Leslie D. Kerluke, MD (retired)

My implant were done in 1997 through my armpit and ended up very asymmetrical. The right one was too high, formed CC right away and the left one was too low. My doctor advised me that they can push the left one higher and re-stitch it. I had no faith in him and left them as they were.

10 years later (2007), I started seeing different doctors for getting them removed. One particularly bad experience that I wanted to share was one of Vancouver's 'top' surgeons who asked me to undress, measured the difference and told me to keep them - that they have issues but 'men' like them regardless. I told him I still want them out and he informed me that he doesn't even DO removals but his partner does. The jerk just wanted to see my boobs. :(

In 2010 I became a mother and the irregularity got worse and worse. The right one climbed higher and the left one dropped more and more and the pain was unbearable. It was no longer an issue of wanting them out, I NEEDED them out.

My GP referred me to 3 surgeons. First one insisted I get a lift because they'll be deformed, the second I didn't click with and then the 3rd was Dr. Leslie Kerluke. Our first appointment he was 90 minutes late which started me off on a bad note with him but when he came in he told me everything I wanted and needed to hear. He told me not to get any revisions until at least a year because "mother nature" is capable of doing wonderful things. I liked him very much at that point and we went ahead.

In the meantime he took a bit of time off because of some health issues and my issues deteriorated fast. The left one dropped another 1 cm within a matter of months and I needed to wear a support bra 24/7, even to bed, and it wasn't enough. Walking in the house I used my hand to hold up my left boob. I had pain all day every day.

I had two more meetings with him before my surgery and I liked him more and more every time we met. Finally October 9th was the day of my removal. The pain was pretty bad for the first two days but by day 3 I was off pain-killers and quite mobile. The pain is 1/10th of getting them put in.

I'm now on day 16 and I've posted some pics. I actually think they looked better right after surgery because the right one seems to have shrunk since then. That was the one with CC which was removed, so it's to be expected, but I don't care - the left one is pain free!

To be honest, I don't even care at all how they look, I know it takes a year for them to get to their full shape. All I know is that right now, I'm pain-free for the first time in years, and natural! It's the best feeling and they feel so good to touch. I can't stop rubbing them, lol.

I've been single for 2 years and ironically I met someone about a month before my procedure. We were never intimate before the surgery even though we were saw each other frequently and I think we're getting close to that moment and it's funny because even with my shrivelled up, stitched up boobs I'm more confident than I was with my implants.

In fact, from the start I've been very insecure about them. My ex at the time I got them hated them because he said I no longer allowed him to touch me and every boyfriend since has gone through a similar experience. It's ironic, we do it to be attractive but in many ways they take our confidence away.

I'll post more pics in a few weeks. Thank you to all the lovely ladies for sharing your stories. The weeks leading up to it were very stressful and this site was very encouraging. I hope my story does the same for someone else.

Updated on 15 Nov 2014:
Well I'm loving my boobs. They feel so good being natural and no more daily pain from the complications. The scars are also healing nicely. When I lie down they are more visible - the left one more than the right one. The right one is barely noticeable already.

Also, when I bend over the tops look a bit shrivelled but it does not matter one bit. I will not be getting a lift even if they never fluff and I am ecstatic about them.

I don't feel self-conscious in clothes either they really fit my frame. Most people don't notice either. I just look like I've lost weight.

I had mentioned in my first post that I met someone a few weeks before my surgery (after two years of being single!). Well, we're now officially dating and I'm sooooo happy he never saw my implants. It wasn't even the least bit awkward actually that he met me during such a transitional phase. He asked why I would even get them in the first place and there really wasn't a good answer. Insecurity? That's about it.

I'm so blessed. Definitely "worth it".

Updated on 15 Nov 2014:
I guess the iPad format wasn't jpeg, I couldn't upload. Here they are!

After loosing 20 lbs after second pregnancy and especially lipo on my back area, my back looks very bulgy & uneven caused by loose skin. I had a full TT done in 2011 with lipo and now I am ready to have this procedure done to make my body look proportioned. I hate it that I still have to worry about which types of shirts to wear after having a TT done because of my back ! I do aerobics but there has been no affect on the back area.
Updated on 24 Oct 2013:
Photos added.



Updated on 24 Nov 2013:
Well I have been looking online but seems there are not too many people I can find that went through this procedure. Anyone out there that would like to share their experience and results ?? I am really interested to know about how you did afterwards i.e. being able to walk normally, extending your arms to lift things, back to work, etc. and how you feel about the scar. My doctor says two weeks off work is good. I work in an office. I also do filing so not sure I will be able at that point. Question is if two weeks WILL REALLY BE enough time ?! So all these things are running through my mind even though I trust my doctor, but sometimes it helps to talk to people that actually went through it too ! My preop is December 13th. . . yikes. . . Friday LOL !!

Updated on 24 Dec 2013:
So once again we reviewed what will be done. Dr. Kerluke explained how he will be getting rid of the extra skin and doing his best to make it nice and even and remove as much as he can. He says there is a limit, which I can totally understand. I was happy and comfortable with it so I signed the consent form and did the rest of the surgical forms and payment! I am to stop blood thinners two weeks preop and start to take Vitamin C everyday starting the two weeks before. I'll have to stop my B12 because it has Ginseng in it and your supposed to stop anything with Ginseng two weeks before. Not a biggie. I have to fill my prescriptions I believe one was a painkiller and the other was antibiotic if I can remember correctly and bring them with me to the hospital. No surgery time yet until day prior ! Really exited to get this over with . . . I'm booked on January 22 !!

Updated on 8 Jan 2014:
woo hoo !!!! Lets get the party started LOL !

I was just thinking, I forgot to mention to the doc about the slight excess / loose skin just below my armpit (on the back but on the side near the armpit), which when I put on a bra, also gives a bulgy look ! I'm pretty sure this would also be tightened but I dont know for sure. Hmmmm....questions, questions LOL !

Updated on 10 Jan 2014:
So I got my question answered today. The doc said when he makes the excision at the mid back, he will pull the skin down from the top and pull it up from the bottom to create an even, smooth look; but again, said there is only so much he can remove or pull the skin, which I totally understand. So. . . no more questions now !! Yay !!

Updated on 21 Jan 2014:
Well I am to be at the Surgical Centre at 10:30 am. My surgery will be at 12noon and its booked for 2 hours. I should be discharged at 3pm, depending on how I do after having the anesthetic of course ! Feeling excited ! Only questions I have are how to move around afterwards. i.e. changing my clothes considering one has to move the arms up and how to sleep too. That might be a hard one for me I think. . . . Wish me luck everyone and say a prayer for me !!!!

Updated on 24 Jan 2014:
So I had my surgery two days ago ! My pain has never been no more than 3-4 at the most out of 10. I'm so glad its finally over and now the healing process begins. I felt nauseated and threw up twice when I got home. My mouth and throat felt extremely dry. I drank lots of water. Today I am getting some burning. I have been taking pain med's just to be on the safe side every four to six hours the first day and half then yesterday I didnt take it for 8 or 9 hours then decided before going to bed to take 1 just in case. I hate being on it because it makes me feel "weird" and dizzy and kinda sick. So from today, I am gonna see how far I can go without it. Regarding range of motion: nurse said dont put your hands up above your shoulders. Also regarding sleeping: sleep on the back with head lifted slightly up. This has prob been the most difficult part for me. My neck and shoulders are sore because of the sleeping position. I was given two ice packs and was told to ice the back area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for 72 hours, but I havent been doing it that much . . maybe every few hours. . it really feels nice though ! I am to see the PS next Friday. I have no idea what it looks like back there but I sure am excited to see it :-) !!! He said he put glue and I think stitches too and then on top he taped this white type of thick bandage.

Updated on 1 Feb 2014:
Even though the tape is still on and I cant see the scar, I can tell you that my back is wayyyyy smoother and my curves look a lot better from the back now AND my shirts that I wouldnt wear before (tighter), looks wayyyy better on me now !!! I'm EXTREMELY happy !! Pictures will follow shortly :-)

Updated on 3 Feb 2014:


Updated on 24 Feb 2014:
Today was my 2nd postop. I am sooooo happy I got to see the whole thing because he took off the whole tape and said to take a bit of a break from it then put it back on; which I am thinking I'll do before going to bed. I am really, really happy that my scar is a lot thinner and lighter than I thought it would be. Of course there is still swelling higher up mid back and the ends (towards the bottom on the sides) are a little more darker because this area took a little longer to heal, BUT I dont even care !! In my eyes, he did a really good job and I am loving wearing all my cute tops again !! I went shopping this past weekend for new tops and lemme tell ya, I was really luvin it !! He gave me this silicone type of gel to apply twice a day. He says it will help with the scar. He also said that scar can be stretched up to two-to-three months so be careful (then after that usually the scar doesnt spread/stretch). He gave me the okay to do aerobics but I think I'll wait for another month or so because I dont want to take ANY chances and also I'm going to Mexico on April 1st and said to protect the skin with SPF plus try to use the tape if possible, which I dont have a problem doing since in the water, I will be wearing a tankini. Regarding massages (I get them done regularly), wait for another month or so because this could cause stretching of the scar.

Updated on 7 Mar 2014:
Before I forget, I want to post that this week is the first time since having the procedure that wearing my bra did NOT irritate the incision area. (didnt start to wear my bra till 2 weeks after surgery). I'm sooooo happy :-) I LOVE HAVING A SMOOTH BACK !! Now I feel my back area fits with the rest of my body.

I had wanted the surgery done after having my 2 kids - my stomach did not look the same -lots of loose skin. My advice is to make the decision and go for it - no hesitations!!!



Updated on 9 Sep 2011:
The procedure took a couple of hours and recovery was managable as long as you stayed on the medicine suggested - after a week, i was off all medication and healing very well. My back muscles were extremely sore due to the bent position - that lastest a couple of weeks. At 8 weeks i could begin jogging again and feel good.

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