Breast Augmentation Anyone?

I thought about having this done too. I even went to the first consult where they talk to you, take photos and tell you the options you have. After I read the materials they gave me and thought about it more, I decided not to.

Would I like to have larger breasts - yes, do I want to go through that change, recovery/pain, risk, up keep, and just the feeling/knowing that I have something not me in me - no.

I am a very small person, only 5'2" and just a little over 100lbs. I have always been happy with my breasts (I was a 34C) until after pregnancy (30B). I am also very active, I run 5 or more miles a day. I didnt want to risk my runs for my boobs.

Also - I started looking at other women around - you know in the store, in the gym at work. Most women are small-med sized. There really are few women that are not overweight that have large boobs.

Anyway - it is a personal choice and I hope that you make the one that you think is best for you. On another note - the Dr. I went too seemed very good and they had something they called 'a pain pump' that basically shoots novacane in there for 2-3 days so the pain in more bearable. Let me know if you want his name and I will send to you.

Hi T.,

I came across this link with some information from a health expert on women considering breast implants. I hope that you find the article and site useful not only in this regard but with any other health concerns you may have.

http://www.mercola.com/2003/aug/16/breast_implants.htm

I think you have thought long and hard about this and if you feel it will give you better self body image then go for it. I myself would like to do a breast lift. I have never been very perky to begin with and brest feeding made them even saggier. I am a D cup but you can't tell because they are practically down to my waist. I am only 32 years old.

Hi T.. I've always been very open about my surgery that I had just over 1 year ago. My experience was very positive. Each woman has SUCH a different life experience and for me this was a procedure that did so much to help me feel more comfortable. I am 5'2", about 120 at the time of surgery just after the birth of my 3 son. I had always been a 'bearly 32A'. Growing up with very small breasts was hard enough, especially in high school, but becoming a wife and mother has also been hard. I am short and young looking and although I was 31 with three children I often had a hard time feeling like I was a woman because I had no shape! I did NOT want to swing to the other end of the spectrum and go too big. I did a LOT of research about dr.s and complications etc. In the end, I had saline implants put in under the muscle and and ended up with a 34C cup and I am so thrilled! I feel like I wear clothes the way they are supposed to be worn and that I finally feel proportionate! I feel so much more like a woman and it is a choice I've made that I will never regret.

Certainly there are complications that can happen, and I do have a few ripples because I was so thin, but on the whole I was very fortunate to have things go smoothly. The recovery was a bit hard...down for several days and I had a lot of sensitivity to the anesthesia which made me sick for the whole first 24 hours. I couldn't lift things for several weeks and it took months to be able to open stubborn cans or jars. I didn't get back to exercising/weight lifting for quite some time. Still, I think the bottom line is that nobody knows how YOU feel except for YOU! People who make blanket judgments about this surgery do not take into account the life experiences of individuals who consider this surgery. I am not "fake" about my breasts...almost everyone I know knows that I have implants and that I'm happy to have them! :) How is it any different than having your teeth whitened, braces put on, eyeliner tatooed on, or bleaching/coloring your hair? Obviously the risks are higher but it is just as "fake", as some people call it, to do those other things. Good luck, T.....contact me anytime if you want to hear more about my own experience!

I did it 5 years ago and it was the BEST thing I could have ever done for myself!!

I do have to say it was also the MOST painful experience I had ever endured as well! But like I said before WELL WORTH IT!!

I had my implants put below the muscle so I would still be able to breastfeed. I actually like them below the muscle- healing time is greatly increased though- because they tend to look A LOT more natural. AND having them under the muscle will not disturb the breast tissue AT ALL! It's you only better. Therefore you will be able to receive a mammogram as usual.

I don't think anyone can tell you how painful recovery is though. I don't want that to be a discouragement to you though. It takes about 3 days to get over the excruciating pain and about a week or week and a half to finally start feeling somewhat normal, and then another 6-10 months before your breasts start looking and feeling totally normal.

Schedule a consultation with a doctor they are always willing to spend a few minutes impressing a potential client. There are also many doctors that will let you "try on" implants to decide which size is the best fit for you. It's kind of fun to go in and see what you might look like with a more well endowed chest. LOL

Although do make sure the doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/index.cfm Make sure you get the full cost of the implants up front. And make sure the staff and doctor will give you the utmost customer service.

I only told people if I really wanted them to know. It's pretty obvious that I had had the surgery so I really didn't have to do any explaining. My daughter just told everyone, "my Mom just had surgery." She was five and I couldn't think how to explain it to her. If I felt like people were talking about it behind my back I just shrugged it off as they were jealous. I just didn't let it bother me all that much and it finally mellowed out.

After five years I'm still so glad I did it! I just love the silhouette in the mirror! ...and so does my hubby! ; )

FYI: I have saline implants.

I transcribe operative reports for a living and have many plastic surgeons, so if you wanted a copy of an operative report for breast implants, so you would now exactly what the process is, let me know and I will send you one (minus names, of course). I would suggest that if you decide to go through with this, you should be very diligent about researching your doctor and also be aware that there are many frequent complications, such as capsular contracture and rupture that I see almost every day. Even if your health does not suffer from rupture, you will have one flat breast until you undergo another surgery to fix the problem, usually at your own expense. From what I gather, breast implants are very expensive and high maintenance. It is NOT a one time surgery for most people and capsular contracture is very painful. I don't want to discourage you, but do think that you should be make sure you do your research before undergoing cosmetic surgery. Good luck!!!

T., if this truely makes you feel happy, then go for it! I would research to make sure the specific type you choose isn't compromising health wise first.

Women should celebrate their beauty in whatever way is unique to them. That's what diversity is all about.

Hi there, I have a friend that was in the same situation as you. She was very happy about getting her implants...HOWEVER...she found that she cannot get insurance at all now because of them. She also (I guess this should have been her first clue)was warned by the Dr that did hers that if she had any allergies or breast cancer in her family then she was not a candidate for implants. She, of course, had the implants and since we moved away I have not heard much from her. I guess you have to look at it from a couple of stand points...first of all from a health standpoint: What happens if my body rejects them? How can something artificial implanted in my body affect my health? I have had alot of trouble with my teeth as in my body rejecting the root canals I had, had to have them removed and alot of health issues. I am so glad that, even though I considered breast implants, that I never went ahead.
The other standpoint to look at is how God made you. He wanted you just the way you are with the breast size just the way you are for a reason. It is known in health circles that if we hate or dislike something about our bodies then that part can in time develop disease issues. We need to see ourselves through Gods eyes and the reason He made us thus.
Hope that helps! JB

How funny that another T. is a kindred spirit in this situation :) I think about the same thing, as I've also always been very small up top - 32A. (Love my doubled size when pregnant and nursing though :)!) A friend of mine had implants about 10 years ago and she is very happy with the change. Her recovery was normal, but it did seem painful. I remember she couldn't lift or push anything for a while. Since your youngest is 4 you probably don't pick her or him up too much, and could make her or him understand that you need to be careful for a while. From my friend's perspective, and mine too, this is something you do for YOU -- those who judge should be politely ignored.

I wouldn't even consider it unless you have a fully funded IRA and two college funds set up.

Remeber it is not just what you do with the money, it is also all of the other things that you don't do.

Hi T.,

I had the procedure done when I was 22 I finally got fed up being a 34 A. I am now 32 and I have been nothing but happy with them I went up to a large 24C and I am pretty small so i would say that is a good size to go with they are not to big they do shrink after time I am just a little smaller 24C now. The only down side is that i will have to have them replaced soon I was told they need to be replaced every 10 years or so. To me at the time it was worth it but now that I have my second kid on the way I am not looking forward to that day I have to do it again luckily I have a great husband who will help me out. The recovery time depends on your body I was back to work in 5 days so the first time it really was not to bad. The pain was the worst the first 2 days and then it slowly got better. Hope this helps a little.

Not yet, but I wanted to let you know that there is at least one person who will be reading your responses very carefully. [grin] My husband and I have a "boob job fund" that we are slowly building up. I was pretty darn flat chested until I got pregnant - then I went to a 36D. Wow. What a difference! I nursed my oldest son for quite a while and stopped right before we tried for number two. I got pregnant right away and went right back to a D. (I'm still nursing but am in a C now.) When nursing ends and my chest shrinks, I fully intend to have the Mommy Make-Over surgery. (Breast augmentation/lift and a tummy tuck.) The tummy tuck is to try to get my body back closer to the way it was before I got pregnant with the twins. The augmentation is because I LOVE having the cleavage. Clothes just fit better and look nicer and I really do feel more feminine with the curves.

I agree that it is not a horrible thing to do. I can't stand it when people get up on their high horse and talk about how fake and horrible it is while coloring their hair and getting fake nails. Life is short, and while it is important to provide for your family and love yourself unconditionally, it is also nice to pamper yourself every now and then... you deserve it!

First, make sure you are done having kids and "fixed", because getting pregnant would ruin the job and require you to get it done again... a huge waste of money! Next, be sure that you want it done for the right reasons. An augmentation is not going to solve any problems in your marriage or in your life, or with your self image. Be sure that you are aware of the risk, willing to take them, and have the money for not only the surgery, but money to repare anything that may go wrong.

I'd be hesitant to do it if your 14 year old is a girl because that is such a delicate age body image wise for girls. You don't want to give a young teen girl the message that bodies matter too much or that you have to look perfect.

Be aware that statistics show that you have to have surgery again about every 10 years to repare or replace the implants. You can of course have them removed when you get old enough that it is more hassle than it is worth.

Good luck, think hard, consider everything, and stand up for yourself.

T.-
Well I was just like you when I first decided to have the procedure. I am very small myself. I am only 5'4", and 105lbs. And I was exactly like you in that sense. So I did the best thing for myself, which is when I went for a consult, I told that doctor that I wanted to go full, but more on the natural side. When everything was said and done, if people don't know me, they have no idea that I have had a breast job at all. (Otherwise all my friends know because I told them..lol..the medicine made me just a bit out of it)
It does take a bit to recover depending on how you have the procedure done. I had mine under the armpit and besides it being uncomfortable, with the narcotics they put me on, I really cannot remember much. It took approximately a week to heal, and you will not be able to lift the children or cook or clean much, so dad will have to help out, but he won't mind once all is said and done...TRUST ME! : ) Good luck in finding your answer, but it's been almost three years since my surgery and I have never regretted it one day, I am very very happy with the results!

Well, only you can make the decision to get breast implants. I will tell you that I personaly envy your tiny frame, I envy small boobs. Mine are not overly huge or anything, but I have always wanted to wear the kind of clothing you can wear when your small framed. Trust me, most of us hate our bodies and want what we don't have. Talk to other women, see how many of them envy your shape! You know, it would be much less painful and expensive to learn to love the body you already have! I don't wnat to preach, I just want you to be aware of how lucky and pretty your are, and know that others envy what you have. Don't go thinking you can buy some happiness, you already have it!

I have not personally been through this. I was unfortunately blessed with rather large breasts which also become a problem. I have too much cleavage and feel uncomfortable wearing a lot of low cut tops and definitely nothing that is tight around the breasts. My mother on the other hand was not blessed with breasts. She was very small and did get breast implants when I was little. I remember her recovering and it was painful for a few days. She was in bed the first day or two. She did not go extreme..just enough to have some cleavage and feel better about it. Do you feel that people already look at you and think "she has no breasts" ? Then what's the difference if they look at you and say "wow she's got nice breasts!" Not all implants have to look fake and eventually...later in life they will also sag like the rest of us. I think it's great that you have the courage to do something like this. Does your sister tan? In the sun or in a tanning bed? What's the difference? It's all a way to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. If this is going to make you feel better then do it. I had a friend thta just had it done and at first she was swollen which really made them look HUGE! But after the swelling went done they really looked nice and it's not a big deal anymore. Noone knows the wiser. I know that I am rambling now but I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

Hi T., do it for you! I had it done 3 years ago and would do it again. I did it for me and wanted to feel good about having lift/size to fit my shirts better. I didn't do it to impress the men or others well of course my husband is happy. I am 5'3 and weigh 103(small bone). Keep in mind that if you have a small bone structure then you want to make sure you proportion it with your body otherwise tops can be challenging. If you have a good doctor and nurse to help you with size that is proportion to your body then they can look real. I took two small ziploc baggies and filled them with rice and wore it inside my bra around the house to get an idea of size and comfort. As for surgery/recovery, It was about two days of scheduled pain meds, sleeping and taking it really slow. Between my husband/neice they watched my little girl. Each day the pain decreased and my energy slowly increased. Just do everything they tell you and don't be active until your doctor recommends it.
Actually nobody really noticed because it looks so real. I didn't flaunt it and nor did I talk about it. I too had one of my sisters who was extremly negative so I never talked to her about it. Just be positve and you will love it! If you feel good about YOU those around you will love you for you! If you have any further questions I am happy to answer. Who's your doctor if you don't mind sharing?
Good luck and keep me posted!

Did you know that when you have a mamogram that if there is a lump, or cancer, or anything going on underneath your breast it cannot be detected till it's to late?

All I can say is that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I have the opposite "problem" as you... I measure about a 36G - possibly more, but there aren't many bras that actually fit (and am 5'8"). I don't have back pain etc., but can tell you that there are all kinds of other pains..... :) Good luck, but make sure you really think this through.

Hi T..I'm 5'9 and 130lbs and had implants put in a month before I got pregnant with my first son, oops! :)I honestly had ZERO pain, ever.Getting a teeth cleaning is worse.The procedure was only about an hr.I went with 480 cc which on me is a big C and as far as what size I used to be, I'd call it a 34 pancake!I felt like I looked like a boy, I wanted to have some kind of shape, I actually had to convince my husband to let me do it.You can't tell they're fake, and I don't regret it for a second. There are 2 shapes of implants-the round ones are the 'fake' looking ones, that bubble up in your face, but I got the 'teardrop' shape, a much more natural look.So although people may have noticed a difference in size, those who don't know me don't look at me and say woahhh fake boobs.My recovery time was very short, the very next day I started nannying for a family friend, I was up and around, driving kids all over, cooking etc.Obviously no working out for about 6 weeks.My incisions are under the boob, about an inch long, can't see them.I also went 'under the muscle' I guess is what they call it, which I had to do knowing I wanted to have kids, so I could breastfeed, I had no problems.I've heard those who have gotten the incision in the armpit have the most painful recovery.I would do this again in a heart beat, I actually plan on it after kids, perkin' up to a D :) I deserve it! And so do you!Make sure you see lots of the Dr's before and after pictures and go a size bigger than you think you want.They will give you little saline bags to put in your bra to see what size you want.I know you're going to hear a lot of different experiences from different people, this is just mine, and I hope yours is just as great!Hope this helped a little!

I'm not going to advise you not to get boobs, but please do consider the health risks.

Saline: Fewer health risks, but not as real looking/feeling. I have a friend who just got saline implants as a post-divorce gift to herself. She's disappointed, because you can really see the ripples around the edges (she's very thin, like you, without much body fat to conceal the implants and make them look less "attached"). She even let me feel them, and they felt really weird. They kind of crunched and felt like there was something strange under her skin.

Silicone: Look and feel more real, but many more health risks. Doctors will tell you that if they leak it's ok, but it's NOT. Some people handle it better than others, but it's never good to have a foreign, chemically processed substance oozing through your tissues, and it can cause some very serious health problems.

Finally, as one poster said, keep in mind that it's not a one-time surgery. The implants will need to be replaced every 10 years or so, with added cost and risk.

T.,

Hi. I know how you feel! Not about the breast issue, but after I had my daughter, my tummy was so big! Luckily, it went down after 2 weeks. I wanted to do a tummy tuck at one point, even! My hubby and I talked about this, and he assured me that he doesn't mind the way I look, but it bothered me, not him. He said "whatever makes you happy sweetheart" and that's what I say to you-If it makes you happier, and more secure, feel sexier, etc, then DO IT!!!! And it doesn't make you fake for having fake boobs. A lot of women will say things like that because they are actually jealous and they're trying to discourage you because of their own issue. Silly!! Lucky for us we live in a modernly convenient world where these things are available to us!

K.

I know it is hard to relearn to be happy with our bodies. Society tell us that size matters, when in fact, it does not. There are many risks involved in any type of surgery and I am of the opinion that putting something in our bodies and electing to have surgery is not only risky but in some ways selfish. I am not trying to be harsh but if something were to happen in surgery or with the implants and your children lost you, the size of your breasts really would be less important. It is a struggle that many woman go thru but if you cannot feel good about yourself with small breasts then more than likely, when you have larger ones, something else will feel not good enough. I would make a list of what you think will change in you, if you have larger breasts. Read that list over and over and you will know if this is the right choice for you. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

well i have not had the procedure but i want to tell you about the "fake" thing i had always felt that way and i think i mostly now realise i feel that way toward the people who try an lie about it or deny it. but we woman have for many years added to our apperiance by adding fake things like color contact, fake nails and what about heals those are fake height. so i wouldn't worry about your sister tell then you plan on be honest about it if anyone asks and that you are pround of your decision. We are not fake women if we are honest about who we are no matter what we put on our body.

Well dont worry what others say. Because you know what? At least you will have a high esteem due to them boobies and my gosh how many compliments you will get from them! Who cares if they are fake. After having kids and drooping has become the next stage of my life I have to say..IM SO JEALOUS!! lol

Have a great week =)

Hi T.!
I say do it!!!! I got implants about 4 yrs ago and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!! I was so excited I practically jumped on the operating table! If you really want to do it, get em! The recovery time differs from person to person...mine was a long one, about 3 weeks, but that was only because I over did it the first couple of days....do what the doctor says and take it easy! As far as other people noticing...just don't go overboard and get a HUGE size for your body. I went from a B to a DD, and that was a little much. But since then I've had a baby and breastfeeding "shrunk" them a bit and now they look a lot more natural! Just don't go through all of the recovery and expense of getting surgery for just a little difference...if you are going to do it make it count! :) Also, make sure you go to a couple different consultations to make sure you like your doctor and look at lots of before and after pics. I went to an awesome lady doctor in Bellevue and I am 200% satisfied! Just don't go to one of those "Jiffy Boob" clinics where they charge super cheap prices...you get what you pay for!!! If you'd like my doctor's info or have any more questions, let me know! I'd be happy to help! Good luck!

I have always wanted breast implant but could never afford it. My best girlfriend had it done about 10 years ago. She was in her forties. she is 5'4 120 lbs. when she used to sunbathe before her procedure, her chest would totally disappear, that is how small she was. Now, she is about a C cup and does not regret it one bit. She has more confidence now. She doesn't care what people think. I think they look very good and natural. of course more men than women noticed the change. The recovery time is different for everyone. She said her's hurt a lot but her doctor said she was just a baby! her kids were 6 and 8 when she had her's done. I hope this helps. just go for it. It will be so worth it. I'm jealous.
good luck!

T., if you decide to go through it, go small. I have not had it done, but I can tell you that I would rather be a B cup than an H/I cup I am a 34 H/I there are only a couple places I can even buy bras and let me tell you, my back is always hurting. I am a medium build, 5'9" and 150 lbs. Really I would say that you should be happy about who you are. I know of people who have gotten it done and they have all to some extent regreted it.

Is this something that your husband is wanting? There are bras that can help with the clevage. But you are the best decider, you need to be happy, just be careful

I say go for it!! You've had two kids, and we all know what kind of havoc that can do to someones body. You deserve it. I'm going to get mine done when I'm done nursing my daughter. My only advice would to not get too crazy big with them. And seriously consider the differences between saline and sillicone.

Hi T. ~

I was born with Poland Syndrome (missing my pectorial muscle on my right side) I did not have my first reconstructive surgery until I was 18 years old. So going through school years with a C on one side and a concave on the other was .. well... not very good memories of school. Talk about teasing...

When I had my surgery at 18, I went out and bought that bikini :) I had boobs for the first time!!! I am 5'3'' and at that time I weighed 95 lbs. I am up to 110 today.

I know my situation is different, but I am still choosing to have this doen. I am looking at a 5th reconstructive surgery this year at age 38. But I am the unusual case :)

I have 3 friends who have had implants. The first thing I say is to make sure you are doing it for YOU. To make YOU feel better.

2nd - research doctors and find one you are most comfortable with. One that will give you the right size for your shape and weight. You do not want to go too big and have back problems down the road :)

3rd - recovery time depends on the person and surgery. My implants have been put under muscle and on top of muscle (yes, I had the other side done - one saggy boob and one perky book wasn't doing it for me :) - breastfeeding! ) If you have it under the muscle, recovery seems to be a bit more. I do not lift for about 10 days and very little lifting for about 4 weeks. Most augmentations will go on top of the muscle. Recovery, I have seen, can be 10 days or as little as 1-3 days with some soreness.

Hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

B.

Did you know that when you have a mamogram that if there is a lump, or cancer, or anything going on underneath your breast it cannot be detected till it's to late?

I just need to say to the poster of the above............WHAT A LOAD OF HOGWASH!!!!!

I just did it a month ago and I am very happy with them. I got saline and you can NOT see them and I have a low body fat percentage. If it will make you happy go for it. It does not make you fake or selfish...you deserve to do things to make yourself happy...no one would bash you for buying a new sportcar would they...
It took me about 3 weeks to get back up to speed and I had a mini tummy tuck as well. Sure it hurts but not for to long and they do offer a pain pump to control the pain for the first several days( highly recommend it). Do your research on doctors and implants and make the dicision based on what you want...no one else. a good site for info is
www.implantinfo.com

good luck to you

T.,
My best friend had the surgery. It's long term maintenance! Be sure you get all the info up front before making a decision.
Have you tried a good push up bra? Sounds like your breast are a perfect fit for your body type.
J.

I will probably get them when I'm done breastfeeding. I started as a 38D went up to a 38H and am somewhere in between right now. I'm not happy with how much lower they are than before or that they point towards the ground without a bra so I'll probably get them filled back in so they aren't so saggy.

It sounds like you have good reasons to get implants. My mother had implants after having 5 children and nursing them all. Two weeks ago she had a double mastectomy! Her implants started to leak and although she was told that they wouldn't hurt her... they did. Her lymph nodes were swollen and she was very ill. This won't happen often but here is something to think about:

You must get them replaced about every 10 years. Even into your 70's and 80's you are signing up for elective (and expensive) surgeries that have risks. You should count up how many surgeries you will likely have and then add that into your budget.

You will most likely loose sensation in your breasts as well. Some women say that they can't feel their nipples at all! For me, that isn't worth it. ;)

That is just some food for thought. There are a lot of risks involved in surgery and it great that you are doing some research!

Good luck,
J.

T.,

If you want the surgery you should have it regardless of what others say. I had an augmentation done several years ago and have not ever regreted the surgery. My recovery was NOT the three days they will tell you though. And you being tiny, you will have a potential for more stretching which is what is painful and takes longer to heal. So beware of that. I went from a barely B to a D and was sore for quite some time. Good luck!