Vaping-induced Lung Damage: Man’s Life Saved by Double-D Breast Implants

An American man’s life was saved by a double-D breast implant after he needed a lung transplant due to a decade of vaping. Surgeons at Chicago’s Northwestern Medicine used the implants to keep Davey Bauer’s heart in place while he was kept alive with an artificial lung for two days. Bauer, 34, from Missouri, had been vaping for nearly ten years, thinking it was a healthier alternative to smoking. However, he later found it more addictive than cigarettes. Despite appearing to be in good physical health, Bauer developed shortness of breath in April and was initially diagnosed with the flu. He then developed an antibiotic-resistant infection, and his condition worsened, leading doctors to determine that a double lung transplant was his only chance of survival.

Rade Tomic, director of Northwestern’s transplant program, described Bauer’s lungs as heavily infected to the point of liquefaction. The lungs were completely filled with pus, leaving nothing visible on an X-ray. When Bauer’s medical team in St. Louis contacted Northwestern, it was clear that he would not survive the transplant in his current condition. To clear the infection, both lungs had to be removed, posing a challenge to prevent his heart from collapsing. The solution was to use breast implants to stabilize his heart inside his chest, as suggested by Ankit Bharat, the head director of the Canning Thoracic Institute.

A plastic surgeon provided guidance on various types, shapes, and sizes of breast implants, and the team selected the DD option as the best fit. The implants were successfully placed and remained in position for two days until the new lungs could be transplanted. Bauer remained in intensive care until the end of September. His girlfriend, Susan Gore, expressed disbelief that he was able to live without any lungs, breathing and pumping blood. Dr. Bharat stated that the procedure was transformative, demonstrating that patients can survive even after their lungs have been removed.

Bauer, with a sense of humor, plans to create a T-shirt saying “DD Davey” and change his gaming profiles. The procedure has highlighted the innovative thinking and ability of Northwestern’s medical team to tackle challenging cases and save lives.