Don't Be Intimidated to Speak Your Truth & Caveat Booking Surgeons Married to One Another

I’ve waited 2 years to review the married surgeons Dr. Sigalove’s. It was important for me to process and think before I chose my words. In addition, I desired to share my experience from a non-emotional state. In 2019, new to AZ, Dr Noemi Sigalove performed a prophylactic double mastectomy on me. At her recommendation, Dr. Steven Sigalove (husband), also present, performed an immediate nipple-sparing reconstruction/implants over muscle. Within a few short weeks there was on-going inflammation, contracture, and visible rippling. 3 months after the initial surgeries, I had breast correction with Dr. Steven Sigalove. 

At his guidance, implants were exchanged for larger to smooth rippling & attempted fat transfer. At removal of drains, I contracted such a severe infection of the breasts, I was on the heavy hitter cipro for over a month and at risk for complete removal. The infection eventually cleared, but problems with the implants/mesh did not. 

To the person who is researching and reading this review, I would like to mention my first caveat. Do NOT contract a husband/wife team or anyone else related to one another to perform surgery on you. If all goes well, a blessing. If you have any complications? You will NOT have an advocate for your health. For the past 2 years I have dealt with continual inflammation, pain in my chest, hard knots from the fat transfer, severe rippling, unsightly seams from the gala form mesh protruding from my skin, the literal heavy weight of 3+ pounds of implants, and a bumpy stomach from poor fat transfer technique. I took ibuprofen daily to combat swelling (ironically just diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease b/c of the ibuprofen use). I was a healthy woman with NO kidney nor health issues. 

My last appointment in 2020 seeking help with Dr. Noemi, I inquired about having the implants removed. She replied, “No, you will hate how you look”. I suffered on for another 6 months until I literally could not take it anymore. I looked outside of Arizona and their reach, and booked an explant removal in California with one of the best plastic surgeons in this field. I had to wait 6 more months b/c he's that booked for surgeries. He removed the implants but could not perform a total enbloc because of the cocktail of gala-mesh, inflamed capsule, and thin/thin/thin skin. That nifty gala mesh Dr. Sigalove says is supposed to absorb? It had not in two years. 

My explant Surgeon removed those heavy horrible implants sewn to my chest, scraped away as much of the mesh/capsule he could, and evened out my unsightly stomach from the poor fat transfer. I am 3 weeks PO, flat/concave and yet feel like a million bucks. My experience with the Doctors Sigalove’s was not pleasant. There were numerous comments and unprofessionalism that I experienced within the offices. It would be unkind of me to list here in this review. That being said, I felt it was imperative to share my 2- year ordeal since surgery. I do not feel that I received top care and I would not rate either of their services as even close to above average for me as a mastectomy patient. 

As for fat transfer or implant removal? Go to a surgeon who has years of experience and excellent technique. It is an art. Any plastic surgeon can do it, but if you want it done right, do your research. And don’t be bullied by a doctor scaring you about how you will look. I am booked for a second fat transfer in the Fall. 

There is one bright spot at the office of Dr. Steven Sigalove. Dana, the Office Mgr is incredibly caring and helpful. She was actually the only one to advise me about compression garments after fat transfer or how to deal with anything after the mastectomy/reconstruction. I would have been absolutely floundering without her verbal advice. The office is fortunate to have you.