Dr L has now done 2 breast augmentations on me. I had a twisted implant that had fallen out of place. Dr L didn't charge me anything to go back under and have both breasts corrected and beautiful! I don't know that many drs, especially surgeons, that would do that for a patient that spoke out about the discomfort. He never took offense and talked step by step through the procedure. He listened well and repeated what I said to ensure clear understanding. Now that I'm in my first week of recovery for augmentation #2, I have had zero pain and my breasts look even better than the first augmentation! They were so pretty after augmentation #1 that I was surprised they could get even better! The entire experience with Dr L and his staff from initial consultation to post op with #2 has been amazing! I highly recommend him!!!!!
Dr. Lekkas is hands down the best! Consultation was professional and educational. He explained the entire process and I was shocked at how accurate it was. His work is phenomenal. 3 weeks out, LOVE it!
I had been on the fence about getting a breast aug for years. After 2 kids & 41 years of life, I finally put myself as priority enough to "bite the bullet". I am so glad I did. Lekkas made me feel 100% confident & his work was both professional & precise. I love my breasts for the first time in my life. 10/10 recommend.
Such an amazing experience. 6 years ago I had a breast lift with implants by another provider in the area & after paying all the money I did, I wasn’t satisfied. I actually hated my breast. Very insecure about them. Finally pulled the trigger after wanting them redone for some time & Dr. Lekkas nailed it. I am obsessed with how they turned out. Very professional & good bed side manner. His work is amazing.
Dr. Lekkas was by far the kindest and most professional surgeon I met with. He was up front and thorough, analyzing each option to really determine what would give best results. I was terrified of how my belly button would turn out, but I an in love. Not to mention he is laid back and real with you, never making you feel like you need to have surgery to be beautiful. Review500
Dr. Lekkas was amazing. Loved his personality and wanting me to get a great end result. His staff was great as well. Very happy and would highly recommend. Thanks for all the laughs too Doc. With getting my “extra” personality. Kelly Lorenzen
I would like to share my story as well as I feel knowledge is power. I was diagnosed with microinvasive ductal carcinoma , stage 3 with a very aggressive cell type in November 2014 by a routine mamogram screening. I am a nurse who is married to a doctor and my only reason for sharing this information is that we knew nothing about breast cancer so like so many I immediately asked "Dr. Google" to educate me. I searched treatment options and weighed lumpectomies versus mastectomies. I went to google images and was horrified by the pictures of bad results. I had an appointment the surgeon the following day and printed off numerous pictures to show him what I did not want to look like. I am a 53 y/o woman, healthy, active, a non smoker, not overweight with a breast size of 34 B-C. This information is important as it directly correlated with my surgical options. I did my homework and was knowledgeable when I walked in the door. I knew with a lumpectomy, treatment involved 5 weeks of radiation, then the lumpectomy which would leave me with damaged skin for the plastic surgeon to work with and the pictures I saw looked like someone would take a melon baller and remove the cancerous cells leaving a divot that could somewhat fixed but not back to what I felt was acceptable. I also did not want radiation. I found that there was a procedure called a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy, so as I was meeting with my surgeon I asked about it. My surgeon was Dr Hamling from Unity Point Health in Des Moines, IA . When I met with him the following morning he sat with me for an hour talking about my options. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. His compassion and bedside manner were exemplary! He took measurements and thought I would be a candidate for the nipple/skin sparing procedure but the final word would need to come from the plastic surgeon. I would like to note at this time that not all surgeons are created equal. My surgeon consulted with the plastic surgeon to have a joint plan before ever walking into the surgical suite. My plastic surgeon was Dr. Lekkas from The Iowa Clinic and I met with him later that week. I walked into the Plastic Surgeions office with my pictures prepared to tell him what I did not want! He asked me what was most important to me and of course I said getting rid of the cancer but it was also important what I looked like when it was all over. When I showed him the pictures and asked how in this day and age can women look like this....he explained the following... Due to my size and medical hx I would be a candidate for the nipple/skin sparing procedure. If I was large breasted, had damaged tissue due to radiation or been a smoker, I most likely would not have been a candidate. He informed me that some breast surgeons just want to remove the breast to get rid of the cancer not leaving the plastic surgeon much to work with and those were most likely the pictures I was seeing. Due to the coordinated care efforts of my surgical team, the plastic surgeon coordinated with the breast surgeon. Dr Lekkas works closely with the breast surgeons educating them before the first cut is made. He lets them know how he wants the initial incisions made so that he can get the best possible outcome in the end. Dr. Lekkas was a perfectionist and I knew I had the right team! I also cannot say enough about the nurses and care coordinators that were involved in my care! I opted for the double mastectomy with reconstruction. I decided to look at this like I was not just getting rid of my cancer and not have to worry in the future, but that I would have a matched pair of perky girls, a free breast job so to speak! The plan was that Dr. Hamling would start the procedure and Dr Lekkas would come in midway and place the expanders that I would need prior to my final implants. During surgery they would check my nodes and determine at that time if I would need chemo. This part scared me to death! My oncologist informed me that if I needed chemo (I was estrogen/progesterone negative, but HER2 positive) my chemo regime would be very aggressive making me gain weight and lose my hair....AWESOME! This would be my worst nightmare. When I awoke from anesthesia, the first thing I felt for was a port for chemo. I was relieved to not find one, I then had to check out what I looked like. I have to say I was surprised to find it was not so bad. The girls were small with a distorted shape, but not bad. A week or so later, I received the final news that the cancer had not spread! My nodes were clear. I wept with relief! I went through several fills of my expanders. I did not want to be bigger than I was...the expanders were uncomfortable and felt like rocks in my chest. Im not going to lie, they were uncomfortable, but tolerable. I could not wait for the permanent implants. The end of January 2015, I got my permanent implants, 455cc and I am a full C cup. I have to say the step children look pretty good. I will have fat transfer done in the fall to soften some of the edges of the implant. Since there is no breast tissue , the implant is behind the pec muscle and when I raise my arms or do a pushing motion I can see the ripples of the implant. I am now 3 months post op and I still get twinges on the left side of my breast where they had to take some of the pec muscle to get clear margins. I also still need muscle relaxants to stop the tightening or spasms I get when I over do it. I can best describe that sensation as having full painful breasts during your period or very full breasts when you are nursing. I am a bit frustrated that as I do more I am very sore. I haven't quite figured out my new normal yet and hope that in time I can get my golf game back and do my normal activities without discomfort. Simple movements like opening a jar will flair the spasms. ( I think its the pushing movement that involves the pec muscle). I know this is a long comment, but some of the things I have experienced I did not see talked about. It doesn't change anything, but its nice to know.... I know I am very blessed and lucky and that my outcome could have looked very different if early detection and treatment was not done. I had the best care I could have hoped for and was very impressed the the coordinated care I received from Unity Point Health. I hope this information will help someone else who is on this journey!
Hi everyone! I had my consultation with PS on 6/22/12, got insurance approval in about 8 days (luckily as that is not the norm) and surgery scheduled for 8/20/12. Just over 2 weeks to go! I've been considering BR surgery for a few years now. I've lost close to 70 pounds in the last year and a half and lost *maybe* one cup size. I measure to fit in a 36DDD but wear all kinds of sizes based on bra brand. I hate them all! I love this website! Updated on 6 Aug 2012: 2 weeks to go from today!!! I hurt my knee early on Saturday morning and have been taking a high power anti-inflammatory drug (Mobic) for 2 days and feeling fine ... calling PS office this moring to see if I can continue to take it for another day or two or if they are going to make me stop. 2 freaking weeks - I can't believe it!!!!! Updated on 13 Aug 2012: Well here I am 1-week prior to surgery and FREAKING OUT! My nerves are terrible lately unless I can keep myself occupied and mind off of things. Easier said than done! I am a list-maker so I have a cleaning list, grocery list, and other general to-do list to do this week and upcoming weekend. I've had my surgery date since mid-July and the time has really flown by. I know this last week is going to fly by as well. I almost threw out one of my bras last night because one of the hooks is broken, but decided instead, that I would save it and add it to my Bra Burning Pile post-op! Can't wait to use that firepit in the back yard!!! LOL! Updated on 15 Aug 2012: Beginning Stats: 5'10" 195 lbs 36DDD/E/F (?) Goal: C cup PS estimates 600 grams on each side to be removed Updated on 19 Aug 2012: Here I am about 17 hours pre-op. I didn't sleep hardly at all last night. ;( I have been fine up until the middle of the night and my stomach was so upset with nerves. My kids (boys age 5.5 and 7) know that I'm having surgey tomorrow but not specifically what - and this morning they keep saying things like: "I had a dream you already had your surgery and you were already all better." And, "I will be taking care of you after your get your surgery, mommy." Me thinks I will be doing a lot of tearing up and crying on and off today. I am not scheduled until 12:00pm tomorrow with an arrival of 11:00am. PS is estimating to take 600grams from each side for a D cup result, but I've been thinking lots in the last 6 weeks since my consult and think I'd much rather have him try and take me to a C if he thinks he can. I did get my pedicure yesterday with my girls and got my hair did last night by my awesome sister (highlights and lowlights), then we went out for dinner with my mom, sister, myself and niece. I don't have much to do today for nesting, a little dusting and vaccuming but that's about it. I did much of my nesting on Friday and Saturday. Hoping to keep myself occupied somehow. Now hoping for some sleep tonight. Updated on 21 Aug 2012: Day 1 POST OP: Good Morning everyone! Well, I'm home. Surgery was scheduled for 12:00pm yesterday, the 20th. And I was walked back to the OR at 12:07. I was a ball of nerves but never offered anything to help calm me down. So we arrived at the surgical center, checked in, made my co-insurance payment, answered 1 million of the same questions. STEPPED ON THE SCALE and I had lost over 5 pounds in the last few days!! Rock on!!! Got my gown on and hospital slippers and hat. Hot look (note sarcasm). Doc marked me up which was somewhat awkward with my husband in the room but I made it. PS was great to mention I had the "boob sweaties" going on. Nice. LOL! I asked if I would be put in a surgical bra after surgery or just bandaged. He told me just the bandage and it would look like some kind of redneck state fair tube top deal. Hot again! Walked into the OR, anesthesiologist asked if I liked to go on vacation ... how did Hawaii sound ...I said sure and he said Aloha and just like everyone else, woke up in the recovery room with a sore throat from being tubed. I was awake but couldn't keep my eyes open. Painlevel was an 8 I guessed so they gave me 2-3 doses of something in my IV then eventually wheeled me to my discharge/recovery room and made me stand up and take a few steps to the ugly recliner in there - about fell over and instantly got very nauseated and dry heaved a few times. Surgery took about 3.5 hours, about an hour in recovery, then another hour or hour and a half in discharge/recovery room. My husband went to Walgreens to fill my prescriptions right after they took me back for surgery so it was a straight shot home - which I slept most of the way with my mouth open and drooling. Truly a hot mess. I am a Diet Dew addict so that was my first priority once we got home. Rough numbers from PS are that he took 600 grams from lefty and 500 grams from righty. He did complimentary lipo in the pit area so I'm wondering what that will look like. I'm wrapped up pretty tightly, and I do have the drains which will come out on Wednesday (tomorrow) and that's when I will get my grandma surgical bra also. My husband set the alarm clock for meds in the middle of the night which was completely unnecessary because I didn't sleep for more than 2-3 hours total. I got Percocet and Valium, as well as an antibiotic. I think the Valium wired me up because there is no reason I should have been so wide awake. All in all, I guess I feel pretty good considering I just had surgery. I'm sore in a couple places, the bandage is tight. Updated on 22 Aug 2012: Visited the PS this morning to have my drains removed. I didn't think it was too bad, but definitely weird - I could feel the small tubing moving around in my boobs! PS says, "Didn't I tell you we put worms in there before we finished?" LOL. It felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD to have the gauze and Ace Bandages taken off today and not be so smushed! Lots of swelling and it looks more like I have one big boob compared to 2 little ones. My surgical bra has this wedge type thing to push in the middle and kinda separate and form the cleavage. Not much bruising to see right now. He did do lipo under the arms/sides. He said he took exactly 600 from leftie and 500 from rightie. The surgical bra feels really good. Boobs have an odd shape to me right now, and are as hard as a rock. Been taking my pain meds as directed - figure I paid for them, why not take them and stay comfortable! I will work on weaning myself down though. PS said everything looks super duper and no issues at all. I go back in 1 week. Enjoy the new pix! Updated on 29 Aug 2012: Today I am 1 week and 2 days post-op. Feeling much better with some pressure, swelling and discomfort but all in all starting to feel like myself again. Visited the PS today and he left the steri-strips in place as they looked clean and no problems (yay!!) I go back in 9 days and he said at that time he will remove the strips and clean everything off. I was given the go-ahead to sleep on my side (THANK GOD), ok to drive, and ok to start resuming light activity as my energy comes back. No "exercise" but walks are okay. I can't tell how much swelling I have but PS seems to think I will be C/D. I wanted to be C. Not unhappy or regretting anything, just hoping for C more than anything. I updated some pictures - let me know what you think! Updated on 3 Sep 2012: Whoa Mother - I am having some MAJOR sensitivity issues. If I am outside and the wind blows just right or if I happen to get the chills from the air conditioner or something my nips and the rest of my boobs FREAK THE HELL OUT! I mean I guess having the sensitivity is a good thing but damn it's almost painful at this point! Did anyone else have this super sensation? I was thinking I might be up for a little bedroom action but I'm kinda scared about how much it might hurt. Updated on 4 Sep 2012: I have an appt. on Friday (which will be 2 days short of 3 weeks). I don't think I am ready. I still have my steri strips on and I noticed in the shower tonight that there is a section of my steri strips starting to peel a little so I kinda pulled on it just a little bit to see if I could see the actual incision - GROSS. All I saw was two stitches and I was freaked the HELL out. I don't think I am prepared to see myself all raw and "frankenstein-ish". :(
Have chickened out so many times, but this time consultation complete and waiting for insurance to approve. Doctor told me it would be 2-4 weeks for decision. Told me I was a very good candidate for a reduction as I meet all the criteria for surgery. I am a caregiver for the elderly and he recommends I take at least two weeks off after surgery. Updated on 10 Sep 2014: I received my approval letter from my insurance today. I will be making arrangements soon! 9/10/2014
