Gluteal Implant Revision - Beverly Hills, CA

As of February 9 I had my implants removed. Thanks to Dr. Gershenbaum in Miami my butt is much worse than when I had implants to start with. The right side developed too much scar tissue wheRe he wove the implant in and out of the muscle and left it mostly sub fascia. It actually caused tissue death...yes folks, that's what happens when the implant is placed sub fascia. So therefore I am left with one side completely hollowed out where the first implants were placed and the right side is completely flat as a board but once the scar tissue starts to break down that side will also hollow out. I would like to take pictures so you can see but I'm actually horrified at what I see. This is way worse than what I started with. I don't even look human. I'm heartbroken.

My plan at this point is to heal, start lifting weight again and see how much I can improve upon the hidiousness of my appearance. Then if I still look sub-human I will most likely have to have the implants again.

I want to clarify some things before I leave this post. Dr. Stanton is not just a great plastic surgeon, he is a great doctor. He never lied, misled or dismissed me. In my opinion, Dr. Gershenbaum used me, and most likely others, as guinea pigs. He certainly lied and deceived me and blew me off.

My biggest mistake was not going to Dr. Stanton the first time just to save a buck. I wouldn't be writing this post right now. I would be past this buying new bathing suits and planning my next sailing trip instead of planning to remove drain tubes and praying I can get through the next six months and heal and hopefully not look like a freak forever.

A word of advice. Anyone thinking of getting implants do your research thoroughly. Understand a DO (doctor of osteopathy) isn't the same as a licensed plastic surgeon. If they aren't a licensed plastic surgeon steer clear. If it doesn't feel right, it isn't. If you feel like you're not getting the right answers, the attention, honesty you deserve...walk away. And if it's a money issue, set up a separate account and start saving the difference and go where you KNOW the treatment will be correct. I ended up spending more than $28,000 in surgeries, repair, medicines, flights, car rentals, food, etc., just to have them removed and look like a freak. When I could have paid $10,500 (procedure, airfare, hotel, car rental, food included) and had it done right the first time just by going to Stanton.

If you live in Florida and want to have your surgery in Florida that's fine. But understand, in my opinion no one should even entertain the thought of going to Gershenbaum. I think he looks at people as dollar signs and not humans. I think he is willing to use people as guinea pigs. I believe he lies, misleads and deceives all in the name of the all-mighty dollar. It supercedes the fact we are humans.

Also, just as a side note, Florida is a state that doesn't make medical professionals carry malpractice insurance. It's kind of like having an accident in a no-fault state. Unless you have a ton of money that can buy the best lawyers and all the time in the world to spend in courts, you will most likely never see your money again.

Don't be like me. Don't be heartbroken.

I'm at my wits end. After almost three months of antibiotics I had to make another trip to California to have Dr. Stanton check out my draining. He numbed me up and peeled the scab off the drain hole. Then he managed to pull a glob of something out. This was most likely a suture knot that didn't get absorbed. That's the good news. Here's the bad news. I have exposure of my implant. Dr. Stanton said it is a small exposure; the size of a pencil eraser. My options were try wound care by packing the open cavity (drain hole to implant) with guaze and medicated sodium chloride for up to a month. If it heals, great. I keep my implant and move on with life. If it doesn't heal the implant has to be removed. So here begins the most troubling part for me. Physically I want to be well. Emotionally I want to keep my implants. The option to have the implant replaced is on the table but it has truly become an issue of money. I'm really quite tapped out. So I'm trying to be logical and come to peace with the fact that if I have to have one removed then the other needs to come out. However, I'm still waiting for Mindy to let me know the prices for all of my options. So yeah, I'm reaching my wits end. I'm truly feeling heart-broken and defeated.

Sorry I don't have good news.

So Mindy called in my third round of antibiotics for the absess I have. She says it looks like it's almost finished and this round should take care of it. I pray this takes care of it. I'm over pills and pain and my butt leaking. Sounds worse than it is but that's my sense of humor. And if I don't joke I might cry. Anyway, I can't wear sexy underwear until the draining is finished. Not that I'm feeling sexy. I'm gaining weight, my butt is not symmetrical at this moment due to slow healing and swelling and I've been down far too long. I'm feeling it emotionally and physically.

Not going to be a downer Debbie so on the bright side of things I'm sitting on my butt more, the bbl pillow less. I went grocery shopping and to Walmart for some Christmas items. Made it several hours and could still sit down. Bonus! Christmas is looking up. Maybe I'll make it through the Nutcracker afterall.

Maybe since I'm feeling so much better tomorrow I will have my husband take some pictures. I just don't know how to do it by myself. At least not well.