POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
50 Years Old, Losing Weight the Healthy Way, but Great Big "Girls" - Milwaukee, WI
ORIGINAL POST
Motivated by pain and discomfort for several years...
WORTH IT$10,000
Motivated by pain and discomfort for several years. I have 12 years of clinical documentation for TX of shoulder, neck and back pain - STILL not covered by UHC. I had no choice but to finance...i interviewed 3 ps's, and came back full circle to Dr. Sterkin. Office acknowledgement and scheduling issues could use some work, but Dr. Sterkin himself was fantastic. Very meticulous, honest, and above all, skilled. I am 5 days post op, he removed over 1600 gr of tissue and I feel fantastic . He even made a trip on his day off to remove my drains! I am almost pain free already - spine and shoulder pain is already gone.
mybiggirls's provider
Replies (10)
October 31, 2015
My first review was written shortly after my reduction. I was still on pain killers and of course, so soon after lifting the weight off my shoulders, I was in a very generous state of mind regarding my review.
Hindsight is perfect vision. I don't know where my rights are on this site to honestly write some of my experiences post surgery. I am also uncertain what I can safely show (or how to upload ) photographs of the end result.
I am left with uncomfortable, not to mention moderately large, unsightly tissue 'flaps' on the side of my breasts, a shape that seems like a slanted, flattened oval, and while I am obviously happy to have so much weight removed, it is clear that a corrective surgery should be done. That being said, I was out for over 7 hrs the first time, that's seems way too extreme...so naturally I am afraid of going under again. Is there a lasting effect from so much general anesthesia? The other issue is, of course, that I certainly would not feel comfortable having the same doctor to correct this. If I knew then what I know now, hands down I would most definitely have the surgery ... I would not however, have chosen this surgeon. I wish I could elaborate but I suppose the end result is all that matters.
Hindsight is perfect vision. I don't know where my rights are on this site to honestly write some of my experiences post surgery. I am also uncertain what I can safely show (or how to upload ) photographs of the end result.
I am left with uncomfortable, not to mention moderately large, unsightly tissue 'flaps' on the side of my breasts, a shape that seems like a slanted, flattened oval, and while I am obviously happy to have so much weight removed, it is clear that a corrective surgery should be done. That being said, I was out for over 7 hrs the first time, that's seems way too extreme...so naturally I am afraid of going under again. Is there a lasting effect from so much general anesthesia? The other issue is, of course, that I certainly would not feel comfortable having the same doctor to correct this. If I knew then what I know now, hands down I would most definitely have the surgery ... I would not however, have chosen this surgeon. I wish I could elaborate but I suppose the end result is all that matters.
October 31, 2015
What does your doctor say about it - is he willing to do the corrective surgery at his own expense? The 'flaps' sound like dog ears. I need a scar revision also. My PS was going to do it in his office with a local anaesthetic, but at my last checkup he decided that he's going to take me back to the OR to further reduce the left one and to fix the scars. I'm not sure whether or not I'll do it, but it means a lot to know that it would be at his suggestion and expense.
If you will be having a scar revision, I'm sure that you wouldn't be out for very long - certainly not the seven hours that you were the first time.
If you will be having a scar revision, I'm sure that you wouldn't be out for very long - certainly not the seven hours that you were the first time.
November 3, 2015
Hi Wendy - I've had issues with him all along. He has sttange mood swings that were not present prior to surgery.
I would say they look like tubular appendages - it's so uncomfortable, I know scar tissue feels strange, but these stick out a good 1.5 to 2" from my other skin. They actually get "caught" on clothing and if I lay on my side, I feel this tubular speed bump against my ribs. I have brought this concern to him at post op visits, and he says "well they are still swollen, it will go away". I saw him again for an open wound that wouldnt heal at the T, swelling was gone, so that time he said "well when you take off that weight it will improve". The way he says it, its like Im grossly obese, i think you can see by my profile pic that i have some weight to lose, but I'm not THAT big. Anyway, I HAVE lost weight, and it only makes them look worse. The entire naked breast shape reminds me of a mammogram but slanted downward. I am dreading my 6 month visit... at that time I will probably get a lump in my throat (I hate when that happens, because I am a strong woman) but I have to tell him this is unacceptable. I paid for this, UHC did not. So I don't know if he'll offer to correct it or not...and if he does, trust comes into play. Do I trust him to fix it? I don't know. I'd my option to live with it? No. It's uncomfortable and yes, unattractive too. :(
I would say they look like tubular appendages - it's so uncomfortable, I know scar tissue feels strange, but these stick out a good 1.5 to 2" from my other skin. They actually get "caught" on clothing and if I lay on my side, I feel this tubular speed bump against my ribs. I have brought this concern to him at post op visits, and he says "well they are still swollen, it will go away". I saw him again for an open wound that wouldnt heal at the T, swelling was gone, so that time he said "well when you take off that weight it will improve". The way he says it, its like Im grossly obese, i think you can see by my profile pic that i have some weight to lose, but I'm not THAT big. Anyway, I HAVE lost weight, and it only makes them look worse. The entire naked breast shape reminds me of a mammogram but slanted downward. I am dreading my 6 month visit... at that time I will probably get a lump in my throat (I hate when that happens, because I am a strong woman) but I have to tell him this is unacceptable. I paid for this, UHC did not. So I don't know if he'll offer to correct it or not...and if he does, trust comes into play. Do I trust him to fix it? I don't know. I'd my option to live with it? No. It's uncomfortable and yes, unattractive too. :(
November 6, 2015
I see what you mean. My scars are thick and puckered, but I don't have the rolls that you have, and I can't see that a weight loss will make them go away. It's too bad that he is being so unhelpful. How about if you just get a second opinion, even if it's just from your family doctor. At least then you would be armed with more information. I can understand your reluctance to have him do the work though. Please keep us posted.
November 26, 2015
I have these rolls as well. I had weight loss surgery several years ago & lost 100 lbs. I lost a lot of breast tissue & was still wearing a G cup but a lot of it was loose skin. Those rolls basically go from the bottom of my breast & around under my arm to my back. I saw 7 plastic surgeons before I had any work done (not just for my breasts) & there were 2 theories: 1) The rolls would have to be removed during a lift/reduction by extending the "anchor" excision all the way around to cut out the tissue, or 2) Put in an implant to fill the loose skin & stretch out the "roll" & do liposuction there & see if that got rid of the problem. One of the surgeons called it lateral thoracic laxity. Since I don't have any pain with my breasts, I picked a surgeon who said we could add an implant to fill in the loose skin with minimal cutting on my breasts & do the lipo. The implants worked, the lipo did not. I still have the rolls which makes me think that they are not fat at all, just loose skin that is left from my weight loss. In my case, I still have large breasts so the rolls aren't as prominent but it is hard to find an underwire bra that's comfortable. I would definitely check with other surgeons. I can't believe your surgeon isn't addressing it.
October 17, 2020
Please keep me posted, as i said, i have the same problem , and your picture looks like it is me.
Replies (3)
March 27, 2019
Say, you can no longer call yourself "big girls." Did you ever take care of the flap. You can have that taken care of post op.
October 17, 2020
I also want to know about the flaps. Did you get them fixed? I had a reduction, and now have the same problem . Would love to hear from you.
October 17, 2020
I have looked at many post op pictures, and have not seen any with this side flap problem . Or the shelf looking bottom, under breast line vs a round natural look
Wow what a change. How are you feeling now? Please check in and let me know how you are doing.