Marialyn Sardo, MD

So now that I am recovering and feeling great, I thought I would take the time to write a review. I am following Doctor’s orders, and I am trying to stay pretty inactive other than daily living activities. I had surgery on Friday, May 16th. This is a long review, but I see so many a little bit older women like me trying to decide on size, or whether or not to get a BA, and I thought it would be helpful to share my experience and perspective.
About me: 49 years old, 5 3”, 116 pounds, petite and athletic body, breastfed two children, and I am very active and into staying in shape via circuit training/whole body workouts. No weight lifting or professional body building though, which is interesting, as you will see later in the review.
Why I finally did it: I had my children very young, and have wanted an enhancement since I was 30! Like many women, I could never bring myself to spend the money – thought it was too selfish. There was always a “better” use of the funds– houses, vacations, cars, paying for college, and the list goes on and on. Over the past year, I really got myself into shape - probably the best I have ever been in since high school. I was never fat, but definitely was not toned . I dropped weight and body fat, built muscle, and my poor “Saggy Sally” boobies got even sadder looking. All of a sudden, I had a great body for my age, for the exception the girls. I was a very empty large A/small B. Being a little older than most who do this, I considered not only the here and now- I did not want my breasts to feel heavy or get in the way, did not want to feel top-heavy, nor to have spillage out of a low-cut top, but I also really considered how I would feel about my breasts 10-15 years from now. Would I want to be carrying around large breasts when I am 60 -65 years old? I did my research, and then scheduled 4 consults, (two male, two female) but I only made it to three of them, as I found my PS on the 3rd consult, and I cancelled the remaining appointment.

What I conveyed at the consult: I was very adamant that I did not want a large enhancement – I really just wanted a “refill” of what my children ate while breastfeeding - which was basically a small C. Did my hubby get a say on the size? – Nope! Did I listen to my girlfriends, some of whom also encouraged me to go larger? -Nope! It was 100% my decision to have a small enhancement and I am so happy I stuck to it. Now that it is done, I do not wish I had gone larger. Clothed, I can make them look big or small depending on what I wear. Without clothes, compared to what I had - Wow! They are a perfect size for my age, body, and lifestyle and I love them! Having said that, had I done this twenty years ago, Yes, I would likely have gone larger then. But I would also be on at least my second if not third set by now, and would probably have had to either stay large, or get a lift.
My Surgeon : I cannot say enough good things about her! She really took the time to listen to me, and most importantly, I felt she really understood my goals, and at the same time she gave me so much confidence that she could achieve them based on my body type. She did not try to convince me to go larger, and agreed with my reasoning. Having said that, I was also realistic in my expectations, had lots of pictures to show her, and accepted that I would not have (and did not want) massive cleavage. As you can see in the before and after pictures (when I can get them to upload?), I have a wide chest, and a space between my breasts. A BA is not going to eliminate that – A larger implant may have minimized it a little more, but it would still be there no matter what, and I would have had breasts that would have been too large for my taste- You cannot put an implant on top of skin and bone in the middle of your chest without it being visible.
What we decided on: She felt 275 – 300cc Mentor moderate + profile, smooth silicone, infra-mammary incision, under the muscle, would give me a nice result based on what I was looking for. She would make the final decision in surgery on size as to what looked the best. At the suggestion of the first PS I consulted with, I also decided to have my gigantic nipples (also a result of breast feeding) reduced! Added a bit in addition to the cost listed above, but in order to wear a non-padded bra, or strapless dress, I needed to do something about those babies!
Pre-Op – Again, because I am on the older side, she required a pre-mammogram, which worked out because I was due anyway, the regular blood & urine tests, plus an EKG. She then re-measures, did her own health checks, gave me pre and post-op instructions and we chatted a bit more.
The week of the surgery, I called the office to confirm all my pre-op test results were good, and asked them to also have 250cc available, just in case! The Dr. called me that night, and assured me all was well with tests, and yes, she would have the 250 available in case they ended up looking best on me. I once again re-iterated that I did not want to be too large, but that I also trusted her 100 % to choose the size implant that looked best on me.
Day of surgery – In a word, Awesome! Scripps La Jolla Surgery Center. I had to be there at 6:00 AM for a 7:00 AM surgery. Entirely female OR team and they were great! All went smoothly, and I was fast asleep at 7:30, and awake again at 9:30 with the new additions, and in minimal pain.
What I got - Here is the important and surprising part, and why I am so very thankful that I chose the surgeon I did, and why it is so critical to choose wisely. I ended up with 250cc, over the muscle (except for the very edge), versus under the muscle as planned. Did we ever discuss going over the muscle? No, but she is truly an artistic and skilled surgeon, and understood what I was trying to achieve. During surgery, she found that my pectoral muscles sat unusually high on my chest, and were very thick and developed like a weight lifter/body builder’s would be. When she tried to place the implants under the muscle, she said it looked very weird, and did not fit my body at all - she knew that I would be unhappy. So instead, she placed the implants in the way that they looked best on me, which ended up being 250 cc overs! BTW - I think when you go under muscle, you lose 25-50cc, so I figure I am the equivalent of 275 under muscle. I cringe when I think what could have happened if I chose a surgeon that put them under the muscle simply because that was what we agreed to, or that was the industry standard placement, so therefore, that’s what he/she was going to do, regardless of how they looked on my body. I could have ended up being a “Boob job” gone wrong! Ladies, choose your surgeon carefully – board certifications, experience, reputation, and examples of past work are very important. Ultimately, as so many have said, it is the skills and confidence of your surgeon, together with making sure they understand and respect your goals that is going to give you a beautiful result that you personally, are happy with!
Recovery - This has been super easy. I am 7 days post surgery, and I feel great. I was off the pain meds by the evening of the 2nd day. The hardest part is taking it easy, even though I feel almost 100% already. I am determined to follow my PS instructions to the letter and not do anything that could jeopardize my end results, or cause any complications So, I am off work for 10 days, no exercise – not even walking yet for cardio, no lifting anything heavy, no repetitive motions, etc… As you can see swelling is almost non-existent, they are already in position – no “dropping” required here, and are beginning to soften up. I had my 1 week post op, and she removed the stitches from my nipples - they are healing nicely too! I am sure sub-glandular position, as well as going with small implants plays a big part, but I also did a lot to try to hasten my recovery along. I am taking the “Heal Me Quick” pre and post surgical vitamin packs, took the Arnica Montana post surgical regime, iced constantly, drank a ton of lemon water, and I also did 5 sessions of HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) which is supposed to cut healing time by as much as 50%. Overboard? Yea, maybe a little, but I did some research, found a good deal with a Groupon, and thought why not? Certainly can’t hurt.
Anyway, I am very happy I finally fixed this part of my body, absolutely love my surgeon, and I am ecstatic about how my new “Perky girls” have turned out.

Updated on 23 May 2014:
Got them to post!

I just want to say a big thanks to all the brave lovely ladies on here for sharing their stories! They were all so helpful to me and I hope my story will be helpful to others too! I will be 30 years old next month, I'm 5'3 at 123lbs. I had 450cc hp silicone unders via areola incision. I was a 34B pre op and 34D post op. I had my implants in for 3 1/2 years. Growing up I was ok with my breast size but a few years ago I went on a crazy diet and I exercised 24/7.. I lost so much weight. My boobs shrank to almost nothing and I thought maybe I needed to get them. I had several gf's that already had them and they looked great! So I decided to go big or go home on the size and I thought 450cc was a good choice for my body type. I'm a little short but I thought since I had hips and a butt it would balance it out. The first year was great, but after a while noticed how much it made me appear top heavy.. Always self conscious about how they looked in tops. I sized up because I didn't want them to be the main focus when people saw me and these flowy tops made me look bigger than I was. I started to hate them.. Then about a year ago, I notice my right boob was sitting up much higher and felt firmer than the other. I knew I had gotten capsular contracture :( . I went to see my original ps (about a 1 1/2 hr drive) and he told me that he would need to do a capsulectomy but said I had a 50% chance of it coming back. I didn't like those odds so I knew the best choice for me was to remove them completely. I found this site and it gave me the courage to do just that. I came across an explant review here and I loved her results and the great experience she had with her surgeon. It was an added plus that she was a woman doctor and she was only a 20min drive from me! I went in for a consultation and I was so happy with how well she and her staff treated me. She told me I didn't need a capsulectomy but that she may need to remove some scar tissue if needed once she gets in there. I had my explant yesterday morning, everything went great. She left the capsule in on my left (good boob) and took a small piece of scar tissue on my right (cc boob). I woke up ok with minimal pain on my right boob. Here are some before and afters :) I apologize for cropping out my left arm, my tattoos may give away my identity.

Updated on 26 Apr 2014:
Everything is healing ok, they still looks the same to me. I still have a small amount of seroma on my right. I'm continuing to wear my compression bra plus ace wrap 24/7.. I hope it will absorb soon =\ .

Updated on 18 May 2014:
So far I'm really happy with my results! My ps did an amazing job :) it feels great to be natural again. I am no longer wearing the ace wrap but I still wear the compression bra to bed. I've been massaging my breast with firming lotion every night after I get out of the shower and applying newgel+ on my incisions. I hope they continue to improve!

Updated on 18 May 2014:

2006 had smooth saline implants put in. After having 2 kids I just wanted to be natural again. They were getting uncomfortable and I felt they were to big.

I choose my doctor and love her! She decided I do not need a lift or capsulectomy.

The day of surgery I arrived at 8am. The doctor, anesthesiologist and nurses all came and talked to me before surgery. I expressed my concerns about being nauseous after surgery and the anesthesiologist said he will give me something in my IV for that. It was time for surgery I was so nervous. The anesthesiologist gave me a "margarita" to relax me. Before I knew it I woke up in recovery. The doctor came to see me and said everything went great. I was only in surgery for 40 minutes. I felt pretty good waking up. No pain and no nausea. That night the doctor called me to see how I was doing. The next day I was a little more sore by the incisions and I developed a rash from the iodine scrub they put on during surgery. Second day post op I am off pain meds and just taking my antibiotics. I go in on Tuesday to remove bandages.

Updated on 28 Jan 2014:
I went in for my post op appt. and the doctor checked everything and put on new steri strips over the sutures. Everyday I feel better. I am still a little sore but I only take Tylenol if I have to. My breasts look pretty flat and deflated, but I feel so much better and like my true self. The doctor gave me a new compression bra and it is so comfortable. I still have a little rash left. It's either from the antibiotics or the stuff they put on your skin during surgery to sterilize it. I hope with each day they look better and better. I will go back to my doctor in a week. I will update after my appt. and take a new picture of my breasts. I am so happy I decided to do this!

Updated on 8 Feb 2014:
Feeling great. Took the bandages off the incisions on Friday and everything is healing nicely. Starting to put Vit. E oil on them. Still have a little itching and a rash, I think its from wearing my compression bra 24 hours. Can't wait to be able to wear a regular bra. Looking forward to Summer.

Updated on 22 Feb 2014:
Feeling great. The incisions are healing great. I have been using vitamin E oil on them. Can't wait to wear regular bras!

Updated on 27 Feb 2014:
Finally went to the gym and did a light workout, I did the elyptical machine. It feels good to get
my blood pumping again. I posted a picture of me a little over a month post op.

Updated on 10 Mar 2014:
So, I finally went bra shopping! I went to Victoria Secret and measured 32B. I thought I would be a A cup. I bought the Body by Victoria no wire bra and it's so comfortable and fits awesome. I also got the new t-shirt bra. So happy to be able to wear normal bras now, but I still wear a sports bra to bed.

I had a breast reduction from Dr. Sardo 4 years ago when she left part of my areola under my boob which looked like giant scars. She offered to remove it for free and when she did that, she removed my stitches after 3 days causing my wounds to split open and leave nasty, keloid scars. I am so devastated and thought I did my research with this doctor. My breasts also are uneven and have no upper pole volume at all. I’m 22 years old and look like I breastfed a whole village and I have hideous scars. This has been the most emotionally draining experience of my life and I just want to feel normal with my shirt off for once in my life. I’m not sure how to move forward with my problems but just a warning to others to think twice about going here.

I went to Dr. Sardo over 2 1/2 years ago to revise the breast augmentation of my right breast only. It was just a little high in the pocket and I wanted it lowered ever so slightly. Unfortunately Dr. Sardo did not do as requested. She reshaped the entire pocket so now my breast is very round, I have side boob and it sits 1/2" lower and a full 1" wider than the left side! (I just had it measured by another PS) The biggest disappointment is that the muscle was damaged during this procedure and I now have muscle distortion on that side only. There is no fix for muscle distortion. I would post the before and after pics here but it doesn't seem to be an option. The pics speak for themselves. On the post op appointments, she acknowledged that the breast was lower but said it would "come up" over time. I waited... that never happened. I waited though. I went to her again to quietly voice my displeasure but she dismissed my concerns, said that it is bottoming out and not her fault. Um, it hasn't changed from when she revised it so if it's bottoming out it's because of how she placed it. She said that my breasts look fine and most women's breasts are uneven. Most women didn't pay thousands to have them be uneven! :( I contacted her again via phone and asked for a partial refund to help pay for another revision but she refused. I paid her $3250 for this botched and shoddy revision. A complete rip off. This "procedure" was done with the same implant because it was not ruptured. I know you are probably thinking I am an idiot for agreeing to pay that much for this procedure. I'm still stinging from it myself, obviously. The PS I consulted with recently was shocked that she did not offer a refund or to do a repair at no charge. He is a surgeon on here with over 100+ 5 star reviews. Wish I'd known about this site before I selected Dr. Sardo. I chose Dr. Sardo because her website touts her as an artist and one who cares about getting optimal results. Sadly, that is not the experience I had at all. I am now looking to have them removed altogether. I cannot recommend Dr. Sardo to anyone.

I've been wanting to get a BA for a while now. I had my kids when I was in my teens. I never breast fed but my breast lost a lot of volume on the top and I would like to get a BA to fill them up. I chose Dr. Sardo to do my procedure I had my consultation with her and she was great & very informative. Her staff were also wonderful they were all very kind and made me feel at ease. My surgery is on April 5th and I can't wait till that day finally comes! I'll post pictures on here soon... Wish me luck!!

Updated on 2 Mar 2016:
It seems like time is dragging and it's slowing down my BA is on April 5th 2016 and it seems so far away... But in reality it's 1 more month and a fees more days. I actually have an appt on March 22nd 1 week before my BA Surgery. March 22nd I see my doctor and we will go over everything that's going to happen on the day of surgery.. I'm getting Excited and feeling all sorts of different things.... I can't wait! Dr. Sardo and I agreed on silicon high profile under the muscle and the incision will be under my breast... Not sure how many cc's yet but as of now I'm a small C and would like to be a D to a DD... I'll keep you all posted.... I'll post pictures soon!!

I had my consultation visit with Dr. Sardo last Tuesday. I was nervous and very anxious! I was happy that I finally had my consultation. Dr. Sardo was very kind and informative. She has a great staff. They were all kind and made me feel welcome and at ease. My pre op is scheduled for March 22, 2016 and then the big day I've been waiting for is scheduled for April 5th 2016.... I can't wait! I'll upload pictures as soon!!...