Teri's Story
by Teri
December Contest Winner

I got my breast implants after making the decision to get them at the age of 18, which was half my life at the time of surgery (I was 36 when the surgery was performed). I had many friends tell me the 'dangers' of surgery without doing any research or having any facts other that what was reported on the TV or hyped up at the time of the big "breast implant scare."

I remember feeling rather let down during this time as I wanted to have this operation and then when the FDA came out and said they were not safe, I felt cheated. However, I began to think of all the other types of implants that are inserted into people for various cosmetic and reconstructive reasons and wanted to know what material those devices were made of as I thought, "why can't they use that material for breast implants?"

So, I would spend hours researching articles on the internet--yes, I was a little obsessed--and read articles pro and con for implants only to fuel my frustration over my decision and the lack of being able to execute this decision. Over several years, I began to see more and more studies and reports from government agencies and testimonials from breast implant recipients only to find that maybe the initial reports were not as 'doom and gloom' as initially reported.

I stumbled upon the BreastImplants411 website and felt as though I finally found a forum in which I was able to get reliable information, hear stories from other people having the same procedure and really, as silly as it sounds, found a support system for my decision. I did not feel silly, vain or stupid about my desire to have implants...I felt like I was surrounded by many people truly interested in making information reliable and offered a terrific resource for finding a good surgeon.

I was very enthusiastic after finding this website and happened upon a surgeon I located at the BreastImplants411 website and had my consultation. First, let me say that my personal life changed drastically during this time. I had moved to another state as a result of a separation/divorce from my husband of 16 years, quit my job to make the move and basically was starting completely over at the age of 36.

Now I think many people think cosmetic surgery is done for a spouse, partner or to get attention from the opposite sex. I am here to tell you that my decision to have my breast augmentation surgery was not for anyone other than myself. At the time, I was not interested in dating, let alone getting stares at my chest from men (I was a little jaded about men and relationships at the time). However, I wanted to do something for me and only me...and breast augmentation surgery was what I did. Now I will not profess that my new breasts are changing my life and have resolved all my self esteem and confidence issues--however, I feel very liberated that I wanted this surgery for myself--and truly myself--and did it during a time when I needed to prove to myself my own independence. I was also extremely fortunate as I got the world's best plastic surgeon in James Hoffman in Woodbury, MN (I could write a story on him alone but will spare you at this time).

I do not feel as though I am any different of a person now that I have larger breasts. I feel like I am the same person I always was but making the decision after many years of research of nay-sayers, feel liberated in being a woman and gained an appreciation for the independence I have always had within me.

My advice to anyone looking at getting breast implants is first to do your research as to the types of implants, surgical procedures, doctors (find a doctor you absolutely trust is very important) all while realizing you are going to be the same person...with a little boost in how you feel (kind of like the feeling you get from losing weight) and do it for YOURSELF and only YOURSELF!

This is your body and the choices you make to alter your body are solely your own.