I've been having mixed feelings about getting breast implants but now I'm feeling like i want them because I've been hearing about how breast implants - within a certain period of time - start to look and feel more natural.

Is it true that breast implants will eventually become softer and have that bouncy jiggle like natural boobs do?

If i do end up getting breast implants i want mine to look and feel as much as possible like natural breasts.

To me they always look enhanced. Remember also that it is not a one time thing as they have to be replaced every 7 years or so. That can get quite expensive.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 24, 2015, 11:47:07 AM
Remember also that it is not a one time thing as they have to be replaced every 7 years or so. That can get quite expensive.

Where did you get that information? There are studies that go way further without replacement.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 24, 2015, 01:19:15 PM
Where did you get that information? There are studies that go way further without replacement.

I am a retired Paramedic. Real life experience shows that is the average time bacteria begins to grow in them. "Average" time, not always in every case though. Many Plastic Surgeons suggest gel implants to be replaced every 10-15 years. Many sites available for info on the net as well. The reason to replace comes down to a lot of different factors such as type, shell, inside component (saline, silicone, gel, etc). 

FDA says 1 in 5 replace BEFORE 10 years.
NHS says 1 in 3 BEFORE 10 years.

Both of those numbers are higher than quoted by most surgeons.  Either way 7 years is a serious underestimate.

Keep in mind personal experience isn't really valid across a population because you can be unlucky enough to see more than normal.  As a matter of fact as a healthcare worker you are likely to see more failures because failures seek health care.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 24, 2015, 01:32:48 PM
Both of those numbers are higher than quoted by most surgeons.

The same surgeons who get paid to do the surgeries. I just urge all to investigate this on their own for what is best for them. I do not see a lot of car salesmen telling about possible defects. To them every car is perfectly safe and efficient. Just monitor your own health and know things do break or get constructed with defects now and then.

My ex had a BA done with submuscular saline implants. At first they appear very unnatural and super high up on the chest, because the muscle has to stretch to let them drop.

I think it took around 3 months for them to drop, and then probably another 3 months before they were done.

I don't know if it was the size she chose or what, but they always felt a little odd if you grabbed them all the way around the boob. Gently poking with a single finger they felt no different from natural breasts, it wasn't until they were squeezed with full hand that I could tell they were implants.

I think it is important to be realistic about the way they feel. They will probably look great, but they are implants and it will be noticeable under certain handling tests. If that is something that bothers you, I would suggest rethinking. I have to say after she went through that, I know that I don't want implants in my body. That said, I have never really been dysphoric about having smaller boobs nor wanted a BA at all. I am sure it's different if you want to have bigger breasts. My ex is very happy with hers, by the way. I am friends with the guy she is seeing, too, and he likes them a lot.

Agree with Jenny.

Implants can do a lot for self esteem, but they will not feel totally real, either inside you or to the touch for others. I decided before transition to just take what I get. So far, I am pleased with mother nature. I would be afraid of losing sensation in the chest, as I like how they feel more than I care how they look. The right bra can work wonders.

A problem i've seen before is when a person goes for implants that are wayyyy to big for their body - then you get the bad fake boob look that to me is unattractive. Implants that are sized appropriate for your body size and are installed by a qualified doctor (who will probably not the cheapest one) can look a lot more natural. The procedure is important; some procedures leave a result that is more more natural looking than other procedures.

My understanding is the same as has been posted above - they are very firm at first but over time the skin stretches and then they look more natural.

I think too many trans women get breast aug way too early in hrt, like 2 years really isn't enough to develop full maturity. The more breast tissue you have the better the implants will look. They do have a process where you can stretch the breast gradually and go from small implants to bigger implants, which gives it a more natural look if you don't have much breast tissue to begin with. Its just that its a pretty lengthy process.

They can look extremely real.  It takes some time.  I would say a year or so. 
With respect to how long they can be in, my wife has had hers since 1991.  Her OBGYNs have all been good with them and nobody has once said she should consider getting them out.  That doesn't mean they shouldn't.  It's simply her situation. 

Most trans women do not have as much breast tissue as cis females, and our rib cages are usually larger as well, therefore, breast implants will not look as natural on most of us as compared to cis-women, but for the majority of us they are still aesthetically appealing, and are usually more attractive and shapely than what we can achieve from HRT alone.  As far as feeling natural, silicone is superior to saline implants in that regard. And also, implants feel like foreign objects in your chest when you first get them, but after about 6 months they feel as natural as any other body part.  I was told that it is recommended to have implants replaced every 10 years, but I've heard of women having them in a lot longer without any problems.

Surgeon, Size and Type (gel, saline, silicone).

Different surgeons can change things considerably. 

The more you have naturally, the bigger the implant can be and still look natural.  Conversely, the less you have, the smaller the implant can be.

Type....That's tougher.  smaller - saline is fine, larger, silicone and then Gel.  Kinda. 

I'm not doing a BA.  I am having what I got shaped a little.

Jennifer

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I've read that "gummy bear" implants have a much more natural appearance.

My wife, who had a fairly well developed upper body from years of swimming, had a BA (under the muscle, 1 cup size). When brand new, yes thing were a bit tight especially the first few months as the post-op swelling slowly abated. After a year or so aside from the small scare they sure looked and felt realistic to me with my limited field experience 

And yes, she was told that they should be replaced after whatever number of years. Well, whatever is now 30

Quote from: Jennygirl on January 24, 2015, 02:00:22 PM
My ex had a BA done with submuscular saline implants. At first they appear very unnatural and super high up on the chest, because the muscle has to stretch to let them drop.

My first BA with saline implants never looked natural, I was always very conscious of them, they looked like 2 dessert bowls under my top, I used to get asked ''did I have a boob job'' well it was pretty obvious I did, I had a 2nd BA about 15 years ago with silicone implants, I also took the opportunity and went for bigger implants, they looked and felt more natural than the previous saline implants, I regreted going bigger, but got used to them, I forget they are there, have them in now 15 years and never had any problems, I know another woman has her's in 22 years, they are now very much part of my femininity and womanhood, hubby absolutely adores them.

I have a friend's mother who had implants done.. She was a B cup and she went up to C cup... to me they look natural.. the only funny thing. she is 56.. and she has the breasts of a 20 year old.. I think her breasts look better than her 25 year old daughters.

The reason for the implants.. gravity was catching up and she wanted to firm up.. the size increase.. she said.. well she was there.


Me.. I was lucky the breast fairy gave me D cups.. but maybe when i am older and my breasts begin sagging.. then i might get implants to firm me up again.. maybe even go up to DD..

Quote from: noleen111 on January 26, 2015, 08:36:32 AM
I have a friend's mother who had implants done.. She was a B cup and she went up to C cup... to me they look natural.

Just curious Noleen, did your friend's mother have saline implants or silicone implants, my saline implants never looked natural and always looked enhanced, when I had them redone with silicone I went from a C cup to a DD, I had only intended going to a D, but was advised at the time because of my posture to go DD, after a C cup going to a DD they looked enormous, but very natural and real with a killer cleavage, certainly got male attention, took a while getting used to them, after 15 years I've no problems, just hope they don't sag with age, but I'ii worry about that if and when it happens, I'm 56.