STRAX REJUVENATION INSTITUTE ;Dr. Hamm, Breast Augmentation - One breast 1/2 cup size smaller! Lauderhill, Florida

I scheduled an appointment for a consult on a breast re-augmentation with Strax and brought a friend with me to review the procedure. I met with Dr. Hamm, who appeared to be distinguished and knowledgeable as the Harvard Don he was portrayed to be on his wall plaque.

I explained to him that in my previous surgery the surgeon filled my left breast implant with additional fluid as my right breast had more tissue, and the additional saline in the left side was necessary to balance them. He said that was no problem. He could make my breast very pretty.

During my meeting with the patient coordinator, she ran to get estimates on the procedures before I could ask any questions, and remained "in motion" to get quotes the entire visit. She also gave me a quote to have a breast augmentation and a "fat transfer" lipo done at the same time. Mind you, with these procedures, the breast surgery is on the front side of the body with the fat transfer on the rear side of the body and you are not allowed to lay and sit on your rear for two weeks. This is logistically impossible and irresponsible surgery to recommend at the same time.

I scheduled the breast re-augmentation within the next 5 days and proceded to prepare for the surgery. At my pre-op appointment, I asked how they would determine what size to make the implants and was told they could do imaging to demonstrate and/or the doctor would get with me on that question. I was also concerned about cutting around my nipples as they are very transparent and would possible keloid or show scars. Dr. Hamm's response to me was that he would probably fill them up to 500cc, to which I objected and told him no more than 475cc (based upon my own experience - NOT any imaging) I also told him again at that time that the left side needed more saline to compensate for the lack of breast tissue there. AGAIN, he said that would be no problem. He did not feel there would be a keloid issue. His answer was very superficial and vague - giving me the dictionery definition of keliod.

The doctor's office does not tell you when your surgery time will be. They call you a day ahead of time with the official "line-up". When I arrived at the surgery center, I sat in a waiting room with several other patients waiting my turn. When I was taken in to see the Doctor while he marked me for surgery. AGAIN, I stated that the left side needed more saline. Again, no problem.

Post surgery; there was very little pain and I was very comfortable with the drugs and vitamin therapies they gave me. It wasn't until I looked in the mirror that I noticed the problem! Yes, indeed, the left breast is smaller than the right breast! They had filled both breast with equal amounts of saline. It stated that right on the card! Apparently, everything I had told Dr. Hamm had literally gone in one ear and out the other!

I set an appointment with Dr. Hamm and went in two days after my surgery with my friend to show him my concern. He told me I looked great, that he had to do some "extra" work on the right breast and that after they "settled" they would look the same. And, he had the nerve to tell me that in nature, no breasts were even! This is AFTER I had 15 years of my breast implants being EVEN with my first surgeon! (note: I would have gladly returned to him initially but he had retired and was in another city) So, basically, it was a slap in the face and an insult to my intelligence to claim that I paid good money to NOT be even this time around.

I waited another 10 days for the "swelling" to go down and came in for my second appointment. Dr. Hamm repeated exactly what he said before - "let the swelling go down. They aren't even in nature. They look very natural" (referring to my lopsided breasts) He dismissed me from further follow-up appointments, told me I looked beautiful, and dashed out. I am quite sure that he was counting on the vanity index to carry him through that one - i.e. tell a woman her breasts are beautiful and maybe she will leave it alone. And, yes, the scarring is also unacceptable and not even as well.

I can't get any relief on this and only platitudes. I fortunately have a witness to most of these appointments and requests to have my saline implants "customized". I also have a track record of 15 years of good implants to know the difference in competency and good patient care.

Dr. Hamm is operating with several complaints on his record. More than one with the complaint of uneven breasts, including a death of a patient on his record. Check the Florida Department of Health http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/PRASINDI.ASP?LicId=37776&ProfNBR=1501

I would like resolution on this in the form of compensation to go to another doctor to have the procedure corrected. I paid good money to have my breasts done properly and evenly and was mistreated in this. I do not have confidence in this chop-shop, assembly line excuse for a surgical center. BEWARE!