If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I’d ever consider having a breast augmentation, I would have said no. It was never something I considered. I loved my perky full C cup breasts. But here I am two children later with a good 2 1/2 years of breastfeeding under my belt, and my full perky C cups have become a deflated B cup with extra skin.
Sorry, old self. I’m getting that breast augmentation.
Do my breasts define who I am? Absolutely not. But I have spent a fair amount of time staring in the mirror at them wishing they hadn’t taken such a beating during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I wouldn’t consider myself a superficial person by any means, I can be found in gym clothes, bare faced with a ponytail on most days, but my new breasts bother me. I feel like I’ve lost a little bit of my sexuality and I want it back.
Would I go back in time and change anything? Absolutely not. I wouldn’t trade those years I spent breastfeeding and bonding with my children for anything. Some people will probably tell me I should love my body as it is and be proud that my breasts nourished my children. I am. Some people will probably tell me I’m being superficial. I’m not.
Wanting to restore my breasts to their former appearance doesn’t make me superficial or mean that I am not proud of my body and all that its done. It just means I want my boobs back and that’s what I’m doing. I lost breast tissue after pregnancy and breastfeeding and I’m just restoring my breasts to the same size and fullness they once were. I’m all for doing whatever makes you feel good and this will make me feel great about my body again. Besides, I know I’m not the only one who’s gone down this route, as my surgeon made a joke about us breastfeeding moms keeping him in business.
As I mentioned, I have two kids. They’re young, and both girls. I’ve gone back and fourth about how I’ll approach this with them. My youngest is almost two, so she will be pretty clueless about the whole ordeal, but my almost four year old might want to know what’s going on. I haven’t exactly decided what I’m going to say to her, but it’s probably just going to be that I had surgery and that I’m fine. I probably won’t go into any details, because I want to be very cautious with body image issues. She is so young and impressionable and girls begin having body image issues at such a young age. When she is older, I’ll have no problem telling her the full story, but for now I think she’s too young.
I had my consultation already and it went really well. I was a bit a nervous, because I knew that my kids and pregnancy had done a number on breasts. I had done all of the at home tests and knew that I was just barely on the good side of not needing a breast lift. I was really hoping to avoid a lift, because it’s a more intense procedure with a longer recovery time, but I had decided if I needed it, then I needed it.
When I had my exam my surgeon immediately noticed that my breasts sagged a bit, but ultimately told me he could restore some fullness and bring them up a bit without a lift. He took several factors into consideration when recommending the type of implant i.e.: the width of my chest, the shape of my breast, my figure, etc. Overall it made me feel very confident, and even more secure with my decision to have the surgery.
My surgery is scheduled for next week. I’m really excited, mostly to be able to wear all of my old bras and swimsuits again. I’ve basically lived in a sports bra since I stopped breastfeeding last year, because nothing fits anymore. I’m also a little bit nervous, because my implants will be going under the muscle and I’ve already been warned that my athletic frame might make me a bit more sore than some. But, I’ve heard a few people say that the soreness is similar to being engorged. I can deal with that.
I’m excited about my new enhancements. It’s okay to want your body back after having children. So, here’s to doing you and whatever it is that makes you feel good.
Has anyone else had a similar experience, or had some other form of a mommy makeover? If you want to join the conversation anonymously, you can submit your comment through our Mom Confessions form!