I entrusted Dr. J.J. Wendel with my life savings nearly $25,000 to perform a revision surgery to…read moredefine my breast fold (IMF) or crease and lower my areolas , the pepperonis of the breast. I was transparent with him and his nurses about the trauma I had endured, including being abandoned by an ex-partner because of my physical appearance, and I made it clear that this surgery was my attempt to finally heal after the death of my mother and get me life back. I put my total trust in his hands to fix the crease and areolas I came to him for; instead, his care resulted in physical deformity and a total breach of professional conduct. He took my money, ignored my specific surgical goals, and left me more broken than when I arrived.
The Physical Facts and Deformity
I paid nearly $5,000 specifically for a nipple papule procedure. Instead, my nipple literally fell off in the shower. For months, I sent emails in distress after my surgery before my nipple went down the drain. I was terrified. When I asked for even a partial refund for this $5,000 failure, he refused.
Deformity & Scarring: My stomach and breasts still appear as "one piece," as do my back and buttocks now. I paid for a butt lift and I am now left with a deep "ditch" crease extending from my butt crack to my mid-back. It is tight, hideous to look at, and painful. I had a curvy physique before, and now I am flat. Beyond that, I have painful "black popcorn" rugged scars that did not exist before. They are jagged and ugly, extending under my armpit and to my back. My previous incisions were smooth and neat. He kept saying it would be you but better. I am not better, it is worse.
Failed Revision: My areolas, werent moved or lowered, which is something I specifically paid for. He kept saying it was improved, but they are in the exact same spot . After a follow-up, he saw me in the hallway and said, "At least they look good with your clothes on." He said it with a smile like he was proud. I sent him a picture of me in office attire with one nipple sitting near my collarbone, poking through my shirt on a Zoom call. It was so embarrassing. I wondered why people were looking at me like that. You can see it sitting way up high in the photo--right breast high, and no nipple on the left. I can't wear office clothes without feeling humiliated. I close my eyes when passing mirrors because I can't bear to look at myself.
Unprepared Post-Op
I was sent home with surgical drains despite no prior disclosure or care instructions. I was just given a bag full of stuff I didn't understand. I was so lost and confused after my surgery, having no idea what to do with the drains.
Now, he has "divorced" me. He emailed me the consent form to release my records at his request, not mine. Because I am on HRT (hormones) and need mammograms, I am now left without a physician to consult with my gynecologist for these necessary cancer screenings. He took my money and left me with medical risks.
The Professional Conduct and Verbal Aggression
At my six-month checkup in October 2025, it wasn't getting better. He told me to wait until May 2026 for another revision and marked my body again, showing where he would make incisions between my breasts--an area he admitted surgeons normally avoid. He was willing to scar me further even though he admitted the crease was "destroyed" and the surgery wouldn't fix my problem. He insisted I pay even more money for this, despite my nipples falling off. He even made it about himself, complaining that his bills were going when I asked him for at least a partial refund.
I sent an email to his office manager asking again for a refund, she had me make an appointment with Dr. Wendel. I did and took my 80 yr old Vietnam veteran dad with me for support. Dr. Wendel was verbally aggressive and yelled: "I don't care how many family members you bring up there, I'm not giving you your money back." AND I QUOTE. He then stormed off. Before the surgery, he was shaking my dad's hand and thanking him for his service. To treat my father that way? My dad did nothing but try to support his daughter. Any parent would.I wouldn't expect a second-class basement mechanic to behave that way, let alone a physician.
Conclusion
I signed consent forms while nurses called him the "boob whisperer" and told me I could trust him. As a Christian and fellow woman, I trusted them. I have worn a bra 24/7 for nearly a year because he made me believe the crease might form that way, knowing it wasn't true. He told me my crease was destroyed when I came to him so if it was destroyed, why would he take 25k from me? He told me I should be "glad" he took my case and that no other doctor would touch me, which is a lie. Another doctor said they could help, but I can't get the surgery because Dr. Wendel refuses a refund. He keeps saying "it's improved." It's not improved. It's changed, but changed doesnt mean better. I am deformed, humiliated, and out of my life savings.
