I was raised in Arizona and have had a lot of sun damage, dark spots etc. I decided to have laser treatment, called either IPL or in my case BBL. Before this is done, photos are taken, below the skin surface as well as the areas that need treatment - basically my whole face. I was shocked!! What I saw was my Grandmother staring me in the face...double chin, jowls, sagging skin. We look at ourselves everyday, but this type of photo really shows the truth. I began researching and interviewing plastic surgeons in the Seattle area. After looking at hundreds of pictures and interviewing several doctors, I decided upon Dr. Richard Rand of Northwest Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The reasons I chose him are 1. Plastic Surgery is his primary field of Study (he isn't a gynacologist turned plastic surgeon after a short course in Mexico); 2. He taught at the University of Washington Medical School; and 3. After seeing what he had done for others, especially correcting those errors made by so called "plastic surgeons", I was convinced. His staff is amazing...they go above and beyond the call of duty to get whatever you need in order to get you what you need. Doctor Rand...well, you couldn't find a more compassionate, kind, caring and down to earth person...who only wants what is best for you. He doens't try to sell you on anything...just presents what he can do and lets you decide. The photos I am showing are one of the day of my consult, and the next is 2 weeks after my surgery...2 weeks!!! Judge for yourself....but Dr. Rand is pure genius when it comes to what he does.
After three surgeries, three doctors, and two very depressing years, I finally found the doctor that gave me the look I wanted. The first doctor talked me into implants that were too big, he changed my inframammary fold, and when I tried to reach him, I had to go through his nurse. I went to a second doctor to fix my issue because 1. I did not trust the doctor who performed the first surgery and 2., I HATED the anesthesia they gave me - it was basically the date-[RS bleep] drug. When I woke up, I couldn't move my body for hours - it was awful for me and even more awful for my husband. Make sure your doctor works with a real anesthesiologist instead of cheap drugs. Doctor two ended up making matters worse because now my breast was so bottomed out that the nerve pulled on my nipple unless I wore a bra (24/7). The third doctor I went to was Dr. Richard Rand at the Northwest Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (Bellevue, WA). I was ready to take everything out and go back to my flat chest. When I met with him, he was kind like the others, but he was different - he is so successful as a surgeon, and so established, I didn't feel like he was selling me anything. I wasn't rushed into making a decision. He just wanted to help me get what I wanted. He showed me several pictures of other botched breast augmentations he has fixed over the years. He explained what went wrong with the first surgery, why he agreed the size was too big, and why he doesn't change the inframammary fold because of what happened to me. Luckily, he also explained how he would fix it. No fancy products to repair the pocket. Rather, he would stitch everything back together by hand. The two other surgeons I consulted with wanted to put Seri or the pig-skin product in me which I didn't want. I emailed him with questions before surgery - he addressed them right away. Because of the scare we had with the first surgery and its anesthesia, he introduced me to a nurse that would help me and my husband. And after surgery, I met with HIM, I emailed with HIM, I got answers directly from HIM - no nurses, no emergency lines. It was him and for that I am forever grateful. I am close to 6 months post op. My recovery and changes have been exactly what Dr. Rand said they would be. I am finally happy with the decision to have a breast augmentation and love the way my breasts complement my figure. I wish all women knew what I had to learn over two long years. Find a doctor who you can trust. The money is worth every cent if they do it right. I would give anything to have my two years back so I hope people read this and at least make an appointment with Dr. Rand for a consultation so they know what they could have. He does it right the first time.