Today I had a talk with the social security endo. I'm getting close to two months on the "official treatment", 10 months of total HRT. Today we were discussing about the three services I am entitled to: HRT, SRS and BA. I already have the HRT and unless something really bad happens, I will decline the SRS offer to have it done in Thailand. But BA concerns me...
The conditions are like this: If at six months of official treatment I am examined and deemed that they are not growing correctly (I just filled an A after ten months), I can request the BA. I don't have a lot of info, but since it is a free service...
- The surgeon is probably the same one that does the reconstructions for cancer patients. Not a Thai surgeon that would only do MTF patients, but at least has done other other MTF since the service started working in 2009
- You probably don't get to choose size or additional fixes, since what you get is the "basic" service. They choose the size that fits you to achieve a natural look.
- There probably is a waiting queue, but maybe not as big as for SRS (they usually do the two things at the same time)
My original plan was to get SRS, Half FFS and BA all at the same time with Chett, but I had to give up after purchasing a home to ensure the minimum safety a roof can offer. So right now my budget covers just SRS, and I am trying to save enough for a nosejob and if possible, a trach shave (currently missing 4.000€, which amounts to eight months saving or just four if I decide to go with just the nose).
So I am in doubts. BA was supposed to be the last step for me. I'd have SRS and a manly face that can blend but not pass (I can move in the streets without attracting attention but any face to face interaction reads me as trans), so sometimes I rather go into andro mode to save time or when I am not feeling well enough to present female due to the dysphoria. That andro mode would not be very possible after the BA with my face, but I guess that's a pretty stupid thought since every day I seem to shout "grow, grow, grow" at my breasts, so I supposedly must accept that some day in the future I will look less like a dude in makeup.
Should I accept it? "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"... In any case, I have a few doubts for doing it:
- Should I avoid it if it is over the muscle? it will always be pretty obvious that they are implants. I don't mind them looking slight too round / fake, but without going over the top
- A C at least. Over the time I'd get a B on my own with a bit of luck, so anything less than that is not worth it.
In the end it's 3.000€ with Chett I could divert to more important FFS surgeries or college, and maybe over time when my economic situation improves, just change them to better ones if I am not satisfied (I really want a D...) So what would you do? Take the free boobs, do nothing or save for custom implants?
If it was me I would jump at the chance! I would go under the muscle if you have any say in it though. It seems you have more sensation and stability with this option. At least that is what me doctor is telling me. This is only my opinion though, but I would have already scheduled it if I were in your heels. :)
Just understand they will have to be replaced every 7 - 10 years though.
Do you research about breast augmentation. You can easily end up living the rest of your life with cartoonish boobs if you are not careful. I would think that the more expensive the procedure you wish the less likely it will be covered. If you want to end up with boobs that are going to stand out as obvious implants then get whatever they give you. If not then do your homework before accepting something for free.
If you want opinions then I think 12 months of hormones is probably not much. A girl just doesn't go "poof" from flat to c cup in one year. Why should anyone expect it to be any different for us? My endo told me that final development would take 7-10 years and I agree. It takes a long time. I would give the boobs a few years before investing in implants. If you let them grow after 5 years and you had some asymmetry (which is what I ended up with) then implants made sense to level things off. I you are looking for a quick fix then you are likely to be disappointed a few years down the road. That's just my thoughts.
Is there an expiration date on the free offer or is it forever? That would have a lot to do with my answer. The reason I would jump at it is because of my age number one. I can't wait 7-10 years for HRT to MAYBE give me breast's and I am already Full Time. There are a lot of variables with this decision. I know you will choose the right one for you. :)
I wouldn't bother with implants, no matter what. But, that's just me.
I'm totally with Zumbagirl on this one. Give it more time AppleJack. I would also echo Jessica's question, is there a time limit?
By the bye, Jessica, you look totally girl in your pic, and I wasn't looking at your boobs ;)
Quote from: EllieM on February 20, 2014, 01:47:14 PM
I'm totally with Zumbagirl on this one. Give it more time AppleJack. I would also echo Jessica's question, is there a time limit?
By the bye, Jessica, you look totally girl in your pic, and I wasn't looking at your boobs ;)
I've reasearched a bit on placement, movement with the muscle, effects of putting to early... Since there maybe is one year waiting line, I can request them in June, and when one year passes, decide if want them or skip surgery. More size and tissue will help with improving the look of the implant, but it's better if I enter the queue as soon as possible.
Regarding a time limit... As the crisis goes forward, it may disappear.
If you can wait longer, you might have a better idea of whether you want the implants or not. Can you still request BA in (for instance) June of 2015? I understand Laura's sentiments, not wanting implants under any circumstances, but I also understand the desire to look more womanly. My concern is that I think you need to give your body more time to grow naturally. After all, how often do you hear of a 12 year old girl going for BA? Just some things to think about, it's a big decision, consider it carefully.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on February 20, 2014, 01:12:38 PM
I wouldn't bother with implants, no matter what. But, that's just me.
I am thinking the same thing. I don't like the fact that they would likely need to be replaced every so often. A lot of girls have smallish boobs.
Quote from: EllieM on February 20, 2014, 01:47:14 PM
By the bye, Jessica, you look totally girl in your pic
Thank you Ellie! You would never believe how hard they were to post. My finger kept wanting to hit delete instead of send. That was taken on one of those days I did not see "him" in the mirror. It felt good. :)
"but it's better if I enter the queue as soon as possible."
That makes sense. That is plenty of time to think about it and you can always back out.
I'd analyse this situation very carefully. 10 months of HRT is indeed very little, you will much likely get further breast development...besides that I heard that after SRS breasts usually get another spur of growing...
In this case, having an implant might be a problem. When breast tissue start developing again and it finds an implant then your breast might develop on some ununsual shape.
I know it is an opportunity, but (just my sincere opinion), I don't think I would accept it. I see cis-girls with small breasts all the time. Of course bigger boobs are important, but I don't judge them thaaat important...at least not so important to make me rush things...and having BA before at least 2 years HRT and before SRS seem to rush things in my opinion.
But, as the waiting time is considerably long...you'll have a lot of time to think about it.
Quote from: Natalia on February 22, 2014, 10:17:02 AM
I'd analyse this situation very carefully. 10 months of HRT is indeed very little, y
Ok, I will try to explain a bit better:
- The review to see if I am eligible will happen in june, at 13 months HRT.
- The waiting queue will probably be of at least one year since the review, so I would be at least 25 months HRT. Although full breast development completes in 5-7 years, the bulk develpment happens in the first two.
So I am quite OK with getting on the list, and when I am called to put them at two years HRT, decide if I want to bail out. The only issue is that if pass I'd have to wait again.
The biggest dealbreaker is having to replace them. I will suppose that if healthcare is putting them, they will take care of them, but if not, I don't want to risk not having the money later in life.
Well, there's always a visit to your local Marks and Sparks for a push-up and set of chicken fillets ;)
A small update:
Today I met my future surgeon. Apparently, he has a great reputation and filled me in a bit:
- The implants are fully under muscle, and inserted through the armpit incision (this is the best method and requires a lot of skill)
- They size will be on the "anatomically correct" levels. You have a choice on the size and you will be asked if you want them a bit bigger than the standard, but forget about getting a DDD or an F.
The therapist said "You will be meeting him very soon", and he told me that once the therapist approves going under the knife, I will start having appointments with him. The nasty part is that I won't see the therapist again until september, and after that it's a six months waiting queue. So I may not get them until 2015.
On the good side, my breast growth is fairly good after the last HRT adjustment, and I am very close to having the required tissue. Since it will be under muscle, it won't be as bad looking as over the muscle id there is not a lot of tissue. Still, I will have room for more growth until then.
Quote from: Michelle123 on February 22, 2014, 12:05:13 AM
I am thinking the same thing. I don't like the fact that they would likely need to be replaced every so often. A lot of girls have smallish boobs.
I just saw this post. This is exactly the reason why I am not doing it. I could never afford to have them replaced every X number of years. Stuff tends to pop up that screws up any savings plans.
It's good the surgeon is doing it sub-muscular. There's lower incidence of capsular contraction with that technique.
Yes, BAs will need replacement periodically - 7-10 years is the average life span. The capsule does degrade over time and hardens. Personally, if I was going for a BA, I'd opt for saline just in case of leakage.
With the financial side of it, planning 7 years ahead for replacement may help - I think it's about $20 per week to save $7k over 7 years?
Quote from: luna nyan on June 10, 2014, 05:57:06 AM
It's good the surgeon is doing it sub-muscular. There's lower incidence of capsular contraction with that technique.
Yes, BAs will need replacement periodically - 7-10 years is the average life span. The capsule does degrade over time and hardens. Personally, if I was going for a BA, I'd opt for saline just in case of leakage.
With the financial side of it, planning 7 years ahead for replacement may help - I think it's about $20 per week to save $7k over 7 years?
The deal is that social security does it, they would also take care of the maintenance. In case I could not finance them in a future, I suppose I'd save beforehand to have them removed.
BTW, Surgeon appointment this friday. It will be an evaluation to see if there are no issues with it and then to the waiting line. By the time it is my turn I will be on the 23-24 months mark, so I should have most of the pre-SRS growth by then.
Quote from: luna nyan on June 10, 2014, 05:57:06 AM
With the financial side of it, planning 7 years ahead for replacement may help - I think it's about $20 per week to save $7k over 7 years?
That's a fair point and a lot of people say similar things when it comes to FFS and GRS. However, life always tends to throw financial curveballs at you. It's usually an unrelated medical issue that throws a wrench in the works. Sometimes, various articles of clothes magically wear out within days of each other (jeans, socks, etc). Couple that with the ever increasing costs of food and energy and that makes things very unpredictable. If I had a car or truck to maintain or children to provide for, it would make things even crazier.
Here's my take on this- I am not risking my health unnecessarily for any reason, and this includes minimizing the mumber of major surgeries I undergo. Most GGs I know took many years to end up with their breasts the size that they are. I haven't been on the full strength HRT for quite even a year yet, and I don't expect to be shopping for a BA for a few years until they are done doing their thing. I could have a nice Beverly Hills rack installed next month if I wanted to, but NOOOO! What if, after the orchi, they ended up having a growth spurt and I found myself extremely umm, top heavy. That's two surgeries, two sets of scars and five figures down the toilet right there. If I end up with a natural "C", then I'm just going to go without a BA, even if it takes a few years. I guess at my age, waiting a couple more years isn't really a big deal for me anymore. Also, it is possible that the orchi is all the surgery that I will ever need. Probably not, but I'm willing to try it on for size just in case. The fewer days I spend in the hospital, the better. You could not pay me to have a boob job any time soon.
Those are some great points. I agree 100% I've been through enough surgeries in my life as it is.
If I were in your heels I'd definitely be sure you have been on hrt for at least two years before having any BA, which you seem to have taken into consideration given the waiting period you speak of. As you and others have said if after that time your satisfied with your natural growth you can always back out. If you haven't already done this, You could get with your Endo and work out a transition plan. This has done wonders for me because it has taken away my worries concerning if and when certain very necessary procedures will get done. Above all else you must do what you feel is right and the best course of action given your individual situation.
Well, concerning myself I don't even plan on any BA. If after I'm on hrt for two years I have a nice full B cup I'll be more than happy. I'm more concerned with my voice issues, and my SRS and maybe after those FFS which, is the only one I'll have to pay for myself (my insurance is covering my hrt, and will cover VFS, and my SRS). Due to my age I would like to have my SRS at the two year mark, which will be December 2015. As for my voice, I'm working on finding a surgeon for that right now.
You have my best wishes whichever you decide.
Ally :icon_flower:
Breast implants having to be replaced every 7-10 years is sooooo NOT true. If there isn't any problems with the implants, then there is no need to replace them. Please do your research. The manufacturer warranty may end at the 10 year mark, but that doesn't mean the implants will need to be replaced.
Update:
Things are starting to move forward. I am in the queue and it a bit more than six months I will go under the knife. Right now I'll will undergo preliminary testing during the next two weeks (anesthesics, Rx, Blood tests, heard condition), and by october it will be the next appointment to decide on the details.
The proposal was like this: At nearly 24 months, anatomic teardrop implants under muscle with breast fold incission. Size I can request: "Bigger while in anatomically correct terms and that allows for cleavage". Apparently my areolas aren't big enough to use them as an entry point, and the armpit incission would not allow to position those implants that requiere accurate placement and adjust.
So, Am I happy with this? Not really. I've talked with other trans women, and even cis, and I haven't found a single one that likes teardrop implants. I prefer round implants, which done under the muscle and choosing the right size, they will look ok and natural too. When I told the surgeon "Can't we use rounds instead" he was like "but it won't look natural". I don't like the natural look, and I want that upper pole fullness. It's more of an aesthetic choice, but I should have the final decission. Also, rounds will give me the most invisible possible scar, which will look far more natural than an under breast cut.
I'm aiming for moderate or moderate plus round implants. My natural breast have kept growing and I am very close to reaching a B. The form is very good, with a natural slope and a well shaped lower pole. Only the breast fold needs a bit more time to happen. That form, combined with under muscle should give good aesthetic results.
Are the implants going to be cohesive silicone or saline or old liquid silicone?
Quote from: cherybum on July 08, 2014, 12:26:03 PM
Are the implants going to be cohesive silicone or saline or old liquid silicone?
I'll ask about it during the next appointmen. But since this is universal healthcare, there is not a lot of room for choices.
Julia,
Go with the shape you like. It's your body and they will be your boobs: You need to be happy because most of the time, they just hang out there not doing anything. But there is something about being trans and looking in the mirror and seeing them and thinking: "That's me! Those are mine.." It is wonderful. And then, those even more rare moments with a partner..... Even better!
Get the size for your height and structure. Try a few different ones and get those you like.
Hugs!!
Jen
if I could I would give you mine in a heart beat, but they only managed to make it to a B cup after years of estrogen lol (good for me though, easier to hide).
I would like to be able to grow nice "C" boobs.
Let me get this straight. For m to f, HRT therapy will at most bring you to a B cup and that can take a couple years or longer. If one wants to be larger, then a BA is necessary but taking HRT first expands your chest tissues with less tension and allows the surgeon to place an implant with less tension and cosmetically more naturally appearing.
Quote from: TonyP on July 08, 2014, 10:53:12 PM
Let me get this straight. For m to f, HRT therapy will at most bring you to a B cup and that can take a couple years or longer. If one wants to be larger, then a BA is necessary but taking HRT first expands your chest tissues with less tension and allows the surgeon to place an implant with less tension and cosmetically more naturally appearing.
With HRT, it's about genetics and age so some have minimal breast growth while others have more. Given that, the size can go from practically nothing to DD's or even larger. I don't know that HRT will help get ones chest ready for a BA.
If a BA is desired, a skilled surgeon can do wonderful things almost regardless of everything else.
Hugs,
Jen
Quote from: JLT1 on July 08, 2014, 04:15:19 PM
Julia,
Go with the shape you like.
This is not a private surgeon, so options are limited by which has been considered appropiate. If he won't use rounds, I will cancel the surgery. I don't want to have them installed just to have them removed again when I can afford to do it privately. Also, under no means I want a breast fold incission (he kept insisting that it would not be visible, but I've seen that it doesn't usually fits the breast fold exactly.
Pre-operative started today. The Rx has been taken. Tomorro I will have a blood test and a electrocardiogram. Towards the end of the month I will be meeting with the anaesthetist. Then, no more contact until 29/10. I suppose that's when we will discuss the small details and taylor the surgery.
AFAIK, a lot of people have said it's best to wait two years for HRT to do work on breast development.
You'd be looking at around 1 year of HRT + time waited on a list?
I've heard natural breast development can continue for 3 - 5 + years, and getting BA too early can lead to growth causing uneven and misshapen breasts.
I would ask your doctors if this is something to actually be concerned about.
I would wait some years before getting BA because of hormones that can cause weird stuff to it after D: and instead I would do FFS or SRS If I was you, but it's your choice... You can always stuff your bra...
Quote from: Emily29 on July 15, 2014, 06:50:02 PM
I would wait some years before getting BA because of hormones that can cause weird stuff to it after D: and instead I would do FFS or SRS If I was you, but it's your choice... You can always stuff your bra...
This!, ^^ _____^^ is worth considering. It would be a shame if you do grow big to say a D on your own underneath implants. Nah, that wouldn't be good at all. But I dunno. I would just be very careful.
Best wishes. :icon_bunch:
Allie :icon_flower:
Seriously, how many times I have to explain it:
- The surgery date it's calculated so that it takes place around the two year mark
- I'm more than 30, no story of relatives with good breast development and I my growth stalled in the first months. What I have now may be more fat than any other thing. They only look a bit bigger now because I gained 7 freaking kg from december to march.
- Natural breast development is for natural girls or early transitioners. I don't have time to wait 5 years and suffer a hell trying to find an 85A bra nobody sells around here because everything is either 80A or 90B. I want to be over with all of this in this years, and do as I had never been a transwoman.
- I have had zero effects from HRT, thanks to starting old. No fat redistribution, no skin improvement, nothing. So I don't expect my tiny boobs to magically start growing now.
- Progesterone has also done nothing.
The only way I'd drop the BA is if he insists in teardrops and cutting me down there. No effing way I'm carrying more scars than I already have.
Deal seems to be getting worse every time.
As far as I have been told, they rarely go over 330cc. Just one lucky girl managed to get 350 cc. I'm worried about ending with small unsatisfying breasts and having to pay later to have them removed...