Published: August 05, 2008 02:21 pm            

In Your View — 08/06/08

Help was found across the river

About a year ago, I had a breast reduction. I was 54 and suffering with back pain when I underwent the procedure.

The surgery itself wasn’t bad. But when the bandages came off, I saw obvious problems. At each post-op appointment with my surgeon, he told me how satisfied he was with his work.

I thought maybe things would look better as I healed. They didn't. At my last appointment, the surgeon once again told me how good I looked. I vehemently disagreed. He finally admitted that I had a bad outcome, but he took no responsibility for it. Instead, he blamed it on my “old skin,” which he said didn’t “heal right.”

He offered no real suggestions for fixing the problem. He did say he could cut away some of the scar tissue so it would be the same size on both sides. He also said insurance would not pay for such a procedure.

I went straight from his office to the office of Dr. Michael Spindel in Huntington. He took one look at me and told me he thought he could make me look normal again. I found that hard to believe, but at that point I had little to lose.

A few weeks later, I underwent a four-hour surgery to reconstruct that which had been destroyed. I’m amazed by the results. My skin — now a year older — healed just fine. Since it was reconstructive, insurance paid for it.

I realize this is a very private issue to be discussing in public. But I’m writing this letter to let other women know that if they've had a bad outcome with the surgery, as I did, there’s help. And he's just across the river.

Kathy Fraser, Boyd County



Woman looking for an old friend

I am looking for Allen Clair, a friend from many years ago who lived in Catlettsburg at the time.

He was the son of Loretta and James Clair.

If anyone knows a way I could get in contact with him, please call (606) 615-6397 and ask for Mary Johnson.

Mary Johnson, Ashland

        

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