Breast Augmentation and Abdominoplasty-Amy Alderman MD:

Motivation for surgery was loss of fullness in breast pole and an abdominal region that presented “pregnant looking” with bloated distention appearance. No abdominal fat, Never pregnant. Fit, 5’11 & 140 pounds and 57 years old. With my husband and girlfriend in agreement to be emotional supporters and sounding boards, I scheduled surgery with Dr Alderman. The decision was based on her credentials, proximity to where I lived, and bedside manner. Unconsciously, the fact that she is a woman, also influenced my decision. The initial consultation was excellent: On time, a listener, generous with her time and very effusively compassionate. Her staff office were knowledgeable and actually had been previous patients of Dr Alderman.

My actual surgery went smoothly with no complications. Post op I developed a hematoma on my breast and extreme bruising/bleeding on my torso between my ribcage to hip region. I was very lightheaded and week. My husband and girlfriend researched and were convinced it was a hematoma. We called Dr Alderman and she said it was nothing to worry about and to be expected and to come in on Monday (we called on Saturday). Her assistant examined me first and we could tell she was alarmed at what she saw and rushed to get Dr Alderman. Dr Alderman was very non-chalant and said to discontinue the blood thinner and that everything looked good. (Even my profoundly misshapen and swollen and bruised breast). She said it was not a hematoma but was leaving for a speaking engagement at a medical conference out of state. She said she would see me when she returned and advised NOT to consult with any of the other doctors in her practice but wait for the follow up appointment with her. It seemed odd at the time but not feeling well, I just wanted to go home and was so grateful it was NOT a hematoma which would have meant going through another surgery. One week later Dr Alderman saw me for the follow up and said YES it is a hematoma and surgery was needed. How in good conscience did she leave town knowing my condition and not have another surgeon in the practice see me? We will never understand. On top of this she charged for the second surgery. 4 months post op I was still concerned that my breasts were too large. She assuaged my concerns saying there was still selling. I also expressed concern that my abdomen was not flat as it was post surgery and the distended pregnancy belly had cone back. She said she didn’t know why but that I needed to focus on my great breasts!

I felt so self conscious and 2 months later was fitted in bras that were a 32 DDD. I was devastated. I just wanted fullness in my pole which was due to aging, not huge breasts. I made that abundantly clear in the presurgical meeting. At that meeting she showed us (my husband and my girlfriend who had previously had breast augmentation surgery), photos of her other patients with similar anatomical builds, pre and post tummy tuck. The results were striking and so improved over the pre op photos.

These pictures did not AT ALL reflect my outcome. I asked for my records and pre and post op photos. They refused to provide the photos and after 6 months of requesting the surgical report, I was provided a brief 1 page, 1 paragraph note page. I tried to schedule a follow up appointment with Dr Alderman but she had left the practice. So upon my primary doctors advise I want to Emory. Another girlfriend of mine had recently had plastic ugly there and hers went flawlessly (she’s 73). The doctor there said I was not a good candidate for an abdominoplasty and he would not ha e performed one on me. He said it’s not fat but the protrusion of my internal organs caused my weak fascia to giveaway and not hold back the pressure from my internal organs.He

said some people have weak tissue and the combination of me being thin, having weak fascia, thin skin and previous abdominal surgery DID NOT make me a good candidate or this surgery. Additionally I learned that the Emory plastic surgeons do not charge to repair hematoma from a surgery they perform.

So in conclusion, I would NOT recommend Dr Alderman. While her credentials are solid, her commitment to her patient is questionable. In retrospect I should have insisted another Dr at the practice when Dr Alderman was away and I should have had more consults.

Do your research. Get multiple consultations with well credentialed surgeons and ask how many cases they have performed of whatever procedure you are looking to be performed. Ask about what happens post operatively if there’s hematoma. Ask who is backup for your surgeon if your primary surgeon is away. Find out your surgeons schedule so you don’t schedule your surgery during a window post op when your surgeon is out of town. Looking back, plastic surgery was the worst decision I ever made and unfortunately have to live with breasts that impede by workout, how I look top heavy not to mention the over 30+ thousand wasted.