Patient Reviews
Patient Reviews
If you're looking for personalized treatments designed to not only meet but exceed your aesthetic goals, the team at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery is ready to see you! Specializing in both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, our exceptionally skilled team is proud to work with patients in and around Birmingham, AL to address a wide range of aesthetic needs. Throughout the years, we have had the delight of hearing from men and women just like you who benefitted from our care and experience firsthand. We understand that trust is important when it comes to choosing a plastic surgeon, which is why we invite you to browse through our collection of patient reviews before you schedule your consultation. When you're ready to take the first step toward a new you, we welcome you to reach out.
"2 days Post Breast Augmentation - I'm on day 2 of recovery from my breast augmentation. It's honestly not as bad as I thought it would be. The only parts that suck are feeling like potato( you literally can't do anything), and that the muscle relaxers make you super sleepy. Stopped taking the pain meds i was prescribed and switched to Tylenol because I didn't like the way Norcos made me feel. My chest feels sore and tight and still very swollen. But this is all to be expected. Dr. Hedden at Hedden and Gunn plastic surgery center was amazing. All of the staff did a great job with me. It was an all around amazing experience. I started out at large A/small B and asked to be a D. He did 450cc on each side. Smooth, round, high profile silicone. More updates to come! *they look shiny because I've been applying vitamin E to try to prevent stretch marks *Updated on 25 Apr 2024:Dropping more and more everyday. Liking the results so far. Still a little sore and swollen. Feeling to the nerves becomes more painful by the day and it’s causing a bit of discomfort but nothing major. Usually subsides by week 3. Will update again at 2 weeks past operation. For reference:5’3125lbs450cc L&RMentor memory gel SiliconeRound, high profile Updated on 25 Apr 2024:450cc L&RMentor memory gel silicone implants Round, high profile 5’3 125lbs Updated on 29 Apr 2024:It’s been 14 days since my augmentation. We’re feeling good and getting stronger every day. I’ll update again in a few days once I feel like they’ve dropped a bit more. Looking at them with no bra, I don’t see much change from my last update at 10 days past. But I’m finally wearing something other than my medical bra! Which is a nice change. This is a 34D and I feel like it might be just a hair too small in the cup (my nipples are like right on the edge of this thing lol) I tried on an underwire bra but it didn’t scoop me underneath properly. Probably because my implants are still sitting a little high and still firm. Will update again soon! 5’3125lbs450ccMentor memory gel silicone High profile silicone Before size : 32B/34A Updated on 3 May 2024:2 days after, 10 days after and 18 days after. 5’3125lbs450cc High profile Round Silicone, Mentor memory gel Before size: 32b/34a Updated on 3 May 2024:450ccDon’t mind my last update. I don’t know how to delete it :/. This is 2dp, 10dp and 18dp. More updates to come! HP mentor memory gel silicone Round IMF incision 5’3 125lbsBefore size : 32b/34aUpdated on 9 May 2024:Week 3 update and some progress pictures-Feeling great. No pain just sensitivity. We are dropping pretty quickly. I was pretty deflated before my augmentation as you can see in my previous photos. So when you have previous deflating from breast feeding or weight loss, you tend to drop a little faster since the loose skin is more able to adapt to the implant versus tight skin. My incisions are pretty unnoticeable from a glance. Hats off to my surgeon for that. I’m healing great and I’m looking forward to seeing my final results. More updates next week! Stats:450 CCHigh profilementor memory gel siliconeroundsmoothBefore size: 32bCurrent size: measuring at 32DD so far. 5’3125 pounds "
"2 days Post Breast Augmentation - I'm on day 2 of recovery from my breast augmentation. It's honestly not as bad as I thought it would be. The only parts that suck are feeling like potato( you literally can't do anything), and that the muscle relaxers make you super sleepy. Stopped taking the pain meds i was prescribed and switched to Tylenol because I didn't like the way Norcos made me feel. My chest feels sore and tight and still very swollen. But this is all to be expected. Dr. Hedden at Hedden and Gunn plastic surgery center was amazing. All of the staff did a great job with me. It was an all around amazing experience. I started out at large A/small B and asked to be a D. He did 450cc on each side. Smooth, round, high profile silicone. More updates to come! *they look shiny because I've been applying vitamin E to try to prevent stretch marks *Updated on 25 Apr 2024:Dropping more and more everyday. Liking the results so far. Still a little sore and swollen. Feeling to the nerves becomes more painful by the day and it’s causing a bit of discomfort but nothing major. Usually subsides by week 3. Will update again at 2 weeks past operation. For reference:5’3125lbs450cc L&RMentor memory gel SiliconeRound, high profile Updated on 25 Apr 2024:450cc L&RMentor memory gel silicone implants Round, high profile 5’3 125lbs Updated on 29 Apr 2024:It’s been 14 days since my augmentation. We’re feeling good and getting stronger every day. I’ll update again in a few days once I feel like they’ve dropped a bit more. Looking at them with no bra, I don’t see much change from my last update at 10 days past. But I’m finally wearing something other than my medical bra! Which is a nice change. This is a 34D and I feel like it might be just a hair too small in the cup (my nipples are like right on the edge of this thing lol) I tried on an underwire bra but it didn’t scoop me underneath properly. Probably because my implants are still sitting a little high and still firm. Will update again soon! 5’3125lbs450ccMentor memory gel silicone High profile silicone Before size : 32B/34A Updated on 3 May 2024:2 days after, 10 days after and 18 days after. 5’3125lbs450cc High profile Round Silicone, Mentor memory gel Before size: 32b/34a Updated on 3 May 2024:450ccDon’t mind my last update. I don’t know how to delete it :/. This is 2dp, 10dp and 18dp. More updates to come! HP mentor memory gel silicone Round IMF incision 5’3 125lbsBefore size : 32b/34aUpdated on 9 May 2024:Week 3 update and some progress pictures-Feeling great. No pain just sensitivity. We are dropping pretty quickly. I was pretty deflated before my augmentation as you can see in my previous photos. So when you have previous deflating from breast feeding or weight loss, you tend to drop a little faster since the loose skin is more able to adapt to the implant versus tight skin. My incisions are pretty unnoticeable from a glance. Hats off to my surgeon for that. I’m healing great and I’m looking forward to seeing my final results. More updates next week! Stats:450 CCHigh profilementor memory gel siliconeroundsmoothBefore size: 32bCurrent size: measuring at 32DD so far. 5’3125 pounds Updated on 17 May 2024:Still dropping. And getting more fuller in my opinion. No pain but I still spasm here and there. 125lb5’3High profile 450CC silicone Mentor memory gel smooth roundSubmuscular placement, inframmory Before: 32b/34ACurrent size: 32DD/34D Updated on 24 May 2024:I’ll be 6 weeks past operation in 3 days. 450 cc silicone high profile round Under the muscle Mentor memory gel 5’3 125lbs Before : 34ACurrent : 32DDUpdated on 31 May 2024:Still loving my results thus far. Still have a long way to go! 5’3125Before: 32b/34aCurrent: 32DD/34D (although the cup on a 34D is almost too small) 450 cc silicone mentor memory gel Round,smooth, HPUnder the muscle, IMF incision "
"2 days Post Breast Augmentation - I'm on day 2 of recovery from my breast augmentation. It's honestly not as bad as I thought it would be. The only parts that suck are feeling like potato( you literally can't do anything), and that the muscle relaxers make you super sleepy. Stopped taking the pain meds i was prescribed and switched to Tylenol because I didn't like the way Norcos made me feel. My chest feels sore and tight and still very swollen. But this is all to be expected. Dr. Hedden at Hedden and Gunn plastic surgery center was amazing. All of the staff did a great job with me. It was an all around amazing experience. I started out at large A/small B and asked to be a D. He did 450cc on each side. Smooth, round, high profile silicone. More updates to come! *they look shiny because I've been applying vitamin E to try to prevent stretch marks *Updated on 25 Apr 2024:Dropping more and more everyday. Liking the results so far. Still a little sore and swollen. Feeling to the nerves becomes more painful by the day and it’s causing a bit of discomfort but nothing major. Usually subsides by week 3. Will update again at 2 weeks past operation. For reference:5’3125lbs450cc L&RMentor memory gel SiliconeRound, high profile Updated on 25 Apr 2024:450cc L&RMentor memory gel silicone implants Round, high profile 5’3 125lbs Updated on 29 Apr 2024:It’s been 14 days since my augmentation. We’re feeling good and getting stronger every day. I’ll update again in a few days once I feel like they’ve dropped a bit more. Looking at them with no bra, I don’t see much change from my last update at 10 days past. But I’m finally wearing something other than my medical bra! Which is a nice change. This is a 34D and I feel like it might be just a hair too small in the cup (my nipples are like right on the edge of this thing lol) I tried on an underwire bra but it didn’t scoop me underneath properly. Probably because my implants are still sitting a little high and still firm. Will update again soon! 5’3125lbs450ccMentor memory gel silicone High profile silicone Before size : 32B/34A Updated on 3 May 2024:2 days after, 10 days after and 18 days after. 5’3125lbs450cc High profile Round Silicone, Mentor memory gel Before size: 32b/34a Updated on 3 May 2024:450ccDon’t mind my last update. I don’t know how to delete it :/. This is 2dp, 10dp and 18dp. More updates to come! HP mentor memory gel silicone Round IMF incision 5’3 125lbsBefore size : 32b/34aUpdated on 9 May 2024:Week 3 update and some progress pictures-Feeling great. No pain just sensitivity. We are dropping pretty quickly. I was pretty deflated before my augmentation as you can see in my previous photos. So when you have previous deflating from breast feeding or weight loss, you tend to drop a little faster since the loose skin is more able to adapt to the implant versus tight skin. My incisions are pretty unnoticeable from a glance. Hats off to my surgeon for that. I’m healing great and I’m looking forward to seeing my final results. More updates next week! Stats:450 CCHigh profilementor memory gel siliconeroundsmoothBefore size: 32bCurrent size: measuring at 32DD so far. 5’3125 pounds Updated on 17 May 2024:Still dropping. And getting more fuller in my opinion. No pain but I still spasm here and there. 125lb5’3High profile 450CC silicone Mentor memory gel smooth roundSubmuscular placement, inframmory Before: 32b/34ACurrent size: 32DD/34D "
"Amazing LBL with MR and Fat Transfer to Buttocks - After 4 babies and a weight loss of 80lbs, finally decided it was time to get rid of some skin. Went in thinking mommy makeover. Dr Halka told me he didn’t think the tummy tuck results would make me happy and recommended the lower body lift. I was concerned about it flattening out my butt so he also suggested the fat transfer. I could not be more pleased with the results. I cried the first time I saw my new tummy. Best money I’ve ever spent. Totally worth it!! He has been wonderful through the entire process. As an incentive for posting a review, this reviewer received an entry into RealSelf’s monthly $500 gift card giveaway."
"A Whole New Me! - What a life-changing experience with Dr. Halka! As a 45-year-old woman, wife, and mother, I finally realized that taking care of myself IS taking care of my family. I decided to put myself and my health first for a change and set a goal to lose the excess weight I've been carrying around my entire life. With bariatric surgery, a complete lifestyle change to a low-carb diet, and 4-6 intense 5 am workouts weekly, I lost 110 pounds and have maintained the loss for two and a half years. This was ah-mazing! However, after two years of hard work and dedication, my body was still a saggy, floppy mess even after the incredible weight loss. I decided to go for a Mommy Makeover consultation at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery after following them on Instagram for about a year. I met with Dr. Halka, who was very thorough and took his time explaining everything, answering all of my questions, and addressing all of my concerns. I went on two other consultations in Huntsville, AL, and Chattanooga, TN as those locations are closer to my home, but ultimately, I chose Dr. Halka's plan for the procedure and recovery because it was the best. We decided on a 360 body lift with muscle repair and lipo, breast augmentation with 500 cc Mentor silicone implants placed above the muscle, and fat transfer to the buttocks. The procedure went smoothly with no complications, and I followed the post-op instructions to the letter. Now, 12 weeks post-op, I am incredibly happy with my results. Dr. Halka didn't just perform a Mommy Makeover, he created a whole new version of me. I'm in the best shape of my life and finally, at 47 years of age, I feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable in my skin. I'm incredibly grateful for Dr. Halka's kindness, talent, and expertise. I can't imagine having a better experience."
"Meticulously re-designed my body to the best I feel it can be! - I am a massive bariatric weight loss surgery patient. I’ve lost 158 lbs! I exercised the entire time during my journey but was left with flapping skin on my arms, and massive excessive skin everywhere. I interviewed surgeons, and Dr. Halka was my chosen surgeon and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. He was ‘The One!”. He is kind, beyond intelligent, personable, humble yet confident, and was excited to help me! He won me over from his first handshake! I had him fix my drooping saggy arms in November, 2022. My results were so great that I returned a few months later in April, 2023 to Dr. Halka who performed my bilateral thigh lift, Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair, and circumferential body lift! He removed almost 12 lbs of sagging, loose skin. He meticulously re-designed my body to the best I feel it can be! What skill! My tummy is flat (it has been literally decades since I’ve had a flat tummy) and my belly button is adorable! My scars are beautiful, thin and even! I am 52 years old and I truly have never felt or looked better! I have been blessed to have found him! I highly recommend this terrific surgeon! He listened to every concern and answered every question. I never felt rushed or unheard. He checked on me post-surgery in recovery to make sure all was ok! He kept me close in follow up post-surgery visits to make sure I was healing properly. He’s the Best! I thought losing the weight was the best part, not knowing the skin removal surgeries would ‘complete’ me and finish my journey. I am forever grateful for him, and to him!"
"Mommy makeover after over 100 lbs weight loss - After over. 100lbs weight loss I had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and a breast lift with implants. Dr. Hedden and his staff were amazing and very helpful. I meet with over 4 doctors and they were by far the nicest and around $5000.00 cheaper then any doctor in North Alabama."
"I am extremely happy with my results so far - Mom of 3 kids and 100 plus pound weight loss left me with deflated 32A breasts and a saggy stomach covered in stretch marks. Height 5'2 Weight 112 lbs.Consult with Dr. Hedden was in January. My surgery was in September. I am extremely happy with my results so far. Dr. Heddens staff is extremely friendly and helpful and made me feel extremely comfortable. I did the Experal shot which I do think helped a lot with the pain."
"Mommy Makeover post three kids @34 and extreme weight loss - I had a tummy tuck, breast lift and implants with Dr. Hedden. I appreciated his readiness to both listen to me and also explain what I needed to get the results I wanted. Incredibly pleased with the outcome!"
"Amazing! - I had weight loss surgery in 2012 and I lost over 200 pounds and surprisingly I lost all self confidence. My breast were nothing but hanging skin and I was not happy with how I looked without clothes on. I was ashamed of how I looked. I didn't feel like a woman anymore. I had debated on having breast augmentation for years. I was worried something bad would happen and I would come out botched. I was worried about the price and how I could pay for it. I convinced myself that it was something I was going to do so i started saving my money. Once I had what I thought would cover the cost I booked a consultation with Dr. Gunn on December 5th at 10:30 on a Wednesday morning. I told him exactly what I wanted and asked his opinion. He gave it to me straight and I decided on a size! We dicussed the average cost and I had it covered! I asked how quickly he could get me in. He had me on his schedule two days later on Friday December 7th at 6:00 AM! He came in the morning of surgery and we confirmed exactly what we were doing and made sure I was fully prepared! The procedure was immaculate! I had very minimal pain during recovery and no scar at all! I healed perfectly and Dr. Gunn and his staff were there every step of the way!! I can not say enough wonderful things about Hedden Plastic Surgery! I'd do it all over again and I'll never use anyone else!! Thanks Dr. Gunn!! You're the best!!"
"Breast lift (mastopexy) with augmentation - I am 33 years old and I’ve had self confidence issues for around 13 years because of super sagging flat breasts that had a wrinkled stretched raisin like appearance. After breast feeding my two children and my weight loss from 224 lbs to 160 lbs - I finally decided I had enough of my breasts looking the way they did. I had my breast surgery on 3/28/8. When I woke up from the surgery I was in an immense amount of pain but that faded over 3 days and I went back to work after 4 days. (Very light work duty) Right now I’m sitting at a little over a month since having them done. I chose silicone cohesive gel mentor implants filled with 450cc each. A little before 2 weeks my right breast had an allergic reaction to the adhesive of the steri strips so I took some steroids and tried to keep the steri strips on a little longer. I took the steri strips off just before the 3 week mark and the incisions looked a little scary, because of the scabbing but that’s normal. The scabs finally fell off and the incisions looked awesome for how little time had passed. At a month post op I sent my surgeon pictures and he said my nipples were still sitting a little low because the implants were still a little high. He instructed me to start massaging down so the implants would drop and give me a more natural look. I’ve also started using a scar treatment called ScarGard - it stinks something awful!! Overall I’m thrilled with how they look and can’t wait to see the final result! Updated on 4 Jun 2020:Just wanted to update with original pictures and results! One thing that I might change would be nipple size. (I would have had him cut them down a bit) It seems like once my nipples were cut lose, they relaxed and just stayed that way and now appear pretty large. I don’t have the “drawn up” movement ever - even when I’m cold. But overall, I feel like my scars are pretty minimal and my confidence has definitely improved."
"A Couple Years of Weight Loss and Working Out, Tummy Tuck Time - I had lots of loose skin after losing around 60 lbs over several years. I had been working out pretty hard as well. So I contacted Dr. Hedden, who was close by and seemed to be reviewed well. The whole thing was quite a process for sure, but I can now say that it was absolutely worth it. It was a little over a year ago now and I continue to see things flattening out. I weighed 220 lbs going into the tummy tuck and I weigh 214 now. I'm still working towards the weight I was as an athlete in college. One thing I will mention is that a tummy tuck is a major procedure, it takes a long time to truly get back to normal with it. You can get back to all your activities rather quickly but your body isn't going to settle back to normal for some time."
"I had breast implants last year. I had been struggling with this decision for years. I have always been overweight. I made a deal with myself that if I lost the weight I would go ahead with the surgery. After my second child, I weighed 189 lbs and was a size 14. It took a year but I lost 40 lbs and got down to a size 8. Losing the weight also affected my breast size. I was a small B and after I lost weight I became a small A.
My cousin referred me to Dr. Hedden. I went for a consultation and felt totally comfortable with him and his staff. I tried on sizers and decided on a full C to small D. I did a lot of research and scheduled my surgery for the end of May.
On the day of surgery, I was nervous and excited at the same time. I did not have to wait very long. The surgery itself was fine. I do not remember much pain at all. We had to drive an hour back home and I slept most of the way. My mom kept my children for a few days, so I had plenty of time to rest. I was so concerned with nausea that I would eat crackers every hour. I did not get sick once. I was off from work a total of five days.
The first look at them scared me to death. My husband and I took pictures to compare day by day the progress. It took a while but they softened up a lot in a matter of weeks. After six weeks, I wore a tank top for the first time in 15 years.
It will be a year in three days and I do not regret the decision. I feel better about myself on the outside and inside."
"Over the last year I have lost some excess weight through diet and exercise. Despite my extremely active exercise program I was still unable to lose specific pockets of body fat. Also, due to the weight loss, my face had lost fat and was looking aged, to include sunken eyes and deep smile lines.
After coming to the realization that more exercise would not get rid of the body fat and more dieting only resulted in increased fat loss from my face, I decided to see a plastic surgeon. Based on multiple recommendations and outstanding experiences by friends, family and co-workers, I chose to see Dr. Hedden.
During my consultation, Dr. Hedden explained what needed to be done. He was extremely professional and informative.
Just a couple of months later I underwent SmartLipo to my abdomen and flanks, fat transfer to my lips, cheeks, smile lines and under my eyes. I also had my tummmy tuck scar revised and Dysport injected into my forehead and crow's feet. It was so nice to go to the surgery center in Dr. Hedden's building. The staff was so nice and took such good care of me. I can't say enough how much I appreciate their part in my care.
My results were absolutely incredible! Dr. Hedden exceeded every expectation I had!"
"I have been overweight all my life. I was 49 years old, weighed 289 lbs, and extremely depressed. My feet, legs, hips and especially my back hurt. I wore a size 22/24 and my feet swelled so that I could only wear one pair of dress shoes comfortably and without embarassment. I considered gastric bypass surgery for a couple of years and had just witnessed one of my best friends go through it with great success.
I made the decision to have the bypass surgery, lost 150 lbs and felt great. I was wearing a size 6-8 and looked pretty good in clothes.
I was very happy but the weight loss left my 50 year old body with a lot of excess skin. My breasts, which had previously been a 42 DDD, had become what my fiancé termed as "36 LONGS." I had nothing left but empty skin sacks. My abdomen also hung with loose skin. My legs were extremely horrible with a lot of loose skin and my arms had "bat-wings."
I made an appointment with Dr. Hedden to talk about having four procedures. He gave me the prices for tummy tuck, breast lift, leg lift and arm lift. My legs were what bothered me most and I called to schedule that procedure first. I'd had large breasts all my life and having just the breast lift would have left me with a full B/loose C cup. After talking with Dr. Hedden, I decided to go up one cup size. That is a decision I do not regret.
I had the tummy tuck and breast lift with augmentation done in his office. The staff was wonderful and very professional. I was given a prescription for pain killers and muscle relaxers. My first night was spent in a hotel room so that I could be close to Dr. Hedden's office in case of an emergency. My fiancé stayed with me, helped me to the restroom and cared for me. I had mild discomfort but it was nothing like what had been described by other people who "knew someone who had had the surgery and couldn't move for 6 weeks." I did just what the doctor ordered and had very little discomfort even having both procedures at once. The staff at Dr. Hedden's office marveled at my recovery time.
I am now a happy 36D with a very flat tummy. I love my new body and have been able to shop at Victoria's Secret for more than just the lotions! I will be going back for the other two procedures (legs and arms). Maybe after that I will have a facelift … after all I am 51 years old now!
I would highly and happily recommend Dr. William J. Hedden and his staff to anyone who is considering cosmetic surgery."
"I had weight loss surgery in 2012 and I lost over 200 pounds and surprisingly I lost all self confidence. My breast were nothing but hanging skin and I was not happy with how I looked without clothes on. I was ashamed of how I looked. I didn't feel like a woman anymore. I had debated on having breast augmentation for years. I was worried something bad would happen and I would come out botched. I was worried about the price and how I could pay for it. I convinced myself that it was something I was going to do so i started saving my money. Once I had what I thought would cover the cost I booked a consultation with Dr. Gunn on December 5th at 10:30 on a Wednesday morning. I told him exactly what I wanted and asked his opinion. He gave it to me straight and I decided on a size! We discussed the average cost and I had it covered! I asked how quickly he could get me in. He had me on his schedule two days later on Friday December 7th at 6:00 AM! He came in the morning of surgery and we confirmed exactly what we were doing and made sure I was fully prepared! The procedure was immaculate! I had very minimal pain during recovery and no scar at all! I healed perfectly and Dr. Gunn and his staff were there every step of the way!! I can not say enough wonderful things about Hedden Plastic Surgery! I'd do it all over again and I'll never use anyone else!! Thanks Dr. Gunn!! You're the best!!"