Type 1 Diabetes and breast augmentation after care - what is the health criteria for safety and the expected recovery time?

The best candidate for elective cosmetic surgery have been optimized from a health perspective.
They should be relatively healthy. Medical clearance is often a pre-requisite.

With regards to DM, good blood glucose control is recommended. HbA1C levels (marker of long term control) should be within normal limits,

Augmentation recovery is typically 6-8 weeks. I allow patients to begin light exercise at 4 weeks with a slow escalation to baseline over the next 2-4 weeks.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Thank you for your questions. Before determining if you are a candidate for breast augmentation lab work will likely be ordered. We will want to know your HbA1c and want your blood sugars in good control. After surgery you will want to limit strenuous exercises for about six weeks. It's important to get clearance from your surgeon before resuming activities as time frames for returning to exercise can vary based on how you're progressing through recovery. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Thank you for your question. Being diabetic does not disqualify you from surgery - rather, certain steps will need to be followed before and after surgery. As long as your blood sugars are controlled, and having a good HbA1c (less than 6 for many surgeons), the risk for complications is low. Expected recovery time is typically 6 weeks before unrestricted activities can be resumed. Good luck with your journey!

Hi Patty and thanks for your question. As the father of 2 T1D children I can understand your concerns.If your DM is well managed with a good HbA1C then initially it is a matter of managing your BGL while fasting before surgery. The process depends upon whether you are on a pump or injections/pens. You will need to be well coming into your surgery and usually a diabetic will go first on the operating list. With the natural stress hormones the body produces with surgery, you will likely need a little more basal insulin following surgery for about 24 hours, but a breast augment is usually only a mild insult to the body from a stress response perspective so this is often subtle.Your facility/anaesthetist will co-ordinate specifics for you. If on pens or injections, in general half the daily long acting and no short acting while fasting, monitoring your BGL every 2 hours if not on a CGM.Life is much simpler on a CGM and pump. Easy to monitor your BGL and the pump will automate your basal insulin. Small hypo-treats available!During surgery and initially in the post-op recovery some anaesthetists will prefer you to be off the pump and allow them to share your BGLs from your phone and correct as needed. However this is a short procedure of about 1 hour. Without a CGM or pump, regular BGLs till eating and a sliding scale of insulin accordingly.Certainly achievable, not a huge stress response with this surgery, just needs to managed thoughtfully and you know your DM better than anyone. Surgery is a partnership, your thoughts should be taken into consideration regarding your DM just as your recovery should be directed by your surgeon.Regarding getting back to pilates. Depends upon the surgeon, implant pocket (above or below the muscle) and time. Pilates includes significant upper body activation. For my patients, full range of movement within a couple of hours after surgery. But this is movement not exercise. Above the muscle, 8 weeks for all activities. Below the muscle, 8 weeks for moderate upper body exercise and 12 weeks for max exertion. These are guides of course and your surgeon is the best person to talk to.Best of luck.