BA or not?

[MMarieN]

I'm scheduled for SRS with Dr. McGinn 2 months from today. I'm debating on a BA. I'd like some input from others that have weighed the decision.

Pros
- It would likely help my self perception. I'm currently about an A. A bit more would be nice. Currently I don't feel comfortable wearing tank tops or anything low cut. This would really help.
- I can afford it. But just barely. I will have to stretch my budget a bit to do it. Insurance will cover 75% of my SRS expenses.
- It would be nice to get BA out of the way at the same time as SRS. Less overall recovery time.
- Only one surgical experience.

Cons
- The expense.
- I am relatively small. 5'7", 150-160 pounds. I have a small frame. I'm afraid that I would end up with a set of boobs that would not look proportional to my body.
- The only relatives that have a large set of boobs are those that are grossly overweight. Most others, including my mother, are in the B range.
- I've only been on estrogen for 2 years. I'm hoping for some additional post op breast growth.

Lots of female friends and relatives tell me that I shouldn't be worried about it. That my boobs are fine as is. However, I don't see it that way. In many ways, I still see the chest of a guy with small boobs. And this kind of bothers me.

So I'm looking for some feedback from people who have weighed this. What are your experiences? What should I consider that I'm not?

[placeholdername]

I don't have actual experience with this, but I would say that if you do go for it, don't go for anything over B.  Also, I think that if it would help you feel more comfortable wearing the clothes you want to wear, then definitely seriously think it over -- confidence in how you feel about how you look can be a big factor in how others will perceive you.

[MMarieN]

I don't have actual experience with this, but I would say that if you do go for it, don't go for anything over B.  Also, I think that if it would help you feel more comfortable wearing the clothes you want to wear, then definitely seriously think it over -- confidence in how you feel about how you look can be a big factor in how others will perceive you.

Yeah, it is interesting. It's more about self perception than anything else.

[placeholdername]

I don't want it to sound like I think you should do it so others will see you a certain way you know, but how people react definitely has an effect -- my main point was more like, if your current size makes you feel uncomfortable about yourself and your body, then finding a way to be more comfortable is a good idea, however that happens.

[Nigella]

MMarie,

All I know is that full breast growth takes anything between 2-5 years in gg's and that is often quoted for tanswomen as well. I don't want to persuade you in any direction but I have heard of transwomen get a growth burst after SRS.

Anyway the 2-5 year thing may be something to think about before opting for a BA. It all depends on what age you are I suppose and how long you want/or have to wait to see results. Personally I would rather have natural but that's my personal preference but if I had little growth I may have thought different.

hugs

Stardust

[Mister]

I am relatively small. 5'7", 150-160 pounds. I have a small frame. I'm afraid that I would end up with a set of boobs that would not look proportional to my body.

5'7" and 150 pounds isn't small at all for a woman.  don't get DDs and you'll be fine.

[Sandy]

Quite a bit of it will depend on how your frame looks.

Simply picking a cup size out of the air may or may not be the best thing for you.

I have had BA with Dr. Z. when I had my facial work done.  At the time I was thinking something in the range of a C cup.  I'm 5'10 and about 195 (at the time).

Dr. Z. recommended a large D cup for my frame size.  Frame size, according to the doctor, is based on a number of different elements.  Height, weight and size and diameter of thorax.  When he told me that I would look good as a D I was mortified.

I had in my mind the idea that I would look ridiculous.  I went home and made some breast forms from rice and nylons in the size that the doctor recommended.  I spent the next few days walking around with them and after a certain period of adjustment, I felt very comfortable with that cup size and I felt that it gave me the right proportions for my feminized body.  Dr. Z. said that he would adhere to my wishes and if I wanted a C cup he would do as I asked, but he said that many of the other women he augmented smaller than his recommendations did have some buyers remorse.  I did go with the doctors recommendation and have been quite satisfied as a result.  Even though I had to go and buy all new bras...

What I'm getting at is that you should discuss the idea with the doctor and see what, if anything, she may recommend.  If her recommendation seems a little high, give it a shot with some breast forms and see how you look.  The numbers and cup sizes may seem daunting, but once you have your clothes on it may really make you look better.

After all, isn't this all about self esteem?  This really isn't that much of a vanity issue.

I know Dr. McGinn to be very conscientious and she will give you a well thought out answer.

And as to whether or not to do it at all, I would throw my $0.02 in as "GO FOR IT!"  If you don't you may regret not taking the opportunity when you had it.

-Sandy

[Ms.Behavin]

Well I went ahead and had BA done with SRS surgery, Both by Dr. McGinn.  Before I was maybe a B, but I'm bigged boned ;-)  Now more a large C or Small D which looks pretty good with my frame.  (5' 11").  Thing is when you have both SRS and BA done, at the same time, Your  going to want someone there with you for the first 4-7 days.  Oddly enough, the BA is more painfull after surgery, though still not too bad except when the %^&*( nurses rolled me on my side to change the beding the 2 and 3rd day post op.  After 4-6 days though there is not much discomfort. 

I'm glad BTW that I had both done, though it was a stretch on the cash flow.  Also Talk to Dr. McGinn as she can help you with thoughts on the right size/type etc.  The BA BTW looks very good, IE natural.  To me it was money well spent.  I have had some additional growth since surgery , but as the implants were slightly smaller then what many get the end result has worked out well.

Beni

Beni

[Naturally Blonde]

I am relatively small. 5'7", 150-160 pounds. I have a small frame. I'm afraid that I would end up with a set of boobs that would not look proportional to my body.

5'7" and 150 pounds isn't small at all for a woman.  don't get DDs and you'll be fine.

I agree, I'm 5' 7" also which is quite tall in the U.K for a female. I was going to have BA a couple of years ago and I bottled it. I'm not sure why but I thought I could work on what I have a little more first to see if I could improve on my small breasts with different meds. It worked a little bit but not enough compared to a genetic female of the same size. So I will probably put in for BA again.

[MMarieN]

It looks like economic concerns are making the decision easier. Things are far too unstable at my company to consider spending the money on BA. I'm going to see how things progress post op. I might decide to get a BA in a year or 2 when I have a clearer picture of my life and career.

[Julie Marie]

Hi Marie,

I was a small B after two years on HRT.  I'm about the same size as you but probably have a larger chest frame.  At first I was against BA but when I saw what I looked like from the side (I never wore forms) I realized I was pretty flat in comparison to my chest size.

I chose cohesive gel implants and have not regretted it one minute.  Breasts are more of a female identifier than just about anything else and I'm convinced I pass more often because of BA.

Julie

[JENNIFER]

I have read the above responses and can have no arguement with any of them.  When I first met with my Endocrinologist ( Nov. '08 ), he told me to change my bra size to a 'c' cup.  I was very surprised because it was a consultation to discuss STARTING HRT !!   

You see, we are all very individual souls and our bodies will develop often in ways beyond our control.  I would say that the primary objective is to be as comfortable with and as happy about ones own body as is possible and then just enjoy life.

If you have the cash, the inclination and the support of those that matter to you, then go for it when you think best for you, and you alone.