How do I handle not being happy with the outcome with my surgeon?

I am four weeks post op and see my surgeon for my follow up tomorrow. My breasts look 100% better! But they look good, not great. They are not what I expected and not what I was made to think they would be. I don’t want to upset the surgeon but to go through all of this and pay this much money and not be happy... I started my journey with VSG. After losing the weight my breasts had deflated! So I had a reduction, lift and implants. We kept going over the “fullness at the top” and it’s not there.

Answers from doctors (6)


Dr. Robert L. True

Published on May 25, 2018

It's always best to communicate your concerns with your surgeon. If he/she can do something to resolve your concerns then go for it. Most surgeons are able to do adjustments and touch ups when necessary. It's all about relationships and feeling comfortable with your surgeon.

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Answered by Dr. Robert L. True

It's always best to communicate your concerns with your surgeon. If he/she can do something to resolve your concerns then go for it. Most surgeons are able to do adjustments and touch ups when necessary. It's all about relationships and feeling comfortable with your surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Edward Domanskis M.D.

Published on May 24, 2018

I suggest that you be truthful with your surgeon and he should listen to your concerns. Post weight loss patients require special plastic surgeons and techniques. I am president of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons and that is one of my specialties.

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Answered by Edward Domanskis M.D.

I suggest that you be truthful with your surgeon and he should listen to your concerns. Post weight loss patients require special plastic surgeons and techniques. I am president of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons and that is one of my specialties.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Harry Glassman, M.D.

Published on May 24, 2018

Speak to the surgeon honestly and express your disappointment without getting angry. Don't be concerned about "upsetting" the surgeon! All professionals have complications or disappointments and have to deal with them.
Keep your composure. How your surgeon responds will tell you volumes about who he or she is!

Answered by Harry Glassman, M.D. (View Profile)

Speak to the surgeon honestly and express your disappointment without getting angry. Don't be concerned about "upsetting" the surgeon! All professionals have complications or disappointments and have to deal with them.
Keep your composure. How your surgeon responds will tell you volumes about who he or she is!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Tom Pousti, M.D.

Published on May 24, 2018

Thank you for your question. It will be best to have a cordial conversation with your surgeon. You state that your breasts look 100% better and so having realistic expectations is important. As surgeons, we have limitations (due to the patients' anatomy, etc) so sometimes multiple surgeries are required to achieve the patients goals. Also, you are still early in the recovery process. I ask my patients to allow things to heal before assessing the final outcome (at least 6 months post op).

I hope this helps.

Answered by Tom Pousti, M.D. (View Profile)

Thank you for your question. It will be best to have a cordial conversation with your surgeon. You state that your breasts look 100% better and so having realistic expectations is important. As surgeons, we have limitations (due to the patients' anatomy, etc) so sometimes multiple surgeries are required to achieve the patients goals. Also, you are still early in the recovery process. I ask my patients to allow things to heal before assessing the final outcome (at least 6 months post op).

I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Communication is key to any good outcome. It is important that goals be discussed and expectations be managed. When this is not adequately addressed, a very good outcome can be overshadowed by expectations which are not aligned.

The best advice is to allow for adequate healing (6 months for a final result) and then discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Communication is key to any good outcome. It is important that goals be discussed and expectations be managed. When this is not adequately addressed, a very good outcome can be overshadowed by expectations which are not aligned.

The best advice is to allow for adequate healing (6 months for a final result) and then discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor David J. Levens, MD

Published on May 24, 2018

You have to be honest but at the same time you have to have realistic expectations. Especially with your history of massive weight loss, given the deflation/stretching of your breast tissues it is very unlikely that the degree of upper fullness achievable would be anything like that achievable in a normal weight breast augmentation.

There are many, many more online photos of normal weight results and often patients focus on those anticipated results rather than those following massive weight loss. Discussing realistic expectations for each individual patient to arrive at their own proper vision of their likely results rather than "making the patient think" the result will be like is a better approach.

Answered by David J. Levens, MD (View Profile)

You have to be honest but at the same time you have to have realistic expectations. Especially with your history of massive weight loss, given the deflation/stretching of your breast tissues it is very unlikely that the degree of upper fullness achievable would be anything like that achievable in a normal weight breast augmentation.

There are many, many more online photos of normal weight results and often patients focus on those anticipated results rather than those following massive weight loss. Discussing realistic expectations for each individual patient to arrive at their own proper vision of their likely results rather than "making the patient think" the result will be like is a better approach.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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