UPDATE. back to ER today. I was right I DO have a hematoma!! sooo mad at PS now..

[Xiola]

I'd get records of the ER visit which states that you have a hematoma and bring this up with the surgeon. I think your PS should cover this bill at the very least and probably a lot more. Wait until you are totally healed before discussing financial reimbursement though. Hematomas are generally not considered surgeon error but the fact that he treated you so poorly and fobbed you off is unacceptable.

I don't know if you really want to bother with your PS again for treatment or go to another PS or what but it needs to be sorted out. Blood is a perfect medium for harbouring bacteria and potential infection and other problems which could arise from it. My guess it that this needs a lot more attention that it has received.

I had hematoma (internal, no external bleeding, just massive swelling) and they put me back under a general anesthetic, opened me up, removed the implant, found the source of the bleed and cauterized the bleeder, cleaned up in there, re-implanted, stitched me back up and left a drain and kept me overnight. They removed the drain the next morning and I went home. Different surgeons deal with things different ways but something along these lines may be appropriate for you. I'm not sure of what "should" be done but leaving it alone doesn't seem right by your descriptions.

I really hope you can get this taken care of, what a nightmare. :hug:

[AbbeyRose]

Yesterday I sent my PS office an email stating all my thoughts. If you want to read it here it is:

This weekend my stitches continued to gush blood to the point where I
was going through a pack of gauze in less than 5 hours. I went to the
ER and it was confirmed that I had a hematoma, and that the blood
seeping from my incisions was old blood from the hematoma. I was
gauzed up and told to just keep changing the gauze because it is a
good thing that the blood is exiting rather than collecting in my
breast.

I'm very upset about this, because at my first post op (and I had even
called prior to) I voiced my concerns about my incisions and a
possible hematoma that could lead to a capsule contracture. Dr.
---- insisted nothing was wrong, though he didn't even closely
check the area and insisted that my breasts were fine. I also feel
disrespected at my postop, as I was actually told that I had
been "calling to complain" everyday when in all actually I DID have a
complication - I had a bad reaction to the anethesia and then a
hematoma. Even if I didn't have a complication I feel the way I was
spoken to at my postop was unprofessional, unsympathetic, and
condescending. A breast augmentation is a major surgery, causing many
emotional and physical reactions and I just feel that it is necessary
for a Dr. to be more understanding to their patient in such a fragile
time. I also feel that after a BA there should be no reason why the Dr. should not be able to be contacted, even if after office hours. I had called various times and left messages and received no returned phone calls. As a patient I feel that not being able to get in contact with my PS, especially when I'm scared, and dealing with a complication is completly unacceptable.

I would much appreciate it if Dr. --- would contact me, as I
still feel that as a plastic surgeon he still knows more than the
ER on what do do regarding my hematoma and incision. I definatly do
not want to develop a capsule contracture due to the hematoma, as I
know it often follows a hematoma. I would also appreciate it if Dr.
---was more respectful when speaking to me, as I have paid a
good amount of money for his service. It appalls me that I had to
spend a good amount of time and money to go the ER and have the
hematoma confirmed when this more than likely could have been caught
earlier had my concerns actually examined at my postop rather than
brushed off. This is a serious issue at hand and I feel neglected as a
patient. I really hope --- will do this best to reconcile
this situation or else I feel it's best for me find a new plastic
surgeon.

Thank you.


I don't know if I was too mean, too nice.. How they respond is definatly going to make a big difference. I'm hoping they call to apologize and offer to pay my ER bills but I have a feeling that is not going to happen. But I am prepared for anything, prepared for them to call, prepared for them not to call. If they do not call me back today I'm going to call back tomorrow and more than likely be much more aggressive. I should try and make them pay my ER bills because I really don't think my insurance is going to cover either visit. It's time I grew a backbone and if anything good came out of this situation it is the fact that it has made me realize that. Not only that but it made me realize how amazing this site is and every single person that responds to mine or any others posts. Seriously if it wasn't for you all I wouldn't have trusted my gut and went to the ER and got it checked. I wouldn't have insisted they check for a hematoma cause I KNEW it was there. I would have trusted my PS and maybe the hematoma wouldn't have been caught until I developed CC.. who knows. So thank you all again for your advice, your kind words, your good luck, your healing vibes, its really helped me right now. I'll keep you updated on what happens today.

[alleycat1]

Hey Abbey!

I was just thinking of you and going to mention to you I was thinking of you to see how you were holding up. THEN, I read this. I am SO pissed off for you, this should be one of the most exciting and happiest things for you. It's supposed to be a fun journey, not HELL.

Anyway, I agree. Document everything. You gave him a chance to solve your medical issues, and he is primarily responsible for your after-care. After all, you PICKED him and PAID him. So, he is so wrong to just basically give you implants and then turn his back on you and not give a shit. If that's what doctors were for, they wouldn't be in business...or at least shouldn't be.

Anyway, my advice. Document everything and call your PS now and tell them exactly what you posted. Get an APPT (you should be able to see him, this is a big deal, and he should be available 24/7 for emergencies). If you are the type (like me) who is not assertive as much as she should be, take someone with you to make sure your problems are addressed. They may get mad you went to the ER, but after being ignored, you have every right to. This sucks so much all of this is happening to you. PLEASE let me know anything I can do.

I actually called my PS office with a dumb question about lotion on my boob the other day, and I mentined how grateful I am to have their questions answered. I mentioned I "knew" a girl who basically can't get any questions answered after her BA (and that they are actually serious). The nurse said how bad she felt for you, even though she doesn't know you! She also said when she sees doctors like that, she always switches. So, it may be time to find a new PS. It may be hard because some PS's don't want to get involved in messy cases, but I'm sure a good one is out there that will be willing to help and correct anything yours messed up! Just document it all!

<3 *major hugs*

[alleycat1]

Just read your e-mail. Totally perfect.

And you are 100% right. No matter what, your doctor SHOULD be available 24/7 after your surgery. I know, for mine, if it's after hours or the weekend, I just stay on the office line, and leave a msg and my PS gets a page and will call me back as soon as he gets it (no matter what my question may be). My nurse told me never to be nervous to do that. So, you are right in everything you are expecting!! Don't doubt yourself. Perfect!

[Riley]

Call or email surgeons who have a great reputation and see what they say. The good ones will go out of their way to help you heal. I am on my second surgeon now. So, I know how vulnerable you feel. My first doctor was not part of the American Board of Plastic Surgery( It is the symbol that is like a circle). My second doctor is. What a difference
that symbol makes. They have to meet strict guidelines and your well being is their main concern. If you want his number or email let me know. They may be able to give you a doctor in your area to consult with. The behavior of your current doctor is not normal (abusive). He should be reported. Hope this is helpful.

[SUNSEEKERS]

Aww this just stinks! Hopefull that office will try to make things right for you... They can't make up for what you have been thru, but hopefully, they will do the right thing...

[Riley]

You should have access to his cell phone. This is something to consider with your new doctor

[tititita]

so sorry to hear your story,
you did the good thing to write
a letter to the ps,i hope that he will
woke up and give you the treatment
you deserve,i send you all my support
take care,tititita

[Riley]

Anyone need some Light ,Love, or Healing now? Check out www.achieveradio.com there is a program called the Joyful Light with Todd Stockwell. He does empowerments at the beginning of each show. I have tried everything (REIKI, Accupuncture etc) This really works. I've done personal sessions with him. The program is free to all who are interested.

[Xiola]

I think your email was fine, sounded reasonable to me.

I wouldn't even bring up the ER bills yet, wait until you are healed because you don't know what's ahead yet, there could be more expenses.

Best of luck.

[cinderella]

Where have I been????? I read the post about your PS treating you like crap at your visit,...but I somehow missed this post! First off I'm sorry you are going through this. But I have to say I hope that your PS feels like dirt! and I love the fact that you were able to throw it in his face!
Your email was PERFECT! chin up and take care of yourself!

[titangirl]

You did the right thing and the letter was extremely professional and to the point. Please let us know when you get a response.

How are your boobs feeling now?

[xoBittyBxo]

I went through the same thing, and then some! You can find it al in my past posts. I however did not go to the ER, after calling my PS's office twice and being told by the person who answered the phone that the bleeding was fine I called my PS's cell and he asked me to come in the next day and confirmed the Hematoma that I knew I had. I am 2 months post op and my right breast ( the one that developed the hematoma) is still high with no signs of dropping, I pray everyday that it finally will because my breast are uneven, my right in two fnger widths higher than my left and they look awful, i hate them and the hole where the bleeding was coming from is black and indented and looks funny I hope that it will look better once the scars are fully healed.