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POSTED UNDER Breast Lift Reviews

Ultimate breast lift - no vertical scars, no implants - don't like end result

UPDATED FROM GoBigRedhead
2 years post

3 YR Post Op Update

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GoBigRedhead
$9,000
It has been 3 years and the question that everyone ask me is am I pleased with my results. The answer is I accept the results I have and will correct the things I which I am not pleased with when I have time. There are some people who get the desired results the first time and then there are others may need a second procedure to correct things.
I think anyone considering a breast-lift should ask the doctor these questions.
1. How many women with my breast size and shape have you done this procedure on in the past 18 months?
2. How many of those patients have had dogears or puckering?
3. What would be considered a minor complication and how often has that happened over the past 18 months?
4. What would be considered a major complication and how often has that happened over the past 18 months?
5. What factors play a role in the having expected results versus unexpected results?
6. What factors contribute to possible post op complications like infections of the nipple, puckering, fluid retention, hyper pigmentation scarring.

Basically you want to share your lifestyle habits and diet with the doctor and find out how they impact the entire process.

Those are the questions I would ask now because after you have the procedure they wont matter. The reality of your expectations versus the outcome is the problem for many of us who are not pleased with the end results. Plastic Surgery is done to change or enhance what we fill is an imperfection. So for those of you who feel that I should be happy because they look better than before...think about this. If you asked for a raise and your boss gave you a Visa Gift Card and said this is not a raise but it can be used just like money, plus you don't have to pay taxes on it. Perhaps you are the person who finds the silver lining in every cloud. Well kudos to you. That is not me if I ask for a 30% raise then I expect a raise or the reasons why I cant have it.
I went in thinking my breast would look like the post op photos posted here on RS. I did not see any of the post OP photos with the triangluar shape that mines have, so this was not my desired outcome. Are they better than before, well yes they are, but the question is not if they are better. The question is do I like the end result and the answer is NO. I will be having Dr. Wallace in Plano, TX do my revision procedure because he is familiar with Dr. H's technique. My goal is share my outcome and my experience. The bottom line is there is no way for you to know the outcome beforehand. You may luck out and get exactly what you wanted. Make an educated decision by speaking to those who had great outcome as well as those who had issues.
A picture can speak a thousand words and so can google image search. So ladies just make sure that you ask questions without fear of offending others. This is a life changing procedure so make sure it changes things to make life better no matter which doctor you select.
Would I select this procedure again? No because it required me to have more than 1 procedure to gain the desired results. I would rather have 1 procedure.
I do not visit this site as much anymore. But it is a great resource for those seeking answers.

GoBigRedhead's provider

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 319 Reviews
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GoBigRedhead

GoBigRedhead rating for Dr. Horndeski:

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Replies (4)

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B
January 19, 2016
Thank you for the update. Is there a particular reason you chose not to go back to Horndeski for a revision?
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G
January 20, 2016
Before I answer that Id like to present a analogy. Let's say you go to a Master Hairstylist to get your hair colored with this new process that is suppose to produce a more natural looking color. Two days later you notice blisteringon your scalp along with tenderness and have more than normal shedding of your hair. When you call the stylist to share your concerns she tells you that sometimes this happens to people, no need to be concerned. Then tells you to just avoid combing it and washing it until those scabs heal because too much tension and pulling on hair could cause additional hair loss. You follow her instructions for a week and notice several bald patches and now the blisters have begun to produce a yellowish green substance oozing from them. When you share this with her, she suggest that you see a dermatologist because you may have had an allergic reaction to one of her special processing chemicals. After visiting with the dermatologist, they confirm that you have chemical burns plus a bacterial infection on your scalp and explain that the treatment takes about 6 months and the meds/products will cost you about $750 per month. O and there is a 50% chance that you will lose more hair. You share this with the stylist and she then tells you that unfortunately she is unable to predict who will have an allergic reaction to the color and who wont. She then tells you that once your hair grows back she will do your hair for FREE and use a different product that is for people with allergies. So wait about 3 months after you complete the treatment with the Dermatologist and call to book your complimentary appointment. Perhaps you would go back because you agree that she really could not have know that this was going to happen to you. You accept that although others had the same outcome as you, that you all just fall into that "rare case" group.
My answer is that I am not convinced that the revision will give me the desired outcome. Plus I fear the possibility of having post op complications.
Keep in mind if it was my bio/genetics make-up that contributed to the issues before...chances are it will happen it again.
Kudos to those who had awesome outcomes after their revision. I applauded them for their courage and give him thumbs up on the jobs well done.
Note: Kindly note that the tone my response is gentle and used to help other take into consider how they might feel dealing with an unexpected vanity issue.
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N
January 19, 2016
I'm so sorry you went through this. This is an awful ordeal to go through even if you were to end up with your desired results (which your cleary haven't; I'd be upset too).
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us here. This will help so many ladies thinking about getting a breast lift or breast reduction to make an informed decision.
Finally, thank goodness you survived this nightmare. You could have developed life threatening complications or necrotic tissue. It's good at least that the Doctor didn't dismiss your concerns.
Be blessed and take care.
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G
January 20, 2016
Well trust me dealing with Cellulitis in my breast is a bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat. Signs and symptoms include an area of redness which increases in size over a couple of days. The borders of the area of redness are generally not sharp and the skin may be swollen. While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied this is not always the case. The area of infection is usually painful.[1] Lymphatic vessels may occasionally be involved,[1][2] and the person may have a fever and feel tired.[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulitis
This took 3 months of very strong Antibiotics and Diflucan to offset the yeast and thrush caused from taking Antibiotics for so long. Now My body is resistant to Dilflucan/Fluconazole. What I have learned is that we must not blame ourselves for things that are out of our control. My concerns where not dismissed the were addressed with answers that made me feel like I should not have been concerned because time would resolve all of my issues. Well here I am am 3 yrs later and after I take into consideration the cost of additional medicine, treatment expenses for lab work, co pays to Infectious Diseases Doctor, Lymphatic Massage Therapy Treatment for 12 months post OP. I must say that this was a costly procedure.
M
January 22, 2016
Thank you so much for sharing this was very helpful. Do you remember the information of the other two surgeons that are able to provide this procedure without scars as well? I would love to research them. Thank you
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E
January 23, 2016
Thank you for such a detailed review with photos. This will help so much in decision making. Please update is after you have the sides revised , and I hope one day soon you will like your breast, or more so, they will be as you wanted. :)
UPDATED FROM GoBigRedhead
7 months post

If you go to seamstress with a dress made of a cotton an spadex blend to have alterations...

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GoBigRedhead
If she tells you "Yes" I can make alter that dress to make and make it look exactly like this photo in the magazine. You trust that she can do this because you have seen her website of her examples and you feel that although she make be more expensive she is able to replicate with precision. What would you think once you got the dress back and put it on and found that it was not what you expected and she tells you that it have nothing to do with her work it has to do with your body shape and how spandex stretches differently on different people? Then she goes on to tell you to look at how the dress hung off of you before the alterations, and how much better it fits after her work. In addition to that she explains how your body shape is the issue not her alterations. Most people lack the ability to deal with confrontational conversations so they just figure out way to mentally swallow the chastisement from the designer (seamstress). I refuse to accept the reason that one areola is higher than the other has something to so with my post op care. What the deal with the triagular shape? Listen when we build, cut, shape any material we know that it will yeild a certain result. For instance try building a house with a basement in Irving Texas that you saw in Denver Colorado. That house would shift and cave in within months because the ground is clay in Irving and would crush that basement. Our bodies are different and we all heal different, however the deal is that the doctor must know this in advance and share it with you before you make a decision to do ANY life altering procedure. Make sure you do your research and ask you doctor about the bad outcomes and why they happened and pay close attention to if he/she is defensive in the explanation. Remember there are some mistakes that cost more than money....

Replies (5)

L
September 23, 2013
Ok ladies. I have been watching these negative posts over the couple days and am compelled today to say something. First off to GoBigRedHead, you have my complete respect and admiration. You have documented your journey from the very beginning for everyone to see, both the good and the bad. We both had our surgeries with Dr. Horneski in February and both had hopes that all would turn out as we hoped. We researched, spoke to many doctors including Dr. H. and made our decision based on what information we received. With ANY plastic surgeon or surgery, there is always the chance for a complicated procedure and a potential unwanted outcome. Sometimes things happen that are just out of anyone's control. GoBigREdhead has been very brave to share with us all what has been a very stressful time and disappointing outcome for her. As for myself, I am not unhappy with the outcome of my surgery. Are my breast PERFECT? No- but they are WAY better than what they were. Am I upset to read the recent posts about Dr. H- YES. I found him to be a very qualified surgeon and he took good care of me. While this may not be the case with everyone, it is my personal experience. I had no post op complications and have progressed well over the past 7 months. My pictures are posted if anyone wants to see. Every time that anyone goes under surgery with ANY DR, there are risks and potential complications. We all know that going into something like this. Comments that I have read recently here are simply hurtful and uncalled for.
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S
April 12, 2015
@ Lin: Baloney. There are no hurtful or uncalled for comments. None whatsoever.
L
September 23, 2013
By the way, my posts and pics can be found under the name: Livingdreams
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G
September 24, 2013
I know that most people will come to my page and make negative comments and that is just the way things go. This forum has been setup for us to share our experiences and not to attack one another. I know that my breast may not be the eye candy for others who have a different view on what is pleasing to their eye...I have no control over that. I had several healing issues and I really did not make my statements to attack anyone. I work with doctors all day long and have worked with artist my entire life. Design is subjective to the artist and what I have in my mind versus the reflection of reality is conflicting. I know that I have had changes happen over the past 7 almost eight months and I can only hope that things will balance out. I think this is very important for women like me again LIKE ME who have a certain type of picky personality to understand that just because you see a photo of what you feel is idea does not mean that your body will yield the results you want. Lin I have not had a chance to view your profile yet, once I get done here I will. He has some success stories and some other stories too. Bad news is more sensational and people tend to gravitate toward it. I saw the information posted about him and disciplinary action taken against him due to the storage of his medical records or something like that. I was not aware of the other issues stated in other post. The post that had me concern was "Had High Hopes" and Diamond Girl TX these are a tad more recent and again you must understand that I working within the medical field and some of the private conversations that I had with these women would suggest certain similar post stop experiences here recently. He and his staff have always been very nice to me and have gone out of the way to accommodate me during my post-op follow ups. The issue I have is with the change in his bedside manner was not the same as in prior visits. Revision surgery is not something I had planned on having and I still have high hopes that the shape will get better within the next 5 months so I do not have too. The scars and pleating is something that I may have to get revised and that is not something I am looking forward too. This is my journey and I just wanted to share. I think I will take my posting down soon because it seems to cause alot issues.
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M
September 24, 2013
I sincerely hope that you DO NOT take this down. Look beyond the ignorance and think about how many women have read your posts and used this to make an informed decision about Dr. Horndeski (even if its just one other woman. The purpose of this site is to help other women get through this process, and your story is very informative, brave and admirable. I pray that everything works out for you. And that you decide to keep your posts up and continue to update your followers who want the best for you. All the best..xoxo
L
September 24, 2013
I too hope that you do not take your posts down. This is your story and it is here to help others. I too have read the all the negative posts regarding Dr. H recently and actually went on the Medical Board website last week and printed off then entire complaint and the board proceedings in which his privledges were revoked from a certain TX hospital. The date of the hearing was last April. It is public record so anyone can go and take a look. What I read really shocked me as the person I was reading about was not at all the man I met in February. To be honest though, I really did not spend a lot of time with him pre-op, only skype interviews and a half hour before the surgery. Talk about taking a leap of faith but that is not unusual when you are going out of state for a procedure. Hell, some people travel across the world to have work done. I agree that women need to be completely comfortable with the before, during and AFTER care of a physician. It seems that the complaint was less about his skill as a physician and more about his behavior and treatment of other staff. It is a very detailed report but I was left wondering what was the whole story. I am e-friends with several women here who have had less than acceptable outcomes and less than acceptable attitude from Dr. H when this has occurred. There are also women who have had a different experience though and have gone through revisions by him without a problem. Maybe I was just lucky that in general all went well. I have been through a lot in my life and maybe god just decided to cut me a break on this one. Who knows...In any event, I feel horrible for the women who have not had the outcome they wanted and sad for Dr. H as it takes a lifetime to build a career and one, or a couple negative interactions to have it crumbling down. I too have some pleating and scarring but it is very miminal and it does not bother me. I am just happy to have the girls up. And, I am older so perhaps it would bother me if I was in my 30's but not so much now. My perspective is different I guess. I am not really running around topless these days. ;) Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
D
September 25, 2013
My comment was directed at Keshia 92943, I just want to make that clear. It angers me when ignorant people open their mouth without stepping first into someone else shoes. My heart goes out to you as I have fought my own battles with multiple complications. Please do not take your story down, this is real and these things have really happened to you. Often women are drawn to the idea of the perfect body and are never truly aware of the risks they take and possible complications involved, its easy to trust and yet be so uninformed. Best of luck in your healing and stay strong.
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S
March 7, 2015
He has you blaming yourself, looks like. Truth be told, he promised you an outcome he did not deliver on. That is the plain truth. I knew a surgeon was forced to retire at 82: Not because he ever botched anyone, but because he was just chronologically, on paper, 'too old'. He's in his 90s today and I'd STILL let him operate on me if he could. He was as near to flawless in being a doc/plastic surgeon as a mortal can be. In ethics, bedside manner, post-operative instructions, technique and execution of multiple areas of cosmetic surgery, compassion, etc., etc. There was not one bad word against him, ever. DR. MENTZ in Houston is a fabulous PS. I saw him transform a friend of mine from cute to heart-stopping gorgeous. She called me up after she had healed and we met for lunch. I almost fell off my chair. His work was beyond great. He's the kid of surgeon Jolie and J. Roberts, et al., go to. I think celebs. come to him from California. He's a bit more expensive but his reputation and work is worth it.
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S
April 12, 2015
@Lin...sounds like you are very subtly saying BigRed is crumbling his 'practice' by posting this. I don't like the inference at all. God with a small 'g'? Gimme a break. He deserves a capital G !!!
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S
September 24, 2013
Hey girl! Sorry you're goin through all of this. I just wanted to say that I think you're breasts look great! That pleating on the side you may want to fix or you could keep it and give it a name like chad.... Sorry bad joke! :) I just looked at ur before and you're breasts now look so much better than before. Maybe ask urself if you rather have ur original breasts or the ones you have now? I have very asymmetrical breasts that sag all the way to china town and I'm only 32. They've been like this my whole darned life but someday I will get them fixed. Remember wearing a t-shirt before surgery and ur nipples would sag low? Remembwr always having to worry when nippin out if your nipples were pointed in the same direction? Oh man I just hate my boobs so much! Hope I didn't offend you but I'm just tryin to bring a little positivity to ur thread. I know u are unhappy with ur breasts but I just want u to know that I think you're beautiful. :)
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B
September 26, 2013

Hey Slowhoney, when you do you think you'll get to have your breasts done? Maybe you could have a few doctor consults in the meantime? :) Thanks for being such a supportive community member!

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S
October 1, 2013
Hi Beth! Hopefully within the next year. I'm starting my consult journey soon. Going up to Seattle to do a few next month! So excited!!
W
October 30, 2015
Slow honey it's not just dog ears & pleats .. Bigred & I had tons of pain & infections. I had to take strong antibiotics & pain pills for months. The psychological damage may never be healed. Please understand that you may look at pics &" think they look ok to me " Remember that's what the dr would say "they look ok to us".. Making us doubt ourselves .. But in person & in real life this is not what we asked for nor is this results he promised & sold us on.
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A
October 30, 2013
I'm sorry you've been through this. That's the most insulting thing, them saying 'oh they look okay to us'. One, they would say that and they are hoping you'll 'go quietly' and two, who pays 9 THOUSAND DOLLARS (plus however much else you've spent on the infections, meds travel etc) to look okay?! You wanted one thing. You didn't get it. And now they are trying to blame you? Did you sew those dog ears up yourself then? Is it just the way the pics look or is your infra mammary incision not actually in the gold but on the breast itself? The reviews for this dr are getting worse and he's had some legal issues too, allegedly. I hope you can get everything you want without all this pain and cost over again. I wish you luck!
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G
May 9, 2014
I can't be upset about it, I must move forward in a positive manner. There are risky associated with any procedure and of course we never think to ask about the worst case scenarios pics. Because we never anticipate that we may be the one with any issues or complications. My dog ears are still here hanging around, I will eventually get pics posted.
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S
April 12, 2015
Doctor's duty to INFORM...........
D
January 5, 2014
Im so sorry youre going thru this. I hope he does something to resolve the issue instead of just passing the buck. Prayers sent up for you.... Brava to your dress analogy; love to read well written work!
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G
May 9, 2014
The thing is he has offered to do the revisions and I am just concerned about the healing process and I would need to start over with the scars. Thank you for your kind words and Prayers, I receive them with joy.
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S
March 11, 2015
My prayers too are with you in every aspect of your life. You made it through this and some people haven't. Not at all saying this guy killed anyone but other docs have. Ever heard the axiom 'the operation was a success but the patient died'...?
UPDATED FROM GoBigRedhead
7 months post

7 1/2 Months still healing

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G
GoBigRedhead
My journey had been long and that has to do with my expectations vs the current results, in addition to biology.
I wanted my breast to look exactly like the photos I showed him of other breast. They do not look like that and the truth is mines will never look like that. They still have this triangular shape. I dont care how much you tell me that they look ok....I did not want okay I wanted them to be even and not have these protruding sides. It looks strange in a blouse without a bra.
Dr. H has offered to do revision surgery on me. I dont have the time nor desire to go back under the knife and spend another 6 months trying to heal.
My results obviously are not typical but they are an example of what 7 months look like.
I still have tightness in my right breast plate and tissue. It is getting better.
I really havent been taking photos or posting much, due to my busy schedule.

Replies (5)

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S
September 17, 2013
:-( I've noticed recently this physician has been getting negative reviews and also he is in a little trouble. This one members breast implants won't drop like they are stuck in her upper chest and she went to him for the UBL or mini.
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K
September 20, 2013
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S
September 20, 2013
They don't want scars but ill take mine any day over what I've seen recently.
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G
September 22, 2013
Keisha that is pouring salt in a open would of any women who have experienced bad results. Do you think that women would intentionally pay to get less than satisfactory results? Also most women have different desires of what a beautiful bustline should look like. Please be kind to those would are going through some very emotionally touchy experiences. They are not stupid women and most of them have done the research. The photos I saw are of women who I felt looked like me and did not want implants after breast reduction or a lift. You have women that have gone through a lot and really do not need to questioned about something they cannot change.
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K
September 23, 2013
I don't think I need for you to tell me what I should say. My opinion is my own. If people would not "intentionally pay" thousands of dollars for results that are less than satisfactory then maybe they should have done a little more research; first checked into his background and second found a doctor who probably would have been less expensive who would have given them what they were looking for with better results. I only saw a few pictures and could tell his work was not worth the money and nothing less than satisfactory period. I can guarantee you, if these women are willing to pay over $10,000 plus they could have found a more credible doctor to do much better work. It's not my fault, it's their own… I have a choice and my choice would have been to run far away from him. Do not forget, he promised no scars but most people came out looking WORST!
M
September 23, 2013
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K
September 23, 2013
D
September 23, 2013
Why would you be so insensitive to another human being, we each fight our own battles in our desire to look and feel good? Do you truly think that any woman expects bad results? One could have an excellent well known surgeon and still end up with a 'not so ideal or bad result". Stop being so ignorant and realize that theres so much more that goes into a surgery than just the skill of a doctor whom is not god and cannot always foresee the final outcome....sometimes it is trial and error and sometimes it is genetics and one's ability to heal. I think more than anything else I'm disgusted at the way you would treat another human being considering what they have been through. For women especially, body image is huge and can either break or make our self confidence. I'm not sure what your issue is, but if you don't have support to give or anything up lifting to say why even make a comment at all?! Keep you ignorant and shallow minded opinion to yourself.
L
September 23, 2013
I agree with you one hundred percent Ddanigirl. Very well put. We are here to SUPPORT each other, not knock people down. Anything other than that attitude does not belong here.
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M
September 24, 2013
Very well said.
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K
September 30, 2013
MP
October 1, 2013

Our aim is to be a supportive community, and ask that the community guidelines be upheld by all who wish to contribute. This thread is getting off topic. Lets move the conversation back to this review.

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B
November 3, 2014
AWESOME! Having someone change your body is a scary thing. Sometimes there is perfection and sometimes there isn't - which of course us devastating. EVERY surgeon I have looked at has both fantastic and bad outcomes. I think their skill is about 40% the rest is genetics, post care, time etc. I feel for the women who have had bad outcomes that's for sure!
W
October 30, 2015
You are really cruel. You have no idea what it has been like for me for three years. We were promised over the top results. It's a selling technique. And we believed that he was honest. He showed us pictures of I guess his very best procedures. We have been butchered & disfigured & you say we should have done more research?!?
M
September 20, 2013
Hey BigRed- I also had surgery with Dr. H and I hated the way the areolas looked at first but after a revision they look much better. Does he think he can fix it? If so I would do it, better than living with something you don't like for the rest of your life. The healing of my areolas was much easier the second time because the surgery is not as extensive
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G
September 20, 2013
Well Maggie I am not sure if I want to do that @ this time I will go to another doctor a little closer to home that can do the procedure here. It would be cheaper to do it here. Plus I am concerned with some of the recent post. I listen to my inner voice and right now its telling me to sit down for another few months and wait. Thank you for the suggestion though
M
September 22, 2013
Good to hear, makes sense. You've been more than patient girl! Good luck with everything.
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S
February 26, 2015
You are right. I am sorry that you didn't find a local, competent surgeon who would have performed the procedure correctly the first time, minus all of the complications. There are surgeons out there in this category. Out of towners should check out Dr. Mentz. He is Houston's premier plastic surgeon right now. If you can't find someone local, I'd say Mentz is a very safe bet. He did a total facial makeover on a friend of mine 15 years ago. She was only cute and he made her GORGEOUS and very natural-looking. I was floored when I saw her. He did mostly all of her facial features. She was about 35 then. She healed beautifully with NO complications or revisions. He gave her Dolly Parton big boobs because she was a stripper and requested them specifically. They were fabulous but too big but he gave her what she asked for. Her face was so stunning. I havent seen her in years and wonder how it all looks now.
M
February 26, 2015
Well, at the end my boobs look gorgeous now, so I'm glad I went with Horndesky. I had the mini surgery.
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S
February 26, 2015
Southern Gal, you are very correct in your observation about the mounting negative reviews. Seems like maybe he needs to do a reality check. He can't control the internet the way he'd like to and things are starting to surface. He seems to foster multiple surgeries for procedures that should take one correctly performed surgery. Plus all these women are from out of town and the expenses mount horrifically. I get that he did your implants? They look fine in the photo but obviously you are not happy with them staying stuck on your chest. Or are you speaking of another member? In any event, no way this PS would be allowed, even for free, to experiment on me.
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S
April 12, 2015
Your results may be more typical than you realize. You've been very vocal and visual about your results. Many others have crawled off into silence.
W
October 30, 2015
You are so right! We crawled off into silence.. But I'm back & want justice & not giving up.
B
October 14, 2015
Do you have a 2015 update? I'm sorry your boobs aren't what you hoped for or intended on paying for. But they don't look that bad :). Keep staying positive like you are!
W
October 30, 2015
She's been through a lot. We were battling infections at the same time in 2012-2013.. I have 2015 pics