With nearly 250,000 breast augmentations performed last year, the world has certainly not lost sight of the positive feedback surrounding the surgery. From a very personal case to a recent, age-defying makeover, here are the stories—straight from the plastic surgeons who performed the procedures.
Confidence boost
“There are generally two types of opinions about breast implants – those who are in favor of it and those who don’t understand why anyone would consider getting them. Regardless, it’s important to understand that breast implants aren’t just about aesthetics. Recently, I had a patient who had asymmetrical breasts. She had a hard time finding bras and clothes that fit. It was pretty clear during the consultation that she wasn’t overly happy. I could see it in the way she spoke and carried herself. After the implant surgery, she was thrilled with the results. Her whole energy changed. She is now a confident person and you can immediately see her happiness when she walks into a room. This effect goes beyond aesthetics.” — New York plastic surgeon Elie Levine, MD
Timeless Beauty
“Recently, a woman in her 80s came to the office asking to have her breast implants replaced. She had a silicone augmentation over 50 years ago and only recently began to notice firmness. In the operating room, we discovered 50-year-old silicone implants that had no evidence of leakage. We removed the scar tissue, placed new and larger implants and now he is considering further modifications! The desire to improve one’s appearance is truly timeless.” —Encino, CA plastic surgeon George Sanders, MD
Seeing the double
“One story that sticks with me from years ago is a fairly simple breast augmentation on a young woman. The part of the story that is memorable is that she is an identical twin and a few months after the surgery, she came with her twin sister for a consultation. After a few months of seeing how great her sister looked, she decided to go ahead with her own augmentation, and I gave her a breast augmentation as well. The cool thing was that I had the before and after right in front of me at the same time! The story also has a personal meaning as I am also a twin and my brother is also a doctor.” — Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD
Crystal Clear
“One of my most memorable breast augmentations was with a woman who was into self-hypnosis and crystals. She wanted a breast augmentation and it was adamant that he could manage any discomfort with self-hypnosis. He didn’t want general anesthesia. On the day of the operation, she was able to relax and distance herself from the surgery and the suffering through meditation and self-hypnosis. I performed her breast augmentation using Natrelle Inspira implants under local anesthesia without much discomfort. When her surgery was over, she sat up and walked out of the surgery without any problems. I have found that patients can be mentally prepared for surgery and have only local or local procedures with intravenous sedation and low-dose ketamine infusions without narcotic pain medication.” — Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD
First class
“My most memorable breast augmentation would have to be my first. I was a senior resident at Baylor. We had the most beautiful patient come in for a rhinoplasty consultation. He had heard from nurse friends that I was interested in rhinoplasty and that he could get a good rate with me at the Baylor Resident Clinic. During the consultation, she asked if she could have breast implants at the same time. I was very excited to have my first rhinoplasty and same day breast augmentation. I was very nervous that morning. My supervising staff didn’t realize he was supervising me that day, so he was nowhere to be seen. I was alone — it was scary, but also exciting. The case ended up lasting more than six hours. Today, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation would be a two-and-a-half to two-and-a-half-hour affair for me.” —Nashville, TN plastic surgeon Dan Hatef, MD
Award winner
“I had a patient with a spectacular result. She won Mrs. Illinois after her high-profile breast augmentation!” —Chicago plastic surgeon Michael Horn, MD
