omg words cannot express the precise workmanship,,, the compassion and the most understanding Dr ever,,, i could not ask for more,,, she is excellent in all she does... from day one she was encouraging,,, when i thought there was no hope... my first surgery went better than expected... i cannot wait to see the final outcome,,, based on my experience w/ dr arya i have no doubts that she is capable of performing the best results possible... Updated on 14 Jun 2015: Dr Arya is very encouraging,,, she was able to point out how they were more symmetrical and already close to the same size....i still have 1 to 2 more out patient surgeries... then when they look close to being right,,, she will then make nipples and tattoo... i am truly excited and fully trust Dr Arya...
I had my first implant in 1974-silicone over the muscle. That quickly encapsulated and I had to have a re-do, still over the muscle. In those days, physicians tried new tricks with each implant-the second time he put some prednisone in with the implant hoping that would stop any encapsulation. Good luck! It did not work so my surgeon put it under the muscle. This was the 3rd procedure. It encapsulated anyway and a crazy plastic surgeon (mine was out of town) tried to rip the capsule since I was in so much pain by squeezing my breasts with all his might. What pain and, again, it did not work. I moved to another state and tore the capsule while cleaning my bathtub. Again I had to have the implants removed and replaced due to the pain; this time the surgeon used a different type of implant and, guess what, they encapsulate anyway. I had them removed and replaced and, guess what, they encapsulated. I went to another surgeon since this one passed away and he put in saline implants and guess what-they were Mentors and one of them collapsed. They had to be removed and replaced with silicone again. AND GUESS WHAT-they encapsulated again..By this time, I had very thin skin and needed Alloderm to hold the implant. Guess what-they encapsulated. One more time, I had a revision-with Alloderm again and now the surgeon who was a doll and a woman said, since you are in so much pain and they are encapsulated again-not to mention riding almost up to my clavicle-scars everywhere and lots of pain, we should explant and leave them out. On October 24th this year I did just that. My chest feels so much better without the heavy weight of the implants. They were only 300 cc's. Since I had no breast tissue to begin with and all the explants and capsulectomies took away whatever I did have, I am afraid to look. At my age, I am 72, it really does not matter---and I guess it never really did, except in my own mind. I was a Ford Model years ago (biggest modeling agency in New York) so I must have been pretty. I think women should reconsider leaving alone what God has created. After all "Father knows Best". If you encapsulate, consider not re-implanting. It will probably only happen again! God Bless Updated on 28 Oct 2014: I think the decision to explant was God's way of showing me that I needed to take a step back and view my life's decision regarding taking care of myself. My pre-explant EKG was abnormal. I had to have a stress test before I could be cleared for surgery. I had the surgery and fainted again-I had fainted previously before the surgery-and if I do it again I will have a real problem with my heart. I would not have known had I not made the decision to explant which required lots of pre-surgical testing. I think it's time to rest-really rest...our breasts are not nearly as important as our physical health but we take that for granted. At 72, I think I need to consider that I am not 25 anymore even though I have the strength and energy of some one that age. I'll keep you informed as to my progress both healing and health wise. Thank all of the ladies who shared their experiences. They really helped. I hope mine will also. God Bless! Updated on 2 Nov 2014: Today is a scary day for me. I got up, went down to breakfast, started feeling dizzy, pain in neck and throat. I guess I really do need to see a Cardiologist. However, my implant removal is healing nicely. My drains are out, I look really different from all of you gorgeous girls post op but I feel great about what I did. Best decision I have ever made. I am putting coconut oil on my scars and found a Jockey XL bra with high back to wear plus two others in Marshalls for $10.00 with removable padding. They are great. Yesterday I fast walked for twenty minutes. That was exhilarating! I purchased several things from the Internet which don't cling and they fit really well, "surprise, surprise, surprise" as our friend Gomer Pyle would say (if you are old enough to know who he is)! I also bought silicone gel to assist with scar improvement and some creams for massaging breasts to enlarge them but my PS says wait until next week before using any of that stuff. I love you all for your stories and support during this not-fun time. Some of us don't have anyone who really understands and supports our decision and having you all takes care of that. This is a fun, educational and emotionally comforting site and I am sooo thankful for it and you. Keep sharing and God Bless! Updated on 3 Nov 2014: Today I am 7 lbs. lighter and I love it. The weight loss is an unexpected benefit. I would love to go back to exercising but, I guess, in time. I have an appointment with a Cardiologist on Thursday and I hope there is just a little tweek he can do to solve the issue. I wish I could take a few selfies and put them on this site but I am not as smart as my Smart Phone...I see my PS next Monday and her nurse on Friday if there is an issue. I know there won't be one and I look forward to many happy days of silicone gel over scars and breast massage. I don't want to turn out like Jane Mansfield but a little bit won't hurt..Thanks ladies for all your support. Happy Sailing. Updated on 10 Nov 2014: Tomorrow I have a visit with my PS. My cardiologist has ordered me to wear a CardioNet MCOT (Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry) in plain English like a Holter Monitor only it notifies him if I have any irregularities at the time I am having them-Holter does not. I have not had any more episodes for a week and I feel I won't have any more-at least I hope not-but with this monitor he and I will know if there is any real problem beside life's stresses. I will put it on after my visit to Dr. Arya. I don't want anything to interfere with what she is thinking and going to recommend. All"s Well that Ends Well. God Bless All! Updated on 14 Nov 2014: I am massaging with the herb indicated on the Real Self Website by one of the girls. I, also, put a 1/8 teaspoon of fairy dust in a glass of water each morning. I am healing well but it appears I will have to have another surgery in three months. Oh well. Such is Life! My results regarding breast tissue are more than I expected which is good and perhaps will improve as time goes on. Thank you ladies for all your support and I will send pictures if I can get time with my daughter to show me how to do it with my Apple Smart Phone. God Bless.... Updated on 15 Nov 2014: Today, Saturday, I got out of bed feeling really great. I think my dogs knew I was doing well because they both slept right up against me-one at the head and one at the chest. I feel like an oily Wap (I'm Italian). I am covering myself with Almond Oil, Real Aloe Vera from a cake, and any other natural oil I can order from the Internet. Usually General Anesthetic has some adverse affects and I think mine is really dry skin. I am three weeks postop and don't have to see my PS for another 3 weeks. When I look in the mirror, I have to say my PS was right. I was flat as a board before my implants-now I have a decent amount of breast tissue. Considering my many cc's and their complete removal, it's a delight. All's well that ends well! God Bless us All. Updated on 12 Dec 2014: My PS told me that I would need a fat transplant to make my breasts look human and would, also, need my nipples moved up. That's all right with me but I can't afford it right now. I am exploring PS's in Mexico-looking up credentials etc. From what I have seen on this site, the ladies who used these surgeons were very pleased. They are not licensed in the US-I checked but at one time I knew a great anesthiologist and his brother-an Allergist who are renowned in Phoenix and they were both educated in Mexico. They were great and were Board Certified in the US. I took pictures but I don't want to scare anyone by posting them since mine is a very unusual case. Eleven procedures and each time for encapsulation makes a big difference. I am pleased that I am in the shape I am in at this point. My PS says wait six months before making any decisions. I think that's a good idea. Thank you so much ladies for all your information, thoughts and prayers. This is a great forum for information and education. I love it. God Bless. Updated on 5 Jan 2015: Going to see a Hand Surgeon who also does Plastic. I have had 5 surgeries to my right CMC Joint and they have failed (that joint in at the bottom of the thumb). My left hand is in trouble now as well. Also, I think my breast explant will need lots of revision i.e. moving my nipples to my thigh, scar revision, etc. I hope this PS can help. He is one of the few PSs who is contracted with Medicare and that's who paid for my explant due to soo much pain. It's so great to have everyone giving their thoughts, prayers and ideas on this Site. It's a great help and encouragement. Thank you Ladies from the bottom of my heart. God Bless.. Updated on 10 Feb 2015: I was told today by a prominent PS that there really wasn't much that could be done for me. I don't have enough fat for a fat transfer and what I need is a lift also but I have bad scaring and that will make it difficult. Bad news but it is what it is. My daughter will be happy since she is concerned about me having another general anesthetic at my age. I'm glad I was not able to add pictures to the site because my breasts are sooo deformed they might scare some ladies. Mine is not the normal result. Thank you for all the kind words. They mean a lot ladies... Updated on 11 May 2015: I had a fat transfer from my abdomen to my breasts and it helped somewhat. I now have something to hold my bra down. I will need another fat transfer in July but this time my new PS will have to cut through scar tissue to be able to put more fat in the right places. I trust him and am looking forward to looking normal again. By the way, I had the hand surgery at the same time I had the fat transfer. The hand surgery turned out to be the most difficult and painful surgery I have ever had. It has been one month and I am still in so much pain and am wearing a split cast. I hope it is all worth it. We really need our hands...Don't get old...Ha, Ha, Ha! God Bless you all. Updated on 21 Jun 2015: I spoke with another PS and her idea of what should be done was totally different from the PS who did the transfer. However, she was looking at my somewhat bigger breasts from the fat transfer. I went in to see the PS who did the transfer and told him about the other PS. He said he intended to do a lift after the next transfer. It's hard to know who is right and who is not. I'll wait and see. I just keep massaging and hoping for the best. I have so much scar tissue from the previous procedures that it's hard to know what to do. Internal scar tissue makes it very difficult for the new surgeries to heal correctly. I have pictures of my first surgery-the removal-and of the fat transfer but I am so Smartphone non-literate as to how to get them into my computer it' nuts. Thank you all for your interest and kind words. I'll keep you informed. Oh, by the way, my hand surgery is finally starting to heal. It still hurts but it is getting better. God Bless... Updated on 28 Jun 2015: Hi. My hand surgery is finally healing and the pain is almost gone. My fat transfer didn't solve the crease issue and I was going to have another in August but I have to go back to work instead..am out of money. My son is really in trouble now having a large protruding disk C6-7. He couldn't use his left arm so he tripped and fell. He broke his right arm and now has no arms to use. Due to his Rheumatoid Arthritis, he is not healing well or at all. What else can go wrong for him? He has been put on Morphine in very large doses for the pain and he is not in his right mind. Thank God my nephew lives with him and can help. It's amazing sometimes the challenges God allows us to have. But, as the old saying goes, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Take care sisters and thanks for all your support. Updated on 11 Aug 2015: Hi friends...My fat transfer didn't work as we hoped. I have retained a little but the large crease running up and down my left breast is still present. I was told by the PS who did the transfer that I need another transfer but I don't think I'm going to do it again. I got a second opinion and was told that all I needed was to have the scar tissue resected that was holding the crease in place and a lift. Right now I am concentrating on getting a job since money is tight and not looking in the mirror much. I know my surgery was not a success but I don't regret for a moment having my implants permanently removed. At my age-which by the way is now 73-healing is totally different from most of you ladies so, please, do what has to be done before you get to be old enough to know what needs to happen but too old to expect a wonderful outcome. That is what I wish to all my dear and caring friends on this site. Thanks for sharing and God Bless.
My surgeon has been great and continues to see me weekly but I can say I'm not sure I was prepared for what I experienced, the pain, length of time healing, and complications. I unfortunately reacted to the dermabond glue so that had to be taken off prior to leaving hospital. 3 months post op I still have a hole in my abdomen but I have to say my chest looks better than I ever expected. I have had more pain from the abdomen than I ever expected. I figured since I was not dealing with muscle like a TRAM it wouldnt hurt nearly as much but it was still very painful. I still have another surgery ahead of me and really reluctant right now since 3 1/2 months after the first I'm still not healed. My abdomen is much larger than what I ever imagined but the surgeon says that it will get fixed in the second surgery. I guess I just have to hold out hope that things will get better it just takes a long time
Letting her touch me was the worst mistake I’ve ever made. She told me that THIS was her best work that wouldn't leave a visible scar?! How does it look to you??? When I asked her a simple question about how she did the procedure, she became extremely defensive and actually SHOUTED at me in front of both my family and her staff.
I needed a medical device implanted between my pec muscles, so we discussed at length where she would make the incision. She changed it completely AFTER I was sedated. The wrong-site surgery left me with horrific scars and PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE. When I told her I was in pain, she said to “just go home and bite on a stick”. I hope my HORRIBLE experience will help someone else make an informed decision.
I had my pre-op today and reality finally set in. I'm having my breast reduction on June 30th. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm looking forward to having smaller breast.... Breasts that I can work out with and not have pain from them moving around... even with two sports bras. I will pickup my medications and other items this week. I looking forward to June 30th. The only thing I was a little disappointed with is Dr. Arya not recommending Lipo. I wanted lipo on my stomach and sides and she recommended I not have it done. She said that I won't get the results that I'm looking for. She said those results would only come with a tummy tuck. I don't want to have a tummy tuck and was looking forward to having the lipo and breast reduction done at the same time. Other than the lipo things have been pretty smooth with getting my reduction. Updated on 15 Jun 2017: I just received a call from my doctors office and they are wanting to move my surgery from June 30th to June 20th. I had everything setup for me to have surgery on the 30th. Two of my kids are flying out to see family on the 28th. My husband and sister took off work to care for me and our 2 year old. I took off work... and now everything has changed with one phone call. My only option is to have the surgery on the 20th or move it all the way into August. August wouldn't work because my husband will be away at that time(military). The doctor has some big surgery procedure that she's doing with other doctors... not sure how they can just change the schedule after everything has already been arranged. So irritated and disappointed. Updated on 15 Jun 2017: Now that my surgery date has been changed I'm getting so nervous. Only 5 more days to go. Updated on 20 Jun 2017: So today is the day. I am sitting here in my hospital gown and I'm a nervous wreck... so many things are going through my mind right now. Just praying that I made the right decision in regards to getting this procedure. Updated on 21 Jun 2017: Today is the day after surgery. I have done nothing but lay down. The only time I get up is to go to the restroom. I have been in and out of sleep because of the pain pills. I set an alarm on my phone so that I don't miss a dose of pain pills or antibiotics. I have also continued to take my multivitamin and vitamin c. So far so good. Even with the pain pills I can feel the tightness and I am a little sore. I am so happy to be on the other side. Lol! I was so nervous yesterday. Even stopped to think what if I call the whole thing off. Dr. Arya and her staff were very friendly and put me at ease. To be honest things moved so fast that I couldn't have changed my mind if I wanted to. I met all of the nurses, the anesthesiologist and after that Dr. Arya started to mark up my breast. Shortly after that I found my myself being taken into the OR. I remember talking to the nurses and the anesthesiologist, feeling something tingling in my arm and then I remember nothing else. I woke up in recovery where the nurse gave me some water and I was so thankful that she gave me chapstick to put on my lips. LOL! She was the best. I had a few crackers and took a pain pill since i had a bit of a drive home. I know some people mentioned the ride home was painful. I am thankful that I was able to take that pill cause I didn't feel much of anything. I have been in the bed ever since. Moving around just a bit to go to the bathroom and just to go to my daughters room. I have my first follow up appointment on Friday where they will remove the drains. My breast look much smaller than I though they would. I wanted to go down to a C cup. Can't wait To see what size I am. On another note my stomach looks huge. I can't wait till I can start working out. I almost wish I would have went ahead and had the lipo even though Dr. Arya didn't recommend it. I haven't been able to have a BM yet. I am taking colase but so far nothing. I'm kind of nervous even when I do cause right now I can barely wipe when I pee because my sides really hurt even with pain pills. Updated on 22 Jun 2017: Today is the second day after my surgery and I still haven't been able to do much of anything. I believe a majority of my pain is coming from the drains. I can feel them whenever I move. I go to the doctors tomorrow and I'm hoping that they will take them out. I still am getting quite a bit of drainage but nothing compared to yesterday or the very first day of surgery. It has still been difficult for me to move around because whenever I get up I feel the drains. I'm not sure if I should be trying to move around more or not. I'm not sure if me being immobile is making the stiffness or soreness worse. I still haven't seen my breast yet. Everything is all taped up and a bra is over them. I don't have the heart to even take a peak. I can't wait till tomorrow. Updated on 25 Jun 2017: I'm on Day 5 post recovery and I'm still not feeling well. I went to the doctors in Friday and they didn't remove my drains because I was still losing 30ml per day. They can only remove once I'm below 30ml per breast per day. I am at that point now so I have an appointment tomorrow. I can't wait to have these drains removed. They are every uncomfortable and I feel like they are slowing down my healing process. I feel them in my sides and through my breast. I can't wait to have these things removed. Updated on 30 Jun 2017: It's been well over a week since I had my surgery and I am starting to feel like myself again. I had my first full shower today without worrying about getting an infection. I was so scared before to get my breast wet. I took baths or showers from the waste down. I talked to an advice nurse the other day and she assured me that I could now get the area wet and that it would be ok because the incisions are closed now. She told me if the steri-strips came off that I could leave them off. I have added new strips to some of the areas where the old ones came off. I'm not sure if it will make a huge difference with the scaring but I thought I'd give it a try. I got my drains out at Day 6 and I felt so much better after those things were out. I feel like my body began to heal so much faster after the drains were out. My breast are not swelling as much as they were before. The areas near my incisions are still a little tight and sore but I'm able to get around just fine. The hardest part now is sleeping on my back. I was uncomfortable last night because I love sleeping on my sides. I also think my right breast maybe a little larger than my left. I'll keep an eye on it. Other than that things are great. Updated on 6 Jul 2017: Today was a day of firsts... It was my first day back in the office and I had my first appointment with my doctor today and she removed the stitches. It was a little painful but nothing too bad. I still have to take it easy and that's the hardest part... she said that I still couldn't lift anything over 5lbs and I also couldn't do any activities that would increase my heart rate. Slow walking is fine but thats about it. I have been taking it easy which is a little difficult with a 2 year old. The doctor said I am healing fine. I have 2 areas that I'm concerned about... the scars on my sides seem a little thick. I'm hoping that they thin out. They doctor said that my scars are still healing so I have to give it time. I started using Scar away and the silicone sheeting today. I'll see if that makes a difference. Updated on 8 Jul 2017: I'm a little over 2 weeks post op and my doctor cleared me for scar treatment. I started using Scar away gel and the silicone sheeting by Ciracare. I found that the silicone sheeting does not stick as well after you remove and wash it. I'm thinking of ordering a different brand but not sure if all the silicone sheeting stops sticking after the first use. I was looking into Mepitac or Micropore surgical tape. Has anyone used either one? One another note my nipples are so sensitive. I hope that goes away soon. Updated on 9 Jul 2017: I'm still healing but my left breast is causing me to worry. I stopped scar treatment on it because it seems to still be healing. I put some more steri strips on it to see if that helps. Updated on 15 Jul 2017: Things are still moving along with the healing process. Some days I have more swelling than others. I'm still sore and some areas of my breast are still numb. I started massaging my scars with a mixture of vitamin e oil, shea and cocoa butter. I'm not sure if it's making much of a difference but it's worth a try. I also use some scaraway or invisible scar silicone gel. I will order some bio-oil or mederma next. I have just about stopped using the steri strips. Those things are so frustrating because they never stay on. Other than that things are going well. I see my doctor again next week. Updated on 17 Aug 2017: Everything has been going great. I have been cleared to workout and return to my normal day to day routine. My scars are slowly healing and beginning to look better. Overall, I'm happy with my results. Updated on 18 Nov 2017: Things have been going good with healing. I have been able to work out but I still have a lot of sensitivity. Sometimes if I run I feel like all the blood is rushing to my breast. Not sure how to really describe it but it’s uncomfortable. I still have certain areas that can be really tender. I’m still not sure about the size. My doctor and I talked about me going to a C cup but I’m measuring as a B. Not sure if I like being this small. I’m hoping that as time goes on I may end up being a C. I have been using I have been using vitamin e, Shea and cocoa butter on my scars. I going to start using bio oil in the next few weeks to see if that helps the scars any.
