Realty check - body image

[annie]

Well, I hadn't read this thread yet. I'm posting to tell you, Annie, that I agree 100% with you. Sometimes the comments about boob jobs can be hurtful. A lot of people make judgements about breats implants without really knowing where a person comes from.

I, too, have breast implants. I was barely an AA cup before I lost weight and then when I lost 40 pounds, there was NOTHING. Worse than that, there was nothing and my nipples fell into themselves to make little inverted hammocks. Because I spend 98% my time in workout clothes/tri clothes, enhancing bras were not really an option. I have a boyish figure, slim hips, no rear, muscular waist. Honestly I looked like a 12 year old boy. I worked hard to get fit. I have 6 pack abs. But the more fit I got the worse my breasts looked.

I went to the PS and told him that I wanted to have some breasts. I told him my athletic activites. He agreed to give me implants that would give me some shape and fit my activity level. Mine are some of the smallest that he's used. I'm now a large B/Small C. In some bras I wear a 34B and in others a 34C. I don't think that they look as good as "REAL" breasts, because they are not "real" breasts. But I didn't get that choice.

I don't think that anything had been said here that was terribly offensive, but just wanted to add my support to Annie. Sometimes it seems that the negative extreme examples of breast implants overshadow the others.

Thanks, Silver, for sharing your story and viewpoint and reasoning. I agree that nothing said here was terribly offensive, I guess I was just ready to open up a dicussion from the POV of someone with implants, since it seemed that most comments came from those without.

Lisa SH, just gotta tell you - I do not have, nor want beachballs! LOL! Mine may not be quite as saggy as naturals would be at my age, but I'm ok with that. I've still got a ski slope, but it just doesn't scoop out as much as before. No big air for mini-skiers.

Brandi, Did you ever ask your Mom why she had a boob job? Maybe she didn't think they were as wonderful as you did? That's a good question. I know women worry about this and the effect it might have on their daughters. No easy answers. How to decide what is more important - your own self-esteem or the possible (yet unkown) effect on someone you love? You raise a very good and thought-provoking situation.

Annie

[Kitsune06]

Still, you can't stop people from voicing opinions. And we all have them.

A wiseazz once said "Opinions are like azzholes, we all have them, just some stink more than others". ... sometimes people need to be more careful about the way they choose to express themselves.

Well, just to clarify my own stance on the subject a bit, for whatever that's worth:
...
My only objection to implants is when women get gigantic implants that make them look deformed and bizarre- I feel the promotion of the huge deformed beachball look as an ideal sends a very unhealthy message to young men and young women...

My opinion, too. I like boobs. I do. Lots. but yeah, the cantalope-sized fake boobs you see on some chicks are very unappealing. Just enough for a hand or mouth, I think, is easily enough... and as a person into piercing/tats, body mod, etc.. people need to do what makes their appearance match their mental perceptions of themselves- in a positive and healthy way.
I was okay as a AA, and ok as an A. I'm happy as a B, and would still be ok if I lost weight again and went back to A or AA... *shrug*

[Zen]

A wiseazz once said "Opinions are like azzholes, we all have them, just some stink more than others". ... sometimes people need to be more careful about the way they choose to express themselves.

I don't think anyone directly criticized Annie. If they did, I missed it. As she herself put it-

Thanks, but don't worry! I am NOT offended. I think it was my problem that I was defensive for awhile and am now past that.


Annie

And in a situation like this you also have to consider that when you read something it may not sound the way the writer intended it. When we compose the written word we are transposing our thoughts as we "hear" them. Emphasis and inflection are lost and sometimes misunderstanding arise.

[HoddyToddy]

Respecting everyones' opinions, I would like to voice my own. I've heard some very negative comments about "boob jobs" on here. Not the first time and one reason why I quit visiting these forums for awhile. The nasty comments hurt at first. Now, I don't really care because I LOVE my new boobs and am totally comfortable with having had a Breast Aug. They do not interfere in any way with my biking, running, etc. I am much happier with my appearance. Very much happier. Would it have been cheaper/easier to be happy with my body image the way I was? Yeah, I have to say it would have. But that wasn't the case. No matter how I worked out, no matter how I watched my diet, I could not achieve the shape I wanted. Vain? Ok, call me vain. I also got braces on my teeth when I was 50 yrs old! And am thrilled with the results. I use make-up, too! And color my hair and shave my legs............ All various levels of self-enhancement. All I'm saying is please do not be too judgemental. Big boobs, little boobs, large or small legs, saggy tummy or tight........ if you can accept what you are, awesome!! If not, and you've got options available for change and choose that route, good for you! We are all individuals and I would hope we can read/listen to others opinions without predujice and respond without criticism.

There you go -- my rant for the evening. Hope I offended no one. And hope I'm still welcome on the boards, new boobs and all.

Annie

If I had $10K to spend, I would *SO* have a boob job! Was always a B, but they were lovely, perfectly shaped Bs, then had baby #1 and nursed 13 months, about to have baby #2 and nurse. I HATED my breasts after I stopped nursing #1 and can't imagine they will be nicer after nursing #2! Ga-ross.
And am so in love with my nice, full preggo boobs! So is DH, who is a boob man! Being married to a boob man when you have saggy pancakes is no fun. YES, he loves me just the way I am, but he wouldn't love me less if I had nicer ta-tas that's for sure!
So yes, if I had the cash, I would totally get new boobs!

[LBTC]

If I had $10K to spend, I would *SO* have a boob job!

Is that really how much it costs?

H&B
~T~

[HoddyToddy]

Is that really how much it costs?

H&B
~T~

For really good ones! I'm not really sure, actually!

But I do know that each implant alone is about $2K. Then you have the consultations, the actual surgery, the anesthesia, and so on...

Only if I win the lottery or inherit a lot of money from some old crazy aunt I never knew I had....!

[limewave]

I've looked into having brachioplasty because my upper arms are so flappy. I have a hard time finding shirts to wear. The more I do weight training, the worse the get

Anyways, it was 3-4k per arm and there's no implant involved in that surgery. I imagine a boob job would easily be 10k.

[Tuckervill]

How about a tummy tuck--the mommy makeover kind? What do they run?

I've always wanted one, since my first child. The first time I ever brought it up with my husband he was more dismissive of my feelings than he'd ever been. He thought it was unnecessary, but now that I'm much older I don't care much what he thinks. I'm going to find a way to get it.

I don't feel as horrible about my baby flap that I used to. I developed a new appreciation for life and everything one day, when I ran across a picture of a line of women standing naked. They were in line for the gas chamber. :'''( I studied that picture for a long time and it was utter sadness to behold and I will never forget it. But I learned things about women's bodies that I never knew before. I don't want to trivialize that event ever at all, but that photograph had a profound effect on me in ways aside from the obvious.

Karen

[silver]

cost depends on where you live and what choices you make. Mine was less than $4,000. I have high profile saline, smooth Mentor implants, placed under the muscle (costs more than over the muscle but definately has better results), with the incision under the breast (less chance of have numbness in the nipple area). I believe that I had a great job. I am VERY pleased with the results.....let's see.....I got them in Nov. 04.

I drive an old minivan that rattles. The way I see it....the cost is the difference between driving a new car.

However, I live in the boonies. I've heard advertising for a BA for $2,000 but the price has an * by it and says over the muscle only. I feel sure that once they get the person in there they sell them up.

[sundial]

In my 20's I used to wish for the Boob Fairy. Well, she came in my late 30's and now I have a hard time finding tops that fit broad shoulders and boobs without taking it in at the waist. Ack!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't feel as horrible about my baby flap that I used to. I developed a new appreciation for life and everything one day, when I ran across a picture of a line of women standing naked. They were in line for the gas chamber. :'''( I studied that picture for a long time and it was utter sadness to behold and I will never forget it. But I learned things about women's bodies that I never knew before. I don't want to trivialize that event ever at all, but that photograph had a profound effect on me in ways aside from the obvious.

Karen

Thank you for posting that profound insight, Karen. I hear you. My best friend in high school 40 years ago had Jewish parents who had saved dozens of photographs from the concentration camps in order to remember. They let me see them when I asked and i too was deeply changed forever by those pictures. It gives you a real view of how precious our lives are, and how horribly easy it is to forget that.

Not really much to do with this thread except in a superficial way of course.

[annie]

Is that really how much it costs?

H&B
~T~

Depends on where you live, how much you need to have done - like do you need a lift, also. Silicone is more expensive than saline. Mine were saline, under the muscle, crease incision, just like Silver. Cost was right under $5K. Worth it, IMO. I, too, am very happy with my results and would recommend my surgeon.Don't know the cost of a TT, Tuckerville, but I would guess it's higher. Maybe not, tho', since you wouldn't have the cost of the implants, plus the surgery. Hey - go for it if you can. Life is short.

Annie

[Zen]

I'm happy to be alive.

I was recently by one doctor that I should have been dead five years ago, related this comment to another doctor who said "yep, that stent pulled your azz out of the fire".

Things like this tend to change ones perspective.

[sundial]

If I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a mastectomy, I'm not sure I would opt for an implant. I hesitate when it comes to foreign objects in my body. I stressed over the titanium staple in my knee.

[LBTC]

I stressed over the titanium staple in my knee.

But, sundial, titanium is Good!

H&B
~T~