FINALLY: Successful Revision Surgery After a Bad Reconstruction - Scottsdale, AZ

It's been several months since I posted this review, so I thought It might be time for an update. I'm still over the moon happy with Dr. Parson and the results we've achieved through the initial revision in June and some fat grafting that was done in late October. He is absolutely wonderful. Sure, there are still some small imperfections, but certainly nothing I can't live with. And at present, we're waiting a few months and see what happens as the fat grafting settles into place.

However, on January 8th, I took the 'final step' and traveled to Finksburg, Maryland, to see Vinnie Myers, the world reknowned 3D tattoo artist. I'd waitied a little better than six months for this appointment, but let me tell you it was worth every second. Vinnie is a master of his craft and more than lived up to his reputation. Thus without having to endure yet another surgery, I've attained the illusion of nipples without going through the physical reconstruction. (I still smile every time I catch a g;limpse of them in the mirror.) Who knew that two little tattoos could make such a huge psychological difference? ;-)

I had a bilateral mastectomy in August of 2013 and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders, followed by exchange to implants in late December of 2013. Unfortunately for me, Dr. Parson was NOT my original plastic surgeon. As time passed, I found my original plastic surgeon to be very aloof and condescending which did nothing to assuage my fears. I was continually told to ‘wait and see’ and after several months it was quite obvious that nothing was going to change no matter how long I waited. My implants were asymmetrical and one was distorted. My left breast appeared to be huge, even though the implants were exactly the same size, while the right side was small and never migrated into the pocket. The left had dropped a little below the IMF and the distortion on that side was painful and getting worse as time passed.
Thus, I began a search for someone to help me put the pieces back together again and feel some semblance of normal. I knew enough about reconstruction revisions - thanks to the wonderful women of Breastcancer.org - that I wasn’t hoping for perfection, just a pain free result that I no longer had to camouflage each and every day.
Just let me save everyone in or around the Phoenix, Arizona area a lot of time and trouble, and tell you that Dr. Shaun Parson is that guy. It is difficult enough to find someone who still specializes in reconstruction, let alone someone who will attempt to correct another plastic surgeon’s surgical ineptitude. From our first consultation, Dr. Parson was kind, considerate, and listened to me and my concerns. Together we worked out a plan to resolve the asymmetry, the flat spots, the rippling and a resolution to the internal scarring that we assumed was causing the pain and distortion issues. For the first time, I felt as though my needs were relevant and I was very much involved in my own revision surgery.
The procedure was early on a Monday and I was home by mid afternoon with minimal pain and discomfort. I was heavily bandaged and was told that I must remain so until my post op appointment on Thursday. I tried not to have my expectations set too high, and was just hoping for a decent outcome this time. As soon as the dressings came off, I was delighted to see that I had ended up with AWESOME!
Today is the anniversary of my bilateral mastectomy and for a very long time I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about that. But now that the date has arrived, I am finally and undeniably happy. After an incredibly long year of pain and disappointment, I’ve been resurrected by Dr. Shaun Parson. I’m finally at peace with my own body. Do yourself a favor and call his office now. You will never be sorry.