I cannot recommend Dr Zonca at all. I had a so called “facelift”. My face ended up getting pulled down instead of up. And he did unnecessary eyelid surgery (his suggestion). My eyes ended up worse than they were before. What I really needed was a brow lift instead, and he certainly should have known that. He tried different office procedures to try and correct his mistakes but all failed. I ended up feeling like an experiment.He also did fat grafting in my cheeks (again - his suggestion). Now my cheeks are fat, lumpy and uneven. I am so embarrassed for people to see me. My whole face is sagging down worse than before and I have noticeable “railroad” type scars in front of my ears. I wasted $10,000 with him and it will cost me $16,000 to attempt and get the necessary repair work done. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else to start with. I sure wish I had.
My rhinoplasty procedure performed by Dr Zonca did not go well. After surgery and several months of waiting for his final assessment of the surgery results we both saw very little change from the original shape of my nose and the objective we both expected was not obtained. The doctor offered to perform a second “remedial” procedure with at no charge from him, only the hospitalization and anesthesia costs would be re-incurred. I declined based on my dissatisfaction with his original procedure. It seemed to be a hit and miss visual approach rather than taking specific measurements before, during and after the procedure.
Expectation is to work out and not have a i have 4 kids. My twins are now 8 and are my youngest. They were both over 6 lbs. Ive also had 2 c sections. Since the twins pregnancy, im unable to lose the skin and bulge in my stomach area. The bulge goes away if i fast for 2 days, but the kangaroo pouch remains. Most of my problem area is below the belly...muscles and all so i opted for mini only. Hoping i am satisfied! Updated on 17 Jan 2016: These are 2 days before my mini tummy tuck, I really wanted people to be able to compare themselves to me...I really hemmed and hawed over whether to do a full or a mini....my torso is so long I didn't think I'd have enough skin above my belly to pull down to pubic bone. My doctor said I'd be happy with the mini since my "deformity" was all below belly. I am 5" 8 and 160 pounds. I'm about 7 pounds overweight for me right now. Surgery anticipation has caused me to gain weight I've maintained for 5 years! My twin pregnancy I was 220 pounds!! All baby...twins both over 6 lbs Updated on 18 Jan 2016: Day 1, surgery was about 730 am today and we left hospital about 2:00 pm. The worst thing so far was the drugs they gave me that had me feeling nautious and dizzy. I have a pain box connected to my body, a tube that goes in delivering pain med...another tube that comes out for draining blood and such (gross!) Binders on and some machine squeezing my legs. I came out of surgery loopy and asking the nurses if they loved Jesus :) This is great, I feel great...walked around a little bit. Speed bumps leaving hospital weren't fun, lol. Not too swollen yet Updated on 19 Jan 2016: Not too bad, yes it hurts and its hard to move around but I walk around at least every hour. I haven't taken any of the pain relievers they prescribed. A bit hunched over and incision hurts but definately tolerable. Vision still blurry to I may have typos...I can't really see what I'm typing here :) Updated on 21 Jan 2016: Upset stomach from the antibiotic...finally a friend said "eat lots of yogurt" so i m eating plain yogurt and that helps...super constipated and bloated...and going stir crazy from just sitting and my house being dirty ( my awesome hubby doing the best he can, lol). Ready to feel normal again ...normal without my kanga pooch! Updated on 22 Jan 2016: For sure my best day....not as painful to move...just getting out of bed this morning...if I hold my stomach in it helps. I've definately moved around the easiest today, stopped taking drugs, a bit sick feeling still...like nauseous and a headache but I could at least sweep my kitchen floor, clean off countertops and help pack my twins stuff for boyscout camp this weekend. I even had the energy to get into an ideological feud on Facebook , lol...things are looking up!! Updated on 25 Jan 2016: Best day yet, actually cleaned my house and went outside to get the mail! No meds, easier to get up and move around for sure....drain comes out tomorrow. Feeling a bit bloated from lack of movement....will be happy to get back to a "normal" routine Updated on 27 Jan 2016: Drain removed yesterday...hallelujah! No more big gross blobby thing Updated on 4 Feb 2016: Most of the glue is gone, I had put strios over the scar also and removed by now. I'm amazed at how light the scar looks. I thought I would be horrified by its appearance but its not sao bad. My husband thinks I look great and doesn't notice my scar at all...and it feels great to be able to wear clothes without my big bulgy belly hanging out . I'm still not used to the feeling of not having it there...after 8 1/2 years of it! I definately feel fuller eating less food...I've list maybe 6 pounds...but I'm also not working out at all. Sime of the wrinkling in the corners of the tuck I think will smooth out over time. Very happy so far! Moving around easily, sleeping better...stomach still sore a bit but it doesn't stop me from day routine now...just no exercising yet...hopefully in the next month :) Updated on 4 Mar 2016: Back to "normal", just getting used to new belly...its wierd when you've had a bulge there to just have it gone. One thing I noticed is my love handles bigger than they have ever been I don't think I've ever had love handles! But not a huge deal...OH and major good news, much of the excess fat looking to resettle somewhere with my belly gone happens to be going to my boobs!! My husband's happy, lol..I feel like I got a belly and a boob job for 3k :) now I need to get back to the gym more...I've been slacking!
I am 48 y/o and have had 'bodacious boobies' since I was in about 6th grade. I have to be honest that in high school and my early twenties, I was proud of them! But after having two kids, gaining some weight and the inevitable gravity, I am anything but proud. I am so tired of constantly have pain in my lower neck across my shoulders and under my shoulder blades. I also find that if I stand for more than a couple of minutes, my lower back starts hurting. I have recently been making a concious effort to notice my posture when i am sitting or standing, and I always looking like I am slumping. I know this is related to the being 'top heavy'. I am 5'5" and currently weigh 185 pounds, however, my weight (other than my boobs, which gets MORE than their fair share) is evenly distributed, so I dont appear overweight, just 'average'. I wear somewhere between a 44DD and 44DDD although I have NEVER been able to find a bra that fits me well, I always have parts sticking out somewhere! My family doctor made a referal to the PS after I discussed my concerns with her. I had my appointment with the PS in October. Pictures were taken and then I was examined (briefly) by him. He took some measurements and then explained that based on my height/weight combination, the insurance would require between 550 and 580 cc off each side. He said it would be a considerable difference, and would take me to a small c or large b. They seems small to me, but only becuase i can not begin to visualize what size that actually is. Either way, I am ready for the mass to be gone. My PS submitted his report to my insurance company and I was approved at 100%, but needed to get it scheduled this year as I had already met my deductible and therefore will have no out of pocket! So my surgery date is December 23rd and I will spend one night in the hospital and be discharged on Christmas Eve. I am ready for this to happen!! I am so tired of never feeling like I can find anything that looks good on. Dresses never fit on top, button down shirts can not be button and I have to wear a cami under them and button just the last 3 buttons (which only draws more attention to my chest!), forget about bathing suits looking good! I even have to be picky about the kind of pajamas I can wear, otherwise I look like some of those people you see in the pictures of people at walmart that people are making fun of! I have never been able to wear a sexy bra, I think it just makes me look ridiculous! How can something that has THAT much material be sexy??? One other thing I am hoping will be solved with this surgery is, i seem to get areas of lumps in my breast that get painful and achy and then go away. (it is not mastitis, just different lumps on exams and then tender when palpated and achy when my breasts hang). They were concerning enough that i not only had a mammogram done, but an ultrasound as well. Both came up totally clear, but I still get random areas of achiness and lumpiness, that i am sure has to do with excess fat/tissue. Anyway, as the day draws closer, I dont know if I am nervous about the surgery or about having everything ready for Christmas before I go in, but either way, it is constantly on my mind! I am a nurse, so I think I know a little too much about surgical procedures and what is actually done from watching several kinds of surgery (not this kind though), so that is somethiong that I have to try to put out of my mind otherwise it makes me more nervous!. I know everything will be fine and i tend to stay positive on the outside and fight the demons on the inside...which leads to another little problem,... I have an ulcer!! I am hoping that is not going to be a problem post surgical, but right now, if I dont have food in my stomach, it is very uncomfortable. I am taking prilosec and pepto, trying to get that under control before the surgery, so we will see. My plan is to update throughout the ordeal is hopes that it will help others. Updated on 22 Dec 2013: Well tomorrow is the day! I have to leave at 4 am to be to the hospital at 530 am. We are in the middle of a winter weather advisory and have gotten 5 inches of snow since thus am with more lake effect expected. May have to leave at 3 am to get there on time! I am trying to keep my mind bust by getting all my wrapping done and everything ready for Christmas. Wanted to get my before pictures up. I will talk to you all after!!! Updated on 23 Dec 2013: I am up in my hospital room and a little groggy but managing pretty well. My surgery was scheduled for 730 am today. But for some reason. Things were behind and I didn't go into surgery until about 810 am. My pay came in shortly before that and did his markings. I wasn't able to take a picture because they wheeled me away right after that but I was surprised at how high the placement of my nipples looked! I will be able to see them lol! I'm not really sure how long the surgery took exactly ( guess is about 3 1/2 hours). I was up to my room after recovery at about 130 pm. I did wake up in recovery to some nausea but was given phenergan and that took it away ( and made me very sleepy, so slept the whole time there, once up in my room I had to slide over into the bad and did it fine. Have had no more nausea and only pain between 2 and 5 so far. Just finished dinner and so far having no bad effects from it. I did have a foley during surgery but it was inserted and removed while I was under. Have been up to pee 3 times with no problems and have gone on 3 good walks without problem. I can lift my arms straight up with any restrictions or increased pain. I am having more pain coming now, despite having gotten toradol half hour ago. It is mostly on left side. I do have drains but my ps said the plan is to remove them prior to discharge tomorrow. Will try to update more later. Need another nap now! Updated on 24 Dec 2013: Well I have just been discharged and it is an hour drive home. We got a ton of snow but the roads are clear and the drive is beautiful with the trees covered in snow! I feel a lttile groggy still from the pain meds but the pain is very well controlled. I was on norco 1 every 3 hours which kept the pain at very minimal, never more that a 3. I had a good night . Even though I woke up several times. I was groggy enough I was able to drift right back off to sleep, my only issues are when I pee, I have to kinda push it out, and some comes out and I have to push again. It doesn't just 'free flow'. Talked to dr about this and he thinks it's just a combination of having a foley in surgery, the surgery itself and the meds. They did an ultrasound of my bladder before discharge to make sure I didn't have any urinary retention and it was clear. My other issue is my face and hands are very swollen which he said is normal as well. He pulled both of the drains and I only felt a little pressure when he did that. I got a look when he did the dressing change and things look great! Nice and perky! Lol. I was able to get dressed alone and can lift both of my arms over my head... Something I was surprised by because most reviews on here say they can't lift their arms! Glad I can. Gonna nap now! Updated on 26 Dec 2013: I slept well my first night home, which was Christmas eve. I did sleep in the recliner with lots of pillows, but found it to be comfortable. I woke up several times, but not because of pain, just because I am a light sleeper, but found I was able to go right back to sleep. I got up and got the Christmas stockings all ready at about 6 am and then everyone else got up about 7 am. We opened all the gifts and had cinnamon rolls and coffee and I laid down to rest about 10 am. The pain was only minimal, and I took a motrin and one of my antibiotics. My PS had ordered a home care nurse to come out for the first dressing change and she came about 1130 am. She checked everything over and did a dressing change, with only minimal drainage from either side. My breasts are still quite swollen and were tender to touch, but am not in my pain otherwise. She said that the incisions all looked good and there is right now only limited bruising, but Im sure there will be more later. I have not been able to see them in an upright position yet, just from a lying down position so cant really tell size or shape yet. My face and hands are still quite puffy and she encouraged me to drink lots of fluids to help flush everything out. At 3 we went to the inlaws for Christmas dinner and presents. I did bring a Norco with me and was glad I did , because by about 430 I was getting kinda sore (about a 5 on a pain scale, more achy). I took the Norco and then we went home a half hour later and I crashed for several hours on the couch. I woke up, had a sandwich and then laid back down . I slept in the recliner again last night, but was not as comfortable and woke up several times during the night due to being uncomfortable. The discomfort was not from my incisions, but from my back and I couldn't seem to get in a comfortable position. I finally did about 5 am, and slept for several hours. Today, I only had 1 Norco at about 8 am and then 1 motrin at 6 and that is all I have had all day. I am still very tired and find that when I sit down and close my eyes, I am out and out hard. I sat at the dining room table for dinner and now am at the computer, but am getting very tired again so am going to go lay down. My daughter did the dressing change today with again, very little drainage. It is a little more tender when the bra is undone to do the dressing change, so have no problem with it staying on all the time. I finally today had a small, soft BM, so things are moving. Still a little puffy, but getting better. Hope everyone else is doing well, I have been too tired to check on others, but I will soon and catch up! Updated on 27 Dec 2013: The home care nurse came today to check everything. I really don't think I need her to come but it is covered and it is good to have someone see the areas I can't see. Dressing change again went well with only a little but of drainage and a small amount of redness that we will keep an eye on under the left side. The swelling in my hands and face are almost gone and I am peeing a lot more and with no difficulty now. I only took one norco yesterday am and was fine the rest of the day. I ended up getting up about midnight and taking a half a norco because I couldn't get comfortable in the recliner to sleep, I also started last night with a frequent cough , but after the norco I was able to get comfortable and slept with no more coughing. I do remember having weird dreams though! I was given the on to shower today and on my own opt'd for a bath instead. I am one that takes a bath daily rather than a shower and longed more for that. I didn't fill the tub all the way up so was able to sit and soak without my incisions getting wet at all. I then washed my hair under the faucet in the tub in my hands and knees. Kept everything clean and dry and was relaxing. Got my first upright look at my new girls . I'm glad I had read all the reviews and how everyone said they look boxy at first. That was my first thought but was expecting that so it didn't bother me. I think I am going to be very happy with the size and shape! Updated on 30 Dec 2013: Well today was one week since I had my surgery and things are going super! I went back to work today (desk work) for about 5 hours, I had not had any pain medication since Friday and finished my antibiotic last night. I have very little dreaming on the dressings and am now only changing them each morning after my bath. I am totally independent in everything I do ( bathing, washing/drying hair, cooking meals, etc.). I am absolutely thrilled that I made this decision. The incisions are nice and intact and I have very little bruising, I know everyone is different but I would not hesitate to recommend this surgery . Recovery is going much better than I expected. Hope it continues!! Updated on 10 Jan 2014: Had my 2 week check up yesterday (a couple of days late, 2 weeks would have been on Monday). Things are going way better than I ever expected. I have have ZERO complications, no pain since day 4 and have been back to work full time since day 10 without problems. I am still sleeping on the couch in the recliner, but that is more for convienence than necessity. I am very comfortable sleeping with a couple pillows around me and it is just easier to sleep there instead of in the bed with all the pillows. I will probably move to the bed after the weekend. I will try to post new pictures later, but the boxiness has already subsided and the shape is getting nice. I had one stitch on each side where the drains had been (they removed the drains before I left the hospital) and my PS removed those. I was given the ok to go about any activities as long as they were not overly strenuous or involved a lot of lifting. I just can not believe how smooth this whole process has been and how happy I am with the results. I still have areas on the incision that are healing, but they are all completly closed. It is weird, I thought it was scabs that were coming off, with a nice clean scar underneath, but he told me yesterday that he applies a blue glue to the incisions and that is what falls off when the incision is completely healed, so no scabs at all. The areas that have falled off the incision areas already has nice healed, scars underneath. So happy with all of fhis, such a relief!
