Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Breast implants: finally decided to get them, had my consultation, now stressing about size - please advise!

53 replies

thisxgirl · 01/03/2010 21:57

After years of agonizing about whether I should do it, I have finally had a consultation and am preparing to put down my deposit. Very nervous!

My breasts are okay. I'm a size 6/8 (probably more an 8 these days), 5'3 1/2, and they're a B cup. Up until the consultation I was convinced one was smaller than the other but apparently I have spinal curvature which means I hold my body to the side. I have just always longed to have a curvier figure and have decided life is too short to deliberate for so many years on end so the decision is made.

But I'm not sure which size to go to. Would a small D be too large do you think? I just don't want to have a C and there be hardly any difference - but I also don't want huge look-at-me boobs, you know?

Any input appreciated...

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 02/03/2010 13:05

Maybe try experimenting with bags of rice or similar in a bra? I worked as a fitter, and trust me, 30/32D is not large or artificial-looking, even though glamour models claim that is their size. It generally isn't, but that's because people don't understand bra sizes. Cheryl Cole, for example is an F- G, but she doesn't look top-heavy (hers are a boob job, of course, but quite discreet).

Make sure that you really communicate properly with your doctor- you don't one to pay for his interpretation of 'slightly fuller' when you actually want a difference that you can notice, albeit not gazungas that take your eye out. And remember that how you dress massively affects people's perception of your boob size- you won't look like a blow-up doll if you don't dress like one!

purplepeony · 02/03/2010 13:56

I have a friend who had hers done by Alex Karidis and I am sure that she had to buy bras in bigger cups and try them on, stuffed with whatever, to choose the right size.

Does he not ofer a "sampling" whereby you can buy a bra and he puts an implant in for you to see how it looks? Not really accurate but might give an idea.

250mls is half a pint- a mug of tea. That's quite a lot on top of your already B cup.

Original poster
thisxgirl · 02/03/2010 14:16

I imagine he'll do that in the next consultation, prior to the surgery - I'll ask.

Now you put 250cc/ml like that, it does seem a lot stares of mug of tea next to her

OP posts:
Feelingforty · 02/03/2010 14:54

interesting about Cheryl Cole, always thought she had a good pair - I'd prefer mine like that !

Not sure if you've tried any bras on but do remember DB (DH now) & I checking out the C cups in M&S & being horrifed at size - But then, with a couple of fried eggs, anything else would look massive..
I should have gone with my gut feeling instead of the advise of the surgeon, who I think told me what i would have. He said this'll take you up to a full C & I just nodded meekly !

MillyMollyMoo · 02/03/2010 16:59

electra am I right in thinking you've had another baby since you got yours done, how have they held up so to speak and were you able to breast feed ?
Thanks
x

Original poster
thisxgirl · 02/03/2010 19:43

Haha, my MIL has been begging me for another grandchild before I get them done! I figure my breasts would be altered probably negatively after a second pregnancy, breast implants or not.

I have always heard/read that breastfeeding is totally unaffected by breast implants but obviously don't have personal experience.

Cheryl's boobs do not look that big at all! That's so strange. In some outfits I've thought she looks quite large-chested and obviously had them done, but in some others I've questioned if she's had them removed...

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 02/03/2010 19:49

The thing is though, an F cup on a tiny person is not the same size as an F cup on someone with a 38 band-size, say. It is considerably smaller. It's hard to explain.

Feelingforty · 02/03/2010 20:02

I breastfeed both my DC after implants just fine - infact they look better post bf. No problems with milk & latching on etc.

MillyMollyMoo · 02/03/2010 20:07

Thanks feelingforty, it's been weighing on my mind a bit worrying i might be short changing the little one.

Tinasan · 02/03/2010 20:39

I'm a similar size to you - am 5'4 and a size 8 (was a 6 or even smaller in my teens and twenties) - am about 8 1/2 stone and very petite. Except for my boobs, which are a 30F or G cup. If I could face having an op I would definitely get them reduced, they are far too big for my frame and I am very out of proportion. Can't buy dresses as whatever fits at the bottom will never go round the bust. Please think about this very carefully before you go ahead, a B sounds perfect to me!

Tinasan · 02/03/2010 20:41

oh forgot to add - my aunt had a breast reduction on the nhs years ago (big boobs run in the family) and she bf 2 babies after with no problems at all, so if you do decide to go ahead don't worry about the bf! Hope whatever choice you make is the right one for you

Monadami · 03/03/2010 22:41

I would choose a size that will suit your frame, so you don't look peculiar and top heavy. Good luck with the op.

Ellokitty · 03/03/2010 23:37

I agree with Tinsan, be careful of not going too big. When I got married, I was 6 stone 12lbs, 5ft 4inches, and a 30F. Looking back at photos of me then, quite frankly, I looked ridiculous. I looked like a barbie doll, even though it was all natural. I also remember the problems Tinsan mentioned - I could never find shirts to fit, clothes never seemed to fit nice on me and so on.

Now, I am a 32J, and weigh about 10st. Even though I am much fatter now, I look better because I am better proportioned.

I think you can go too big. I always hated my boobs, when I was smaller, but actually now that I am bigger I don't mind them so much. So if you're smaller, I wouldn't go too big, because they can be a bit of a curse!

electra · 04/03/2010 22:04

MillyMolly - yes since I had my breast aug I have had another baby - she's nearly 1. Unfortunately I only fed her for 6 weeks but this was because she was a poor feeder and I was unwell and it was getting difficult for me to pump all the time. I had plenty of milk though.

As far as how they look is concerned, they luckily haven't suffered at all and look the same as they did before I had her

BOF is right - a 30F is not really that big - nothing like if you were a 34F.

Flightattendant · 04/03/2010 22:13

OP I hope you will be happy with your result...this kind of thing really frightens me tbh because once I began doing things to myself, I know I would start noticing mor and more things that were a bit wonky and thinking I could alter them and I would end up a mess.
There is always a reason behind the way we feel about our bodies and even if you change the look, you won't change the feelings behind your dissatisfaction, iyswim.

That being said I'm sure you have thought this through and if you think it is the right thing for you, go ahead I just wanted to say, you don't have to, and you don't have to rush into it if you are unsure about the right size etc.

My body changes all the blardy time anyway - I could never keep track enough to plan something like this

electra · 04/03/2010 22:35

Flightattendant - I don't think that is always true, for most women their boobs are really important and sometimes is it not more a case of wanting back what you had before? (it was for me)

Flightattendant · 04/03/2010 22:39

That makes sense Electra. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in with negative stuff - I just fear that someone might go down this route and regret it..I am overidentifying really.

I have often wanted back my old body. But I don't think getting it back would really be the answer, for me...iyswim! But then I am going to go all droopy while you two look fab. I just have no boundaries, people who have will be fine.

Lizzzombie · 04/03/2010 22:54

OP - I have skimmed this thread.
Before you go any further, please please get a proper fitting from a decent bra shop. (not M&S).

I worked at Bravissimo for 2 years and now work fitting pg and nursing mothers for a large highstreet babycare shop for the past three years.

There is no such thing as a "D" cup on its own.
The back measurement and cup size are related.

eg.

32 B is exactly the same size space in the cup as:
30 C
28 D
26 DD

if you are a size 6 or 8 dress the likelyhood is that you are not a 32" back.

I have fitted too many women who went in for implants who didn't realise or research how bra sizes worked and basically came out of their op being a much more unusual size (eg. 28 G) and suddenly had a tiny selection of expensive bras only to choose from. And they are big bras, with big straps compared to what they are used to.

Not saying you are going to go for massive implants obviously, but even if its just one size more, you want to make sure its not going to suddenly cause you major problems getting bras in the future.

My advice to women in your situation (and also to women who go for breast reductions) is to choose a bra in the exact size you want to be and take it to the consultant with you. As also, its not just about size but shape too, and some implants don't sit well in particular bra shapes - which can cause upset on your first shopping trip out after the op.

Hope thats helpful. Best of luck!

electra · 05/03/2010 00:05

FA - don't be sorry I think you are right anyway and it is very important to think carefully about what is right for you.

McBitchy · 05/03/2010 00:15

i wear a 30 DD and my tits are tiny...

i am 5 foot 8

9 stone 12

I once heard Miss Katie Price saying her boobs were 30DD or 32D which i wear - err NO

I am not at all busty just normal

McBitchy · 05/03/2010 00:15

so i agree with Lizzombie

McBitchy · 05/03/2010 00:18

and BOF ...seriously - 30DD sounds so much bigger than 34B but it's not

Lizzzombie · 05/03/2010 07:41

Can categorically say that Katie Price did not buy 32D's from Bravissimo! More like 32J's. I know shes gone smaller recently, but I reckon its no smaller than a 32/30 G cup.

I am a 32GG and when I tell people this (when I am fitting them and they are having a heart attack about going up a couple of cup sizes) they can never believe the size I am.
I do not look out of proportion, and whilst yes, I'm definately curvy, I'd never describe myself as top heavy.

I once conducted a survey for work in a busy town centre, asking about 80 women what the biggest cup size they had heard of was. I was amazed that probably about 75% of them thought the biggest size you could buy was a D or a DD. This was about 5 years ago, and I hope attitudes have changed now.

  • sorry, can talk about bra sizes for hours and hours, its about the only thing I consider myself an expert on!
YearoftheDodo · 05/03/2010 08:52

I had a new type of implant that is a tear-drop shape. Apparently you get a more natural effect. Can you ask about that? They are more expensive though.

I had no boobs at all really - pretended to be a 34A. But I'm big boned with large shoulders - 5' 6'' and size 12.

Am now 34C/D and so much happier (I know it sounds shallow but too tedious to go into all the psychological stuff here). They do look pretty natural too and nobody noticed I'd had them done, probably owing to padded bras previously!

Unfortunately I can't remember the implant size but I tried them on inside a bra at a consultation to give me an idea of size.

Feelingforty · 05/03/2010 17:16

flightattendant, shame you feel the way about your body. I've always had no boobs & a big nose. I wish I'd had surgery for both MUCH earlier. It was such a relief looking like a woman in the mirror & unless you've experienced being flat chested, I don't think anyone can comment on the emotions behind the decisions. Agree surgery doesn't fix deeprooted dislikes BUT it goes along way to making you feel 'normal'.

Lizzzombie, interesting about the bras, I've never been able to get my head round sizes. I understand I'm a 34c, but all my bras are snug around the rib cage, which I suppose means I could be a 36b ?