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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Revision Reviews REVIEWS

Breast lift revision/augmentation

ORIGINAL POST

Brest lift revision/augmentation

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Dorene33
WORTH IT$7,500
Hi friends I wanted to wait a year before I posted my experience with Dr. Hedden. His practice is in Birmingham Alabama. While my daughter was there to get her augmentation I asked Dr. Hedden to examine me and see if he could revise my lift and switch my implants. I was bigger than I wanted to be and my lift wasn't holding up. My original Dr had passed away so I decided to ask Dr Hedden.
Well let's just say after paying 7,500 things didn't go as planned. When I came out of surgery I noticed he didn't redo my anchor lift just around the areola and down. I thought this was odd since I now had skin left underneath that looked odd and too tight down the middle. I bottomed out on my left breast almost immediately which I thought was odd since he was supposed to do an internal bra. So I had to wear a shoe string cast. So after 2 months I had to go in to remove the extra skin and tack up the breast that had bottomed out. As he proceeded to tell me he was gonna tack it up using my skin my heart sank. I thought that is not gonna work but I couldn't say anything. He then told me I used up my insurance that I paid for with him having to do this revision which I thought was his fault for not revising the whole anchor lift to begin with.
Well here we are a year later after my revision with breast that have an odd shape and left breast still bottomed out. I also have pain in my left breast and had a mammogram performed like he asked. I posted my question on here about how this can be fixed and the Drs all had the same answer. Dr Hedden told me he would have to charge me 9000$ to do this. I am so upset and feel so disrespected as he wants to blame my other dr for this problem.
I'm hoping my review will help others on here to think twice about who you choose and find out if they stand behind their work. I am now left either with deformed breast or try and find someone to fix them.
This is a very expensive mistake! I truly trusted Dr Hedden.

Dorene33's provider

William J. Hedden, MD

William J. Hedden, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 543 Reviews
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Dorene33

Dorene33 rating for Dr. Hedden:

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Replies (16)

October 4, 2019
Wow. I would sue!
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October 4, 2019
I am asking for my surgical records to see if he put in the surgical bra like he said he was going to do. I have all emails from him so he can't say he didn't say something! I don't see how he thinks these results are acceptable
October 28, 2019
wow!! that is horrible. I actually consulted him a year ago and he refused to do xl implants & the first thing that came to my mind was... hmm he must lack the skills to do very large implants as it is a very special niche... glad I went with my doctor here in GA again. hope you get it all sorted out and find a good surgeon close by xoxo
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October 29, 2019
I am so glad you didn't use him he is not nice at all!! I don't have the money to fix my problem so I have to live with it for now! Still waiting for my medical records which I asked for a month ago
November 1, 2019
There are doctors that are good who don’t charge as much as he does. Saline implants & surgery can be as low as $3000
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November 4, 2019
I need a lift revision and implant exchange this why it's so much. I have a lot of damage
November 4, 2019
I am going to ask a colleague to take a look at your notes here and see what they suggest and see if they can do a fly in deal for you sweetie
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November 5, 2019
It sucks being in pain from my CC. My husband and I are going to go talk to him Friday and ask for a refund
November 5, 2019
I think prepare all the things you want to say as for sure it will be tough. Great you are going with your husband for support.
Absolutely you deserve a refund as well as the costs of repair work to get back to your wellbeing
Well done on your courage
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November 5, 2019
Thank you! My husband is afraid he may get very angry and make things worse. If my results are so awesome then post my pictures on your website is what I will tell him. I have been in pain for a year. I have requested my medical records a month ago. Ha keeps blaming my previous Dr. When he was doing the revision he should have fixed it then not leave it!!
November 5, 2019
Well if you feel it will be confrontational you don't need that .I would be surprised if he does but you can put something in writing preprepared. Then if it gets dicey,
You can say , thanks so much for your comments and hand it to him, stand and walk out this giving you the power. You know , we all know , it's horrible work and unacceptable.
So I am going to check some medical boards for you so that you can inform them if need be, and say , if we are unable to resolve this toy satisfaction, I will need to take this further with the said authorities.
None of this is an instant fix, but it should make you feel better because you are moving forward.
Also implant manufacturers have warranties so that's another factor in costs if you can get the brand etc
In Australia we have the TGA and Hccc both of which are a great place to have an authority investigate your complaint before you get to an attorney. So I think that's the FDA at your end .

So I will check these out for you sweetie
UPDATED FROM Dorene33
1 year post

Reconstructive Surgery

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Dorene33
Well I have been to several doctors and I am now facing reconstructive surgery that will cost me 13,000$. Please do your research

Replies (25)

October 26, 2019
I am very sorry Were his work to be perfect No doubt you would feel perfect From what I can see your breasts are very beautiful but you have issues that need repair and I don't see an internal bra result. I believe you could have a specialist fix them revise the internal add fat transfer and scar therapy I can advise the best one I know in the USA and the best one I know in Australia It says something if the work is inferior and your current doctor had to blame someone else for it Love to help if I can and support you when you might feel like crap Xx
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October 26, 2019
Who do you recommend in the United States? He is going to release the vertical incision on the inside by scouring the scar tissue so it will release and allow the breast to round out
October 27, 2019
I think you should go to Evan Feldman in Texas he is superb and embrace scar therapy I can text you some other ideas and things that have worked for other patients. Let me know anything else you are worried about so I can see if I can help xx
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October 28, 2019
Thank you so much I have sent in a consultation request with photos to Dr Feldman. It's hard to sleep at night with pain and my left breast feels like a rock.
October 28, 2019
You can say I recommended you. Pain at that magnitude means you need an urgent consultation.
I think things like negligence are obvious but the big priority is your health happiness and wellbeing. Skin integrity healing are also things you can look at too all to help in healing.
Let me know if I can help
M
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October 28, 2019
You have been a great help thus far! My Dr Dr Hedden has been telling me that I am not being realistic with my expectations. He is not concerned with the pain I am experiencing! Again thank you
October 28, 2019
I would say if a doctor isn't concerned you are unhappy in pain and find the surgery generally unsatisfactory, it speaks volumes about him and his future patients

Don't spend a minute more thinking about his opinion as you are on your way

I believe in Feldman in USA and dr Joseph Rizk in Australia

I am a patient advocate, well being and recovery specialist, and soon an after surgery service provider

It's my pleasure
M
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October 29, 2019
Well Dr in Texas will not take my case said it would take a few surgeries and wouldn't be cost effective for me
November 1, 2019
I am talking to someone here to get some advice and also I think you do have the right for both a refund and the cost of repair.
Don't lose hope we will find something.
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November 1, 2019
I requested my medical records over a month ago still nothing. I have an appointment with Dr Hedden next Friday November 8, 2019. The dr in Atlanta Georgia who is the chief plastic surgeon at Northside Hospital told me everything he needed to and the cost. The Dr is sending me those documents and I will be bringing them with me to my appointment with Dr Hedden. This Dr said my implants are not under the muscle like I think they are. Thank you so much for your support! I just want my money back and have a specialist fix me. He keeps blaming this mess on my original surgeon which really makes me mad!!
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November 6, 2019
So I called Mentor yesterday and they will pay for capsular contracture repair and for new implants so if I switch to silicone I have to pay the difference. I have dance to my pockets as well. My new Dr said I no longer have a cleavage. I will be facing 3 1/2 hours of surgery
November 6, 2019
Well that's great news although it's scary. Mentor are the leading brand and have excellent care. As an aside
This shows they recognise you have serious issues and are behind their product.
So the Dr needs to recognise that. I don't think though that your cleavage is lost you can look at fat transfer and some integrity products.
From what I can see , to give you the volume you need , a natural shape , fullness and projection, you should go with the tall height high profile, mentor cpg 3. They have extra fill so less likelihood of ripping and also very good rates of cc
If you look on Mentors site, you can see them and measure up.

You know what , you also need a beautiful sexy bra .
It will make you feel beautiful on the way.
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November 7, 2019
Ok so now mentor told me they won't pay for anything so back to square one!! I'm so dissapointing
November 9, 2019
I am wondering why but you know the surgeon that put them in is responsible for pushing Mentor. I think it's worth writing a very strong thorough letter to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the FDA to get support. I also think the impact of that to your doctor I believe he will want to refund your money and also get support from mentor.
I will see if I can find a specialist at your neck of the woods I wish I could fly you here and get Dr Rizk to help you.
Don't lose heart there is lots you can do xxx
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November 9, 2019
Went to see my original surgeon who I purchased additional insurance from In case of complications. Told me yesterday I am out of the time frame for them to be covered. So now I know why I was brushed off for months. We talked about smaller implants because I want to be smaller but he won't do it because he does not want to redo my lift. I can go down 100cc and different profile. He is so going to remove extra skin I have. So now waiting on what he wants to charge me. I'm very unhappy. He said my pain is not from capsular contracture. I had a different dr tell me I have grade three. My husband won't listen to me. I was trying to tell him the doctor was lying about a lot of things. I have been trying to show him that why the dr was saying is false. He said he is sick of hearing about plastic surgery.. I feel so alone!! Ugh
November 9, 2019
You are not alone sweetie
I know it feels that way and that there is no way out
It could be that your husband is frightened your injured and unhappy so his reactions are maybe that
Firstly the last thing to do now is rush to fix it or go with advice you don't agree with
Even if it takes time and also money , find the surgeon and result from a specialist that gets you and your goals and takes you seriously. I think it is grade 3 too but also the stress on your skin and muscles causes compound pain. I know it sounds silly , but wearing perhaps two bras or even three that look good support the weight around the clock and look good in clothes will help. It gives you comfort and some breathing space for yourself whilst you find the doctor. If it's grade three I believe mentor will step up . I am happy to help with advice other opinions the best bra advice etc , and to cheer you up. Also skin integrity can help so nutrition skin healing and elasticity products you can start now, in preparation for your surgery.

Meanwhile I am showing your details to my colleague and asking their advice and if something special can be done. I will also check that the warranty is internationally recognised in case there is a better doctor somewhere else.
Have a look at mentor anatomical tall height high profile cpg 3. I think that's what you need to give you the very best result plus fat transfer.

Don't lose hope sweetie you know it's terrible don't do a fix until we find the right person to help you.

Anyone who is reading this too, send all your love and support
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November 10, 2019
That means so much to me you have no idea. Dr Hochstein in Miami sent me a quote which is pretty good and willing to do a full lift and fix my pockets so I can go to a smaller implant. I don't see the point going through surgery to go down 100cc. He said I need a wider foot print!! I'm just scared letting him touch me. I am leaning towards mentors new memory gel extra in moderate plus profile. They seem to have what I am looking for
November 14, 2019
I feel determined to see you thru this and totally happy
If you like this doctor trust empathy skill reviews then that's fabulous

I think these ingredients are good. The differences in these two implants are quite diverse :
The xtra is round and high fill giving you a very round look upper and lower projection. People love it for reducing the incidence of sag and for a full round look. If that's what you want plus tightening and an internal bra check capsulectomy etc then that's the one. The thing I would say on the down side is that they feel to me , like an implant.
The anatomical full height high profile high projection cpg 3 is a high fill natural look and can accomodate avoiding too much of a lift too , the difference is ultra natural look and feel just like breast tissue.
So think about what look and feel you want as this should be the last surgery ever in the history of time for you.

Both are mentor same peace of mind. You might also see some pictures of this anatomical in big sizes as I feel lending towards this if you have a long torso and long arch.

But you decide and don't be pushed rushed or made to decide. You can proceed with whatever you want and also breast tissue increase with fat transfer.

Don't forget the bra to cheer you up and help support you in the meantime.

So looking forward to hearing your happy and then you can think about that other doctor and how you want to handle it.

Kisses M
January 1, 2020
Is it even possible to get a refund when you sign papers to release the doctor from liability?
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January 1, 2020
I don't think any doctor will give a refund
October 29, 2019
UPDATED FROM Dorene33
1 year post

Before and After

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Dorene33
This is a picture of my breast before revision with Dr. Hedden and after surgery with Dr Hedden. How can he blame the Dr who did my original surgery? My original Dr has passed away that is why I didn’t go back to him. I look at my after pictures and it’s quit horrifying. How can Dr Hedden look at that and think it looks good?

Replies (1)

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November 1, 2019
Would like to add that he charged me 1000 more than other patients