
From reading your posts and your review of your PS, I would recommend you get some more opinions. You have nothing to lose. You are/have not been satisfied where you are. If this doctor is not interested in listening to you, then you would not want him to do another surgery.
You may have to travel out of your area some. I am in Gainesville, and go to Jacksonville. Another thing, reconstruction is a long process. The longer time you have between the surgeries, the better. It takes longer to heal. I had a bilateral w/tissue expanders, 6 chemos and 33 radiation treatments. I am glad to be here! I still have more surgery to do; you cant expect perfection, but you do want to be heard and you want the best you can get. Remember those other opinions. I would also recommend using Radx, you can buy it online out of Georgia. I used the R which has lidacaine in it and I use the M the moisture. I wish I had known about it earlier, but have used it every day since and feel like it saved my skin. The radiated side too! I don't miss a day. I have been told how good my skin and reconstruction looks....Keep us posted, and good luck!
j
Hi D,
You have described a situation which occurs frequently with family and friends when supporting the one who has cancer.
They want so much for their loved one to be better. As the patient, we often find ourselves comforting them.
I am so glad you found Realself to be both supportive and informative. Our community here intends to be the place where you can let your hair down with others who know exactly what you are talking about.
Sending good vibes for your Dr appt next week. Your experiences are helping to soften the way for the next person who has to walk the path.
Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Kisses,
Beverly
D, In this journey I have learned ~ you have to be your own advocate ~ research - have questions written down & ready - check out breastcancer.org / take the time / talk with your surgeon or oncologist (most of the time
your surgeon should refer you to someone they work with / go to a woman doctor or to a doctor who specializes in breast reconstruction / ask for names of a few people they have done that you could talk to; if they can't give you any, go elsewhere ~ you have to follow your intuition/gut feel ~ if your doctor is not taking time for you, not
listening, not asking you questions they might not be the right one for you ~ it is your body, you have to be happy ~ cancer has happened; it changes you AND your body; the doctor will have to look at you as a masterpiece, a work of art! Every person is different, and what is left is different, and what they can do with what is left is an art for that particular canvas; the doctor has to be able to do that. It is not just another 'boob job'! ;)
~ don't give up, be strong, gain your voice ~ going through breast cancer makes you stronger YOU ARE HERE! You fought to be here! Life is short! Don't have a lot of surgeries, be sure of it, I am still working on my reconstruction at 4 1/2 yrs. away from diagnosis, chemo & radiation . ...it gives it time to settle in..... ~ You are the boss here! ;)
Let us hear from you!
I was just thinking of you last night!
Yay for you ! It feels so much better to have a surgeon who is willing to listen and partner with you. I am sure you learned some valuable lessons from your last experience. Onward and upward for you.
So glad you are keeping us updated. We want to support you on your journey.
Stay well and in touch,
Beverly
My results are horrible. My implants are way too small.
I have had lots of pain after the implants were placed. I have to say looking te your current reconstruction that they look so much better than mine. I cannot even look at them in the mirror. Lots of cosmetic issues as well as problems with my arms. I want to cry because I am not getting any answers. I think I am going to have to leave thaem the way they are. Way to much stress dealing with PS's.
I agree, a lot of doctors wont do surgery at all if you smoke. Try anything & everything, becauseut is even more important sine you have had breast cancer. My mother died from lung cancer 15 years earlier than she probably would have.... do it for you & ask for help.
You are in daytona, is that right? My female plastic surgeon is in south jacksonville. You can e-mail me if you want more info. It is so hard because we are all different w/different cancers.... let me know how you are doing...
Now does anyone have a problem with weight gain? I gained 30 lbs. During chemo & it seems Stuck, all in the belly/waist area, NOT where I would've usually gained weight ....
I know this is breast cancer related! Thanks!
Take Care and let me know if you need anything. I am very fortunate that they caught my cancer in stage 1 and I did not even have to have radiation or chemo so I was Very lucky.
Jeana
Hey D,
So you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It feels so good to know you can look so good after the long ordeal of breast cancer.
A picture is worth a thousand words! Partnering with your surgeon will give you the most predictable outcome.
After 3+ years since my surgery, there's very little physical evidence. Because you did your homework, you can expect the same!
xo,
Beverly
Darlene, you are the most delightful woman.
Thanks for all your supportive comments. We feel your love.
You were true to yourself, would not rest until you were satisfied. Very inspiring!
Love your presence here.
Beverly
I feel so much better and confident that I made the right choice with Dr. Pinsky. Never give up, never settle for less. Where there is a will, there is a way!!!
I am so glad you are happy! How did you choose the size or picture, or did you have one? Your doctor sounds like a beautiful soul! Have you put the picture up of what you wanted to look like? I am anxious to see the final results! Do you have to go through anything else? Like making the nipples? I am looking for any information I can find. My doctor is going to 're-do' mine, bilateral, and I am very interested in any help on what to ask for, or show, or information. Did he put them under the muscle or on?
Again, I am happy for you and would love any information you can share!
Thank you, Jeana
Most doctors will tell you for best results implants should be UNDER the muscle, better support, less chance of the ripple look, smooth implants vs the textured ones seem to also be the #1 choice along with the memory gel. My doctor was able to make small pockets between my breasts to give me as much cleavage as possible. This is something they do not know what can be done until they actually open u up and look. My first doctor's opinion was NO. He did not even make an effort to look. That's the difference between a good dr and a GREAT one like Dr. Pinsky. I wanted some volume on top which is easy to accomplish but again pics are worth 1k words. The one thing I did not want was a lot of volume spread out near my underarm, this is where my push up underwire bra comes in. Yes underwire push up is what my dr has me wearing. This accomplishes 2 things; keeps my breast pushed together to make sure I get the cleavage I want and for support to keep them as "perky" as possible. As far as implants he used Naturelle 45 650 cc. I still have nipple reconstruction to do after my implants have months to settle. I am only 1 wk out so I still have some swelling so I will post pics soon. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. I am happy to pass anything I have learned along. Take care and let me know how things go and I will do the same. Hugs, Darlene
I am so happy for you!
Beverly
It is our pleasure having you so active in the community. You are an inspiration to the many you are connecting with here at RealSelf. Thank you Sweetie!