Ciaravino: Bad Experience, Good Results?

To all the mothers/husbands/partners out their: just imagine going to pick up your loved one from surgery, waiting anxiously for hours, with practically no information, until finally, your loved one comes out of her SECOND, emergency surgery and the doctor doesn't even give you the curtesy of explaining what happened? He just has his assistant, with no medical qualifications, wheel your loved one on to the elevator and out the door.

That is what happened to me! Which is why this is such an incredibly long review. I wanted to give as much information as possible.

Background:
I had just turned 21 when I got my breast augmentation. I'm was 5'2, 130 pounds and a 32B. I wanted a small D or full C. Dr. Ciaravino recommended that I get 325cc's of silicone- high profile. The biggest he would recommend was 350, but it was a "weary" recommendation, he really thought the 325's would be best. Since I already had stretch marks on my breasts, the doctor warned me that I would most likely get more stretch marks from the surgery- which I did. But they're fading and almost invisible when I get a spray tan. I wish I had gone bigger- even if it meant more stretch marks.


Overall, I'm happy with my breasts. I'm a 34DD at Victoria's Secret now. But for the service I received, I might as well have gone to Tijuana.

Consultation:
Surprisingly, the consultation, is when I got the most attention- including face time with the doctor! Stephanie, one of the R.N.'s, helped me through the consultation. She was amazing! Made me feel incredibly comfortable! The doctor came in, did a few measurements, and gave his recommendation. Rebecca, the coordinator, was able to book my surgery for either two or three weeks after my initial consult.

Pre Op:
I should have seen the warning signs during the pre-op visit, which was a week or two before the surgery. Jessica, a "surgical assistant" was there to answer all of my questions. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but she was incredibly condescending. For about 80% of my questions, she responded with "don't worry sweetie," or "oh no, that's completely normal." For example I was supposed to sign multiple forms that said I had gone over my Anesthesia Plan with my anesthesiologist. I told her I couldn't do so because I didn't have my anesthesiologists name, let alone the a "plan." Her response was "just sign it sweetie and we'll give you his number to call later." I know that this is just basic paperwork/bureaucratic stuff- but I want to make the point that she/the staff didn't seem too concerned about how I felt during the appointment. 80% of the appointment was just about my signature and my check.

However, Jessica did ask me multiple times if I had any questions. I thought this was out of concern. It wasn't till later that I realized she wanted for me to ask HER the questions, even though she's NOT a R.N. or Doctor, so that the actual doctor would have to spend as little time as possible conversing with me. It worked- the doctor rushed through the appointment. At that point, I was somewhat uncomfortable. But I had already paid, and I kept telling myself that the doctor was "one of the best" and that plenty of doctors don't have a good bedside manner.

I realize that it is my responsibility as a patient to be my own advocate and to make sure all of my questions are answered. But by the same token, I didn't feel like the doctor was made accessible. If you don't demand his time, I don't think you'll get it.


The Day of the Surgery:
I was obviously nervous the day of the surgery, but Ciaravino's staff and the Anesthesiology team were great& right on time. Dr. C only spent a few minutes with me, but I thought that was normal. Looking back, I wish I had forced him to spend more time with me. But Angie and the younger Dr. Ngyuen (both part of the anesthesiology team) really calmed me down! I did the surgery on site. The suite was modern, comfortable and clean- perfect place for surgery.

After the Surgery:
I woke up to find one of my breasts slightly larger than the other. The nurses said they were monitoring it. The right breast continued to swell, to the point where I was getting incredibly anxious. This is where things went from "oh I wish the doctor spent a few more mins with me" to "OMG am I in Tijuana? What have I done?"

Let me put a disclaimer here. I was coming out of surgery, so I was a little groggy and I think I was a little more sensitive/emotional than I would have been. But I think that's something the nurses would have been used to.

So the main nurse, Michelle, who I had never seen/spoken to before coming out of surgery, was incredibly abrasive. The more nervous I got (as my right breast swelled to what seemed like twice the size of my left one!!!) the more irritated she seemed to be getting with me. I didn't feel like she was answering my questions. And I didn't know what was going on- other than that they were "monitoring" my right breast. I was moved- as in off the bed I was resting on- because they had other patients coming out of surgery, which really made me feel like I was in an episode of Botched or something- like there were too many patients and not enough gurneys. Eventually the nurses told me that I would have to go in for a second emergency surgery, at which point I started crying. I think this is a normal response? The words "emergency surgery" are terrifying. Michelle, the nurse, didn't seem to think so, and became visibly annoyed with my tears.

On the other hand, Stephanie and Sarah were great. They really helped me calm down. Ask for them if you can.

So I waited a few hours to go back into surgery. I had to wait because the doctor was doing other surgeries. At one point, I was told I was "lucky" the doctor only had X amount of surgeries. (I can't remember the number, but I think it was around six) I found that incredibly irritating and not reassuring at all. What if he had more patients? How long would I have waited for "emergency" surgery? I felt like I had payed 7,000 dollars to take a number at the deli and wait for the butcher to get around to me. The doctor spoke to me for maybe 5 seconds before the second surgery. He said everything was going to be okay. I never saw him again- ever.

After the Second Surgery:
I woke up to find everyone gone. Like I was literally all alone in the recovery room- none of the doctor's/nurses in sight. I guess I fell asleep and woke up again to find Jessica- the assistant that made me uncomfortable during the pre op visit. I asked to see the doctor and she told me she could answer any of my questions, despite the fact that she is NOT a doctor and NOT a registered nurse. I asked to see the doctor multiple times and was told no. Way sooner than I felt I was ready, she put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me out to my mom- who had been waiting for HOURS to see me. Apparently, they had disclosed even less information to her. To all the mothers/husbands/partners out their: just imagine going to pick up your loved one from surgery, waiting for hours with practically no information, until finally, your loved one comes out of her SECOND, emergency surgery and the doctor doesn't even give you the curtesy of explaining what happened? He just has his assistant, with no medical qualifications, wheel your loved one on to the elevator and out the door.

Next Morning:
I woke up in so much pain. Dr. Ciarvino's practice went from perscribing Vicodin to Tylenol 3. The day of the surgery Dr. Ngyuen (one of the anesthesiologists) actually asked me where my Vicodin was (since you bring all the medication to the surgery) and seemed really surprised that all I had was Tylonol 3. My dad tried to call the doctor to get Vicodin and they said they couldn't prescribe me anything stronger. The first few days were pretty miserable. I honestly think if I had had something a little stronger I would have felt so much better. By the 4th or 5th day I was okay- I think it might have taken me a little longer to heel since I had two surgeries. Overall, the healing process was fine. I was very happy with it.

Post Op:
When I went back for my post op I saw Stephanie, not the doctor.

Now:
I'm happy with how my breasts look and feel, but still upset about the surgery. Writing all this down made me realize how truly unpleasant it was.

Pros: did a good job, quick. lots of availability, reasonably priced, great location
Cons: rude and unqualified staff members, impersonal, no contact from the doctor following surgery, no vicodin, rushed out of recovery room

Placement of Implants:
This is a side note. The doctor told me that he would choose the placement of the implants on the day of the surgery. From other consults/research, I was under the impression that under the muscle would be the best. He agreed that under the muscle was ideal, but that he would have to wait until surgery to see. This is where I obviously should have asked more questions. He ended up putting the implants above the muscle. Since I never saw him after the surgery, I don't know why he did this.

Real Patient Ratings:
Another side note. There is a website called Real Patient Ratings which gives Doctor Ciaravino very high scores/reviews. Following my surgery, I received an email to take a survey through this site. However, if you look closely, the site doesn't tabulate all the reviews- only those that give a 4.0 or higher.

It's almost three months out, so I'm not sure if this is the final result or not. As you can see, I have stretch marks (I'm very prone to them) all around my breasts, but they're easily covered by a spray tan. I think my breasts look good from the front, but from the side they seem flat and droopy. I know some of this is because of my original breast shape. I want to trust Dr.Ciaravino, and assume that this is the best result possible. But I wonder if dual plane or sub muscular would have made a difference? I'm just not sure how I feel about them/ If I should start inquiry about revisions.

Just a side note, my breasts do feel amazing! I'm so happy I went with Ciaravino's recommendation to get the Mentor silicone implants. Everyone who has felt my boobs say they feel amazingly real!