Type 1 Diabetes And Breast Implants

Katrina Stovold · #1 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 08:50 PM

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has had breast implants and is a type 1 diabetic, I have been considering this procedure for many many years but am concerned about complications as a result of having breast implants as I am a type 1 diabetic. Ie: things such as infection and general anasthetic concerns me. Also, since I am a type 1 diabetic then I am prone to develop other autoimmune diseases, apparently silicone cohesive gel implants may cause autoimmune diseases, but today is considered a myth. Just want to know if there are any type 1 diabetics out there that can recommend me going ahead with the procedure or even other doctors can recommend I go ahead. I have asked my surgeon about the issues of being a type 1 diabetic and he did say that bacteria loves sugar and this scared me but he did say that he will keep me extra cacooned during the procedure and load me up with antibiotics!! Thanks in advance. Katrina.

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 08:59 PM

Take this as you may...the thing I'd be more worried about is the scar from where they insert the implant at healing properly. The most common problem with diabetics and surgery is the scar fully healing. That would be my only concern besides the normal worries of infections.

Jan B · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 06:01 AM

Katrina,

First, remember, we are NOT all the same. If I were you, I would think long and hard before going through with an "optional" major surgery.

I had reconstructive surgery on my foot (motorcycle accident), and later, two more major surgeries. Every time the doctors were very concerned about my healing and risks because of being T1. I healed as well as anyone in good health. I have two scars (surgery 4 years ago) about 6 inches long under my arms that are almost invisible! I used Mederma (skin care for scars) religiously, and it paid off.

Use your good judgement. If you have a history of healing slowly, or getting infections from cuts, etc., use extreme caution (or don't do it).

Katrina Stovold · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 09:41 PM

Thanks to both of you, the way I see it is if my blood sugar control is very good then I should heal like a normal healthy person! I roooolly want to do this. Ive been thinking about it for 10 years, willl let you know if I do decide to do this. Thanks again for responding!! xx

Mrs Mop · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2008, 02:35 PM

Delighted to have found this thread as it's exactly my situation - I have been contemplating an augmentation for a few years and now that I have finally gotten the nerve to atrt making serious plans I suddenly realised that I hadn't taken into consideration my diabetes!!

Katrina Stovold · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 10:04 PM

HI!! Dont worry! I am booked in with Dr Jeremy Hunt on 28 October this year to have my breasts enlarged. I have thoroughly researched the whole procedure for over 5 years and am extremely confident about doing this. I just got my hba1c result back and it was 6.9% and I am extremely happy with that, just wanted to get it under 7% and I did it. Yay!! I asked the doc everything and anything I had on my mind and type 1 diabetes is no problem, I am a very thorough person and wont do anything until I am totally satisfied with my final decision based on all my extensive research that i love to do! Type 1 diabetics should not be cut off from being able to have breast implants. I am booked in and ready to do it. It has been done many many times to type 1 diabetics and type 2's. The doc actually says type 2 have more risk than type 1 which is interesting. Anyway. I cant wait to do it!! Also, I can get pregnant the next month after breast implants if I wanted to but will wait about 6 months anyway. xxoo

volleyball · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 05:21 AM

If you plan on getting pregnant, why not have your surgery afterwards, there are several good reasons to have it then. One being the skin gets stretched and if it doesn't return to previous shape, you can use the implant to fill in. On the other hand, it may be difficult to do the surgery if you are busy with a baby. It depends on your reason for getting them.

Katrina Stovold · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 05:02 PM

Yes, good point but I have thought it through and have decided not to wait until after I have a baby to get my boobs, the reason being.....I may take up to 12 months to get pregnant, you never know, and that is another year i have to walk around with my tiny tits, sounds silly and superficial but I am not a vain person, just want to do this for myself to feel better and more in proportion. Have put it off for soooo long and cannot wait any more. Also, pregnancy wont really affect the breast implants at all. So all good. Thanks though for your advice, appreciate but have already thought it out!! The reason for getting my boobs is because they are so small and my bum is of adequate size and it all looks wrong, has looked wrong ever since i hit puberty and I am now 30, should have done this years ago befor I even got type 1 diabetes at 24. Its sort of like a reward for me to as my hba1c is 6.9% which I am very happy with. Thanks. xxx katrina.

Keezheekoni · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 10:25 AM

One more thought about having the implants after pregnancy, which I know won't make you not get them... just my thoughts...

I had very small breasts until after my first pregnancy. During pregnancy they stayed pretty small. After I had my son, apparently that small size was just waiting to expand with milk... I breast fed my son until he was 3, and my breasts stayed bigger. After 5 kids now, I have DD cup breasts. The only augmentation I'd like to have is a lift, since they do sag after all that breastfeeding.

Oh, and yes, I'm a pushy pro-breastfeeding mama.

Breast milk is the best for babies. You should definitely want to breastfeed and with implants that can be impossible (not always, but for the most part it is impossible). And after knowing a couple of women who did breastfeed with implants, they ended up going back in to get lifts because they ended up sagging as well.

GeishaGirl · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 12:01 PM

Thanks for posting this

I actually have a condition where one breast never grew at all. It really sucks. On one side, I'm a presentable B, on the other, I'm a 10-year-old pre-pubescent girl. I have one falsie, I can't wear anything if I can't wear my bra, I can't go swimming. Or, rather, I won't, because it's too embarrassing.

I've been desparate for normal-looking breasts since I was 16. I guess that's another reason to get my numbers under control, huh?