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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
1800 Howell Mill Rd., Ste. 140, Atlanta, Georgia
4.8 | 48 Reviews
83 Questions Answered
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Before and After Photos

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

You have clearly already put a lot of thought in to this.  The areola can be resized and the nipple centered.  Additionally the nipple and areola can be lifted.  However, with the donut lift, I can only move it up by a few (2-3) centimeters.  Therefore, it can be a great solution for patients with slight droop of there breasts who want to avoid additional scarring.  

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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews

Good question, one that comes up a lot.  One way of thinking about it is that a lift and implant will give you the look you have in a bra but without a bra.  A lift alone will certainly look more youthful, but you will still need a bra to achieve that upper fullness.  Hope that helps.  For what it’s worth, I’d probably lean toward no implant as you have a lot of breast tissue.  But up to you.

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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews

Scar tissue from liposuction typically represents adherence of the skin down to the deeper layers of the abdomen from the prior liposuction.  Sometimes this can result from too much fat being removed.  One option is to break up that scar tissue with cannulas under no suction, followed by injection of a small amount of fat just under the skin to give you that natural/unscarred look to the tissue.

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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews

The "gummy bear" term should be applied to all silicone implants available in the USA after 2006.  The gel is like a gummy bear with much less tendency to leak.  Saline implants aren't bad devices, just relatively older technology.  

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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Thank you for your question.  A lift can (and is many times) done in conjunction with removal of an implant.  Frequently any ptosis or sagging of the breast becomes more pronounced after implant removal often times necessitating a lift to optimize results.  Many times in my practice a drain is used with this procedure for approximately one week which can be cumbersome, but easily overcome.  Good luck
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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Thank you for your question.  I have used both types of implants in reconstruction, but my preference is anatomic implants.  The gel is more cohesive and therefore maintains its shape better.  Another way to think about it is that after mastectomy there is no breast, so perhaps it is advantageous to use an implant shaped like a breast.  However, having said that, I was at a meeting a few years ago and postop pictures were shown of patients with implants and it is surprisingly difficult to pick out the anatomic patients.  
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John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Typically with reconstruction approximately 175 to 200 cc is a cup size increase.  Therefore, 500 cc is not as big as it sounds.  That being said, it is important to go by your measurements such as the width of your chest and the width of the implant. 
provider-John D. Symbas, MD-photo

John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Thank you for your questions.  I agree with the views and answers expressed thus far.  The only thing I would add is that sometimes a sensory nerve to the ear can be injured causing numbness and/or pain.
provider-John D. Symbas, MD-photo

John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Certainly you are a candidate for a lift or a lift with implants.  In my experience, many women will opt for the added volume that an implant gives them.  With a lift alone, many women go down in cup size because the skin envelope is tightened.
provider-John D. Symbas, MD-photo

John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews
Thank you for your question.  In general, the latissimus muscle provides greater coverage and comfort with using larger implants.  In my practice, I do not limit the size to a number of cc's, but rather to each patient's desires and chest wall dimensions.  There have been many occasions when I have used an implant larger than 350cc successfully.  
provider-John D. Symbas, MD-photo

John D. Symbas, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 48 reviews

John D. Symbas, MD reviews

John D. Symbas, MD

RATING DETAILS

4.8
48 reviews

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10 Results
Tummy Tuck

MurphySh

I am so happy with my new 60 year old tummy!

The best physician experience ever. Dr. Symbas is so kind and compassionate and really listens to you. He reassured me and calmed my fears and said I would look amazing...and he was right!! My tummy looks so freaking great I want to show it off. Don't hesitate, let the office team and Dr. Symbas take care of you.

Liposuction

Pierpoint

Excellent Experience from Beginning to End

Dr Symbas not only has one of the best bed side manners I have ever experience with a doctor of his stature but his hands are truly gifted. His surgical giftedness is evident in the quality of his work. Excellence personified.

Tummy Tuck

Tinab1272

So Happy With My Tummy Tuck - I Had Minimal discomfort

After having my breast reduction last year, I decided I definitely wanted to have a tummy tuck, also. I went back to Dr. Symbas because I was so happy with my breast reduction. Dr. Symbas and his staff are so kind. They really go that extra mile to answer your questions. The night before my surgery Dr. Symbas even called the day before to help calm any pre- surgery jitters. I’m three weeks post op and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I had minimal pain. Dr. Symbas is really the best. So thankful for him and his incredible staff. Updated on 27 May 2022: Just wanted to show a couple of photos. The first photo was taken the day of surgery. I was so nervous. I didn’t have much sleep the night before and that definitely added to my anxiety about the surgery. But after taking this photo and reminding myself of the reason I wanted to do this, the anxiety went away. I’m three and a half weeks post op and I’m already so happy with the results. I still have a little swelling and a drain, but it’s a small price to pay for such a positive impact on my life. Again, I cannot express enough how wonderful and caring Dr. Symbas and staff are. I am forever grateful!

Breast Reduction

tinabanister1972

I’m so glad I finally got to have my reduction

I’ve wanted to have a breast reduction for some time and had not been impressed with any of the doctors I had been to. A friend recommended Dr. Symbas after she had to have reconstructive surgery after breast cancer. After meeting Dr. Symbas, I knew I wanted him to do my surgery. He’s not just confident in what he does, you feel he genuinely cares about you and understands the place you are in. He not only is kind, he also hires the nicest people to work for him. The day of my surgery I was so nervous as I’m not a fan of hospitals, but once I saw Dr. Symbas I was immediately at ease. My surgery went well. I’m so glad I finally got to have my reduction. If you are looking for a doctor that is not only great at what he does, but also genuinely cares about his patients, look no further. Make the call and go see Dr.. Symbas.

Breast Reconstruction Revision

rachelletb

Extremely Caring and Gifted Surgeon

Dr. Symbas is possibly the most caring and authentic surgeon I have ever met. He truly cares about his patients, and it shows with every interaction. I have a great outcome after breast reconstruction, and he appeared emotionally vested in the outcome and my happiness. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing plastic surgery for any reason.

$7,000Breast Reduction

Resourceful36419

Best experience: I was a 36 G now a C

Dr. Symbas and his staff were amazing! I got a breast Reduction on 8/21/20 and I'm in LOVEEEE with my results. I was a 36 G, I wanted to go down to a C cup. I will post my before and after pics when I'm all healed up. I am currently recovering.

Breast Reduction

HappyPatientMomofFour

I am thrilled to be proportional now

I had a totally positive experience from start to finish with my breast reduction and mini abdominoplasty. Dr. Symbas is an amazing surgeon with friendly, kind and professional bedside manner. He always called me back the same day when I needed to voice concerns or ask questions in the weeks leading up to my surgery. My surgery and healing went well. I am very pleased with the work he did and the results have been life changing (I am 3 months post op). I chose Dr. Symbas because of his 5 Star and absolutely flawless reviews on Heath Grades. The entire office staff at Atlanta Plastic Reconstructive is welcoming, professional and hard working and having the surgery done at Piedmont Hospital was great. I totally recommend Dr. Symbas and am so glad I chose him. I was a 36DD on petite 5’1” frame. The surgery helped my back pain and I am thrilled to be proportional now. The mini abdominoplasty fixed my (4) c-section scar and bulge and I have a sculpted tummy now. I am so happy with the results.

Breast Augmentation

Genuine7932

Dr. Symbas Will Become Like Family

Dr. Symbas was incredibly kind and professional. I had full faith in him and his team. He made me feel so comfortable and answered a million questions in person or over the phone to make sure I felt ready for the procedure. When I go in for my periodic check ups every staff member remembers my name and Dr. Symbas treats me like family. He did my grandmothers breast reconstruction after cancer, and my sisters breast augmentation as well so at this point he practically is family! I got a small augmentation (200cc) done in October and I couldn’t be happier with the results as spring comes! Incredibly natural! I’ve already recommended him to friends as I will for years to come. I’ve been truly blessed to encounter Dr. Symbas and this team!

Panniculectomy

lucyjane1900

Best Dr Ever!!!

There are people sent by angels to change your life in the most beautiful ways. Dr. John Symbas is just such a physician and friend. He performed a surgery on me for my health that has actually added several years to my life!!! His expertise, dedication and compassion have been such a Godsend in my time of need. His office staff are amazing as well. They have always been so welcoming and they have taken extra measures to care for me. These ladies are phenomenal. If you have any needs in the realm of plastic surgery then Dr. Symbas is your man! 5 stars are not enough!!! Wish I could honor him with millions! Love you Dr. Symbas!!!????

Breast Reduction

Brave6620

You deserve the best!

If I had to do it (breast reduction) all over again I would choose Dr. Symbas and the Atlanta Plastic and Reconstructive Specialist team every time. Dr. Symbas has amazing bedside manner. He's compassionate and made me feel comfortable and confident in his expertise at my consultation. The office staff and nurses were knowledgeable and comforting leading up to my procedure when I got the jitters and had a million and one questions and throughout the healing process. Getting a breast reduction and choosing Dr. Symbas as my surgeon has been one of the best decisions I've made.