Breast Implants

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I was just wondering how you feel about this subject. Do you have them? Would you get them? Have you cared for patients with them and what was your experience? Have you seen any good or bad outcomes?

I got silicone breast implants when I was 32 years old and a size 34AA...my small breasts actually shrunk to nothing after I nursed my son 7 years prior to the surgery. I have had the same implants in now for 17 years, with absolutely no problems! No loss of sensation, rupture, weird systemic problems, major interference with mammogram readings...I can honestly say that I have never regretted my decision. I did it for myself-I had been divorced for 6 years and had no man in my life at the time of the surgery. Other than the extreme pain post-op, after the analgesia wore off, I have never suffered any type of discomfort, either. A couple of weeks later, after the swelling went down and I was feeling good, I went on a shopping trip to Victoria's Secret to be fitted for new bras and to buy new ones...I tried on quite a few, and all of them looked great on me-a definite first! the salesperson asked which one I wanted, and my reply was, "All of them!" It was pure joy to look in the mirror and see that my top now matched my bottom, if you know what I mean. I have received many compliments on my figure (both before & after the surgery) and I have always been a person who exercises, although I am by no means "stick thin!" Ironically, the only persons who thought I was wrong to get the implants were my naturally endowed close girlfriends. One friend in particular would get almost angry when we went to the beach together and she saw me in a bathing suit. My implants made me a "34 C" and make me look proportionate. My plastic surgeon was excellent; during my initial visit, I tried on several implants (by placing them in my bra), and he felt that this size was the most flattering. You do not want to get implants that are too large for your frame, but neither does it make any sense to get implants that are too small/do not make a difference. Breast implants will not make you happy or give you inner peace. But I say, if each of us is given life on this planet, and cosmetic surgery can favorably alter something that has made you, and only you unhappy, I say "go for it!" Good luck, and make sure that you take a lot of time in choosing the right cosmetic surgeon. One last thing: my mother and I are very close, and occasionally go shopping for clothing together. My mother, who is by the way, very outspoken, has never asked if "I had anything done." I guess she just thinks that I naturally grew larger breasts as I grew older and gained a few pounds (she is a natural 34 C). I have told my 26 year old daughter, who is about a 34 B and looks just fine...she is has no intention of getting implants, but was sympathetic with my choice.

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Two of my cousins both have the silicone implants since 1980, they have never had a problem & still have em! I guess some bodies reject & others do well.

Has anyone has Botox or Restylane yet? A couple of my friends had, they are the same age, middle 40's...big difference how they looked before. Shaved about 7-10 years off their age!

Hey you! I had breast auggie and a rhino on 12/31/97 by Doctor 90210, only he was here in Newport Beach for a time. What a sweetheart, a genius with boobs, not so great on the schnozz. He is a wonderful MD and really gives a lot of ego hugs, admits to having a few nose revisions, lot's of botox and some bad hair plugs. I also understand he was delightful to work with in the OR and again his specialty is breasts.

I was a unique challenge since I had almost an "A" cup on a "pigeon chest" this is where the fetus is culrled almost in half length wise en utero, one theory but I have a concave sternum that gives me no cleavage. You could pretty much rest a watermelon on the crevace I was born with.

It displaced my heart a few cm's but my surgery went very well. I stayed reasonable at a full "B' cup and never regretted my decision. They are saline implants that are so well placed under the muscle and I love them, although it did take getting used to. I was always able to ride my horse, play tennis and split the atom without thought to a bra. Now, I wear one when I expect vigorous activity or someone may notice the extra jiggle, otherwise I don't bother with a bra.

10 days ago I had several units of botox injected around my eyes, forehead region as well as a full syringe of restylane into my lips. The numbness around my eyes and forehead is still there, along with some flu like symptoms which may or may not be related but the lips, OH YEAH!!!! I would do it again. They are subtle and just a bit more perky.

Good subject. PS, anyone with a bony sternum, the implants have made my yearly mammograms 100% more comfortable and extend the true breast tissue farther onto the radiology plate. Wacky ain't it?

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Happyjax,

Since you were small like me, did you have much trouble getting used to all the new volume sitting on your chest? If too personal and nosy of me please ignore.

I still sleep with a pillow bolster when sleeping on my side. The weight was the biggest shock for me, that first day in the shower when I was leaning over to shave my legs and the rest of my body came with me!!! I also had some issues sleeping on my back, kinda like when your pregnant, you should not sleep that was but heck we flip and flop so a small pillow is my constant travel companion.

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From my male perspective:

I'm not a breast man, leg man, butt man, or etc. I look at the entire person, inside and out. There is no question that physical appearance is important to me but it is NOT the only thing that matters. I have seen women that I think are stunning that my friends turn up their noses at. I have never dated a woman based soley on appearance. A woman could have the most perfect body (in my mind) but if they have no sense of humor, no sense of adventure, or are too one-dimentional, then I will not be interested. They also must have an interest in at least some of my myriad of hobbies, otherwise what is the point.

Many years ago I went out with an absolutely stunning black haired women. (Black hair was and is my favorite but she is the only one I have dated)She was smart, independent, had a good job, and made decent money. She was a movie buff and I knew that going into the date. We went out to dinner and back to her place to watch a couple movies. During our conversations at dinner and after the movies I discovered that other than movies, her only other interest was shopping. Needless to say I did not ask for a second date despite her desire for one.

I cannot honestly tell you what, in my mind, the perfect women would look like or be like because the perfect women does not exist and for good reason. Perfection would be boring.

I must admit that I would have reservations about becoming involved with a women who has had any cosmetic procedures performed with the exception of repair of gross birth defects, trauma, or to improve some aspect of her quality of life. Why? Two reasons: 1) I would have to wonder about her self-image and the effect that would have on the relationship and 2) I would have to believe this type of value system would also apply to me and as we all know our bodies change as we age.

I want to make this perfectly clear. I am not in any way condemning anyone who chooses to have cosmetic surgery. That is absolutely a personal choice between you, your psyche, and your doctor.

This brings a couple questions to mind for you single ladies out there:

1. If you have had some type of cosmetic surgery when, if ever, during the dating process do you think you should reveal this information?

2. If you feel you should not reveal this, what is/are your reasons?

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I got breast implants (silicone) when I was 29. I am an hourglass shaped woman even with no fat on me so my hips stick out and my waist is small. After kids I had 2 "ladels" as I called them and decided to get implants. I went from a B cup to a D cup. Nobody would ever know i had breast implants unless I toold them and they are pretty big (not huge). They just evened out my entire body.

I do wear a bra 24 hours a day though. They only time I am not wearing a bra is when I shower. It is uncomfortable to me now to be bare cheasted. That is probably my only complaint.

When I loose weight I plan to go in for a tummy tuck becasue while my hips were definaltely made for birthing (7 hours first labor, 3 1/2 hours second) my skin was not made for pregnancy.

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For the guys.... about being weary to go out w/ a woman w/cosmetic surgery done & how that (you think) can affect your possible relationship - well what about the women that are great (& have not had surgery) until you realize that they have such self esteem issues abouth their bodies that that too causes stress on the relationship?? Just a thought.

I myself are one of those girls (not stick thin, never have been but I was MUCH smaller before the 3 kids) and my body now & how I see it have cause some friction between me & the hubby. He loves it, I don't & by me not liking it I don't like him touching any of my "gross"parts (all of the places I'm not comfy w/) So I definitely plan on surgery - I'm very very lopsided from nursing all 3 & just want to even myself out & perk them up a bit. I want them for completely selfish reason, but my hubby sure doesn't mind:chuckle So it can be just as bad or even worse to have a woman that isn't happy w/herself. At least the women that have already had surgery are already more comfortable w/themselves (I would think anyway)

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Specializes in L&D, Antepartum.

I had breast augmentation surgery about 3 years ago and I'm SO glad I did. I had nice perky B cups before being pregnant and nursing for 5 years straight (2 kids). They became flat empty bags of skin. I did so much growing during pregnancy that I doubled in size the first time, tripled the second time. I hated to look at them. My DH and I decided together to have the surgery. It was better for me and our relationship. But that's just us. My breasts are now "restuffed". The only time you can tell they are implants is if I wear a tiny bikini top, otherwise, they do what normal breasts do, yes, they fall. I told the doctor I want them to look as natural as possible. I'm very pleased with the result. They are saline and I was told I would have to replace them in 7 years. I probably will do that. Oh, and I went from a 34 B pre kids to a 36 C after implants. I lost some weight so now I wear 34 D bras. Due to the back shrinking and the boobs staying the same, the 34 C's don't fit, LOL! :rotfl:

- N

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Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

I can understand some of you who think that people who get implants have a problem with self-image. Actually, I can't think of any other reason to get them. But I bet not one of you can say that you have lived your entire life without making some snide remark about a woman with a small chest. Whether it was when you were a kid/teen in school or watching a movie. The thing is, it does hurt. Can you imagine being teased day after day, year after year, from the time of puberty (even pre puberty) to much later in your adult life? It gets old. It's not something you can just turn away from. Words hurt. I had been a small A all through Jr. High/High school. Eventually went up to a large A (which is an oxy-moron). I was a cocktail waitress in a casino for 9 years. I basically had to have my uniform specially made, and was required to purchase lifts (pads) to stuff into my "emptyness". One uniform we changed to (every couple of years they changed), they said they gave me the AA top, but you could see right down the top. I was exposed for all to see. So, I had to beg the mgr. to allow me to wear the old uniform that day, until I could get my top altered. Of course, the mgr. thought it was funny. To me, it was extremely embarrasing and made me feel less of a woman. People think it's cute to poke fun at flat chested people. Well, it's no different than me laughing at someone overweight (to there face) and poking fun at them along with everyone else that would like a stab at a cruel joke.

THEN...I had two kiddos. They sucked out whatever I had left. It was nice though to be lactating. I went to a DD!!!!:rotfl: Not that they were comfortable, but I took it all in and enjoyed it. Well, the joke was on me. I came out of the breastfeeding battle with a "boyish" chest (AAA). I didn't even cast a shadow below my breast. It was soooo obvious that one was larger than the other. I didnt want to wear any kind of swimsuit. The bikini's fell up:rotfl: and a one piece accented my boyish features. Basically no breast curvature whatsoever. I am married, my dh loves me no matter what. He said if I wanted implants, he was (of course) ok with it, but he loved me the way I was. I do say "was" because I got 'em! I only have a small C and they are wonderful! All I wanted was NOT to be noticed. I am no longer teased for my small breasts, nor do people stare at me for large ones. People are shocked when I tell them I have implants. You would never know.

Now I can wear a nice cocktail dress (not for working...I quit that job) to a party, a bikini, one piece, and best of all....lingerie without feeling like I'm not even female.

I do not regret it one bit. Not one bit.

And yes, it is society that had a big role in it. What people think is just "playful joking" is, over the long haul, very hurtful and annoying.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I am a small B, droopier after 3 pregnancies, etc. etc. but I wouln't get augmentation, for all of the reasons already listed.

A friend of mine plans on getting them after her next (last) baby and like someone else mentioned above, her doc told her that if she does it she should plan on having to come back at some point for "maintainance/repair" for one reason or another.

As a lactation consultant, I've worked with moms with implants. Soem women do fine with it, but in general there are higher chances of having problems breastfeeding for those with augmentation (& reduction even more so). Sometimes the plastic surgeons are not aware that the rate of bf complications is as high as it is.

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I can understand some of you who think that people who get implants have a problem with self-image. Actually, I can't think of any other reason to get them. But I bet not one of you can say that you have lived your entire life without making some snide remark about a woman with a small chest. .

I can honestly say I've never made fun of a small chest. I actually think those women are lucky. Small chests don't lead to back pain, shoulder grooves, etc. and there are plenty of comments made about larger breasts too. I would love to be able to go out without a bra, or wear those cute little strappy tanks and dresses! Trust me, most lingerie doesn't look good on a too big chest either...

I'm glad you're happy with your decision and that things worked out well for you. I just couldn't do plastic surgery because the risks seem to big for me (though I admit it is tempting to think of getting lipo:lol2: ).

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Had mine for almost a year. Went from a B to a D and no regrets at all.

I did have an echo done recently and they were unable to get a good view of my apical due to the implants but other than that no problems as of yet.

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I would do it....only saline though...I've heard to many risks with the silicone.

I just want to get the "girls" back where they belong! :imbar :D

we are/were the only country not to use gel implants...the rest of the planet uses them.

They have done studies on 2 groups of women.....one with gel implants and one w/o.....both groups averaged the same on any auto immune dx's or aliments.....the gel group did not have any more problems then the saline.This study has gone on now, for over 10 years.....

The USA is putting gels back on the market for all women to now have a choice.....

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