Realty check - body image

[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?

[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.

[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)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Zen,
You better behave yerself, Missy!
Don't make me mention butter.





Knot,
That's scary stuff!!
(((hoping Kit doesn't start posting bloody eyeball pix again....)))

[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]

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.

[KSH]

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 .....

Well, I think with everything... why women get boob jobs can vary.

Yes I think there are the ones out there who do it to "get men" or they are just all about relying on their looks to get by in life.

I would encourage you to view some before and after pictures though... as you will see that there are women out there with deformed breasts. One size is an A cup the other a D cup... tubular breasts, etc. I am sure these women get a BA so they can feel comfortable undressing in front of their partner.

I can't say my choice was based on something that dramatic.... I just like boobs and I didn't have any. I went from a perky B to a saggy A when I lost some body fat through diet and exercise. After that I wasn't happy with the size or shape. And I'm a women who is all hips/thighs/butt. I had this thin torso, no boobs but a lot of booty. I just wanted to even it all out.

Honestly, most people who have met me in person, and who I tell later about my BA... are shocked I have one. I don't stand out... mine are very natural looking and fit my body size. I don't flaunt my chest... I don't use it to get anything. I dress in respectable clothing and I make sure to cover up at work.

I'm a very strong and confident woman who got it done for... me. I didn't do it for anyone else.

As for swimming... eh... no help there.

[LBTC]

So, back to where I started on this thread....not that the rest of the discussion hasn't been great....but this new strange sizing to consider.

Sure, I'd love to buy an inexpensive bra, but it absolutely must fit. So, now that I know the size I'm supposed to be, before I start randomly trying on anything that looks okay, I'm going to try to find the right size...34D.

All I can say is Good f*****ing luck.

Thousands of bras at Walmart. Not a single 34D. D's start at 38, with the odd 36 in there. 34's don't get past C.

Yes, I'll try another store next chance I get, and I'll let you know if I have any success. I may be destined to only buy expensive bras. I hope not.

Will the hoped for weight loss help to reduce the cup size? Hard to say. Perhaps. But I'm not going to lose weight fast, so I'll need at least one more bra, including a sports bra, in the meantime. Wish me luck!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[Wahine]

I have a few tidbits to share.

First LBTC - I feel your pain, a 36/38 A ain't easy to find either.

Second - I am lucky enough to have very nicely shaped breasts, however they are smaller than average. I also have spectacular abs. BFs in the past have always commented on how nice my breasts are, I on the other hand always wanted to hear how nice my abs are. I earned those abs, they weren't a simple developemental happen-stance. My breasts are a fluke.

Thirdly - I have opted not to have children in part because of what it does to our bodies. Sure, I haven't had PS but in many ways I'm more vain than many. Who am I to say if it's right or wrong to have PS. That would be pretty hipocritical of me.

Lastly - I have very close friend who just had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. She's 36 years old. She's currently going through consultations for her reconstructive surgery. I asked her what size she was going to get (you do get to choose and they do the other one to match), she said "I told DH if he lost 20 lbs I'd get a C, otherwise he's getting a B same as before." She cracks me up, I love her and I hope she wins her battle.

[lph]

This thread has been really interesting, and not least, it's made me rethink some of my own values. I think the only point important to me when it comes to body image issues is "how it looks is less important than how it WORKS".

That's not to say that vanity is stupid, or pointless, or completely shallow, but I do believe that it's important to have a sense of perspective. We're all vain in some way or another, some of us more than others. Some of us on behalf of our bikes... And we change with time, and with different circumstances. I remember when I was a teenager, and swore I'd NEVER dye my hair (like my mother), I'd rather just go grey gracefully. Well FOOF to that I dye my hair all the time. But I like to think I can just stop, and still feel fine about myself.

Whoever said that "it's only the obnoxious ones you notice" - very true. You don't notice the discreet, natural-looking BAs. I see skinny little teenage girls wearing watermelons, and I feel sad for their flatter chested classmates. My bust size is increasingly "invisible". (Funny thing is, quite a few supermodels hardly seem to have breasts either, it seems to go quite naturally with their skinny frames.) I used to go to an aerobic class that was half full with teenage girls obsessed with making their butts look good. I just thought, well, great, they're getting a cardio workout at the same time, and that might be really important for their health at some point.

I'm not really getting anywhere here. But it's been a education reading all the stories here, and I thank you all for it. I know everybody here is primarily concerned with keeping their bodies fit and in good working order and I can't imagine a better ideal for women. How vain we want to be on the outside is a personal choice, and I for one am going to be a bit more careful about passing judgement too fast.