Diagnosed with Tubular Breast Deformity

Growing up having breasts that were two COMPLETELY different sizes was more than embarrassing. It's humiliating, and almost shameful. My mom always told me I would grow out of it, and it was normal to have one breast slightly smaller/bigger than the other. So, I believed her, cause she was my mom and I would just wait until I got older. My older sister always had nice breasts, as did my mom, so I knew I would get the good genes too-right?! WRONG.
As a 31 year old soon-to-be Step Mom with a wedding approaching in a little over a year, I decided what I saw in the mirror everyday was NOT normal. It began affecting the intimacy between my fiance and I. He had never mentioned it to me before, but a couple years into dating I made a joke about it, as that was the only thing I could do. One breast pointed down towards the floor, and the other smaller one up towards the ceiling-sort of. My fiance NEVER made me feel insecure, ashamed, or like I had to hide my breasts. I was forth-coming with him about how much I had hated them since I could remember, really since I was a teenager.
Imagine, never being able to buy a bra that REALLY fit. One side always had a one inch gap between my skin and the bra. Never being able to buy a swimsuit that fit you quite right-one side was always spilling out because the other side fit as to not show an inch of my breast at the pool. I started buying bras with removable padding and only left the padding in on one side, to try and balance things out.
When I realized I needed to do something about this, when I realized I COULD do something about this, I was putting on a strapless bra to wear a cute off the shoulder top (that are back in style now-who knew!). The strapless bra showed my larger breast significantly in the top, and it looked like I almost had nothing on my right side. How awful. Again, I focused on it so much, I became so self-conscious in the bedroom, I didn't want my fiance to touch my breasts. They were ugly, uneven, and something was wrong with them.
I had a micro-body contouring procedure at Athenix Body Sculpting Institute in Bellevue, WA 2 years prior, and I cam across my before and after photos. I couldn't believe the difference in my breasts. I thought, "That's what my fiance sees when he looks at me naked? How could that possibly be attractive?" I was so down and out. I didn't know what to do.
Then, my fiance proposed after 6.5 years together. I was over the moon with excitement and immediately started looking at wedding dresses... Problem-all the dresses I loved would not allow me to wear a bra. Great. Not even a strapless bra or sticky bra will work here, because they are so uneven.
So-I made the decision I wanted to get implants. I broke down in tears to my fiance, telling him how much it had really bothered me almost my whole life, and I didn't want to have to limit the style of wedding gown I would buy because of that.
I immediately called for a consultation at Athenix. I met with Dr. Gavin Dry, quite nervous, and he said I had Tubular Breast Deformity. I was actually relieved. I KNEW it was not normal the way I looked, and the "normal" difference in breast size all women have was not a category I fell into. Dr. Dry was very honest with me-he said perfect symmetry would be hard to achieve, but he would do his best and they would be much more symmetrical than they were before the surgery. Athenix gave me some information to look over. I had to decide what size implant and what material to go with. The size was really a no-brainer for me. I never wanted "big boobs," I just wanted them even. That's all! I decided to go with the cohesive silicone, or 'Gummy Bear' implant, because I had done some research on them and they do NOT leak, even if they are cut in half. Implants that have been used for a couple years in Europe finally made there way to the US.
I brought me fiance into the pre-op appointment with me, and we had a list of questions. Scarring, recovering, the chances that my body might reject a foreign object. All our questions were answered. We learned so much that day about how breast augmentation is done and we were very impressed with Dr. Dry's thorough explanations as well as understanding this was exciting, but also VERY scary for me. Dr. Dry spent about an hour with us and by the end of the appointment, there was no question left unanswered and my nerves were calm. Now I was just excited!
Since I had been a guest at Athenix before, I left the appointment and the staff at the front, who feel like my family, were SO excited for me! They had known I had been inquiring about it for a long time, and it was finally going to happen!
On surgery day, which was two weeks ago yesterday, I arrived, ready for my self-confidence to go through the roof! I was prepped for the down time, for my implants being REALLY high, and what my incisions would look like. I knew I couldn't lift anything heavy for 3 weeks, or raise my blood pressure, or wear underwire bras. The purpose for the no underwire is so the implants can drop and become more natural looking than high and unnaturally perky :)
Surgery went so well. I took 6 days off work-I have a desk job, and I strongly recommend 5-6 days! I had a lift done on one side, and my left breast was about an inch and a half lower than my right, and my right side was a cup and a half smaller than my left. I had a 325cc implant put in my left side and a 350 cc in my right. I still have tape over my incisions, my implants are still a little high, but WOW. WOW times 1,000!! I cannot believe the difference. I started crying when the bandages came off for the first time. My biggest insecurity of over half my life was gone. I could finally buy swimsuits and bras like everyone else, and I could start shopping for the wedding dress of my dreams. I would no longer be hindered by two different sized breast that were significantly misshapen.
Dr. Dry paid attention to every detail. Even my left nipple/areola was significantly bigger than my right, and now they are the same size!! My left breast is slightly more swollen than the right, but more work was done on that side. NOTHING compared to the size difference before!
I wanted to write my story because I wasn't getting a 'boob job' for the cliche reason. I wasn't trying to attract men, trying to achieve more cleavage when I wear low cut shirts. I wanted to correct something I knew wasn't right. I wanted to give myself the confidence a newly engaged woman should have.
As a returning guest to Athenix, I can't think of a place I would recommend more. I have referred about 3 of my friends there for various procedures. Not only does the staff stand out above and beyond other plastic surgery offices, but their pricing is VERY competitive. A friend of mine got a quote $3,000 lower at Athenix than another office in the Bellevue/ Seattle area. I can't say enough good things about them, the nurses, and Dr. Dry. My miracle worker! I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has-I wish I would've had someone there for me when I was slightly freaking out!

I had my 2.5 month post-op check up and I am SO thrilled with what I see!! Finally, before and after photos!! At 3 months post-op, I can finally start wearing underwire. I can't wait to wear my first low cut top without having a one inch gap between my breast and my bra. It's going to be a whole new world!!

No dress, swimsuit, or top is off limits for me!! Now my breasts have dropped, look SO natural and I am just in love. My self-consciousness about my lopsided breasts are gone-a memory from the past!! Currently on vacation with my fiancé, and loving my new body!!