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My Results Are Amazing, and So is my Dr - Santa Barbara, CA

UPDATED FROM brows123ddd
26 days post

Almost 4 weeks

WORTH IT
Almost 4 weeks. I've been using BioCorneum for scarring. I've been told that this is the only scar guard that really works.

My left breast is a slight bit larger, but i have good nipple sensation. The right nipple is still numb.

brows123ddd's provider

Neal Handel, MD

Neal Handel, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Dr. Handel exceeded my expectations. As far as surgery goes, it was a wonderful experience. Surgery is never easy, but Dr. Handel and his staff, Cristina and Nina made me feel so well taken care of, they really went above and beyond! The surgery center in Santa Barbara was clean, the staff eased my fears. It was a great environment...and I'm thrilled with my results and i'm not done healing yet. Today, I went for my three week check up in his Los Angeles office and I struck up a conversation with two other women in the waiting room, and we all had glowing surgery reports. He's the best.

Replies (8)

Thanks for sharing, you look great! I appreciate the tips and insight.
Great results, thank you so much for sharing! I made the same mistake, implants to fill the skin and have had so many problems with them. Ended up w some extremely large funky boobs I can't wait to get rid of! Stories like yours give me hope that I will be free of these things and have the possibility of a good result too. Thank you again for your review! :)
My pleasure!!!! Seriously, I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have or ease your fears. It was the best thing for me. Finally, those hard unsightly breasts are gone!!! And I never have to have surgery again. Never have to worry about them and their potential health hazards. I feel 10 pounds lighter and clothes look great, shorts actually button
*shirts
I'm so looking forward to that feeling! I hate being overly large and trying to hide them all the time and just being so uncomfortable in general. Hoping to get my life back and be able to exercise and do the things that I love again. I've only had them 1.5 yrs but I feel like so much has been taken away from me. It has been absolutely nothing that I like about having implants. I'm so afraid of the scaring and how I will look after explant, but I also know that I need to except it and get back to myself again, whatever that may be or look like. One thing that I am really wondering about is whether I should have my lift at the same time as explant, I have heard people say that their doctors told them both ways and I can kind of see the logic in waiting and letting the tissues settle before changing them. I really don't want to wait and would like to have the left at the same time as I know I will need it. But I want to get the best chance at a good long-term result.
I also thought about not getting the lift. But, then I remembered what my breasts looked like pre-lift and I opted for the lift. If your breasts were ok and you just wanted volume, then maybe wait. I would get a few opinions. :) please keep in touch.
I know I definitely need the lift. I had extra skin before and I know that will not be any better... I'm just wondering if it matters for the longterm result whether you lift at same time of removal or not. I don't want to wait on the lift, but if it could look better if I wait until breasts settle after explant (you've probably seen here they change sooooo much) I guess I would if it makes a real difference!
You're welcome!
UPDATED FROM brows123ddd
24 days post

Explant, Removal Capsular Contracture, Mastopexy

Ah, Sweet relief. I had hard implants. They were unsightly and caused problems. I probably should have gone straight to the mastopexy in the first place - but I didn't want the scarring, so I thought implants were the way to go. I had silicone implants for 8 years.

I am now 3 weeks post op, and I couldn't be happier. Dr. Neal Handel and his staff, Cristina and Nina were amazing. I am very thankful that I was in good hands. I am a nervous person and they really held my hand through the process. Healing. I'm three weeks post op. and i'm back at work and i'd say i'm 99% out of pain. The hardest part for me was healing for two weeks. I would recommend that you lay low for two weeks. I mean really. Surgery is no fun and there is some pain. Scarring. I am using BioCorneum on my scars twice a day. I will update pictures in a month or so. Realistically, I know that it could take a while for the scars to fade. CLOTHING!! Yay. This is for you, women with large implants... your blouses and shirts are finally going to fit! You will be able to sleep on your side without being strangled and you will finally be done with your toxic implants. Large breasts on older women.... well, I was one of those and I really don't like the look at all. I'm happy, free and still healing. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Happy Explanting. :)

Replies (4)

can you tell me more about the issues that you had with them? i feel pressured to get them, but really i dont want to.
Hi! You are pressured to get implants? Why? Implants are a spiral that doesn't stop. they have to be replaced, they are not forever. Once you get surgery, you are forever in the grips of procedures. Whether you have great results of not. You are essentially putting a prosthetic piece against your chest wall. You will need to change them out, most patients do within 10 years. Save your money, embrace your breasts. If you haven't had children yet, wait and get a lift. My opinion is, stay away from implants if you want a healthy life.
thank you :)<3
Am so depressed save 2 years to have breast implant amazing job love the way I look 1 year later I have stage 2 CC was proscribed a regimen of allocate vitamin E&milk thistle not working so far am afraid I will have to have them removed am o so disappointed an already dreading the way I will look post surgery worst mistake of my life
UPDATED FROM brows123ddd
21 days post

No implants, YAYYYYYY and less than 3 weeks after surgery. I am so happy!

Went in to see my favorite team at Dr. Handels' LA office. I had some stirches that were poking out removed. Not only am I back at work, there is little to no pain. I'm still taking it easy, and not lifting too much and I cant wait to get back to the gym in 3 weeks... But, last night i slept on my side, and im not strangled anymore by big hard breasts. I love my results and will update as the scarring fades. To anyone who is thinking about doing this, do it! Research your Dr. Research, research. Ask friends. Be proactive. And, if you are in LA or santa Barbara, Dr. Handel is your man.

Replies (7)

Congrats! You look terrific!
thank you! :)
PS. Sorry for the typos. I am unable to edit this post. :(...
Good for you, you look great!
Thank you!
Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement. :)
May I ask how much you payed?