Patient Perspectives
By Barbara Johnston

From Summer 2002 Issue

These days, Marlane Potts, 53, is on cloud nine. Not only has she recently fallen in love, she's just had a breast augmentation — something she's wanted to do since she was in her 20s. We recently sat down with this youthful grandmother to talk about why she finally decided to have a breast augmentation and the powerful change it made in her life.

What procedure did you have done?
I had a breast augmentation on April 19, 2002.

Why did you want to have a breast augmentation?
It's something I've wanted to do since I was in my mid-20s. All my life I've been absolutely flat — there was nothing there! While I felt I had accepted it and I didn't let it eat me up, I always felt inadequate. When I was 25, I was going to have breast augmentation done but I was afraid of what my family would think and I got scared away from the idea. Then, about a year ago I was thinking about my life and my feelings about myself, and I realized that I'd lied to myself. I do want breasts! It just so happened that my daughter was also considering it at the time and she got me all excited about it, so I decided I'd just do it.

Why did you choose Dr. Mosher?
Both my hairdresser and a former colleague had had breast augmentations done by Dr. Mosher. Both said he was fantastic and had nothing but praise for him. And they were right. He doesn't make it awkward. He's a perfectionist but he makes you feel comfortable and relaxed at the same time. And he's so gentle.

Just before this operation I had a breast cancer scare and they had to do a biopsy and I didn't feel comfortable in front of all those people. It was horrible. So, after the cancer scare, which turned out to be nothing, the staff at Dr. Mosher's office overwhelmed me with their caring and kind attitude. They're really professional yet relaxed. The whole environment of the office and the staff make you feel so comfortable.

How has the surgery affected you?
I just feel so good. It's probably not a noticeable difference. It's just something inside of me. Simple things like going shopping for a bra, wearing a bathing suit and feeling good—simple things like that make me feel confident. It's wonderful to go into a change room and not try to hide my body and to not want to layer my clothes on any more. I'm just in heaven, enjoying this summer. It's a subtle confidence that you get — and it's having a domino effect on my life. It's subtle, but there is a difference.

Can you describe that difference?
I just feel like a total woman now. I feel like yah, I'm a real woman! Before I always felt less than, not enough. Now I feel like I'm complete. I don't think people react to me differently. They don't even notice because it's nothing blatant.

So what else is different in practical terms?
I've never dressed like this (motions to her white, form-fitting tank top). I always wore lots of layers. You didn't see me out in a bathing suit, and I'd never go swimming in public. I wear a bra now! I should have had the surgery done 20 years ago.

Did you tell many people?
No. Definitely not! It would have been disastrous if I'd told part of my family. I did tell my little sister. I also told both my children and they were all for it. My daughter in particular was very supportive. "Oh Mom, you've got to do it for yourself," she said. My daughter really encouraged me, and she's a big help. But it's not something I really told a lot of people, just a few close friends. It's not like I have huge breasts now but that's what I like about it. I just did it so I would have a nice body instead of nothing.

What were you hoping for when you decided to have it done?
Just to have breasts! Simply that! You have got to know — there was nothing there before.

Did you have any health concerns?
I didn't really worry about that — that's how confident Dr. Mosher makes you feel. When you first go to him, he brings up the worst case scenario. I read the book on all the risks and I wondered, am I being foolish here? But then that all seemed to go away. Then I thought I really want to do this for myself, and I never thought about the risks again. There's a flow that goes through that office and that builds your confidence.

How did you decide the size?
I sat down with Dr. Mosher during the consultation and he went over the options with me and showed me the samples they have available in the office. In my case, I went for the silicone gel, which a lot of people stay away from because of the problems associated with silicone. He shows you all the aspects, explains your body type and what will work best for you. People always think you just decide on your cup size — you're going to be a 34C or a 34D or whatever. Dr. Mosher doesn't do that. He emphasizes that everybody is different. "I can't magically make you this number," he said. His staff measure the width of your body and then show you the various implant samples. I was able to feel the different types, which was kind of neat since I'd never felt a breast before! Then they sit down with you and tell you about the different sizes and explain what each would look like on your body type.

I wanted a natural look and chose the silicone implants. I thought they were the best type for my body because I had nothing. The silicone implants I chose have to fit you in an exact way because they're shaped before they go in. This is different from the saline implants, which the surgeon can move around after they're put in. If Dr. Mosher wasn't a really good surgeon, I could have come out looking quite lopsided! It's precise work.

What size are you now?
I'm a 34C. So I went from a 0 to 34C. It's hard to believe. So it's a real treat!

How long did the surgery take?
One hour. I had it done at noon and I was on my way home by 4:00 p.m. I had a general anesthetic, so I was right out.

How was your recovery?
Quick! I couldn't even sit up the first night because of the pain, and I couldn't get out of bed without assistance. But after that first 24 hours, I started to feel better with every hour. Still I had to sleep in an upright position for the first three nights because I couldn't lay down flat. It took three weeks for me to be able to toss things over my head and reach right up. For the first four weeks they tell you to be very careful, and for the first week they don't even want you vacuuming your house. But still, you can return to work shortly after the surgery. There was swelling at first. I've noticed that they've really softened up since the surgery. It takes months before the breasts will settle to their natural place.

Do you have any scars?
I didn't have one tiny little bruise and the scar is a hairline. That's how perfectly Dr. Mosher did it. The incisions are about 2 1/2 inches across but they're underneath the fold of the breast so they're barely visible. When I had the biopsy done, I was all black and blue down my side, and I had a large scar. With Dr. Mosher there's nothing.

Would you consider other procedures?
To have breasts was all I wanted! I'm not out to be something different. Breasts were just something the good Lord forgot to give me! I may have Dr. Mosher fix the scar from the biopsy down the line, but I'm not too worried about that. So I'm not going to be a beauty queen. I'm not really too worried. I'm just glad I have breasts!

Is it something you'd recommend?
Absolutely. I met a woman much like myself and now I'm really encouraging her because it really does make a difference. If I had not been worried about what my family thought, I would have had it done 20 years ago. I think there are some things that might have been different in my life in terms of confidence with your partner. Life is better when you're confident about who you are.

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