Changing PS before moving into Stage 2 of reconstruction?

Anonymous

Changing PS before moving into Stage 2 of reconstruction?

mitzi458

Has anyone ever changed their PS in the middle of their reconstruction?? I’m asking because I had my first post-op appointment with my PS today. All he wanted me to do was to tell him how happy and excited I was with my new breasts. I pointed out that they were very different from one another and he acted insulted and said, “They are never going to be exactly even”. So I said, "Well, I'm sure the swelling must need to go down a little more so we can truly see what I will end up with before we go to Stage 2.". He said, There really isn’t that much to do in Stage 2. I can lift the right one a little bit to make it “perkier” if thay’s what you want but it doesn’t need much.” Both my husband and I agree that one is shaped like a hamburger bun and the other like a teardrop, with at LEAST one cup size difference. My PS said two to three times,.... “Well you certainly look a lot better than when you first came in to see me.”

He gave me no after-care instructions. The only info I got from him was if I asked questions. He took my drains out and then asked if I would write a good review on Yelp.

Would it be weird to find another PS to do Stage 2? I wonder if insurance would cover it? I just don’t want to have gone through all of this misery, after waiting for 10 years to do it,and spending $10,000, to end up looking crazy!

Has anyone else tried to change their PS halfway through? Am I being unfair? Should I give him a chance? An I being too picky? Would it be better for me to stick with the same PS and fight for my symmetry?? I was hoping this would be easy. : ‘ (

🍔💧 ☹️

Lula73

So your PS didn't address the difference at all? Are your results similar to those you saw in his before & after photos? Have you taken pics from the front & both sides to compare? (I know that last part sounds crazy but side by side comparisons can go a long way). So sorry you're dealing with this. I know it's frustrating

NOLA is the only place I've heard of that corrects botched recon done by someone else Most PSs won't for various reasons including: you're seen as a “difficult patient", they don't know exactly what the previous doc did and may not be skilled enough to correct on the fly (Dr D talks about this in his Norwich talk), and they don't want the liability. I know you said NOLA was out of network, but the “big" surgery is over. Maybe you could swing the cost for revisions? Vickie can do a payment plan so you don't have to pay all of it upfront. Worth checking into. The other 2 hospitals some of the docs operate in may be in network for you and would lessen cost even more. And now that you’ve gone with an on network doc and results are not ideal perhaps your insurance would make a one off exception and cover an out of network doc as In network

Trishyla

That's exactly what I encountered with my original plastic surgeon. He told me I should be grateful for what he had done, since my breasts didn't look all that great when I first came to him. I almost slapped him for that insensitive remark. They may not have been perfect, but the were mine. They had feeling, and nipples and I would have been grateful to keep them, flaws and all.

I did change plastic surgeons. I found a doctor (who knows the first PS) to do my "finishing touches". I have a lift scheduled for April 13th, with nipple recon, fat grafting, and scar revision on tap for about ten weeks later, after the swelling goes down. I love my new PS. He really seems to understand what I've been through.

So, my advice is: Don't settle for an insensitive ass for a surgeon. Find someone who you feel comfortable with.

Trish

NotVeryBrave

My first thought was "ASS" as well. How horrible to have mean remarks added to the mix. It sounds as though he's more interested in his reputation online than on real life!

I would definitely seek another opinion. You don't have to go out of network and it should be covered by whomever does it as a necessary surgery. Don't settle for this lack of work ethic. Many PS's are perfectionists. Find one who is.

Imkopy2

Mitzi,

First off I would reach out to Special K or Whippetmom they are VERY WELL VERSED in all of this. From my personal experience, I had my exchange surgery done last March, my one implant sat higher and was 35ccs smaller than the other. I was livid because my PS dismissed me and told me it wasn’t that bad and to find a good bra. I was only 30 days out at this point. I was hot as hell and immediately started researching other PS. I found another surgeon who had promised me the sun, moon and stars but I continued looking and kept him as an option. I went to NW ( I live near Chicago) and I found my my guy. We talked about options and issues. Keep in mind that my breasts have softened and fell into place and are now very even. One is slightly smaller because of radiation but doable. My PS and I agree that fat grafting and nip recon is the way to go...he said Lat flap is an option if I really wanted but I feel like I need some tweaking and not a total do over. In April I am having fat grafting to plump areas and nip recon all covered by insurance. My new PS is very well versed in what he is proposing, he travels the country giving presentations based on his research. All of this is covered by insurance. Take your time and do your HW and find the surgeon who has the experience in what you are looking for. Big hugs to you and please reach out to Special K or Whippetmom.

Hugs!

Michelle