Breast Augmentation Gives Virginia Woman a Boost of Confidence
Jess Ruff smiles outside the Duke Aesthetic Center after a follow-up visit.
When Jess Ruff, 41, finished breastfeeding her last child, she decided it was finally time to schedule the breast augmentation surgery she’d wanted for decades. Ruff chose Duke Health plastic surgeon, David M. Stepien, MD, PhD to perform the procedure at the Duke Aesthetic Center. Four months later, she is happy with the results.
The Right Time for Cosmetic Surgery
Ruff wanted to focus on her own health after her three children were born. She lost 40 pounds and felt great physically, but breastfeeding and weight loss had significantly impacted her confidence. “It really deflated my breasts and stretched my skin,” said Ruff, who remembers wanting a breast lift as early as her teenage years. Ruff promised herself when she reached her goal weight, she would undergo breast augmentation surgery.
Choosing the Duke Aesthetic Center
Ruff, who lives in Virginia, said she felt uneasy when she looked at private clinics. “They seemed to be all about doing the most procedures, like they were trying to sell you something.” She didn’t get that impression when she met with Dr. Stepien. He took time to discuss her options and answer her questions. “Unlike a private practice, at Duke my salary isn’t tied to what surgeries I do, so there’s never pressure to think about the bottom line. It's only what's safe and right,” said Dr. Stepien.
Jess Ruff explains why she chose breast augmentation and how she feels about the results.
Breast Lift with Fat Grafting
Ruff underwent a breast lift with fat grafting in March 2024. “With a breast lift, I’m basically removing extra skin that forms over time from kids, gravity, and age," said Dr. Stepien. This gives the breasts a perkier shape and helps them sit higher on the chest. Instead of an implant, Dr. Stepien used fat from Ruff’s abdomen to give her breasts more volume. This also gives the breasts a better contour and better cleavage lines, he said.
Dr. Stepien also gave Ruff an “internal bra,” which he described as an absorbable mesh that helps support and reinforce the breast tissue. “Internal bras are helpful for better long-term results because it fights against the changes of gravity and time after a breast lift,” said Dr. Stepien. “Even though it's a temporary thing, the mesh helps build up soft tissue, so that your body is not doing all the work to fight sagging.”
A New-Found Confidence
Today, Ruff is celebrating her improved health and body confidence with a new wardrobe. “I bought my first spaghetti strap shirt,” she said. “It sounds like such a simple thing, but it's huge for me.” She’s referring her friends to the Duke Aesthetic Center and encourages anyone thinking of having a breast augmentation to meet with Dr. Stepien. “If I ever need something else done, I’d have no hesitations calling the Duke Aesthetic Center, especially Dr. Stepien,” said Ruff.
