I get to work with a lot of great patients – for some, on more than one occasion. Being able to hear how a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure has positively impacted their lives later in life is part of the drive that keeps me motivated to help patients achieve their goals! Today, I’d like to share with you Raquel’s story. When Raquel first came to me nine years ago, she was interested in pursuing her first breast enhancement procedure. “A friend of mine was also consulting for breast implants around the same time and had recommended Dr. Whiteman. She had explained how comfortable she felt with him versus other doctors she had met with,” Raquel recently shared, “but what sold me was that Dr. Whiteman also worked with breast cancer survivors for breast reconstruction surgery.”
During Raquel’s consultation we discussed her goals and explored several different breast implant sizes and types to find the fit that worked best for her. “I had always been flat chested, smaller than an A cup, so I had always wanted breast implants to balance me out. Fitting into bathing suits or tops and dresses was always a problem; I never wanted anything too big, just natural,” Raquel recalled. “Once in my 20s, I was mentally ready and went for it.” A few years after her procedure, Raquel gave birth to her first child and experienced capsular contracture, a condition associated with breast augmentation where scar tissue forms around a breast implant causing the breasts to harden. “I had the misfortune of having one of my breasts capsulate after my first pregnancy, which is something random that could happen for no rhyme or reason, and replacing them was the only solution. I chose to have them replaced and both experiences with Dr. Whiteman and the hospital staff were the best.” When we have a patient come to us with something like capsular contracture, breast revision is the procedure of choice to eliminate the scar tissue and exchange the affected breast implant.
Since her breast revision four years ago, Raquel has welcomed her second child into the family (her kids are currently 5 years old and 5 months old) and keeps busy as an active mom and wife, fitting in home projects and decorating in her spare time. “Life after my surgery is great; my husband has no complaints! I have been extremely happy with my breast augmentation results; they are the perfect size for my tomboyish body and it has given me a confidence boost. I enjoy not having to worry about clothes fitting me!”
For breast augmentation patients, breastfeeding with implants is a common concern. While it’s true that some patients may have difficulty, don’t believe the hype for discouraging breast augmentation and breastfeeding because each person is different. When we asked Raquel how it was for her choosing breast augmentation prior to having kids and breastfeeding, she would tell you what she told us, “I had no problem breastfeeding both of my kids. It’s been nine years since my first breast surgery and four years since replacing them and they still look as good as when I had my first surgery.” As a double board certified plastic surgeon, it’s my job to educate my patients on maintaining their results to the best of their ability. This could mean incorporating a healthier diet and exercise plan, finding the time to have a procedure that fits into your lifestyle and discussing what’s best for you and your body long-term. With open communication between you and your surgeon, hopefully your experience will be just as rewarding as it has been for Raquel.
I’ll be sharing more patient testimonial stories with you in the upcoming months and invite you to reach out to my office if you have any questions regarding a procedure that we perform at Southern Plastic Surgery. Be sure to also connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery trends, patient features, news and information.