Joseph Cannova Jr., MD

Dr. Cannova is the absolute best! I had breast surgery after years of hating my breasts, and I AM IN LOVE with them. They are perfect! He worked his magic, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results! His bedside manners are impeccable, and he is a perfectionist! He listened to what I wanted and the results are spot on! I will choose Dr. Cannova for any future needs I may have.

I'm a 46 year old woman that is 5'6.5" 156 pounds and have had a tummy (lower subcutaneous fat) my entire life. I have been 115 pounds in my adult life to 238 pounds after pregnancy and always no matter what still lower tummy. I had my one and only baby at 39 and gained 30 pounds after pregnancy trying to drink and eat enough food for the production of breast milk.
My blood pressure was extremely high after preeclampsia and nothing was working to get it to go down so I opted to do a VSG (sleeve) to lose the extra weight quickly in 2017.
Fast forward to today and I run a 5K everyday and have stayed the same weight for 2 years. I'm ready to get rid of this tummy I have looked at since I was a little girl. Also over the years back fat has accumulated and extra upper tummy fat.
I have chosen Dr Cannova and my surgery is March 17, 2023. I'm 2 weeks out and researching everything I need and what I should be doing before to be ready.

Updated on 18 Mar 2023:
Here are my before pictures in the office and the night before surgery. Over the years the lower tummy has not been the only issue. Underneath bra step fat had started to accumulate.

Updated on 19 Mar 2023:
I came home Friday, March 17, I was in a pretty decent amount of pain. The recliner I had gotten was uncomfortable. So I opened the pillow wedges I had bought and used those in combo with the recliner. I also had a walker and basically a healing suite set up in my primary bedroom. My wonderful mother took care of me.
I had 2 drains put in and one would fill but I was dropping the drainage fluid everywhere. I had to get some huge pads because it was running down my legs as lot of drainage but not in the drain.
So far the binder is all bunched up and I have not rearranged it yet. Today is the first day I can take a shower so I’ll sneak a peak.
I naturally don’t have a daily bowl movement. So that is a huge concern. The last time I had surgery (ankle) I thought I was going to have to call 911 it was painful and large when it came out. So far nothing and I have taken 6 Colace, 2 magnesium citrate, and 2 dulcolax. This is not going to be fun when it decides to come out because the pressure that I will have to apply with a stomach that feels like mush will not be good. I’m drinking as much water as possible too.
I have some burning at my Pubice bone where lipo occurred but besides being tired of sitting in the recliner and being scrunched over while walking it hasn’t been too bad.

Updated on 19 Mar 2023:
Omg I cannot get it to stop. It is like torture! Still no bowel movement. I’m going to try and get a colonic in the morning to get this going so it doesn’t cause more issues.

Updated on 23 Mar 2023:
Monday I had a colonic. That was a tremendous pressure release. I can’t imagine the pain with a bowel movement since the one sneeze and one cough I’ve had felt like my insides were splitting.

I have started to be much more mobile. I am starting to walk much more straight up and down. As long as I am loosened up, I can get straighter but if I’ve been in a sitting position and then try to walk, I can be hunched for a little bit .

I had my one week follow up with my surgeon at 9 AM this morning. He said that the swelling is still pretty significant. So one drain came out and one drain stayed.

I took my own pictures after he pulled some wraps, tape and the binder off, and I was in shock at what it actually looks like, in a happy way!

Updated on 11 Apr 2023:
I can really start to see the results. I am starting to be able to walk straight. I have been going on 1 mile walks outside albeit slow but still making it. I am still swollen. I had the 2nd drain taken out at 2 weeks and where that was still is very sore. I have started the scar creams. I need to massage the scar but still creeped out by the incision.

Updated on 5 Jun 2023:
I need to take some better pictures but I finally dressed up and went out. I have never worn a crop top.

Updated on 16 Jul 2023:
This has been the best summer ever! I have been able to throw on cute clothes and swimsuits, and feel confident.

After searching for years for a doctor. I came across Dr Cannova on realself. I wanted my surgery at home. Overseas was out the question. He is an amazing skilled surgeon and has an amazing team. I am completely satisfied with my results!

I lost 120 lbs and to say I had loose skin all over would be an understatement. I received Dr. Cannova's information from another doctor, and scheduled a consultation. From the first phone call, his staff put me completely at ease. He listened to all of my concerns and answered every question. I never felt like a number. He performed my surgery, and did a beautiful job. I feel a confidence, I haven’t had in years, and like I have my life back. I will forever be grateful to him!

I am new to the KC area. I moved from Dallas a few years ago. My silicone breast implants were almost 20 years old and my doctor found an abnormality in my breast exam during my annual physical which revealed a ruptured implant. My first consultation was with Dr. Cannova who was highly recommend by my family physician, very little wait time. I also sought out a few of the supposedly “top notch” breast surgeons In the KC region. The other surgeons were not as professional and charged consultation fees over 100. Dr. Cannova was very patient and took his time with answering all my questions on all 3 visits ( I had lots of questions), his staff was amazing! I’m 5 days post op and love my breasts! I am so grateful for Dr. Cannova! He’s he best!

Growing up I always had small breasts, and knew that I would want an augmentation sometime in life. I wore a 32b that looked all right with a push-up. I then had two children and breast fed them and pumped vigorously with with both. That left me very deflated. I did know that I wanted an augmentation a long time ago but after seeing how big my breast got while breastfeeding I definitely knew that I wanted one now. I began my search for a surgeon a few months ago with a little help heading in the right direction. The girl I knew had recently had hers done and they looked very large and misshapen so I was worried about finding a good one. With a referral from a friend of a friend I found dr. Canova. My husband went with me to my first consultation and we both agreed that he seemed pretty awesome. After my first consultation I had chose a 435cc implant. After some reconsideration and input from a friend I decided that was going to be too big. I started using rice sizers to try to figure out what I wanted. I was so back and forth not wanting to look too big not wanting to look too small. I went for a second consultation and decided to go with 355 CC moderate profile under the muscle. I had my surgery yesterday.
I initially freaked out when I looked down because they were much smaller than I had imagined. I am still feeling a little that way today but I'm starting to get a little bit more confidence with them that they are going to drop and look natural. I guess only time will tell
5 ft 7 in 150 lbs

Updated on 20 Feb 2019:
Things are healing nicely. Still having some minor discomfort and numbness.Cant wait for them to finish settling. Feeling the procedure was totally worth it. Wish I would have went some bigger but still very happy.

How old do you I really look? I graduated from college in 1980 but obtained my masters degree in 1994 - bottom-line, when I apply for jobs the only date I put on my resume is the masters graduation which takes 10 plus years off my age. So when I was suddenly back in the job market at age 60 - no problem... right? Wrong. My turkey neck gave me away. Those three different jobs that I was perfect for according to the recruiter viw email and phone. But when they "saw" me - those opportunities went away. So a great connected relative shared a name - Dr. Joseph V. Cannova with Associated Plastic Surgeons, Leawood, Kansas. Consults normally have to be booked months out - but the flu issue in the Kansas City area was my friend - they slipped me in the next day: someone had called minutes before me to cancel. The consult was wonderful. Dr. Cannova sat eye level with me two feet away and watch my face/neck as I talked. I shared my concerns with my turkey neck and how I thought it really aged me. I shared that I was a trainer/educator and that my appearance really was important. I told him that I did not want my eyes or mouth changed and that the jowl lines were from my dad's side of the family and I was fine with them. He agreed with my assessment and we discussed expectations. A neck lift alone would not give me the results I wanted - a neck lift and a lower face lift would. Since I had been reading this website since August 2017 - I knew he was right! Again the flu was my friend, my May date became March 9, 2018. I asked my EMT son to be my 24 hour bubby and I was set!

I'm getting ready for my lift and absolutely obsessing. Doc says I need an implant. Everyone says listen to the doc. I've been huuuuge my whole life. Now I'm all shrunken from babies and I like my size. He says do a 250 cc and if I really want to be the same size, he can take out tissue but just get shape. I want to listen to him but I keep thinking if I like my size do I really need an implant? What if I look fake? What if I'm huge? I just don't want to be saggy. I want to look great with my shirt off. Obviously anything would be an improvement now. I was saggy by 18 so I just want to do whatever makes me perky longer. After years of people asking me if my boobs were fake, I don't want that to start again and I don't want to say yes!

I'm a professional so I can't have that huge fake look.

Nervous but super excited still!!

Updated on 10 Oct 2016:
This weekend I wore rice sizers adding about 180ccs. My husband thought the 250's added way too much volume. I (and he) even thought the size increase with 180 was unnecessary. I just think I'm big enough now. I did, however, start to think that maybe all the docs are right. If I really want to get (and keep) a nice shape, maybe I need an implant. There seems to be 100% agreement on that from the docs. I'm still really struggling with the decision because I'm happier with my own size but I really really want to like the shape. I really like the idea of having my own breasts, but I want to love the result. Leaning toward implant but removing tissue. My husband doesn't love that idea bc he doesn't like the way implants feel. We both know I'm doing it for me, but I do also want him to like it.

Updated on 15 Oct 2016:
I was pretty big, so I think that's why I'm paranoid! I'm going back in to try on sizers. I do want the shape so I think I'll have to go for it

Updated on 25 Oct 2016:
Going tomorrow, can't sleep!

Updated on 26 Oct 2016:
SO relieved that my size looks basically normal so he for sure focused on shape not big. I had a bunch of pain and nausea when I woke up. 3 hours and I'm mostly fine. Just sleepy. Starting NAC, vitamin c, b complex (my hangover blend) to detox the meds. Also adding bromelian for soft tissue damage and swelling. As soon as humanly possible I'll do pracasil plus to minimize appearance of incision. Maybe a week. It's like mederma times a million

Updated on 26 Oct 2016:
End of the day, feel like I'm just taking the meds for fun at this point. Will tomorrow be worse? Swelling seems minimal but I've taken about 12,000 mg of bromelain today. Recovery is remarkable. Nothing but bone broth and kombucha for food today. Great for healing.

Updated on 27 Oct 2016:
Still doing great, but tired. Pain is not a big deal. Took a pic lying down today and compared. Wow. They're not pretty yet but I'm so happy I did it

Updated on 29 Oct 2016:
I can't believe how easy and painless this has been. I am so incredibly grateful that he listened to me on size and shape. He actually opted for a smaller implant once he got in bc he promised to make the most natural shape he could.

Updated on 1 Nov 2016:
Still doing well! Pain is a non issue, back to work today. People commented on how tired I look. But I made it through the day!

Updated on 6 Nov 2016:
Have not been braless since age 13

Updated on 6 Nov 2016:
Pain is fine, healing seems fine. Still having trouble urinating 9 days out but I've accepted that might take a long time / not get better. I'm happy. Blue glue is off tomorrow

Updated on 7 Nov 2016:
He said I still have some spots that need to heal more before we do any topical or scar massage. But overall doing well. I forgot to ask when I can exercise but I assume not yet. I don't lift, I just do cardio. Anyone know?

Updated on 9 Nov 2016:
Feeling great, but still so tired. Started massaging breasts but not incisions

Updated on 11 Nov 2016:
Ok silly question....will it ever feel normal to hug again?? I'm a hugger and it feels like I have balloons between me and other people. Does that get better?

Updated on 15 Nov 2016:


Updated on 20 Nov 2016:
Doc says he likes the gel. Any feedback?

Updated on 9 Dec 2016:
I notice some assemetry here but it's still early. Still noice some little nerve pains and no sensation in my nipples. But every day they feel more real! I still feel like they are a little too firm feeling, but I love how much my husband likes them and how many more clothing options I have :). I'm basically exactly the same size so no one could tell. That's just what I wanted so that's good. I see how people get boob greed! But I've been big and I love being able to fit into normal stuff

Updated on 22 Dec 2016:
Slightly paranoid about right side bottoming out. It looks like it could just be a variation of normal but I switched to underwire bra under a sports bra. Read one doc that said if you see that push them up as much as possible

Updated on 2 Jan 2017:
I was a little worried that since my size fluctuates I'd look weird but I got bigger with my period and it looks fine.

Updated on 14 Jan 2017:
I like the modest size! With some bras there is a lot of curve, others I can be working mommy.

Updated on 14 Jan 2017:


Updated on 15 Jan 2017:
Betamethasone 0.1 %
Tranilast 1%
Levocetrizine 2%
Pracasil plus base
1/2-1 gram twice daily
316-721-2626 for custom Rx
Andi is the pharmacist that will send the formula to your doc if they want to just sign it

Updated on 17 Mar 2017:
Everything is settled in!

Updated on 30 Sep 2018:
Gained 5-10 pounds. I gain in my breasts first. The extra fat makes them feel more real, but I liked the way they looked smaller. Still happy :). I am back to yoga. I still can’t really do a wheel pose or real push up but I can do almost everything else. Scars still pink but they don’t bother me. I had some slight dog ears but a few pounds of weight gain filled them out so I’m glad I didn’t fix them.

I am almost 6 weeks post op on my breast augmentation done by Dr. Cannova. I am 100% satisfied with my results. I showed Dr. Cannova pictures of what I wanted and emphasized that I wanted a natural result. He met and exceeded all of my expectations. When you have a surgery like this you want to use the very best and lucky for me that is what I got when I chose Dr. Cannova!

Awesome doc. Very nice and informative made me feel so comfortable with b.a. amazing bedside manner and skill, his work is awesome, I wish I would have done this sooner but waited till after babies. So happy I chose Dr cannova! And his staff is amazing too. Always available to answer ?some pretty and post surgery.