My right breast implant had to be removed due to an infection

My Experience with Dr. Cavale at Cadegon Clinic In November 2021, I underwent a mummy makeover at Cadegon Clinic with Dr. Cavale, which included a tummy tuck, hernia repair, breast lift with implants, and liposuction of the flanks. Dr. Cavale was recommended to me as one of the few surgeons experienced in performing combined procedures. My first consultation with him was in September 2021, and I carefully prepared for the surgery, including stopping breastfeeding in June 2021 and the surgery was scheduled in November 2021.



The six-hour surgery itself was tough, as expected, but afterward, Dr. Cavale informed me that he’d found a large amount of breast milk during the procedure. I was shocked after six months without breastfeeding, I hadn’t anticipated that. When I asked if he’d still gone ahead with the implants, he confirmed he had, which left me uneasy. I worried that milk combined with implants could risk infection, but Dr. Cavale reassured me that it would be fine. However, part of me felt he was underestimating the potential complications, and I wish he had chosen not to proceed with the implants under the circumstances.



Unfortunately, a week or two after surgery, I became seriously ill. I developed a severe cough that felt like it was tearing my lungs, along with weakness and pain throughout my body. I also noticed a seroma around my tummy tuck scar that leaked fluid every few hours, which was alarming. Then, on a Saturday morning in the third week post op, I noticed wetness around my right breast and found it was leaking pus. In shock, I immediately went to the clinic. Dr. Cavale wasn’t available, but another surgeon saw me. I could tell from his reaction that something was very wrong.



The following Monday, after further examination, I was told that my right breast implant had to be removed due to an infection. I was devastated. The doctors diagnosed me with galactorrhea (unexpected milk production unrelated to breastfeeding), which likely caused the complication. Following this, I was prescribed medication and had to wait about 16 months before Dr. Cavale was comfortable redoing the surgery. Additionally, I had issues with the liposuction on my flanks, as it was uneven, which Dr. Cavale acknowledged and agreed to correct when we redid the implants. He also offered to lipo my upper and lower abdomen as a goodwill gesture.



After the revision, I was initially satisfied with the results. Dr. Cavale discharged me at our six-week follow-up, which I found unusual since most surgeons typically have check-ups at 6 and 12 months. He also asked me to write a review at that time, and I did, feeling positive about the early results. However, by the 12-month mark, once all swelling had fully subsided, I noticed significant unevenness in my abdomen. My left side had noticeably more fat, which was very visible and I had dents that looked as if my spine was twisted. Additionally, my tummy tuck scar continued to cause pain and swelling, which Dr. Cavale attributed to nerves. Later, another doctor confirmed it was actually scar tissue that would have required additional surgery.



In summary, Dr. Cavale may have experience with breast implant procedures—something his Instagram account reflects—but in my experience, his work with tummy tucks and liposuction left much to be desired, terrible. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend him for those procedures, and I hope my experience helps others in their decision-making process.



For anyone interested, my story is on his Instagram page (for now) where you’ll see a post about a woman whose mummy makeover led to a breast infection due to breastmilk. My hope is that by sharing my experience, I can prevent someone else from going through what I did. And to Dr. Cavale, I truly hope you’ve learned from this.