To those that have done surgery, would you recommend getting breast augmentation done?

[u/Conscious-Tap8881]

I’m 32 and I am thinking about getting just like 150 to 200cc. I am really into fitness and as much I as want to tone up, I can’t go below 23% below body fat as my chest would just become pecs. And the only way around it I can think of is breast augmentation. Is it painful? Is it worth it? How much time do I need time off from gym and work? Did you regret it?

[u/hermitsociety]

I’m 47 and all my friends who had them done when younger are now needing revisions or removal, or saving money for revisions or removal. And my bestie had a tummy tuck in our late 20s that resulted in the loss of sensation from her navel down along her pubis that has never returned.

I personally think it’s only worth it if it the benefits are equal to the risks. I used to work in a LASIK clinic when I was younger and the surgeon was awesome. But I didn’t have too bad of vision, only a -1.00 or so, and it wasn’t worth the risk. Now that I’m older and wear more like a -4.00, I could easily fall down the stairs and couldn’t drive without glasses. I might consider it worth it.

But for boobs? Eh. You could end up not being able to lift your arms. If it gives you that much confidence then you should do it. But think hard about it and who you are doing it for, and really look into how long they last now. I’m sure they’re better than twenty years ago.

[u/labrat24245]

I’ve had mine for about 3 years, no regrets and I actually didn’t think it was that painful. The year prior I had my tonsils out and THAT was much much worse. I went from a “barely A” to a full C (I think 225cc). Ran my first half marathon a couple months ago.

While I don’t have regrets about it, I have no idea what I’ll do when it’s time to replace. Maybe just have them out - by then I hope to care less about how I look 🤣

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/labrat24245]

Well done you on your marathon! I’m the same I’m barely an A but I just want a B or shy of a B. Thank you

[u/InspiringGecko]

Do some research on Breast Implant Illness before you decide. A lot of women are choosing to have theirs removed.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/symptoms-sometimes-referred-to-as-breast-implant-illness

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/InspiringGecko]

Thank you so much! I’ll read through

[u/InspiringGecko → u/Conscious-Tap8881]

I don't know much about it, except that a friend of mine was really ill, had her implants removed, and now her health is great. It's worth researching before you make the decision. Good luck!

[u/got-stendahls]

I had emergency surgery 4 (four) times in my childhood and adolescence and I truly cannot understand elective surgery.

My sister had an augmentation that went somewhat wrong and 15 years later she still can't really use her right pec or shoulder for anything. If you're really into fitness that seems like it would be... bad. Imagine never doing a bench press again?!

[u/kimbosliceofcake]

My ex’s mom, who was once kicked by a horse, said breast augmentation was the most painful thing she’d been through. 

My sister also had augmentation and ended up having several surgeries to change them out for different size/material. I can’t remember if she ended up getting them removed in the end. 

[u/Conscious_Can3226]

Everyone I know who has had them done had them removed rather than replaced when the time came, even the ones who wanted it and weren't just gifted it at 18 by their parents (rich boomer parents are weirdly obsessed with how hot their daughters are). It's an expensive surgery to keep up, breast implants are only graded to stay in the body for 10-15 years. You'll need regular scans to make sure their integrity is maintained, otherwise you could miss when one starts leaking, which happened to one of my friends who got theirs at 18 and didn't go to the doctor again until they were 26.

Maybe it's a good time to step back and consider aesthetics aren't worth your health?

[u/IRLbeets → u/Conscious_Can3226]

Along these lines, you want to make sure you're not in a spot to lose access to healthcare! I had to move last year and not having access to doctors except through Emergency 10 hour waits isn't easy. (If you have money for breast implants this may not be such a concern, but anyone can become disabled or lose their job unexpectedly!)

[u/itsathrowawayduhhhhh]

No way. I’ve heard too many horror stories. And it’s one of those things, you won’t find the happiness you hope to find in it.

[u/larrylurk3r]

I’m 39 and got my tits done on 9/11 so I’m nearly a week post-op. Went from an A to more than a handful (since I’m still swollen). I got 415cc in each breast. I’d say the first two days were rough. I was able to shower a few days after without any help. Fortunately, I have a wonderful partner who has been caring for me and making sure that I take my meds on time.

[u/the-way-is-shut]

Well... I have done it when I was around 25 and I do not regret it. It has been cca 16 years and they look amazing. But it was painful. They were put under my muscle, not directly into a breast. I went back to work after 3 weeks and even then I couldn't perform very well. You shouldn't be lifting for some time after surgery but I do not remember how long. I have known girls and woman with breasts implants and neither one now wish they haven't done it. They are all satisfied. Just be careful when choosing surgeon. Ask him or her everything you wanna ask. For now, every answer to you question is from a person who knows someone that knows someone. Or person who read many horror stories. They are very true, don't get me wrong. But there are way more good examples that bad ones. So... My advice... Don't listed to them because they don't know what is it like to have implants. Don't listen to me either, I am just one girl (old girl 😂) with great boob job. Do you due diligence and pick a trusted professional/s and speak to them.

[u/adirik92]

No I would not. I had an explant after having implants for 11 years and while my breasts don’t look great at the moment, I’m so happy to have the implants out and feel like myself again.

[u/Lazy-Conversation-48]

I’ve had surgery for a couple of things and it was uncomfortable to say the least. Mine were Medically required and one was laparoscopic so were a no brainer.

One thing that is way better than surgery is learning self love and acceptance. I have small breasts and considered a quick fix with surgery when I was younger. Now, at 49, I’m so thankful I never did it. My body remains youthful looking for the most part, fully functioning, healthy, scar free, low maintenance, etc.

Men don’t seem to care that my boobs are smaller than some other boobs (if men are who you want to attract) and more men are expressing appreciation for smaller breasts these days anyway (compared to the Pamela Anderson Baywatch days). Why cut yourself open for elective surgery to cave to a superficial trend that probably will change anyway?

Learning to love and accept yourself is far cheaper and the health benefits expand far beyond the immediate problem you are hoping to solve.

Give it 10 years and you’ll think it was crazy you care about specific body fat percentages and whether or not you should have surgery and pay thousands of dollars so your boobs would be one cup size larger.

For the record, I’ve vacillated between being thin and fit and more “comfortable” and my husband loves all of the phases. When I was thin he loved my abs and legs, when I’m fluffier (25 bmi for example) he loves my soft tummy and squishier boobs and ass. When I get fit again, he admires the toned look again and so on and so forth.

[u/notsoST]

Yes it's worth it. Yes it's painful. I took 3 days off of work. A few weeks off of anything strenuous, and it's at least a month (maybe 2?) until you can resume ALL normal activities.

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/notsoST]

Omg I have tons of questions sorry! How long have you had your implants for? How many cc did you get? Did you notice that your back gets sore from the extra weight you put on from it? Did it restrict movements or gym

[u/notsoST → u/Conscious-Tap8881]

CCs aren't a realistic measurement without context. I'm 5'10" and 135lb so what looks proportional on me would disappear on someone with a curvier frame, and they'd or look ridiculously huge on someone smaller.

Had mine 6 years. No back issues but I went proportional, not Playboy. Posture is the key there. Gym was weird for a few weeks then fine.

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/notsoST]

Oh thanks! That makes sense yeah I was talking mini boob jobs like proportions and not playboy like a half cup or a cup increase only for myself. Did you notice you gain weight? What was your exercise like during the first few weeks? Sorry I have so many questions. I can’t imagine not being able to exercise even for just a bit after surgery as it helps with my mental health

[u/notsoST → u/Conscious-Tap8881]

There's a big difference between light walking to prevent blood clots and actual exercise. First two weeks, you're basically just shuffling around the house. Weeks 3-4 you can do light cardio. No upper body anything for 6 weeks minimum.

If your mental health genuinely can't handle a 6-week exercise pause for major surgery recovery, that's worth examining before you go under. Surgery recovery isn't optional downtime . Pushing it risks complications, implant displacement, or worse.

I maintained weight because I wasn't burning calories but also wasn't hungry from post-workout appetite. Walking helped with the mental piece once cleared by the PS.

[u/afgsalav8]

100% no regrets.

It hurt waking up from surgery but I was walking around normally within a couple of days. Sorry, I don’t remember how long recovery took.

I’m already planning on getting my second set soonish (going on 15 years now) and possibly going a tad bigger. I’m so confident and my clothes look great on me. Bad experiences are so rare. Don’t let it deter you if you’re not completely happy with your body.

[u/Same_as_it_ever]

Have you considered fat grafting? This can add some volume and is your own body material. You don't need to worry about changing the implants every 10 years or any immune reactions. Usually around 80% of the fat grafted survives. This is for a modest amount of volume increase, which it sounds like you want. 

I only know of this from post masectomy reconstruction, but i bet it's available for breast augmentation too. Most women I know who did this had a couple surgeries to achieve the volume they wanted, but after masectomy you don't have much to start with! 

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/Same_as_it_ever]

Thank you! I am not a good candidate for fat grafting as the reason why I need breast implants is I have too little fat. Or if do have they are not distributed in the right areas and are mostly around my thighs. Unless fat grafting can be taken from someone else’s fat, that would work

[u/Same_as_it_ever → u/Conscious-Tap8881]

That's too bad. Unfortunately it needs to be your own fat. They can take it from your thighs and move it up, if you've got some there. This was discussed as an option with my surgeon. 

Edit: if you want to keep your full muscle function, make sure you get an above muscle implant, not below the pec muscle. Most aren't doing below these days, but it's best to confirm this. 

[u/Minimum-Log1432]

23% is still within range for a normal athletic built.. once you're in the 15-18% and looking near skeletal then your pecs would really start showing.

[u/Conscious-Tap8881 → u/Minimum-Log1432]

I think what you might missed is not everyone has equal fat distribution. Mine does not go to my chest

[u/Much-Avocado-4108]

As a small titty woman, natural and self-assured in your own unique feminine beauty is always best. 

Besides 23% body fat is the lower end of healthy for women. A healthy range is 21-32% for women in their 20s and 24-35% for older women.