Breast Augmentation: Stories

My situation is a little unusual. I am 28 years old and I've had Type 1 diabetes for 76% of my life. While I'm healthy and in shape, the disease can make going under surgery and anesthesia and the healing process significantly more risky. Aside from that, though, I'm like anyone else, and ever since I can remember, I've wanted my body to be the ideal figure 8: nice hips, slim waist and big breasts. No matter how hard I tried, though, I could only get two parts of the figure right. My breasts were stuck at what I called an "A-and-a-half" cup and refused to grow anymore.

I first came to see Dr. Engler in 2008 and it took me FOUR whole years to come back and actually get the procedure done!...for a couple of reasons. First, I kept thinking to myself, "I'm not the kind of person who gets plastic surgery. Who am I, Joan Rivers? Dolly Parton?" But eventually I got over those silly judgments and came to a more mature understanding of plastic surgery, as something that can offer assets that nature ignored. The second reason for my hesitancy is the diabetes .

From the very start, Dr. Engler made me feel 100% comfortable about all of these issues and more. Most surgeons probably wouldn't have wanted to take on my care but he was completely supportive. He understood exactly what I was looking for aesthetically and I happily left a lot of the decisions up to him because I trusted his judgment through and through. Dr. Engler took the time to go over all the risks and precautions with me, from what to eat and when to test my blood sugar, to how to make sure my incisions healed properly. He spoke with my doctor in advance, arranged for all the tests I would need and had his anesthesiologist speak with me so that we could individualize my care and, in particular, my sugar levels and insulin use. He checked in with me frequently post-op, and always treated me like a human, not like a numbered patient. Also worth noting: my breasts look great just a week after the procedure! I've healed surprisingly well, surprisingly quickly, with little pain or discomfort, in spite of my additional risks from diabetes. I couldn't offer higher praise of Dr. Engler and would recommend him to ANYONE seeking any kind of plastic surgery, based on my wonderful experience.

So a month & a half after the procedure, my boobs have shrunk down a bit and dropped a bit too. They're still kind of hard feeling -- in other words, I can't really move them around the way you would a "regular" boob to have cleavage or rock a push-up bra and such yet -- but I can tell they are settling in very nicely and am excited to see what they're like in another month or two.

I now feel like my body is balanced out perfectly and that, even without padded/pushup bras, I have the same appearance as though I were wearing one. That's good in the office because it doesn't really look like I had anything done, since I ALWAYS wore padded bras before. Also good when I'm at the beach, because now I actually have boobs in my bikini top!

Full disclosure: I had some complications with the left breast -- maybe because the implant was bigger, or maybe for some other reason, it's hard to say -- but a seroma developed and fluid was building up faster than my body could absorb it. Dr. E did another procedure to fix it and it's now feeling and looking great, but will take a little longer to heal and drop, etc. Still, I have to say, even with the complication, I have no regrets about getting implants.

One thing I will say, though: not gonna lie, I do kind of miss them being a size D! But I think certain people's bodies, including mine, can't really handle having breasts that big. My frame is small and I'm confident that we went with the right size and am so very happy that Dr. E has been there to support me through everything. Wish I could have him as my regular doc too!