POSTED UNDER Butt Implants Reviews
Awful Experience
ORIGINAL POST
Awful Experience
I had buttock implants approx 14 months ago. There are three options for butt implants: 1, 2 and 3. 1 being the smallest and 3 being the biggest. I told Dr. Gershenbaum that if he could safely fit # 3 in my gluteal muscles, then to do it. Otherwise, the medium-sized 2 would’ve been more appropriate. He ended up placing the number 3, which were clearly too big for my gluteal muscles. As an experienced surgeon, this is something he should’ve been able to determine by my body type. About three weeks or so after my surgery, I noticed my incision dehiscing. I had to go through months of painful wound care to salvage the implants. Also, 2 months after the surgery, I was hospitalized and placed on IV antibiotics for about a week. The gaping scar in between my butt cheeks is a scary reminder of what I went through and how the implants were too large for my body. Surprisingly, he really captured the look I wanted without having properly taken the time to listen to me. I won’t lie, he did a great job aesthetically. However, now I have to worry about the possibility of the scar reopening and becoming infected. Since scar tissue takes around 6 mos to a year to fully strengthen, it’ll be a while before I’m confident in whether or not these implants can stay inside my body. Prior to the surgery, a lot of communication was through his patient coordinator, Eyra. Eyra was more concerned with coordinating payments than anything else. I remember being nearly yelled at by her for a problem with one of my payments. This was unprofessional to say the least. Since the surgery was outpatient, I went back to my hotel that same day. It was obviously painful; I excepted nothing else. What I didn’t expect was to have difficulty with urination. I tried all day to pee. After twelve hours of not urinating, I felt immense pressure and pain and decided to go to a local Miami emergency room. I had postoperative urinary retention, which is not uncommon after anesthesia. While at the ER, I actually got my check-up call from Dr. Gershenbaum. I informed him of my prolonged inability to pee and he told me to “go home and try to urinate.” You think he would know better. Thankfully, I also happen to be an emergency room nurse, so I knew better. After being catheterized, they drained 1600 mL of urine from my bladder and decided to keep the catheter indwelling temporarily until the retention subsided. As you can see, I did not have a good experience. Regardless of the unprofessionalism, Dr. Gershenbaum was also impersonal and cold. The whole ordeal was awful from start to finish.
joeyspice's provider
Replies (3)
I also forgot to mention that I did not have any drains, which is very dangerous considering the amount of vessel damage occurring with this type of surgery. The damage to the vasculature causes excessive fluid buildup and an experienced surgeon should be privy to the fact that a patient would need drains for proper healing. This surgeon is very dangerous.
Sorry you're going though that hun, I hope you get the help that you need, I'm definitely not going to him after seeing your review. I was just about to put down a deposit for breast implants. This is horrible.
I’m glad! You made the right decision. I’m still having complications, do not go to him!
Regarding gluteal implants in general, when someone chooses to have gluteal or buttock implants, much discussion goes into assessing if the person is a good candidate for the procedure. Are their goals realistic? Are they willing and able to go through an often difficult recovery and stay off their bottom for appropriate periods of time, etc.? Does their work schedule allow for appropriate recovery? If a complication does occur, will they be willing to amicably work together and follow directions to resolve the problem? Dr. Gershenbaum does turn down some potential patients if they are not good candidates in his opinion.
As surgeons, there are many things we can control. There are also many things we cannot control, such as how a patient follows their post-operative instructions including care, medications, activity, and travel too soon after their surgery. If a patient agrees to lie flat and rest without much activity for two weeks after a gluteal implant procedure and then decides to get on a plane and travel one week after surgery, they are increasing their chances of a complication.
If a complication does occur, Dr. Gershenbaum will recommend a particular treatment or course of action. If the patient ignores those recommendations, it puts recovery even farther out of the doctor’s control.
Dr Gershenbaum and each patient, in front of a full-length mirror, will review styles and sizes and then come up with which implant style and size to use. The choice of implant size is always predicated on use only if it fits which is determined in surgery. If it’s too large, the muscle won’t be able to close, meaning a smaller implant would have to be used. Dr Gershenbaum tends to be more conservative and never uses an implant that is too large or cannot be covered by the muscle. Wound infections, or even dehiscence is a known complication of gluteal implants and can certainly happen regardless of the size of the implant. A wound dehiscence without adequate muscle coverage would most likely require implant removal altogether. With proper care, isolated wound infections or wound healing problems can be fully resolved. Certainly, following Dr Gershenbaum's recommendations for care will help to optimize the healing process.
Dr Gershenbaum ends each consultation by asking if there are any further questions. He is world-renown for his meticulous attention to detail and care. He strives always to provide the highest quality in care. Complications in cosmetic surgery can and do happen. Every plastic surgeon has to manage them on occasion. With a positive attitude and outlook, and by following all instructions, in the vast majority of cases, a complication can be resolved with a satisfactory final outcome.