Be cautious - this has affected me psychologically

Breast Augmentation Review: August 2020 I waited a while to write this review. I want to stick solely to the facts as I know that is what matters most. I went to Dr. Kratschmer on recommendation. Although he was over an hour away from where I live I scheduled a virtual consultation (this was the best option at the time since it was during the height of the pandemic). Ultimately, I decided to schedule my surgery for a breast lift and implants with him since he was about $3K cheaper than the other surgeon I consulted with.

In my initial consultation everything went fine, straight to the point, answered my questions and we both seemed to be on the same page that this would be a straightforward procedure. I paid my deposit, picked a date and had no red flags up to this point. I went into the office for my pre-op appointment 2 weeks prior to surgery to go over everything. I did have a few questions that I was looking forward to asking the doctor prior to surgery. At this appointment I mainly spoke to Amber (which at the time I did not know is his wife and also the office manager).

She was going over paperwork and wanted me to sign different documents and I stopped her and let her know I wanted to go over a few questions I had with Dr. Kratschmer first before I signed off on the procedure. She immediately got frustrated and said he was busy and she would have to see if he could squeeze me in. I thought this was odd because I never even met the doctor in person so wouldn’t it make sense that he would at least want to stop by and introduce himself and see my body in person to make sure everything lines up?

My husband and I waited for another 15-20 minutes before the doctor came in and I remember telling him this doesn’t feel right. I wish I would have walked out at that moment. Trust your gut always. He came in for 5 minutes, answered my questions and ran off. Surgery date everything went ok for the most part. Surgeries are actually performed at his office in a back room they have turned into an operating room. They actually use this as a selling point since you don’t have to go to an actual hospital. I have had other surgeries before at hospitals and also a tummy tuck about 10 years ago and I remember walking into that back room and it feeling dingy.

Everything was paid so I went through with it. My husband had to wait in the car for 2 ½ hours with zero updates. At one point he decided to drive down the road for a coffee and that was when they were wheeling me out. The nurse went inside to call him to come back and I was left outside waiting with the anesthesiologist (in August Texas heat) for him to come back. Flash forward a week later I started having complications. I reached out, sent pictures, called and was brushed off and told everything was fine.

Anytime you reach out, just know you will NEVER hear from the doctor himself it will always be his wife (Amber). I eventually ended up with an open wound the size of a quarter on one of my breasts. It was not until I physically went in for a follow-up appointment that the doctor finally saw the severity and prescribed me with two rounds of antibiotics I had to take 4 times a day. The wound eventually closed but then I had constant blisters all around my incision around my nipple. The doctor said it was a reaction to the stitches even though the other side did not have the same reaction. Eventually the suture broke and I had to go in to have it removed with local anesthetic.

I am a year post op and the final result is awful scarring on my right nipple (it looks like burn tissue and is very big), I lost ALL sensitivity and feeling on my left nipple (this is rare and there is only a 7% chance of this occurring), I only have about 15% feeling on my right nipple even after that being my problem side. My right breast is much higher than my left. My nipples are completely uneven. When I brought up all these concerns to the doctor after waiting a year, he stated “breasts are like twins they will never be 100% identical”. I understand what he was saying but my breasts were way more symmetrical prior to surgery and if there was a geometrical difference only an expert could tell.

Post surgery it was an obvious difference. I cannot wear any bra that will fully cover my nipple, bathing suits are a nightmare to shop for. The biggest issue that has taken a hit is that this has affected me psychologically. I was offered a revision but there is no way I would ever trust him again. He stated I would need yet another lift and scar revision but there was no guarantee he could make my breast look symmetrical.

This is just a summary, I have so many other stories like being forgotten at an appointment and waiting over an hour before they realized I was still waiting, sending emails with pictures and concerns and not hearing back for a week, unprofessionalism, lack of empathy, terrible bedside manners. I have since scheduled my revision surgery with the doctor who did my tummy tuck and he was dumbfounded when he saw my case. Moral of the story, run as far and as fast as you can and just pay the extra money to ensure you are in good hands.

Also, check the Better Business Bureau, Real Self and go above and beyond to find anything that is a red flag. Keep in mind reviews are hit and miss, pay attention to the stories that stick to facts and are less emotional. Look at pictures closely.