Hello,
On June 25, Ihad breast argumentation (475cc) and abdominal liposuction around my mid-section. Prior to this surgery, my husband and Imet with Dr. Gerald Truesdale for a consultation. During this consultation, wediscussed what I wanted to achieve by the augmentation. At that time I voicedone of my greatest concerns which were the best method for not leaving scars onmy breasts. This was because I was greatly concerned about the possibility ofkeloids. I was also concerned about recovery time (I wanted to be completelyrecovered by my birthday on July 18) and having a very natural look. I told Dr. Truesdale that if I had to be cut on my breasts then I did not want theimplants. Upon examination, Dr. Truesdale said that I would not need a breast lift because it was his opinion thatmy breasts would line up after the implants were in place.
We were told thatthere were several ways the implants could be put in place. I asked about goingunder the armpit to prevent the possibility of scaring on my breasts. Dr. Truesdaleconfirmed that going through the armpit and under the muscle will achieve theabove results. He assured us that he had done this method many times and itwould give me the best natural look. He said that he had performed thisprocedure many times and that I would have a very natural looking and feelingbreast post procedure. He also said that going under the muscle is better forcancer screening. With his recommendations, I chose the method of going underthe armpits because he assured me that I could accomplish all my personal goalsas I outlined to him during the consultation. We set the appointment and theprocedure was done. I was given instructions which included wearing a wrap on mychest and doing specific exercises that was prescribed. I followed theseinstructions implicitly. After nearly two months, my implants were sitting veryhigh on my chest. They were extremely hard and my nipples and breasts were saggingand hanging downwards. They looked deformed. I had scars on my stomach, myunderarms and on the right side back. The scar on my back occurred from thebandages being wrapped too tight. I had 4 scars from the abdominal liposuction onmy stomach from the incisions and from bandaging. Both my husband and I werevery concerned about my appearance. I did a routine follow up and brought my concerns to theattention of Dr. Truesdale and his nurse. Upon examination Dr. Truesdale suggestedthat he go back in again to remove scar tissue that was preventing the implantsfrom dropping into place. I asked him ifthis situation was normal. He said it was not normal. I also asked him if itwas safe to be cut again in the same place. He said it was safe. He said that becauseof my athletic build my muscles were two times thicker than most women and thatthese muscles were preventing the implants from dropping into place. I was verydisappointed that I would need surgery again to correct this problem.
I asked whatthis would cost and he stated there would be no charge for this because he wasultimately concerned for my satisfaction. I asked him about the abdominalliposuction scars and the knots that had formed under my skin. Dr Truesdale saidhe would go in again and get the lumps out with another abdominal liposuctionon the right side and that the scars would then fade away. Because Dr. Truesdale was so convincing that he could correct the problem we agreed to thesecond surgery even though my trust and confidence were now shaken. We scheduledthe corrective procedure for October 1. While I was being prep for the second surgery, I told the anesthesiologistthat I wanted to speak with Dr. Truesdale before I was put under. I wanted togo over what we had previously discussed about what was to be done, what Icould expect, and to be reassured that this procedure would correct theproblems that I now had. Frankly, I was very scared of this procedure becauseof my loss of trust. I had an idea in my head that I may not even go throughwith it at that point. The anesthesiologist said he was not in the building yetbut he would be in to talk to me before the surgery. She put me under and I didnot have that chance to talk to him before the procedure was done. After a few days of recovery from the second surgery, Iremove the wrappings to change the bandages. I was shocked to see that mybreasts were just hanging toward the floor; the implants were still very highon my chest, they were not in the lower breast! My husband had told me later onthe day of this second procedure that Dr. Truesdale had told him that thesurgery had gone well. My husband had been really concerned because I was thefirst patient that morning and was in recovery for a very long time.
Dr. Truesdale also told my husband that he had stood me up while I was on the tableto look at the implants and make sure they were in place. He also mentionedthat he had removed about 25 cc of saline from the implants in order to helpthem descend. I was shocked upon hearing this because he had done this withoutmy knowledge or my consent. The implants were still in the same place and I nowhad two set of cuts under my armpits, more scars from the wrapping, hangingbreast and now my back was badly bruised. I returned after five days and was very concerned about theappearance of my breasts. I relayed my displeasure to the nurse and to Dr. Truesdale. I was also very angry about not having been afforded the opportunityto talk with Dr. Truesdale prior to being put under for the procedure. Dr. Truesdale reassured me that the implants will drop in place, and that I should justgive it awhile. He also said I should continue the exercises. I told him that Iwas not happy with the way things went the day of my surgery. I told him that Ihad specifically told the anesthesiologist I wanted to speak to him BEFORE theprocedure. Dr. Truesdale was very reassuring even though at this point I feltthat I had a serious problem going on. He calmed me down and I left aftersetting a follow up appointment for October 20. I returned for my scheduled appointment on October 20. There had been no improvements or changes in my condition at all except thatnow I had a very hard lump on the side of my left breast that is painful. Whenhe looked at them I could tell he was concerned and this frightened me. He saidthat I was a rare case and that he had spoken with a colleague in Atlanta aboutmy situation. He told me that he wanted to go in again and that I would have aprocedure where he would make an incision under each breast about one inch longand that he would be able to release scar tissue that was preventing theimplants to descend into place. This release of scar tissue sounded exactlythe same as I had been promised on the last procedure. My husband asked Dr. Truesdale a verypointed question. He asked Dr. Truesdale if he could give us his opinion ofwhat percent of likelihood that this procedure would correct this problem? Heanswered 100%! My husband was surprised by this answer because in these typesof surgeries, he could not see how anyone could guarantee a 100% chance ofsuccess. My husband repeated to him, 100%? He stated again emphatically thathe is 100% sure that it would correct the problem. I had made it perfectlyclear on our very first consultation that I did not want any scars on mybreasts. At this point, I hadlost all confidence and trust in him and I told him so. At this point, I feltlike I was a person being used to practice on. Dr. Truesdale then suggestedthat I speak with another doctor at Baptist Hospital to see what he would haveto say about my condition. He said that he would speak to him first and givehim back ground on my case and that I should go see him to see if I would feelbetter about him performing yet another procedure. I scheduled a consultationwith Dr. Malcolm Marks who is the department head and a teaching doctor atBaptist Hospital. I also scheduled appointments with two other doctors to gettheir opinions of what could or should be done to correct this. These doctorswere Dr. Willard and Dr. Kirsch. Theseconsultations were all done at my expense. At my consultationwith Dr. Willard, I was told by him that to achieve the look I was seeking hewould not have gone under the armpit and under the muscle together. He alsosaid that he would not have tried it without doing a breast lift. He said theonly way to correct it would be to do a lift. My second consultation was withDr. M. Lee Kirsch. He said that he would not have attempted going under the armpit in my situation because of the difficulty in getting a good placement. Onmy consultation with Dr. Malcolm Marks, I was again told that he would not havegone under the armpits because of the difficulty in placing the implants. BothDoctors Marks and Kirsch said that they would have done it by placing theimplant through the areola. I was scheduled to have the third surgery on November 19 with Dr. Truesdale. However, after hearing from three other physicians (one of whom is and esteemed teaching doctor and department head of the plasticsurgery division at Baptist Hospital) I canceled because all that I heard fromthese three other plastic surgeons only cemented my fears further. I was alsovery concerned that I would have to be administered anesthesia for a third timein such a short period. I am Hepatitis C positive and I was told that the livermust clean this out of my system and that this is hard on a persons liver. I advised Doctor Truesdale of this fact on ourfirst consultation. We had an appointment with Dr. Truesdale to discuss himdoing the third procedure. This time I had made up my mind to ask for a refundor as another solution he could pay for the procedure to correct my situationwith another surgeon. I was/am completely afraid of him doing another surgeryon me and I am also afraid of anesthesia again. Dr. Truesdale declined my offerand said he would not refund the money. Even with my extreme fear of beingoperated on a third time, I want to have this corrected because I am repulsedand appalled at my appearance when I look into the mirror.
This has affectedevery aspect of my life and the lives of my family members. I am severelydepressed and my marriage is now suffering as a direct result of this. I have ahair business that has required that I close down already for about three weeksand now it is likely that I will be closed down another week. These has cost megreatly in expense and in mental anguish not to mention the pain I now have tolive with, the disturbance to my sleep from the hard implants and the bruisingthat is recurring over and again on my left breast. I am currently in the process of pursuing this through legalchannels. I feel that although my request for a refund will not compensate mefor the pain and suffering that I now endure, I am willing to settle this withDr. Truesdale. Else, I will then be forced to pursue this legally. I am currently talking to two differentattorneys about this case. I also would want to warn other prospective patientsthat would consider using Dr. Truesdales services through other meansavailable to me such as media. I know that it was my choice to choose cosmetic surgery, butit was to enhance my appearance, not the opposite. I have before and afterpictures of my breasts and stomach if you would care to see them. I amdisgusted by their appearance and if the truth be known so is my husbandalthough he will not say anything to me. I can tell because he no longer wantsto touch my breasts or stomach. I humbly request that if you can have any bearing on aidingme in rectifying my situation, then I would be forever appreciative.
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