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Bulk of remaining volume are large egg sized lumps
Pros: I hated having implants and I wasn't ready to just remove them and have deflated skin for breasts. I had a tuberous breast deformity prior to implants and I think removal would have made them look even worse than before. The fact that I could have the implants removed and fat transferred at the same time was really important to me. I think this helped my overall confidence and it felt so good to have natural breasts again!
Cons: My breasts looked great initially but I continuously lost volume. What's worse is that the bulk of my remaining volume are two egg sized lumps in each breast - on the side on one breast and just above my nipple on the other breast. They make me VERY self-conscious and I have trouble feeling comfortable when my husband touches them when we're intimate. Further, I feel like when I hug people, they can feel the lump that's just above my nipple and it's embarrassing. I also have one smaller lump (with a diameter about the size of a quarter) near the incision on one breast. This one really bothers me when I'm laying down because it's very visible. My only option is to get these lumps removed and I'm worried that doing so will leave me with nothing. I've even considered getting implants again although it makes me feel like the whole thing was for nothing.
Another con is that I don't like my lipo areas much. I still have visible scars (right in the middle of the front of my thighs) and my legs have a weird shape. He took fat from the top part of the back of my thighs but not the bottom (just above my knees) so my legs look like they protrude out all of a sudden half way down the back of my thighs. Also he took too much from my hips so I lost much of the natural feminine curve I used to have. My skin is also much looser afterward which makes me feel like I have old lady legs and I'm way too young for that.
Another con is that I don't think I had much breast tissue in the upper pole area to begin with and maybe that's why the fat just couldn't survive there. But it makes me feel like putting it there was a waste - I have no volume left there on either side, save for the huge lump on one side. So I still have the very saggy boob look (I'll try and take some pics soon). I think if you didn't have much of anything there initially (particularly if you had a tuberous breast), you may have to get implants if you want that youthful full look.
Overall I think you have to weigh what's important for you. If you don't mind the idea of large lumps, I think this could be a good option. If the idea of that is particularly unappealing to you, you may want to consider whether the whole process is worth it.
Three Months Out!
Three months out, I'm feeling almost 100% back to normal. A few things that linger that remind me that I had surgery are 1. I still have some numbness in my hips and the backs of my thighs. This is a little weird because when you run your hands over these parts, you can't really "feel" them:-D - I know this is normal but it still feels weird. 2. I still have some pain in my hips sometimes - not often, but it occurs enough to remind me that it's there. It doesn't persist and it's not bad but again, it's a reminder. 3. I still can't comfortably sleep on my stomach. This may partially be psychological but it's there nonetheless.
In terms of my breasts, they've gone down since I last updated but not significantly. I think what I lost was most likely swelling (my last pics are from two weeks). I had some asymmetry before the surgery and I can still see some of that but I don't think it's worse. I also had one areola larger than the other and that persists as well - I'm looking toward an areola reduction/possible lift when i can afford it! :-D. The major issue I've had is some hardening - particularly in my left breast (right breast from your view). I also have a pretty sizeable lump in my right breast (left breast from your view), but it's continued to go down over time. I've spoken to Dr. Bednar about this and he says that this is normal for some patients and will correct itself over time.
Overall, I'm really happy to have the implants out and that my size is pretty comparable to what it was before. The picture I posted in the bra is to show that I'm still wearing the same size I did before surgery (34C). Considering I had basically no breasts before implants, I think this is pretty amazing. I'm hoping to retain what I have now and I'm feeling better about it since I've reached the 3 month mark!
For those of your concerned about lipo, my lipo areas look great! I will post some pics after I shake these holiday extra pounds:-D. The only thing I don't like about the lipo is the scars. This is something to consider when you have the surgery - make sure you talk to your doctor about where your scars will be and that you're okay with that. Of course, they'll fade with time (mine are fading), but it makes it pretty obvious that you've had surgery if you need to wear a bathing suit or are dating someone new etc. I did try dermablend (body makeup) to cover them and it worked to some extent but they were still visible (but again, i'm only 3 months out). Ironically, the scars on my breasts (from the insertion) are almost non-existent. I say ironically because you can't see those anyway! Alas, patience is a virtue:)
Two Weeks Post-Op and new Pics:)
In terms of my breasts, there's no soreness but i just worry about them:-D - I feel very protective of them like i'm trying to protect the fat that's there and make sure it settles in smoothly:-D - that said, i always have on a sports bra or a no-wire bra that feels very supportive and sometimes I still wear my wrap just for extra support. I don't really want them to move around too much. I'm not sure if this is smart or silly but either way, it makes me feel better:)
I'll post some lipo pics when my bruising is gone completely as I know that's a concern for a lot of women as well. I can honestly say that although I know you can't really tell how things will look at two weeks, if I had to judge now, I'd say my shape is better than it was when I went in. I really didn't want lipo - it was just something I had to do for the fat transfer and I was worried that I would lose all my curves. But that's not the case. I feel like the doc took just enough and took it from just the right places so that I actually end up looking more shapely:) - hopefully things stay this way! I'll update again in a couple weeks when I'll be at the one month mark!
Thank you again for all the support I've received here - and also a big thank you to Dr. Bednar's office for continuing to call/email and check up on me - they remain great as well:)
Provider Review
I'm leaving the review below because it was my initial reaction and I think it's important to realize that this often happens when people are excited directly after surgery. But my long-term results are terrible and I'm in the process of finding a surgeon to try and fix some of the mess Dr. Bednar made. EVERY single doctor I've consulted with has gasped at what was done to my body. My legs are ruined because Dr. Bednar put lipo scars right in the middle of the front of my thighs and right outside of my panty line. They are not hideable unless I'm wearing long pants. I cannot wear shorts or a bathing suit confidently because I have visible scarring and sagging skin from lipo. The lower back of my thighs protrude out because he took fat above it but not in that area in any way. For some inconceivable reason, he took so much fat from my hips, taking away the natural feminine curves I had before. My breasts are almost completely comprised of lumps. Literally, huge egg size lumps in each breast that protrude so much they alter the shape of the breast. And every doctor I've talked to has questioned why Dr. Bednar would use the technique he does. Clearly if you put too much fat into an area, not all of it will be able to get good blood supply - not all of it will survive. Certainly not all of it will ever survive but the fat that doesn't survive when you're transferring that kind of volume into one incision, becomes the hardened fat eggs I have for breasts now. I sometimes look at the pictures I sent for consultation and I can't tell you how much I long for that body back. I had such a good experience with his staff and with the overall process and it saddens me to be so distraught about the outcome. But I just can't understand why he did these things. He has to know no one wants lipo scars visible in the middle of their legs. But because I had never had it done, I just trusted him to do it correctly. It didn't occur to me I would need to state the obvious. He has to know the science around extensive fat necrosis and why it happens and he could at least warn his patients that this is a trade off - one I would not have made. Especially because now in removing it I lose the little bit of breast I have left and my legs are still ruined for trying. Again, leaving below because that was how I felt right after. Just know that if you want real reviews, pay attention to how people feel at least a year out. And while some people will accept HUGE lumps because they want the volume, make sure you're aware of the choice and make it fully informed. I wasn't____________________________________________________(Old review begins here). A-MA-ZING!!! Dr. Bednar is an excellent surgeon! I live in California and we did our consultation via skype. I knew as soon as our conversation ended that I was going to have this procedure done and that I was willing to travel across the country to ensure Dr. Bednar was my surgeon. He was so personable, calm, patient, knowledgeable and willing to answer all of my questions. From our very first conversation, he took his time. I never felt rushed and he treated each of my questions like they were important and significant. To back up a little bit, I have to say that the office manager, Sylvia, is a gem. Not only did she always respond to my emails/questions immediately, but she made me feel completely taken care of even before I decided to have the procedure with Dr. Bednar. She was open and honest about what I should expect and once I decided on Dr. Bednar, she essentially handled everything. She literally made me feel like a queen. Not only did she arrange for my accommodations, she picked me up from the airport, and she took me grocery shopping when I arrived so I'd have everything I needed for my stay. She personally drove me to the office for my pre-op (where lunch was waiting for me) and then drove me to my hotel and made sure I had everything I needed for the night. She even came back later in the evening and brought me pizza (my last meal before surgery:) Sylvia picked me up the next morning for my surgery and everyone in the office stayed late the day of my surgery so that I could sleep longer and get as much rest as I needed. Although I was in and out, someone was always there, checking on me, bringing me water, snacks etc. Sylvia arranged for my nurse, Amy, to stay with me for the evening since I was traveling alone. Amy is an ABSOLUTE SWEETHEART! She made sure I had all my meds, made me dinner and made sure I was in as little pain as possible. Anything I needed, she was right there. It was sooo nice having her there the first night! Plus she's super down to earth and personable. Feeling comfortable is really important after surgery and Amy is the person you want around you during such a tumultuous time! The next day, Sylvia and Amy took me back to their office for a facial!!! After the flight and surgery, my skin looked a mess! It was really nice and relaxing to be able to lay back and have Darlene (another one of their wonderful staff members) make my face beautiful again! Everyone kept commenting how good my skin looked afterward - even I was taken aback when I saw myself in the mirror afterward - I was glowing:) I'm not gonna lie - the pain was no joke! Especially from the lipo. But the meds really really helped and by the fourth day (today), I was walking around the mall like normal. By the way, I was walking around the mall because Amy and another staff member, Shirley (also absolutely fabulous:), took me out to lunch and to go and shop for makeup *smile...it was really fun to get out and get a play makeover after going through surgery! And get this - you thought the days of house calls were over? Well, Dr. Bednar and Sylvia just stopped by my hotel to check on my progress. I'm leaving town tomorrow morning and they wanted to make sure everything was okay before I left. They are really just great people. I'm sure I missed something but I'll come back and add it when I remember. These folks really deserve an award for the kind of treatment I received. I mean it was way beyond 5 star! Having surgery is such a big deal and traveling to a completely different part of the country to have surgery is extremely difficult. Dr. Bednar and his staff made it simple. They made it fun. They made it easy:)...I live in California where there's a plastic surgeon on every corner. Still, I'd fly back to Charlotte in a heartbeat if I ever need or want anything else done:). I really can't thank their office enough! Dr. Bednar, Sylvia, Amy, Shirley, both Sandys:), Darlene, Beverly - thank you! If I missed anyone, blame it on the meds *smile...you all are wonderful. Thank you!