If you get a boob job, it is proof positive you have a serious self-esteem issue. Period.

Hey, if it's reconstructive after a mastectomy, you legitimately gotta do what you gotta do to get through that trauma and don't look back, but if you're healthy and considering going under the knife, you've probably got big problems a boob job will only make worse.

Women that have had breast cancer aren't the only ones with legitimate reasons for getting their breasts altered you know. As someone with a genetic deformity that affects my chest I find your comment rather rude. The only reason I haven't had it fixed yet is because my surgery would cost roughly twice what a normal breast augmentation does. You might want to consider that before you jump to conclusions about someones reason for alteration.

I agree anteup...

One size fits all does not apply, even to boob jobs...

Didn't you just gloss over the point of Madai's post? He said if you have to have the surgery it is a completely different issue. You stated yourself, you will have to get corrective surgery at some point.

Again, the LW said it was enhancement surgery and the results were quite obvious. That isn't have to, it's want to.

I disagree also. I'm sure the self-esteem thing is a very big issue in most cosmetic surgery cases, but not all women who get breast augmentation or reductions have serious, deep seated issues.

The woman who ran my former gym had implants. I never would have know if she hadn't told me, since they were sized so perfectly for her frame that she looked completely natural and proportionate. They also did not look overly round or otherwise unnatural. There's a world of difference between trying to look like Pam Anderson and trying to look like an average woman.

And reductions are do often medically prompted - big boobs cn be terribly inconvienent and uncomfortable, and life is just easier after a reduction for many women.

My aunt had a self-esteem issue that caused her to undergo breast enhancement.. it was that her breasts were small. The surgery fixed that. She's been happy for 24 years.

"All generalizations are wrong.. including this one."

RE: big_macs

Its still a cosmetic issue. The only thing it could actually get in the way of is breast feeding. Its not always a matter of being bigger, sometimes its a matter of wanting to look normal. I can't even wear a B and I need a lift because of the deformity. Sure, you could argue that I don't technically need the surgery but would the same judgement be passed if I had a tail I wanted removed?

big_macs, I don't see where anteup glossed over... the OP said "If you get a boob job, it is proof positive you have a serious self-esteem issue. Period."

That doesn't leave much room for anyone except someone who's had cancer. I think we walk a thin line with those all-or-nothing statements. The world is full of shades of grey.

Ok, I'll give you the all-or-nothing statement. That was an overstatement. I still think it is appropriate for the LW in this weeks letters!

But at least as far as I understand the condition Anteup has, getting corrective surgery to look as normal as possible (her words) is NOT the same as already having a normal set of boobs and going in for an enhancement. That was the point I am making. The OP left room in his argument for people who need to have corrective surgery. LW #4 didn't NEED the surgery, did she?

I can agree with you and the top poster, because this particular LW used the term "breast augmentation." You would have "breast reconstruction" or "breast alteration" other people with overly large breasts have "breast reductions" and I agree it is a very different issue. However, because of the terms used and that the LW also seems to be very sensitive to comments, which is usually indicative of low self esteem, and then add that she wrote in to an advice columnist, rather than come up with a snappy comeback of her own, and I give you what appears to be on very unhappy lady with low self esteem.

There are always exceptions to every rule. But a huge number of women undergoing the surgery (and face it, the numbers are HUGE) are doing it for body issues that could be dealt with in a less extreme way.

(I gots me a set of 36 A's - which means I can always wear my bras for ear warmers if I lose my hat.)

I don't disagree that many women do this because of self-perception, (the media have ensured that), although I doubt that anyone's self-esteem rests on that "one thing I wish I could change."

I'm just never in favor of "one-size-fits-all" statements.

(Did you get my irony? I'm never in favor... oh well, my own bizarre frame of mind today)...

It's apparent that the LW has self-esteem issues just by the tone of the letter... and if that was the reason for doing it, it didn't work. But like one of the above letters, it did help her aunt who had surgery... so what the heck... if it works, why not?

If someone has bad acne and goes to a dermatologist, are they only making things worse? If they are overweight and go to a gym, are they making things worse? Is all self improvement signs of low self esteem? Or is just surgery?

Don't see the correlation to having surgery and making things worse. If someone does have lower self esteem and can take steps to fix it, they shouldn't be chastised for it. You seem to be assuming that having small breasts isn't a legitimate reason for having low self esteem, and seemingly, that low self esteem is some sort of bottomless pit. Often, making changes to improve oneself in one area allows people to make other changes as well.

I know a few women who have had their breasts done - they may have had "issues," as just about every person does, but they seem happier after having them done. Not that I've had any indepth conversations with them, but I haven't picked up any regrets about it.

Really excellent points Evil! Applause.

Anteup -- key phrase: if you're healthy and considering going under the knife, you've probably got big problems a boob job will only make worse.

But yeah, I was deliberately being a little provocative. This is, after all, the internet. Meanwhile, I'm sorry, but since women are unlikely to explain to everyone who notices there boob job the real reasons, conclusions will be jumped to by strangers. Often the conclusion is right!

evil_robots, I think you understand the difference between elective plastic surgery and acne control.

"If someone does have lower self esteem and can take steps to fix it"

Oh please! Many people "improve their self esteem" by taking the step of going out and getting drunk. Not all self-improvement methods are created equal.

"You seem to be assuming that having small breasts isn't a legitimate reason for having low self esteem, and seemingly, that low self esteem is some sort of bottomless pit."

Right-o on the first count, completely wrong on the second count. Low self esteem is a pit, or the pits, or whatever. But with a LADDER you can climb out of pit. I do not know what the metaphoric ladder, but pretty sure it ain't a boob job.

Isn't there a list of dumb things people sometimes do that they regret later in life, and aren't boob jobs on the list?