So I'm looking at getting a breast enlargement...

[SeekingCosmeticSurgery]

And I found loads of older threads on here about it-but not anything recent.

I have NC, because a few of my family members are on here and I haven't told anybody about this, apart from DH and my Mum.

I've been contemplating this decision for about 6-7 years and haven't gone for it. I've done a tonne of research and still, I know I want it done.

I'm scared of surgery, I've never had a general before.Also I keep talking myself out of it along the lines of 'It's surgery I don't need', 'It's selfish/narcissistic', 'I like other parts of my body', 'It's expensive' etc etc. But still deep down I know that as I age I'll be more regretful if I DON'T, than if I DO.

I actually really like my body apart from my boobs. My boobs sap my confidence-they're not particularly saggy so not sure I'd need an uplift-but they're small and not a nice shape-kind of like two pointy bits of flesh stuck to me-my nipples point downwards.

I've arrived at the decision that life's too short to be unhappy when I can do something about it. It's small-risk surgery and I've always put money and effort into things that help others-I know I'll feel confident and less body-conscious, and dare to wear clothes I know look crap at the moment.

DH wouldn't care less if I didn't have it done-all he says is although he likes my breasts as they are, he sees what I mean, and he wants me to be happy.

Anyway the reason I've posted here is , I'm confused on where to go for it. I know quite a few women who've had it done and they've all gone to mainstream cosmetic surgeons (MYA, Transform etc) but on researching, a lot of say is to go to a plastic surgeon or hospital, not cosmetic.

Has anybody had it done?Can anybody give me any advice?

I am more worried about the GA than anything else!

I'm in the NW-can travel for the right surgeon.

Thank you!

If you insist on having this done - and I disagree with it on principle - but if you want to go for it then yes you will be best served by a plastic surgeon who works in a private hospital as well as NHS. DO NOT go clinic route, in particular do NOT go to Transform in Manchester. One of the surgeons at the hospital I used to work at had a very nice private practice sorting out boobs than had been bodged by Transform. If the women had just come to him in the first place then everybody could have been much happier.

Thank you.

I have heard bad things about transform to be honest-although a friend of mine had hers done there and is happy...I found a blog about a woman who had hers done there and her nipples were visibly 'odd' afterwards!

I agree with MrsM. If you must do it, don't go budget and go to a proper plastic surgeon. And reference check.

Also, make sure you always have enough money tucked away somewhere for removing or replacing them later - lots of implants have a shelf life, it's not a once-and-you're-done operation.

And perhaps speak to a counsellor about it. Not to say don't do it (not that I'd ever do it, but it's your body), but getting it done will only give you bigger boobs. It won't change anything else. So before you spend the money I think it's a good thing to have spoken to someone impartial about it so you know exactly why you're doing it and what you can realistically expect.

I had this done in 2007, and it was definitely the right decision for me. I too was quite happy with my body, apart from my boobs, they were far too small for my frame and I'd always been self conscious.

I went to our local private hospital, which was part of the Nuffield group (I'm in the Midlands). The surgeon I saw operates both privately and on the NHS, I did my homework and couldn't find anything negative about him. The operation went fine, I was delighted with the results, and I feel I now have a bust in proportion with my frame.

Go for it - life is for living.

Thanks whereishe.

I have deliberated over this for so long that I've considered the money side of it, I'm not too worried.

I've also heard that It's a myth that they always need redoing?Haven't found a concrete answer on that, though.

What would I say to a counsellor? Genuine question.

PS - I was slightly insulted by the poster who suggested you need to see a counsellor. I didn't have mental health or self esteem problems, I just wanted one specific procedure, not a whole body re-fit. It was a cosmetic issue, no psychiatry required.

Watching with interest. I've been contemplating having mine done for years.

My main worry is to do with breast health. Hw do you accurately check for lumps etc? Hw do you know whats normal for your breasts when checking them, once theyre not 'yours', iyswim?

That's a great reply to read, sunnyfeet.

I think our situations sound quite similar in that I have a medium frame, muscular legs and arms,(I work out a fair bit) slim but not thin-and my boobs (or lack of!) do not suit it. I'd like some curves.

IWillYeh I asked my gyno about that. Even though I have no family history, it is an issue. She said to ask a doctor to check. All online info have read states the same rules apply such as know what is normal for you.

There's no need to be insulted sunny, seeing a counsellor doesn't imply it's not something you're sure about or that it's a bad thing to do. As I said in my post, your body your decision.

Some people have boob jobs because they want bigger boobs. Lots of people have boob jobs because their body image/perception of their boob size (as hammered into us from an early age by the media) is linked to their self-confidence and self-worth in complex ways that just having bigger boobs wouldn't fix. So, if OP just wants her tops to be more filled out then great. But for most people it's about more than that and I think an honest conversation about why she wants it done and how she expects to feel afterwards would be helpful. To avoid that situation of waking up the day after and realising that actually nothing much has changed.

I'm interested in your nipple issue (that sounds wrong ), as mine are the same and I'd quite like that sorted but no idea if it's even a 'thing'!

sunnyfeet apologies, didn't see your second post. I guess I know what whereisshe meant, I think if you're the sort of person who would never consider doing something, It's easy to arrive at the conclusion that somebody who would/does, has something 'wrong'.

I agree this is a cosmetic issue only for me. I'm not expecting it to do anything for my life other than to give me breasts I'm happy with. I'm not saying I'm perfect psychologically-nobody is! But yes I'd have no idea what I'd say to a counsellor. 'Er hi, I want a boob job-can you make me not want one?'..

FWIW, I'm in my final year of counselling training.

I object to the comment that 'some' people want bigger boobs, but 'lots' of people have surgery due to self esteem issues, inferring that the majority of people having boob jobs fall into the self-esteem category. That's very patronising and condescending, and I suggest the poster who made these comments doesn't know much about the subject.

It amazes me that if you want braces or your ears pinned back or a tummy tuck, no one suggests you need your head testing! But mention boobs, and the response is often quite different.

whereisshe I really don't think that's me, even though I agree it may be for some.

The only thing I want to change is my being able to be happier with the way I look, it isn't important to some-and that's fine.This isn't a snap-decision for me. I don't think anybody who wants their 'tops to be more filled' isn't linking it to self-confidence in some way, though-I know I'll feel more confident if I am happy with all my body, not thinking 'I look great shame about the boobs'!

And if somebody has low self esteem and has surgery which resolves the issue, then why not?As long as they have explored other avenues first I suppose. Then again, if they have the money and go to a reputable surgeon, why is it 'bad' to go for surgery first, if they're sure it'll work? I do think that's a minefield and another thread altogether, though.

whereisegg :D My nipples have always been like that. I was thinking my breasts were sagging but they aren't-they sit high enough on my chest but my nipples point down and slightly to either side!

I had mine done over 10 yrs ago at Transform in London - never had any issues at all. I was apprehensive of the GA but I think that's only normal!

Funnily enough I found my 'before' photos today - like the deflated balloons you find behind the telly a month after a party - certainly never a moment's regret!

That's an interesting POV, sunny. Is that true do you think?

Nosejobs/ears pinned etc are still a cosmetic surgery procedure that women have done , that can be seen to be to conform to the looks 'ideal' so are still a feminist issue-of course though, men get these procedures too. Boobs maybe because they're something only women have?

although given the guys with tops off due to warmer weather I've seen recently, I may be wrong on that one

Get a surgeon who is NHS trained or works in the NHS as well as doing private.

yellowstripe

I'm terrified of GA!Everyone keeps telling me I'm being daft on that, though!
Would you care to share anything else about your experience?

Thanks beccjoh. Not thought of that.

i had mine done in 2009. I've never regretted it. I made sure that I researched the operation and the consultant - even down to asking him if he had any testimonials .

Although I had had and breastfed two DCs, I had never felt 'womanly' due to the fact that I lost ALL my breast tissue afterwards (I paid privately, but the consultant said I would have had grounds to have the op on the nHS).

I am a feminist, and I am well aware of the fact that in having the op I was buying into the idea that breasts have to look a certain way and be a certain size (although my enlargement is tinsy - I am still a B cup). However, I weighed the argument up against how I personally felt about my body and I made the decision that I did. And I absolutely have no regrets about that.

I don't know anything about it (full disclaimer!) but have you seen your GP? From your description I wonder if you might have tubular breasts & something might be possible via the NHS?
Just a thought

silkknickers that's great. I tend to think it isn't healthy to sacrifice your own needs, and your right to make personal choices, for worry that it doesn't conform to an ideal you advocate.
I don't want to go massive, either.Just want to have what I feel are a decent pair of boobs!

tulip I just google imaged!Mine ARE like that!IF you're right, I think I love you. Definitely going to go to the GP!

What else do you want to know?

There was discomfort but not pain afterwards. Swelling (apart from the obvious!) which I actually thought would never go down - it took a few weeks for them to 'soften' but tbh I think they are fairly natural looking.

I always used to put weight on my boobs and that has happened since so they are bigger now than when the op was done. And they aren't as perky I think there are tiny patches of skin where sensation is reduced but nothing significant. Nipple sensation not affected.