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POSTED UNDER Breast Lift REVIEWS

Breast Lift, No Implants, No Vertical Scar - Sugarland, TX

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I am scheduled to have a Breast Lift without...

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silverchica
WORTH IT$11,000

I am scheduled to have a Breast Lift without implants by Dr Horndeski Feb 26, 2015. I went back and forth about actually having something done, timing (in terms of waiting a few more years until my boobs are actually near my belly button..ha) etc, and ultimately decided that I'm not getting any younger, and why not now?
I was not a fan of plastic surgery in the past, but after a large weight loss 7 years ago (50 lbs, 250 lbs if you count the ex husband..hahahahaha) I had more droopy boobs, as well as extra skin abound the middle. No matter what I did, was unable to lose the tire, and no matter what my weight, I was always a 38DD or D. That isn't too big compared with some of the ladies on here, but I'm 5'2", and the boobs just overwhelm my chest. I have a difficult time doing anything with jumping, running, etc without body armor on.
Last year, I bit the bullet and had an extended abdominoplasty. I have a separate review on RS, click here. It was truly life altering, and I am not sure why I didn't do it before. Clothes fit better, and I just feel more confident and active. Quite possibly, my success with the abdominoplasty is what tipped me over to decide about going ahead with a breast lift.
I have utmost confidence in my surgeon who performed the abdominoplasty, and would've gone with him for the breast lift except that I was looking for an alternative procedure without vertical scarring or implants. I literally stumbled across Dr Horndeski's site on RS, and am now scheduled with him for Feb. I did a phone consultation with him after emailing in chest pics; as anyone can tell you, taking naked selfies of your boobs from various angles is awkward, to say the least. As a fellow MD, I felt immediately at ease with Dr Horndeski and appreciated his engineering background. I reviewed his procedure, and feel that he spend the time and attention to this particular procedure (the 'Ultimate Breast Lift').
Aside from the aesthetics when its all said and done, I was looking for 2 endpoints: 1) no vertical scar, and 2) upper pole (upper breast) fullness with no implants. I just didn't find that anywhere else except by Horndeski. That being said, the procedure is out of town for me (flight) and more expensive than the standard breast lift. After reading reviews on here, I feel that Dr Horndeski's office is responsive to issues,and should any arise, I can work with them by phone, skype, or worst case scenario, frequent flyer miles.
So I really went back and forth about a breast lift. Will post pics later. My boobs aren't really that horrible, but they are pretty droopy. Out of clothing, one wonders what they're doing on my upper abdomen. I've seen many pictures of worse, but I know that time won't be any friendlier to me. I went to Hawaii last month on a girl's trip, and we compared notes about breast droopiness (good thing for girl's trips!!). I see that pretty much anyone my age (early-mid-late 40's) with D or bigger boobs is in the same boat. The real estate is now southward. The nipple is about 3-4-5 ribs below where it was a few years ago. Body armour is required to keep things from moving. Upper back discomfort is the norm. Bathing suit shopping to fit the boobs is expensive, and an adventure in frustration. We went to a clothing-optional beach in Maui, and because I felt comfortable with my belly, I went topless, but damn...without the top had a hard time walking on the beach and had some really interesting tan lines on the upper abdomen.
So, husband is not particularly keen on me getting this surgery, but he is supportive otherwise.

I looked at Horndeski's method, and after reading multiple reviews, I see that this may be a 2 step process. With the lift he does remove a fair amount of skin, but the remaining skin requires time to adapt to the new contour of the breast, and it is not uncommon to have some initial puckering or dog ears at the end of the incisions. Horndeski does revisions as part of the initial fee. I would much rather have normal appearing breasts where they're supposed to be with 6-8 months of dog ears, and no implants. Going into this, I do not have a major issue with a two-step process (BTW, he does not market this procedure as 2-step, but I feel that smaller..i.e. DD or less breasts may end up with this). Not planning on going anywhere topless soon anyway!
I feel that healing is a function of pre-existing health, stress levels, LACK OF CIGARETTE USE (this is a huge thing, BTW, as a Physician, I notice a major difference in general health, and healing when one is not exposed in any way to cigarette smoke) and wound care by the patient. Of course, no outcome is guaranteed 100%, and complications may arise. This is elective surgery, and we all have time to think about it. I am looking forward to this! (After ski season...of course).
See you soon!

silverchica's provider

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 319 Reviews
PROFILE

Replies (19)

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November 21, 2014

You look fantastic in your tummy tuck review. Congratulations on your weight loss and your muffin top loss. It's a whole new you! 

Cannot wait for your breast lift results. You're going to be so happy that you'll be flying off those mountain tops. ;) Glad you're making ski season a priority though. Here is a new forum for women awaiting their February 2015 breast lifts. Feel free to get the conversation rolling!

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January 3, 2015
i can't wait to follow our journey. I am having my TT in a week with another Dr. I wanted both a TT and my breast lifted but decided to do my TT first. I'll plan on doing my BL in a year or so. (Funds) but I really like the way your PS does the lift. I don't want implants and have plenty of breast tissue to work with and I love that his scars are not vertical.
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January 3, 2015
good luck with your tuck! Honestly, would not want to do both procedures at once, regardless of funds. Too many scars to take care of, too much time under anesthesia etc. I had (have) a great plastic surgeon who did my tummy tuck, and if it weren't for the vertical scar AND need for implants for fullness I would've gone with him. That being said, I just cant stomach the idea of implants. I am looking forward to the breast lift, even if it requires a revision down the line. Cannot wait to have decrease in upper back pain, wear clothes without suits of armor holding up the breasts...etc! I'll post some 'befores' closer to the surgery. Good luck!
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January 3, 2015
Correction: I can wait to follow your journey..
UPDATED FROM silverchica
1 month pre

7 weeks to go...

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silverchica
I'm at that phase where I've been trolling on here and making mental notes of what is to come. BTW, typing on tablet, so pre-excuse typos. I got my Feb schedule, and luckily, i had a few days off earlier than I thought, so the office was kind enough to roll me back two days. Yay! Two more days to heal is definately a good thing.
Purchased plane tix (frequent flier miles, easier to change ticket back if there is a problem) and a ticket (also miles) for a friend from LA who is going to help me convalesce after surgery. She is also interested in the procedure, so coming down to check out what it is all about. After discussion with spouse, have decided NOT to have him there. He will not tolerate bandage changes, will freak at the sight of blood, and snores like a banshee, so would have to book a 2nd hotel room for him. Uh, no. He did OK after my abdominoplasty, but it was like bringing a 270 lb 2 year old to the MD's office for follow up. He chatted on the entire time when I really wanted to monopolize the MD for well, the POST OPERATIVE questions. Ha. I read some advice on here that one should show the spouse before and immediately postoperative pics of breast lifts, because if they aren't expecting the scars, buising and swelling, it may be more than just a shock.
I have hotel, car booked. For some reason, all the car rental places have jacked up prices in Houston to 3x normal rates for the time I'm there. Conspiracy, I'm sure.
As with my abdominoplasty, I'm trying to get together things I might need for post op, but I found that i overdid it a little much last time. I think the best thing to have are pillows and ice packs...for anything. staying in a hotel, so I think they can oblige the pillows. Hotel room has kitchenette, so will make some ice packs when there:
1 part rubbing alcohol, 3 parts water, freeze in double bagged ziplock quart baggies. Acts like a gel pack, cheaper, and reusable.
I have lots of leftover pads, gauze and other schtuff from previous surgery, so will bring a supply down. Found that panty liners or thin maxipads are great for absorbing fluids and not sticking to stuff.
The think I'm not sure of is the post-op bra. I have not actually met my surgeon yet, but did a phone consultation and sent naked chest selfies. Whoo whoo! The paperwork that I have has a bra suggestion, but I'm not sure what sizes to get. I have to wear full underwire, back closure only 24/7 for multiple weeks after surgery. I am not sure what size I'll be. I may just order a bunch of bras from JC penneys online jn a bunch of sizes, leave the tags on, and return what I dont use or what the surgeon ixnays to the local store.
My in person consultation is 3 PM the day before surg, and I have only that evening to go out to modify bra selections, get meds, go food shopping, and ergonomically arrange pillows in preparation for LIFT DAY. :) ha. Also, friend I havent seen in 15 yrs is living in Houston and also wants to hang out. He invited me to stay at his house, but I felt that would be improper on multiple levels, and I like the privacy of the hotel room.
I have also found that as long as I am taking pain medication, I'm somewhat of a raving b**ch because I hate the way I feel on it. Even with the extended abdominoplasty, muscle plication and lipo that I had, i pretty much forced myself off of the meds by day 3, except for PRN meds for the ocasional random lightening bolt cough.
so really, my biggest fear with this surgery is aesthetics. The abdominoplasty was a no-brainer. I had alot of extra tissue from weight loss and clothing was not flattering at all. Boobs are much more personal. Significant others look at boobs like they look at your eyes, they are a personal extension of oneself. I also would like to go topless (beach, hot tub, swimming, around the house, etc) and one of the reasons I chose Dr Horndeski was when he hits it right, boy, is it right.
I could not stomach the idea of an implant. Period. Submuscular implants would impede my ability to lift things (I like lifting weights, doing pushups, and just being strong in general), and implants in the breast tissue will cause further sagging breast down the line, and eventually need to be explanted. I just dont want it, but if someone does a breast lift with symmetry, fullness, and no vertical scar, I'm there.
Still, nervous.

Replies (6)

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January 4, 2015
Addendum: was just thinking about how the TSA people will interpret the contents of my bag..gauze, baggies, tape, chlorhexidine. I should pack some ether to throw them off ( hee hee...like the old "looney tunes" shorts where the mad scientist is trying to sedate Bugs Bunny and the ether spills everywhere...and everyone is floating around high, and in slow motion...."come heeeereee Eeeether Bunnnnyyyy...") Ha. I get a little punch drunk before bedtime, imagination gets the best of me. Still, always fun to throw off the establishment a_bit. No...I was never kicked out of class in High School.
January 4, 2015
I'm flying out this month for my consult as well to see him. Best wishes to you.
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January 5, 2015
Totally curious about your impressions. Keep me posted! Good luck with your decision also!
January 6, 2015
I will. It makes me feel a little better knowing you're a MD as well. I noticed you live in the midwest. I'm in Chicago.
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January 7, 2015
Yah. Wisconsin. BTW, if you don't decide to go to Houston for surg, Dr. Placik in Arlington Heights (and Downtown) does fabulous work all around. If you see him, tell him I said hi. I think he thinks I'm a tad crazy ( no lie there) but we saw eye to eye on a lot of stuff. I had a friend who had lift and implants (for fullness) with him, and I now have breast envy....if it weren't for those implants and vertical scar. Just can't deal with the implants. Had a talk with Horndeski by phone tho and he was quick with the answers;def knew his stuff. Typing this on phone so excuse typos, BTW
January 26, 2015
I have been having issues wit wearing handles cloths because of my sagging breast... would like to do breast lift without plastic surgery
UPDATED FROM silverchica
1 month pre

6 weeks before

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silverchica
6 weeks before.

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January 12, 2015
Hit the "done" button before I was done. These are all before pics. Would love for things to be up, front and center.
February 22, 2015
I know someone who had lipo on the fat from under the arms, the same as in your pic and the fat that is by the upper inside of your arm, the fat that gets pushed out of the side of the bra by the strap (i don't know what that's called lol), but it made a really nice difference as it gave the breast a nicer rounder shape.