Thomas H. Bartell, MD (retired)

I had to kids and breast fed which resulted in saggy deflated a cup breasts. I went to Dr. Bartell in Madison, WI for a fuller natural tear drop look. Nothing too big, just enough CCs to fill out what I had. I had my surgery yesterday and it went well. I got 375 CCs moderate profile implant, it seems big now but I think it’s due to the swelling and me not being used to big boobs. I’m having moderate/manageable pain right now and I can’t wait for it to subside. Can’t wait to see them in a month or two and try on swimsuits and clothes that I didn’t feel comfortable wearing before. I so happy I have them done just hope the drop and fluff soon. I will post more pics in a day or two. Dr. Bartell’s staff were wonderful! The nurse April was super sweet. They sent me home with an orchid, it was so nice.

Updated on 16 Apr 2019:


Updated on 17 Apr 2019:
Day 6, just taking Tylenol. I have “zingers” which are random bursts of shooting pain. The doc said it’s normal. I read that zingers means that my nerves are coming back. My breast are also swollen and pointy still, I hope the point goes away. I like the natural slip that I have. Looks very natural and that’s what I wanted. Dr. Bartell really listened to what I wanted and delivered. Yay!

Professionalism exceeded my expectations. Procedure was breast aug, and he was very informative about all facets of surgery prior to-expectations on pain, recovery, procedure and outcome. Made me feel super comfortable. The result is natural looking just like I wanted. Definitely would recommend.

I had decided to have a breast augmentation. I researched the surgeons in Madison. I am very happy I did. I did check previous reviews, but the quality of Dr. Bartell's work on his website is what made me decide to check him out. Boy, am I glad I did. I do not understand where the negativity is coming from about his office staff. I had multiple consults with different surgeon in Madison, and she was by far the best!! I enjoyed my consultation with Dr. Bartell, he was professional, but also sincere. I didn't feel like I was just another patient. When Katie came in to go over the price quote, she was very thorough and professional. She encouraged me to ask her questions as she had the surgery, which I did. She was very upfront and honest about her experience. I really liked that about her. By the time I left the office, I felt very informed and was so impressed with how professional and kind both of them were. On the surgery day, again the staff was professional. The recovery nurse is awesome. I appreciated how Dr. Bartell confirmed everything with me and made sure I was comfortable with my decisions before I went into surgery. I have very surprised how quick everything was. I felt like I blinked my eyes and it was done. He called me in the evening to see how I was doing, wow! My postoperative recovery wasn't bad. The second day is definitely worse than the first. I definitely made sure I was icing and taking the pain pills that day. I was able to gradually decrease the pain pills and was off them by my first follow up appointment. I did still ice here and there though. The first follow up visit was pretty quick, but I didn't have very many questions of my own to ask him. I also felt very comfortable with being able to call in with any additional questions. Overall my experience with Dr. Bartell and his staff was awesome. I would suggest ignoring the negativity about Katie and give her a chance. I am sure glad I did!! My breasts are beautiful and I am so happy!!

Ive always from being a teen, wanted bigger breasts but more importantly my one completely inverted and other semi inverted nipple corrected. I started my research on the best doctors in Madison and I ended up finding Dr. Thomas Martel's because he is the only one that seems to have good results on sub muscular and no scar. I was not impressed by one of the receptionist she was quite rude. When she was talking price to me its like she was not taking me seriously because of my age. When i had discussed my inverted nipples she would tell me every excuse in the book on why I shouldn't have them corrected. When it comes to my nipples thats the main reason i wanted them worked on if its 2k for just my nipples why wouldn't i go and pay a bit more and have a nicer size. I was never able to breast feed on my left right side making me get Mastitis over and over extremely painful. So having my nipples corrected making me not be able to brest feed was never an issue. She pressed it. Your young you will change ur mind you will have more kids. It made me upset, if his work wasn't as good i wouldn't have come back simply because this is a intimate issue and i already made my discussion. Im not having more kids after my first child i has gotten an implant so i can't have kids dor the next 20 years. I was serious then and serious now. I went though with the surgery planning and went in on the 19th Nurvis more than excited i had been showing myself befor and after pictures daily because people were getting in my head telling me moderate profile implants look bad and for my body i should have high profile Dr Thomas bartell only does moderate The lady that tried to put my iv in missed my vin 3 times it hurt so bad. Im not sure if she was new to this the anesthesiologist had to come in and do it she did it on the first try no pain. This made me even more nurvis.

Updated on 26 May 2016:
Even though i feel sick from the pain meds i need them the pain is mobing lower. I hope its due to them droping One week post op

Updated on 30 May 2016:
Two weeks after im staring to bruse under my brest maybe due to droping feeling stronger and more able to use my arms

Updated on 30 May 2016:
Going camping love having boobie now, weird having cleavage sweat

Updated on 2 Jun 2016:
Today im noticing my left breat is super hard and extremely painful under my breast.
What could be wrong?
My other side is completely soft and giggly

Updated on 28 Jul 2016:
Feeling alot better somedays i feel a tad soar but they are looking better every day

Updated on 2 Jul 2021:
Sadly after having the nipple corrected, they told me I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed and that my ducts were cut. Turns out that’s not true.

I'm 5'1" and weigh 125 lbs. I had a c section with my 2nd child. After giving birth to all three of my kids I was able to return to my pre baby weight with not too much work and my stomach was flat again. However, over the past 5-6 years I have slowly gained 8 lbs that would not go away. In addition, a pocket of fat began to develop right above my c section scar. This area was different than a pooch, it was literally a pocket. That's the way it felt to me. I also began to notice a layer of cellulite forming on my stomach that I could visualize. This past year I began to notice that the pocket on my lower abdomen was showing thru my clothes. I could no longer suck it it in, I felt like I had to tuck it in! I was constantly self conscious of it and could no longer wear the kind of clothes that I had been able to in the past. My children are 21, 19, and 16. No more babies coming from this body! I will admit that I had not had the self discipline to work out the way that a lot of people do, as in regularly! I'm sure that had I, it could have helped, but no amount of exercise or diet was going to get rid of my pocket! So, under the knife I went! My surgery was done on 3/25/15. I had a mini tummy tuck with lipo and muscle repair. I had one drain placed. I had my first post op visit today and hoped to have the drain removed but alas, that was not to be. I have to wait until I have less than 25 cc out in 24 hours, two days in a row. I'm good with this! I prefer this to the alternative of removing it too soon then having to aspirate any fluid that's hanging out in there! I had 85 out over the past 24 hours. I am posting a pic from today's office visit - day 5. I will post before pics later. This site has been amazing! I have had so many questions answered. I hope to be able to be a resource for others the way others have been for me!

At 45 I am in best shape of my life, triathlete, yoga teacher... But my breasts were aging and shrinking. Just wanted to enjoy them again. I went w saline under muscle after extreme amount of research. Any cancer risk was too much. I liked the photos of his after surgery, all looked very natural. Wanted to keep my athletic shape and seemed to understand. Biggest concern is not being able to exercise for recovery. I don't want to mess up his work, but I need it for my sanity!

Updated on 11 Oct 2014:
Bruises appeared in crease on day 2. Incision was in underarm. I was worried about hematoma, but dr thinks it will be reabsorbed. I don't see him until day 5. Right side is more swollen. When does that start to subside? They don't feel like part if me yet.

Updated on 16 Oct 2014:
Dr said I got 325 ccs. Saline, Under muscle and thru underarm insertion. Incision is already basically gone . Starting to feel a little more normal, was approved to cycle on trainer... Dr told me I can do what I want w my lower body, but arms are still restricted. Still icing for swelling! I can't make it more than 4 hours without feeling that engorged feeling... Ice really helps. My right side is worse, have a pocket of swishy liquid under the skin where the crease would be that goes away w ice. Near a bruise but not visable blood. I still feel like I have 2 grapefruit a duct taped tightly to my chest.

I've talked about getting mommy makeover since my first was born almost 11 years ago. I didn't want to do both surgeries at once though so decided on an extended tummy tuck with lipo first and a breast lift later this year. I want the tummy gone more :)
I've never been stick skinny but was a healthy 5'6 140 before kids and a size 6. After 4 kids no matter how much I work out the gut just doesn't go away and my body seems to think 165-175 is the weight it likes. Time to change that!

Today I'm 2dpo my procedure and I'm feeling about how I thought if feel. I'm sore, getting up and down hurts and both drain sites burn. The worst part so far for me is the nausea (thankfully getting better now) and a headache. I've stayed on top of my meds and that helps however... After reading everyone's warning about constipation I took both colace and milk of mag and then had loose stools today -ugh talk about the opposite problem.
I get my binder and dressings off on Tuesday and am excited to get a first look at my new tummy!
My mom was nice enough to take the kiddos for a few days but they come home tomorrow- hope they understand.

Updated on 3 Aug 2014:
Today was about the same as yesterday in regards to pain/soreness. Kids came back home today so that was a little harder- my baby doesn't understand why I can't pick her up :(
2 more days until the dressing/binder comes off and I can see the results for the first time- I really hope they look good!

I'm so worried about tearing open my incision whenever I get up or down- is that normal???

Updated on 5 Aug 2014:
I went into the ps today and had the dressings removed, stitches taken out of my belly button and drains looked at. Drains will stay in one more week but otherwise things look good! I got the ok to shower and immediately came home to do that. Snapped a couple of my first after pics too! The swelling hasn't really started yet but I'm sure it'll be here soon.

Updated on 6 Aug 2014:
I felt pretty darn good today, first day where I didn't need to lay down and take a nap. Worked from home all day and even helped out around the house/cooked a easy dinner!
My drains still sting pretty good but otherwise no pain. I ordered a maxi dress to wear the next couple weeks and it came today- even with the compression garment on it was huge! So it's going back :)
Haven't tried on any presurg clothes yet but sweats but those all fit great. I did hop on the scale today and am down 10 pounds since the surgery!

Updated on 7 Aug 2014:
Went to get in the shower today and the area by my left drain looks a little puffy. Can that be normal?

Updated on 10 Aug 2014:
After feeling so good a few days ago I thought it would exponentionaly continue... But things have been about the same. Sore, drains still in, not much change. Guess I'm feeling a down day where I just want to hurry up and be healed again. My appetite is also back with a vengeance - which I suppose is a good thing but I don't want to eat too much without being able to exercise.

Updated on 14 Aug 2014:
2 weeks post op today! I'm feeling pretty good, just tired. I am hoping my right drain comes out tomorrow. Lefty will have to stay in another week or so- it's still draining quite a bit :(
Still wearing sweat pants and loose shirts, which isn't the end of the world. I have a half day of work this Saturday so I'll have to actually find some clothes that work. Can't wait to actually go clothes shopping!

Updated on 17 Aug 2014:
Well 17 dpo here and REALLY hoping the drains go in the next couple days- they are sore, itchy and getting a little annoying. They are mostly draining old clots I think now- so I'm guessing I've got to be close to done? I think my PS is a little over cautious in removing them in hopes of preventing seroma- and I'm completely fine with that- just want to move on in the healing process and wear clothes besides sweat pants :) I did walk about 2 miles yesterday- had to hold my belly for a good portion but I did pretty good! Def. was more tired today though and had a good nap this afternoon.
Bending over still hurts, my upper abdomen above the navel is still pretty sore but tolerable. I can stand up almost completely straight and the tightness is getting better. Baby steps! I'll post new pics once the drains are out this week! (please please please!!!!)

Updated on 21 Aug 2014:
Finally was able to get the drains out Tuesday, so so happy! It hurt/burned like crazy getting them out but within a few hours that subsided. I'm feeling a bit puffy, especially in my sides- by again that's expected. I tried on a pair of pre surgery pants and was able to get them on, yay! Very pleased so far even with the swelling.

Updated on 28 Aug 2014:
Wow I can't believe it's been 4 weeks!!!!
I'm feeling good, still tire easily and swell easily but I'm so happy I got this done. I am looking forward to hopefully being able to exercise soon and get back in

Updated on 31 Aug 2014:
Today is exactly one month since my surgery! First day of taking off my compression garment all day- which so far I don't like at all! I just have on spanx and don't feel like they are supportive enough. Any recommendations for this transition????
I did try on pants today and am easily down 2 sizes, sweeeeet! Hopefully once the swelling subsides it'll be one more. Can't wait to hit the gym and work these flabby thighs now :p

Updated on 1 Oct 2014:
Wow it's been 2 months already!
I'm still very very happy with the results. My scar is nice and thin- just a little ugly where the drains were in at my hips- but I'll be patient with those.
I can pretty much do just about everything I was doing presurg.- just still being careful with lifting. I haven't gone back to the gym yet but plan to start that back
Up next week. I have been walking a lot outside though and that's been fine.
My swelling is still worse after a busy day, but that's expected.
Clothes fit great, just need to get back to the gym and tone up the other areas!
Down 3 sizes since surgery!

Updated on 1 Nov 2014:
It's been 3 months (yesterday) since my TT and I am so so happy. It's definitely been a life changer for me. I don't feel like I just have a mommy body that I can't change- I feel like I got "me" back. I definitely still have some work to do as far as toning and losing some weight on the rest of my body- but I know it'll happen once I finally have some gym time. Busy season at work for me ends around the end of November- so might have to make a personal trainer a Christmas wish :)
scar is about the same as last update- not fading much more yet. Still a tiny dog ear on the left- we'll reevaluate at 6 months there. Surgeon says I still have a little swelling on my flanks but he's very pleased with the results?

I had my surgery yesterday, it was successful! I'm sore and tight but meds are keeping pain in control. I got 500cc underarm saline behind the muscle. Today sore but able to move around. Little bleeding under left arm I think I been moving too much. Been icing my breast and I have little pain. Iluvit

Updated on 27 Jun 2014:
Feeling better got to take a bath no more bleeding. Still sore and swollen but Tylenol extra strength has been great to me, not so much pain today

Updated on 28 Jun 2014:
Feeling up been on Tylenol only to stay ahead of pain but only tool pain meds 3 times yesterday. So feeling fine. Breast still swollen, however I'm starting yo get feeling back into them. They've been a little numb. Still wear breast strap. I also wear sports bar due to guests coming over.

Updated on 1 Jul 2014:
Been feeling OK lately occasionally take pain meds maybe 1x day. Some bruising I've noticed day 4 set in. Each day it seems to get more feeling in it. Stitches taken out on day 5. One scar is worse than the other, but the better one is fading pretty fast. Stitches being removed hurt in the arm with the worse scar. Because I moved that arm too much day one.

Updated on 2 Jul 2014:
Feeling great, went to dinner with my husband, which was nice. Occasional pain but mostly back to normal.

Updated on 2 Jul 2014:


Updated on 7 Jul 2014:
Bruising is fading, haven't taken pain meds in two days. Still swollen and occasionally tightness in the chest. Still wearing wrap and sports bra. They seem to be dropping some. Don't really see my h difference yet on the size, waiting patiently! Sto excited for results.

Updated on 8 Jul 2014:

This was not something I had put much, if any, thought into until this past January. I was born with good genes and have always been comfortable and confident person with my own body. I have a logical view that there are all different body types out there. I can appreciate that we as woman, come in a verity of shapes and sizes. Just as I admire women with qualities that may differ from my own I also realize others may admire mine. I have been grateful and pleased with being a thin petite woman with curvy hips, a nice butt, small waist and not much on the top. So, I actually surprised myself when I came to the conclusion that I really wanted to have my boobs enlarged.

In late January, I was googling plastic surgeons in the Madison area because I have a friend that had some laser treatments on her face to even out her skin tone from hyper-pigmentation. I was interested in doing the same, I loved how beautiful her skin looked. I had text her for the name of the doctor she recommended and as I waited for her to respond I decided to try to figure who she went to by myself. That is when I came a crossed breast augmentation before and after photos. I only know of two women where I live to have their boobs done. Both of them have big hard fake looking boobs. So, I was surprised to see some pictures of women with just a bit bigger fuller but natural looking breasts! The more research I did the more convinced I became, this is now something a really want.

After too many hours of research and a touch of obsession. I booked an appointment with my very well reviewed doctor of choice. I went in believing he was the right surgeon for me and the look I was going for, plus I loved that he only does the arm pit incision! Meeting him didn't disappoint, I felt comfortable and instantly liked him. I was able to take the time to look through a plethora of binders filled with his work. He really has a gift. After going home talking with my husband and just waiting a few weeks (I have been known to be impulsive) I scheduled my pre-op and surgery dates.

For my pre-op appointment March 18, 2014 they had me fill out a ton of paper work and I paid for the surgery. I went to the room and was asked to put on a robe. First the doctor measured me and then took a few before pictures. We sat down and he showed me photos of women that had similar amount of breast tissue, height and weight as me and what sizes they choose for implants. My dream boob wishes were to be just a size bigger and fuller then mine were pre-breast feeding four babies. I liked the results of 250cc. Simply going from an A cup to a B cup. I know many women spend a ton of time researching size, shapes, and profiles of the different implants out there. I decided not to focus time on that knowing that my doctor is much much more educated then I could ever try to be. All of the before and after pictures of his work showed me beautiful natural looking breasts, even of the women that choose a lot lager sizes then I wanted.

Two weeks before the surgery I was to start taking a daily multivitamin containing zinc, iron and vitamin C to help enhance wound healing. Then I was to stop taking any medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen and no herbal remedies. They recommend to fill prescriptions for Vicodin and the antibiotic. Have Tylenol and ice packs available for bruising and swelling. I had to take one antibiotic the evening before surgery. The morning of I was supposed to wear casual loose clothing, button down or zipper front shirt preferred and no bra. No makeup, contact lenses, nail polish, deodorant or jewelry.

The day of the surgery I got there, they had me take off all my clothes except my underwear and soaks and put put on a gown. The sweetest nurse came in first to start my IV. Then the nurse anesthetist came in to ask me questions and answer any of mine. She says she prefers to mix up a cocktail of medicine so I would not have nausea. What ever she did it worked, I felt just fine. Dr. Bartell came in and drew on me. They were all extremely kind and thoughtful. I woke up in the recovery room with my husband an the lovely nurse we all chatted for a little while then she helped me get dressed. How much fun it was to see boobs, not a bra, fill out my shirt!

The day of the surgery they have you pretty doped up and encourage you to start taking more pain pills right away. I was sore but it wasn't horrible. I kept up with my meds an iced off and on throughout the day. I woke up at 3:30 am knowing it was time for more pain pills and ice. So today, my first day post op, it is a lot more painful. My chest feels tight and sore. I don't have any bruising but I feel swollen and have a weird sensitivity on my breasts. I feel as though I my have over done it yesterday moving around, since the pain wasn't bad. I have been trying my very best to sit and do nothing today. The incisions under my arms don't hurt and I was able to take the gauze off today. There is still a piece of tape over the incisions so I don't get to check it out yet. My post op directions are to sleep in a semi-sitting position or a recliner, sponge bath only, don't wear an underwire bra, keep the chest strap on for three weeks and keep my arms down at my sides for three weeks. I go back in on Monday the 14th to get my stitches removed then I can do a full shower. I will check back in if there is anything more to add.

Updated on 15 Apr 2014:
Yikes bruising! It looks worse then it feels.

I had very botched breast implants that were 10 yrs old from a previous doctor. Bottoming out, falling to the side, uneven, just an ugly mess. Dr. Bartell fixed them and they are amazing now! I still kept the original implants which saved me money. Not very fond of one of the receptionists, who was pretty rude and acted like she was above every one else though.