Getting Another Chance to Fix Problems

My breasts weren't horribly bad, I just wanted to exchange saline overs to silicone unders for better coverage, mammograms, and regain some of the lost shape and volume from breast feeding While my experienced, board certified surgeon told me to "trust him, they will look awesome" they are so much worse then my previous implants I had for 19 years. It is with such regret that I went to a surgeon who created problems, and although did a revision, did not address all the problems he created. I am so much worse off - severe animation deformity, symmastia and constant muscle pain from over dissected/released pectoral muscles. I received no follow up from my doctor or his office after revision surgery. I hoped and prayed and followed his post surgery instructions but unfortunately my results speak for themselves, and it will cost me a lot more time, money, and stress to fix my breasts. I emailed updates and pictures at 10 weeks post and subsequent updates with pictures showing the outcome - and my doctor has not responded. I cannot believe doctors can get away with not addressing issues they create by over zealous use of the knife. Had I known he was going to cut any of my muscle away from my sternum I would not have agreed. I did not ask for large breasts or close cleavage, but he changed my cleavage and folds so much that now if I don't wear a thong bra or tape my breasts I have symmastia. The mental and emotional stress is exhausting.

So a couple of doctors responded to my question about symmastia and it is as expected:

"Yes you do have synmastia/symmastia. The skin in the center of your chest has separated as a result of the implant pocket being dissected too far toward the midline. This is correctable and in my opinion requires temporary removal of your implants to allow the tissue planes to adhere to one another again, followed by replacement of smaller implants.Hope this helps." Dr. Ali Mosharraf

"Yes you may have an element of symmastia on the left.  If it bother you, it would need to be corrected surgically by re-establishing the division between your breasts." Dr. Tyler C Street, MD

I only wish my PS would see this issue and RESPOND with options!

On another note, I have booked in to see two PS next week. One of them asked to see my operative reports from the surgeries with Dr Krau. I called his office and they sent me an authorization form to release the information. I did some research about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and found their form a little off. There are some specific items that must be included on the form. HIPAA says the recipient (that is me) can use the information for whatever purpose I choose, however, the PS forms states the information can be used for the following purpose: "Representation in a personal injury action" - QU: DO THEY EXPECT ACTION? Secondly, once protected health information (PHI) is disclosed, the recipient can re-disclose the information and it may no longer be protected by federal or state law. I believe the key to this item is that the RECIPIENT can re-disclose the information. On the PS form it says "once the PHI is disclosed, it may be re-disclosed to individuals or organizations that are not subject to the federal privacy regulations such as expert witnesses, litigants, insurance companies and even may be public record if filed with a court of law". Does this mean I would be signing that they can disclose and release my PHI to anyone since it was missing "BY THE RECIPIENT"?!

So I downloaded a standard HIPAA form just to ensure I wasn't authorizing re-disclosure by anyone but me! By law they have 30 days to respond. I have no idea what operative reports include, but I will keep you posted!

So I am still waiting for my operative records from three surgeries with Dr Krau. I followed up earlier this week and despite sending him a HIPAA request, got a response saying I have to fill in their HIPAA form which unless I am reading it wrong, basically asks me to authorize their right to re disclose my personal records. After several hours of research I do not believe I am. It just amazes me how doctors can screw things up, not even acknowledge the bad outcome, and then totally ignore their patient's questions about what can be done to fix it, and not even try to help you out by providing my health records in any timely fashion that could greatly assist another doctor to fix the issues he created. How is this professional or ethical? They get 30 days to respond, so maybe they are just too busy right now to PDFs a copy to me? If I don't receive them in this time frame I will follow up through the appropriate channels. My advise is when this doctor tells you to "trust him, they will look awesome", save yourself time, energy, money, stress, lack of sleep, frustration and depression! Don't just look at the good reviews! No point posting any more photos although one revision specialist I am consulting with provided this photo of what he believes is happening in my situation Causing the high animation above my nipple on my left breast, and symmastia. I can't look at myself without feeling sad, and I can't wear any low cut tops, sports bras, without feeling completely self conscious. Seeing two doctors this week. Can't wait to hear what they say I can do to fix it albeit dreading yet another surgery!