At the age of 13 I had developed large breasts. I was experiencing problems with breast lumps, requiring biopsies frequently. At the age of 22, after years of breast lumps and biopsies, I was told by my surgeon, Dr. Edward Zucker of Merrillville, Indiana, that I should have subcutaneous mastectomies. In the place of my breast tissue I would have implants placed. Dr. Zucker stated that that would end my breast lump problems, the endless biopsies, and the risk and fear of one of these lumps being malignant. I trusted my doctor and agreed to have the plastic surgery performed.

Cosmetically my breasts looked completely normal. The breast lump problem did end. However, I had a whole new world of problems with my breasts and endured a number of surgeries to change the implants. It was determined that Dr. Zucker had chosen an implant that was too small, because it did not fill out my skin properly. It was replaced by a larger implant to make my breasts the size they were before the mastectomies. Later I had a suspected rupture, an actual rupture, an implant that had flipped over with a valve becoming painful to my breast and several times the implants hardened by scar tissue building up around them.

After approximately 14 years of having implants, I developed symptoms of lupus. A rheumatologist that I was seeing for my problems suggested removing the silicone implants from my body and replacing them with saline implants. I went to see Dr. Robert S. Kagan in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, to discuss the recommended surgery.

Dr. Kagan was recommended to me by a woman that he had performed surgery on. I called the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation to check whether Dr. Kagan had ever had complaints filed against him or had ever been professionally disciplined. They said that he had not. I later learned that the Department of Professional Regulation would only tell you that a doctor had had a complaint filed against him if he were found guilty. They would not tell you if the doctor had had twenty complaints filed against him if none were sustained, which is often the case. Doctors are rarely found guilty of any charges.

Dr. Kagan agreed that I should have the implants exchanged. Dr. Kagan offered me a procedure called a Benelli to have at the same time. I had never heard of a Benelli and Dr. Kagan explained to me that it was a breast lift that leaves the patient with minimal scarring. I did have rather large breasts that were somewhat sagged. After having the procedure explained to me by Dr. Kagan, I told him I would think about it.

When Dr. Kagan walked into the exam room on my last visit before the plastic surgery, he said "what are we going to do." I said I don't want the Benelli and I have more questions about the implant exchange. He said "okay." I then asked my questions and he answered them. My plastic surgery was scheduled for one week later. I did not have medical insurance, as after my divorce I could not find an insurance company to cover me due to the fact that I had breast implants. I paid Dr. Kagan for the breast implant exchange surgeon's fee, the new implants, the hospital stay, and other charges related to my plastic surgery and left the office.