Two-part Reconstructive Breast Surgery: Changed my Life - Toronto, ON

Since the development of my breasts, I had been downright ashamed of the shape and size of them. I developed to be drastically asymmetrical, and it was what I considered to be my biggest physical flaw - one I could just not accept. It was constantly on my mind: How could I dress to best cover it up? Would I ever be able to find a bra that fit well/comfortably? As an adult, I began to wonder whether I would ever even be able to take my top off with an intimate partner (I never had before surgery!). I can't explain it, but I felt like a freak. I felt deformed. It was such a source of anxiety and shame for me, that I would often cry when I looked into a mirror, or get out of bed in the middle of the night to Google surgeons/breast reconstruction results because I couldn't get back to sleep feeling so uncomfortable in my own skin. I spent years feeling this way. Hating my body this way. Until one day, I happened to be sitting in the Royal York Hotel, where I was I meeting a friend. For about 20 minutes I sat in front of Dr. Jugenburg's office in the hotel, wondering whether I should go in and ask some questions. Finally, I thought "what do I have to lose", and I went in...just to ask...right?

The staff were so friendly and supportive that I instantly felt at ease. I booked a consultation and met with Dr Jugenburg, and immediately trusted him and somehow knew that he would do an exceptional job (you really do just know! For something as serious as surgery and as important to me as this, I had to trust my gut). Office staff and Dr. Jugenburg met with me several times before my surgery, and we decided on a two-part procedure which would result in the most natural look possible - which is exactly what I wanted.

First, I had a lift of the right breast and a temporary tissue expander implanted into the left. (This made for a more natural slope when the actual implant was placed in the smaller breast - the left one). Then, about 6 months later, the expander was switched for a permanent implant and I was on my way.

The whole process was as close to painless as surgery can get, and there was next to no recovery time. I was up and living my daily life as early as later that same day (after both operations). Staff and the doctor were incredibly supportive from beginning to end, booking regular follow-ups with me and answering my questions through email, phone, and in person whenever I had them. The staff always make me feel so welcome and cared for. (I was in today after nearly a year since my last follow up and Dr. Jugenburg's nurse noticed that I'd changed my hair colour since last time she saw me! They really seem to care about me as a person!).

Overall, this experienced had changed my life. Every now and then, I am suddenly reminded that what I thought was the absolutely hideous shape of my breasts that used to completely consume my thoughts/my life is now something that never crosses my mind. To me, that is amazing. Before surgery, I never thought I could be a woman who just doesn't think about her breasts. Literally never. (It feels so freeing to not have such an extreme disphoria constantly weighing on me). Now, I sometimes forget I ever did obsess over my breasts. I just feel so natural. So "myself". I finally feel like I am in the body that I'm meant to be in, and it's such a comfortable and welcome feeling that I all but forget that I ever felt like I wasn't!

I'm sure that a procedure of this nature ranges from a huge commitment to just regular maintenance for people. But for me, as silly as it may sound to some, it completely changed my life!