Anyone ever had breasts implants?
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive October 2004:
Anyone ever had breasts implants?
I really want implants. I don't want them to be bigger, or because they are sagging. I want them to look normal. My left breast never developed. The left side is probebly a AAA cup. The right side is a very full C cup. I've dealt with this all my life, well since puberty.
I've never wore a spagetti strap shirt, or a strapless shirt. I always wear oversized shirts. I wear a size 14 pants but always wear a 1x shirt to cover my lopsidedness. I have bought bra inserts but the biggest size they sell still isn't big enough to even them out. I've only been swimming once in the last 12 years and that was at a lake when only one other friend was present. The thing is, I cannot afford the surgery. I don't understand why insurance will cover a woman getting her breasts done after undergoing a mascetomy (sp) to fix her breasts so she does'nt feel a loss and suffer mental anquish. I suffer mental anquish and feel a loss for something I never had to begin with. I've talked to my family doctor about this and she said I would have a fight that I would probebly lose if I aurgued with my insurance. They consider it "cosmetic surgery". I don't feel it's cosmetic. I just want to be able to feel like a whole woman. Sure, everyone has slightly uneven breats, or they sag, or their little, but that is the norm. I'm not the norm.
If by chance one day I can get the procedure, does anyone know how to go about finding a respectable surgeon? How would I know that the doctor is good and not a quack? Can breasts like mine even be fixed? This is something I struggle with everyday and it's tearing me apart. My dh says that he loves me the way I am, but he also supports my want to have surgery. I wish there was a doctor out there that would take monthly payments  but I think they usually want payment up front for this kind of thing. I know I'm rambling on now so I'll leave it at that.
ANY adivce....
mara
(((Mara)))
I have never had implants, but I just wanted to offer my 2 cents in.
YOU are what makes you a woman, not your breasts. I am sure your dh doesn't mind how your breasts look.
That said you should be able to do what makes you happy & if it is implants than so be it. I would call a plastic surgeon & find out the cost & if they will take payments before you have it done. I would see about a consult & see if there is some way to get it to where your insurance will pay. Doctors no secrets that patients don't when it comes to insurances. Good luck.
{{{{Mara}}}} I do not have personal experience with breast implants. However, I have heard that they are much saver then they used to be. I do have a friend that had plastic surgery. She actually had her surgery financed and she made monthly payments. My understanding was that her plastic surgeon had a finance company that they used. She just had to fill out the application and be approved. If your credit is okay, then this could be an option for you. As far as picking a surgeon, you definitely want to make sure that the surgeon is board certified. You can always ask your family doctor if they can recommend one. I know that my friend went on 3 consultations before she picked one that she felt comfortable with. It sounds like it is really important to you. Why don't you call a few plastic surgeons in your area and get some information.
Good luck to you.
Thanks for the input. Emily, yes, I agree that the woman makes the woman, not the breasts. It's not the outside, it's the inside. I agree with all of that It's just something I can't get passed. I have good days and bad days. Sometimes I could really care less, other days I cry and cry. Implants would'nt make me a better person, or a different person. But, it would make me more self confident. A low self confidence is bad for the mind. Sometimes I feel like I'm hiding behind a curtain, and if I could just lift that curtain maybe I would be more secure, walk a little taller, and feel a little better about my appearence
Mara
Mara,
I want plastic surgery to fix my breasts and stretch marks from pregnancy. i don't think it makes you any less of a woman to want surgery. As far as finances, many doctors will finance the surgery. Capital One also has a special card for plastic surgery. A close relative and a few friends have had it done, and were very happy with the results. Look for the best surgeon you can find, check the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, and do your research. Good Luck honeyy, I can't imagine how stressful this is for you!
Who you are DOES come from inside, but if part of you inside is suffering, it affects who you are! I can understand how it could affect your confidence and self image when you are having a *low* day.
If implants would make you happy, then by all means, look into them. You should research your surgeon VERY carefully though and also what the best type of implants will be. Research the other health implications of them also - because there ARE implications for some people. Be sure you're a good candidate for implants. See if there is any way at all insurance would cover them. There just might be a loophole you can get around.
I used to be a nice, FULL 34C. Then I had kids and rapidly became a DD. Once I was done breastfeeding 2 kids, I've ended up as a floppy 36B. The top half of my breasts are flat - basically skin over ribs. Most times - probably 95% of the time - it doesn't bother me at all - Victoria's Secret makes WONderful bras! LOL But when I put on swim suits, or certain tops or evening clothes, I feel *lacking*. I can only buy swim suits with underwires and pads, otherwise I look ridiculous.
My DH loves me as I am, but sometimes *I* want to have nice full breasts again! I've thought fleetingly about the idea of implants, but I have health issues, so it's not really a smart option for me. If it weren't for that, I would probably go for it.
Just be sure you research your doctor well! Get references if you can, find out how many procedures he's done, ask to see photos, check him out with whatever associations you can check a plastic surgeon out with. I'd definitely interview more than one doc. Ask what each would recommend for YOUR body, what procedures they will follow, what the risks are, etc.
I'll bet you can find a financial arrangement that would work for you. I guess I'm not much help, but those are my thoughts.
Mara, I'm sorry you are going through this and have to deal with all of the insurance/doctor stuff as well. From what you first described, it sounds like your one breast didn't grow at all..that should be a medical concern, not cosmetic. Can you pursue that angle for the surgery? (((HUGS))))
I can definetely understand. They may have to slowly stretch the skin so it may be a process that takes time. I have also known someone who had surgery as outpatient went home the same day on pain relivers and has been just fine. SHe had implants on both sides. It cost her about $5000 and she put it on credit card. Since you only need one done then it may be cheaper than that. Then again it may require more visits and such just to stretch teh skin to have teh casing to hold the implant. Add me to the list who wants surgery (just a lift not implants).
Mara, your reason for wanting an implant makes perfect sense to me. As to how you find a good surgeon, some of it is word of mouth. You want a board certified surgeon with at least 10 years experience in doing breast implants. You want someone who will do exactly and only what you want done and not anything you don't want. (We have a case in our office of a woman who had to have implants replaced and the doctor tried to convince her that she also needed to have her nipple size reduced - she said no, verbally and in writing, several times. He did the nipple reduction anyhow and left her with visible scars and the nipples stretched again anyhow within 6 months after the surgery.) Word of mouth is very good - a referral from your family doc is also good.
As for payment, I tend to agree that it is unlikely that your health insurance will cover. Is it possible that a plastic surgeon will allow what my dentist allows when people are getting dentures - making payments up front until you have the amount required on deposit. Other than that, all you can do is set money aside in savings and try hard not to touch it - you will have to cover both the surgeon and the hospital and I am fairly sure the hospital will not allow building up an account in advance to cover the costs.
But I agree that your reason is a good one and I hope you can work it out.
Have you considered having your dh write a letter to one of the makeover shows?????????????? I bet they would be interested in hearing your story and I think they get those makovers for free!!
I think it makes perfect sense why you want to have surgery. I say go for it. Just research the surgeons in your area choose one make an appt and go from there. They might be able to word it to the insurance as a medical concern or a reconstruction since there is no breast formed.
btw, i'd like to have a tummy tuck since my c-section. ugh...  I might do it if I won the lottery.
Actually our town does makeovers on people. You have to submit a application and they pick from them. I'm not sure if it is a random choice or how they decide. The first one was last month and the lady they chose for that got liposuction, corrective laser surgery for her eyes, her 4 front teeth were fixed and she was given money for a new wardrobe, and a fitness and exercise program. I called our local paper and the lady said when they start taking applications for the next makeover she will call me. I would LOVE to do that.
Thanks for the support everyone!
Mara
Well I talked to a woman at my bank today about a personal loan. These are just approximate figures but she said that on a 36 month loan for $5,000 it would be about $178 monthly. She said that she might be able to even extend the time which would make my payments less. Hmmmm, now I'm really starting to think. Once I get some of our doctor bills paid off I really am going to concider this!
Mara
I say go for it! It will make you feel better about your body. I plan on a getting a Boob Job and Tummy Tuck to get rid of all my strechmarks. I'm going to wait until my kids are a little bit older and we can afford it.
Good luck, Mara! Tell me more about your town makeovers! They just DO this?? Is it televised? Or on the news or something? I've never heard of such a thing! I mean, I've heard of Extreme Makeover, and The Swan, yes, but never heard of a town just doing makeovers like that! Watch out, we may all move to your area!!!
Mara,
I had a good friend in highschool, that had one breast that was a size A and the other a B. It was very noticable and she did get implants. Her self esteem has flourished and she isn't embarassed any longer. I say go for it!
Oh as far as surgeons go, hey come visit Andi and I we live next to Hollywood, where some of the best reside! LOL
I have a friend that had a similar issue. She started a fund to have hers done. She cut back on all her extra's and then she took her tax return to cover the rest of it. She only had the one breast made larger.
My suggestion would be that you find a dr and go in for a consult and see what he/she says. Consults are free... My friend was sure they would have to do both to make them look right. She went in for the consult and he told her what he would want to do and how much it would cost. He did a really good job. And he went through her arm pit to implant. Thus NO SCARS on the breast. And I have seen her with out a top and she looks no different than I do. Her concern was being 30+ and having 16 year old breast. Best of luck. And I say where there is a will there is a way...
Mara,I say do whatever makes you feel best.You deserve to feel good about your body.((HUG))
As for me, I think if they could ever come up with procedures where they don't actually have to do any sort of cutting or anything painful, I'd think about it. I'm just too whimpy, so it looks like I'm stuck with my stretch marks.
Mara - My breasts don't match either. One is almost a C and the other's determined to break out of a D cup. It never bothered me and in fact came in handy when breastfeeding. One side was great for discreet and cuddly nursing in public, the other was great for distance - Lay on my back and still be able to nurse her when she's lying at my side LOL.
All that said, go for it! I'm not sure I wouldn't if I had the opportunity. The girls have been useful but it would be soooo nice to have a bra that fit them both well. Only, don't see it as fixing a problem (because you're perfect as you are of couse) but rather making a welcome change. You have the right to do that!
My only concern would be to make sure I'm done nursing babies though I don't think implants interfere with that as much as reductions.
Thanks for the support!!
Our town just started the makeover thing. They have only made over one woman. I did'nt even know they were doing it until I saw her in the paper after they were done. I called our paper last week and they said that they will be doing another one soon and that they will call me to let me know when they are taking applications. Honestly I don't know why they have started this. Our town is not a rich, well to do town. But, doctors in the area offer their skills for free to the recipents.
As far as breastfeeding, I'm not having more babies. My dh had a vasectomy after the birth of our last child.
I talked with him last night about this and he said he supports what ever makes me happy. But, he also agrees that we need to pay off the other bills that we currently have. That might take a year but the way I see it I've waiting this long what is another year?
I talked to a surgeons office yesterday in Indianapolis, I'm about 40 min. from there. She said that the consultation visit is $50 but then they take that off the price of the surgery.
The idea of having surgery is a scary one. I've never been put under, never been hospitalized except to have my babies. But, I know that the end result will be worth it.
Yes, I know that sometimes things don't turn out how you hoped. Things can always go wrong. There is lots of pain involved. But, I think that I can't be scared of everything my whole life. I just can't imagine having 2 boobies! Well, 2 boobs the same size. I know that they might not be able to make them look the same exactly, but anything close would be an improvment.
thanks again,
I'll keep you posted on anything that happens.
Mara
Mara, I know thousands of women have had breast implants with no problems, but I read an article in the 10/17/04 PARADE by a woman who had a negative experience because of a reaction the silicon wrapper of the saline implants. The web site they give for more information is www.breastimplantinfo.org. It doesn't hurt to have as much information as possible.
In general, I am not a fan of plastic surgery just for vanity's sake (i.e., changing B boobs to D boobs, tummy tuck, lipo, etc.) However, I think it can be a wonderful thing in the case of deformity or something that isn't a deformity, but really affects self esteem like a big nose or an under-developed breast. I would say "go for it!" You are definitely doing it for the right reasons. However, I wouldn't take out a loan if I were you. I would start a special account and start putting money aside each month, plus any windfall, toward your surgery. I figured up the loan you were quoted and you would essentially be paying $6408 for a $5000 surgery. Much easier and cheaper to pay for it up front IMHO. Good luck and keep us posted!
Well i'm not really a fan of plastic surgery either but if it makes you feel better than so be it = ) i think if after i shed the rest of this weight and if i'm all saggy gosh i hope not lol...I might look into it?I'm not quite sure though..
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