Realty check - body image

[glamgurl36]

i think we all have our i hate my body moments..but at least you can recognize it early and do something about it..its hard because our lives are so busy...its a good thing we have riding

[KSH]

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.

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.

I live in Dallas, TX... and you can get a very nice breast augmentation (BA) for $4000-$5000 around these parts.

For a really well known popular Dr. it's around $7000. I can see a BA costing around $10,000 IF you need a lift AND implants. A lot of women who are fixing what pregnancy did to their boobs, need both the lift and implants... thus it's a lot more money.

[KSH]

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

Unfortunately, when talking about breast augmentation (BA) it's almost like talking about being pro-choice or pro-life. It brings out a very passionate side in people.

There are people who are passionately AGAINST BA's. That's how they are... and always will be. Nothing is going to change thier mind. No matter how nice your boobs look now, or how aweful they looked before... no matter how easy the surgery was or how you don't have any of the horrible side effects... those people aren't going to hear it. They hate BA's end of story.

If you are going to be willing to put it out there that you have a BA, then you have to be ready to take abuse from these people. Plain and simple.

It's sad... but true. Obviously you have come to a point where you are strong enough to say, "screw off", to those people. Good job!

I'm sure you will also set an example for other women who are considering it... that women can get a tasteful BA that fits their body and simply enhances what was already good.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Unfortunately, when talking about breast augmentation (BA) it's almost like talking about being pro-choice or pro-life. It brings out a very passionate side in people.

There are people who are passionately AGAINST BA's. That's how they are... and always will be. Nothing is going to change thier mind. No matter how nice your boobs look now, or how aweful they looked before... no matter how easy the surgery was or how you don't have any of the horrible side effects... those people aren't going to hear it. They hate BA's end of story.

If you are going to be willing to put it out there that you have a BA, then you have to be ready to take abuse from these people. Plain and simple.

It's sad... but true. Obviously you have come to a point where you are strong enough to say, "screw off", to those people. Good job!

I'm sure you will also set an example for other women who are considering it... that women can get a tasteful BA that fits their body and simply enhances what was already good.

An interesting viewpoint. You make it sound as though women who are not in favor of breast augmentation operations are full of hatred towards women who are. Stating one's own opinion that differs from another's is not "abuse", it's just a basic right of expression.
What *is* accurate is that each woman has their OWN opinions on the subject, and when groups of them talk about the subject in an open discussion forum, then one can expect to hear various opinions, both pro and con. Discussions involve a back and forth exchange of ideas and opinions. If one doesn't want to hear any opposing views, then one shouldn't be reading a discussion about it. As far as I've seen, the women in this discussion were pretty much just stating their own viewpoints, not attacking anyone here.
No need to tell anyone to "screw off". I think Annie also understands this concept of being able to discuss varied opinions without personal attacks.

There are people who are passionately AGAINST BA's. That's how they are... and always will be. Nothing is going to change thier mind.

So? Why would anyone feel it's necessary to try to change their mind? One could say the very same thing about people who are passionately FOR BA's.

[amymisk]

I don't remember who asked about the cost of a tummy tuck, but it is easily $8500-10,000. The cost depends on what is involved.

If it is a simple abdominoplasty (no muscle plication-tightening) then it is less.

It is extremely painful. I had a simple "mini-tummy tuck" after I had my son. It was worth every penny and ounce of pain to me. Those who need muscle work have much more pain than myself.

It should involve an overnight stay in the hospital as well.

I obviously don't have anything against PS and think if it is an issue that causes someone to feel self conscious about their appearance and they have the money to fix it, good for them.

I also had Rhinoplasty 11 yrs ago. Again, money well spent.

As for bras- get a fitting and try out as many as needed to find a comfortable type. I was barely a 32A before my son. Then I breast fed and had to deal with D cups for the entire time! I now am a 34B and happy there. I am not sure how one deals with large breasts, they made me so uncomfortable.

Breast reduction surgery can be covered by insurance if there are documented side effects (back pain, neck pain). So, there is no need to suffer in pain.

[annie]

No need to tell anyone to "screw off". I think Annie also understands this concept of being able to discuss varied opinions without personal attacks.

So? Why would anyone feel it's necessary to try to change their mind? One could say the very same thing about people who are passionately FOR BA's.

Thanks, Lisa. I certainly hope I didn't sound like I was telling anyone here to "screw off!" Yikes! There are certainly people out there who I might say that to, but I can't think of one single person who's posted in this thread who would rate that. I just wanted to point out the difference of opinion and possibly get a discussion started. Seems to have worked.

KSH, You are correct in that I'm comfortable enough in my decision to not be bothered by what others think. Or I wouldn't have said a word. I appreciate your speaking up in defense of my POV. Thanks!

I think we're lucky to have a forum of women who are able to discuss many controversial topics without too much acrimony or flaming and respect each others' opinions, whether or not we agree with them.

Annie

[Zen]

Did I ever tell you about the time I shot a skunk?

[deedolce]

If I won the lotto, I would so seriously consider a BA and a nose job! I have a question though: can someone else (aka possible boyfriend) feel the difference between implants and nature by feel?

[teigyr]

Did I ever tell you about the time I shot a skunk?

Noooo! Skunks are wonderful creatures

[teigyr]

I have to say I am intrigued by this thread, skunks nonwithstanding. I was one of the "anti" people merely, I guess, due to my own feelings about how women shouldn't have to modify themselves due to society, etc.

What I'm impressed with are the people who are obviously in shape and are extraordinarily strong women who choose to do this. This is cool. I guess I've witnessed the non-athletic "Barbie" types who rely on surgery to do what they don't want to work for. I guess if it's something you want to do (instead of an attempt to make someone like you) it's a positive thing.

I have no desire to get it done but the ultra-painful sounding tummy tuck would be something I'd be interested in. Though I wonder if implants help in swimming? Are they bouyant? Might get me to thinking .....

[silver]

If I won the lotto, I would so seriously consider a BA and a nose job! I have a question though: can someone else (aka possible boyfriend) feel the difference between implants and nature by feel?

I can't exactly answer this question because I've never actually "squeezed" a real breast myself. But I would say that someone else would be able to notice the difference. I think it would depend on how much breast tissue you already have to insulate the implant. I would say that my saline implants are more firm than real breasts. They don't "ebb and flow" like real breasts. They don't bounce and jiggle like real breasts. I also have a one inch scar in the crease of each breast. (of course I have many other scars, one might not notice those) I think that they are still very nice and "squeezable." And they are better than no breasts at all.

Now, silicon wasn't available when I got mine. They say that silicon has a much nicer feel.

Now I've asked Mr. if he could tell the difference and sweet man that he is, says he doesn't remember. He likes them. However he was very clear to me that getting them was my decision and he loved me the way that I was.

[silver]

Though I wonder if implants help in swimming? Are they bouyant? Might get me to thinking .....

They are no help at all!

[deedolce]

Thanks, Silver. I think it's awesome that strong women, especially cycling women (!) are willing to talk about this...I've always been curious, and I've always thought about it - not willing to spend that kind of money yet, though.

[Torrilin]

I have no desire to get it done but the ultra-painful sounding tummy tuck would be something I'd be interested in. Though I wonder if implants help in swimming? Are they bouyant? Might get me to thinking .....

It's actually better to be flat chested if you swim. A lot better . I went from an A cup to a C cup over the course of a year in college, and well... the difference in water resistance is very noticeable. I don't exactly hate having grown boobs now, but it was really traumatic when it happened. Fortunately, going from an A to a C is still within the limits of what a racing suit can smoosh. And as long as there's no gaping at the neckline, there's no risk of swimming out of my suit. If it's one of those stupid low cut or "pretty" swimsuits tho, ugh!

It's definitely a YMMV thing tho. I'd not get breast reduction just to get back to being fast in the water. And I'm sure there are swimmers who wouldn't mind larger breasts. But I liked my body best as an A cup.

[KnottedYet]

If I won the lotto, I would so seriously consider a BA and a nose job! I have a question though: can someone else (aka possible boyfriend) feel the difference between implants and nature by feel?

I certainly could... it was very odd. They looked real, but they felt very unusual. (this was a friend of mine who later got them taken out)

I used to work in a clinic where we did rehab on the "failed" cosmetic surgeries from the plastic surgeons in the building. Believe me, you want to research your surgeon, and then do everything they tell you! If someone gets a tummy tuck and is supposed to walk hunched over a low walker for 2 months to let it heal right, dang it they'd better do exactly that!! (cuz otherwise things can go very wrong)