Two procedures were done for $18,000. Two doctors and surgery center. Also $5000. for 5 days private aftercare, not affiliated with doctors.
Hello after 2 years of researching I found the most qualified surgeon, correct procedures and excellent aftercare facility to insure a successful surgery and outcome for the explant with mastopexy and neck lift surgeries I've been dreaming about.
I'm 58 years old, 25 pounds overweight (with history of DVT 20 years ago).
Six days ago I went to Pasadena, California to have 30 years old silicon implants removed, one was ruptured and capsulated. Having gained 30 pounds over the years both breast were heavy, saggy and misshaped, so a mastopexy was done. I also had a necklift, very excited to get rid of baggy turkey neck and jowls.
These before and after photos are tough so be prepared.
Checked into surgery center everything was smooth and well organized. Met with excellent anesthesiologist and surgical nurse went over existing medical conditions. Dr Lehfeldt spent another 30 minutes with me going over procedures answering questions and keeping me calm. He gave me a beautiful luxurious bathrobe from his office, the nurses were oohing and ahhing.
June 16th Surgery lasted about 4 hours. Due to pre-surgery medication and excellent anesthesiologist, I had no headache or nausea.
I was picked up by wonderful nurses from Trinity Aftercare in Pasadena which is located in Langham Huntington Hotel, Pasadena. They gently brought me in the 'back way' into my room. I was changed out of clothes put into bed and sat with while regaining myself.
Nurse Amanda and Deanna cleaned, soothed, medicated and cared for me during those difficult first 48 hours. They and the rest of the staff took loving patient care of me for 5 days.
Dr Lehfeldt believes the nurses' superior care hastened my healing and recovery.
June 17 day after surgery. Neck is tight, it's difficult to open jaw and talk. Liquids only, smoothies, ginger ale and water all spoon fed with little spoon, a little by straw.
Dr. Lehfeldt came to Trinity Aftercare June 17 Saturday to check on me. Very little bruising on neck and jaw, as expected a lot of bruising in breast area.
Monday June 19th first post op breast photos. A lot of scar tissue had to be removed, more from left breast that had ruptured implant.
That's why there's so much bruising and swelling in breast area.
Looks brutal I know, but very little pain. Mostly discomfort and itching. I was taking Vicodin every 4 hours, antibiotics and stool softener.
June 20th lot of breast swelling and bruising. Face, jawline and neck swollen, no pain but tight. Still sleeping in upright position lots of pillows and ice packs.
June 21 - day 5. Still have ink lines on jawline and neck.
A long way to go but not bad for 5 days post op. I go to doctor's on Tuesday To have facial stitches removed.
Please share your comments and concerns. Thanks for your support, Andy.
Updated on 29 Jun 2017:
The excitement is over and I'm a little worried about the early results.
Date of surgery will be two weeks tomorrow. Stitches have been removed now I need to wait for final results.
What I see now is less bruising and swelling but Im also seeing a less defined jaw line than I had the day after surgery.
Also bulging lines going down and across neck and jowls.
The nurse assured me it was swelling and tissue resettling into new positions, that it will take weeks/months before final results.
Breast are coming along fine still swollen, and bruised, they don't hurt.
Behind the ear and my jaw are sore, neck is tight but I can chew food now.
I still get fatigued easily and wake up looking terrible and worn out though I feel fine during the day.
Here's some pictures from this morning. Thanks so much to those of you who commented, I'm grateful to have someone to talk to re this situation.
As a single person there's no one home with me and I didn't really want to include friends in the journey. Another reason I was so happy with the aftercare I had for a few days.
Thanks All
Updated on 1 Jul 2017:
Hello All, it's just been 15 days since my surgery. I'm concerned about the stitches behind by ears. The stitches were removed 4 days ago. They don't look like healing well to me, they don't hurt but they are very hard.
What do you think, ok or a problem?
Updated on 7 Jul 2017:
Saw Dr today regarding concerns about the scaring behind my ears. He reassured me there is no infection. The redness and hardness is part of the healing process, it's been 3 weeks today since surgery.
He also checked the scars in the breast area. There was a tiny T split he treated and bandaged. Most of the scars have healed nicely, different type of stitches were used under breast, those scars are healing more slowly these are the scars that require massage with scar gel.
Reminded me to continue using the tape, scar gel and massage to increase healing of suture scars.
He and nurse were patient, helpful and definitely put me at ease.
Updated on 12 Jul 2017:
Warning; gruesome T split photos,
Breasts look better than the picture I'm able to take myself. Down from DD to 36 small C (perfect) nice shape and they feel great, love them in spite of the healing scars and problems.
Problems: the incisions under and up breasts (T/split) have split open and rough looking scars.
Today I emailed breasts' photos to Dr Lehfeldt's office, Bernice called asking me to come in tomorrow, the doctor and staff are very good. I have called a few times post surgery with questions, they respond quickly and get me into the office if I need to see the doctor.
The neck and chin are definitely much better than the baggy mess before surgery. Still not the pretty jawline chin and neck I was hoping to see, jowls ruin the effect.
I hope things continue to improve. I was planning to have Co2 on face and neck to complete my makeover, now I'm a little worried.
Updated on 22 Jan 2018:
7 mos post op, scars have healed nicely. Shape and placement is beautiful. Very happy with the outcome of this procedure and highly recommend it to those concerning explant surgery. It feels great.
Updated on 22 Jan 2018:
Probably greedy and vain, but I’m sadly Disappointed with necklift results 7 mos post op.
Yes, my neck and jawline definitely look better than before surgery, but not the final results I hoped for and expected (greedy).
Final results include bulging with dents on saggy neck, under the chin and along baggy barely there jawline.
I didn’t expect the post surgical neck, under chin and jawline to look like those of a twenty year old.
But, I was hoping for pretty. No bulging, sagging, blobs or dents.
Updated on 23 Jan 2018:
In my last update I forgot to include my doctor’s support.
He wants the outcome to be as lovely and smooth as possible and offered to fine tune the problem areas. I trust him and his skills.