Lisa’s Breast Augmentation Story
Lisa, in her early 40s, found Dr. Bartell while researching surgeons in her area who performed scarless breast augmentation. She arrived at Dr. Bartell’s practice after she decided to move forward with breast augmentation (enlargement) surgery. She had done a lot of research about the different surgeons in the area, and kept hearing about Dr. Tom Bartell from people she knew. “When I started talking about it to my friends,” Lisa explains, “they all [said to] go to Dr. Bartell. He’s good at what he does. He’s very professional, very courteous.” Lisa said hearing this information from more than one reliable source was a deciding factor in considering Dr. Bartell to perform her surgery.
What Made Lisa Choose Dr. Tom Bartell For Her Procedure?
After meeting Dr. Bartell, Lisa was quickly convinced that he was the one she wanted to trust with her surgery. “His personality is great. He’s very easy to talk to, and very open to hearing what you have to say. It’s not just in, out, ‘nope, this is the way we’re doing it, this is what we’re doing.’ He’s very open to what you want done.”
The way Dr. Bartell performs his breast augmentations was also a big deciding factor for Lisa. “I did a lot of research on other people, but I also liked the fact that [Dr. Bartell] goes in through the armpit,” she explained. “I didn’t want scars, you know…not that I’m showing them off…but I didn’t want scars there.” The fact that Dr. Bartell is the only surgeon in Madison and the surrounding area who specializes in this scarless breast augmentation procedure was an important consideration for Lisa. “That was one of the top things too, the fact that he goes in through the arm pit….I decided right then and there that I wanted him to do it.”
This was a very big decision for Lisa. Most people were supportive, but not all. “My daughter, who’s 24,” she explained, “was not for me having it done at all, because she thought that I was perfect the way I was. But she also thought that I was going to go big. You know, you think of the breast enhancements, you always think that they’re just going big, to be able to show them off…that’s what she was worried about–them not looking natural.”
Before the Procedure
“I met Lisa when she came in for her initial free consult,” Dr. Bartell explains. “Like many of my patients, she had done quite a bit a research prior to the visit. This always makes my job easier.”
At their first meeting, Dr. Bartell and Lisa clicked right away. “I remember being impressed that she had very realistic goals and expectations for the surgery,” said Dr. Bartell. “We discussed the surgery itself as well as the post-operative recovery and potential risks. It didn’t take her long to make up her mind that this was right for her.”
During her pre-operative appointment, Lisa made it clear to Dr. Bartell that she did not want implants she considered too large for her body type. She wanted her outcome to look natural and in proportion with her size and shape. To accomplish this, Lisa decided the best course was to give Dr. Bartell latitude to work his magic during surgery. “I went in there and told Dr. Bartell to do whatever he thought would look the best. I had a size in mind, but once you’re in there (in surgery), if it looks too big or it looks too small, go bigger, go smaller.”
After the initial consultation, Lisa had a lot to do. Once the procedure is a “go,” Dr. Bartell meets with each patient to perform a thorough health history and physical examination to ensure they meet the standards necessary to undergo surgery. He also writes out prescriptions for any medications needed before, during and after the surgery. Also discussed at this time are pre- and post-op surgery instructions, which are extremely important to follow.
After the Procedure
Dr. Bartell’s breast augmentation takes only about 45 minutes, and a driver is required to take the patient to and from the appointment, as well as stay with them as the sedation wears off. “I remember waking up after having it done as my husband picked me up, and I was all obviously bandaged and wrapped up and everything,” said Lisa. “I looked down and was like ‘I’ve got boobs!’” She laughs. “That was the first thing out of my mouth, and then I think I started crying.” Lisa was thrilled with the results, even right after waking up from the procedure before the bandages came off. “I kept saying, ‘I’ve got boobs, I’ve finally got boobs!’” She recalls her family’s reactions as well. [My daughter] was impressed after I saw her for the first time…She said they look good and they look natural… She is now on board with it.”
Lisa was able to stay home following surgery and followed her post-operative instructions closely. “I stayed up on the pain meds and I followed the instructions, and I did what I was supposed to do….I was out a week after I had it done…very carefully went out. And, I stopped the pain meds within that week. Only took them for a week.”
“Recovery was great….everything.”
Lisa’s Experience
Lisa cannot stop smiling as she talks. “From day one it’s been a wonderful experience.” Her experience was enhanced by the ability of Dr. Bartell and his staff to accommodate her preferred timeframe and schedule, which often isn’t the case when trying to arrange for a surgical procedure. “Within a month, I think, of me deciding to do it, calling and having my consult, and the pre-op appointment, within a month I was in having it done.”
Lisa highly recommends coming in for a free consultation with Dr. Bartell, not only because of his wonderful work, but because of how well patients are treated, too. “Professionalism….the whole office staff…It was a personal relationship with them and they know you. I walk in… I don’t even have to go up and check in, they know you there…it’s personal, and I like that a lot.”
Waiting for long periods of time before being seen by your doctor is almost expected, but Lisa’s experience in Dr. Bartell’s office was a far cry from the normal routine in other medical offices. “I go in there and my appointment’s supposed to be at 10 o’clock, I show up five minutes early, I’m usually in and out of my appointment before my appointment is even supposed to begin. Because they’re just that good.”
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
Lisa’s success story is one of many. As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tom Bartell has helped thousands of patients achieve their desired cosmetic goals for over 20 years with his professional below the neck procedures. If you are considering having your own aesthetic surgical procedure, schedule your free consultation with Dr. Bartell today to see just how much he can help you achieve the look you’ve been wanting!