Breast Augmentation: How To Talk To Your Daughter About Your Surgery

Deciding to have breast augmentation surgery is major and very personal, but there are other people to consider. Yes, you are an adult and you have made an informed decision, but if you have a daughter, you need to be very careful in how you explain things to her.

Celebrities, magazines, the media and the World Wide Web have perpetuated a certain ideal about the female body and the last thing you want to do is add to this skewed perception. So, how do you do this for yourself and make sure that your daughter has a healthy view of her own body? Here are some things to consider before you go in for your breast augmentation:

1. Telling your daughter may or may not be necessary.

Obviously, if you have a toddler, you don't need to go into specifics about your breast augmentation. Just tell her you have a boo-boo and that's why you have to take it easy. Old girls and teens, however, will definitely know that something is going on. How you approach the subject is determined by her age and maturity. It is important that she knows this is a surgery by choice and that you are not sick.

2. Be honest with her about your motivation.

Maybe your mother passed on the flat chest gene or pregnancy has sucked the life out of your breasts. Whatever the reason, be clear to your daughter that you are having this procedure for yourself and no one else. Be honest and tell her why you are making this change to your body.

3. Let her ask questions.

No matter how old she is, she's going to ask questions. Not just why, but what the procedure is going to be like and what you will look like afterwards. Make sure she knows that it is major surgery, but that with a great surgeon, everything will go well. Explain the process and what implants are. She may be concerned about safety, so assure her that you have researched breast augmentation and that you wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't safe.

4. Talk to her about her concerns about her own body.

Take this time to address any issues she may have about her own developing body. Even young kids are aware of body image and compare themselves to other kids. Whether she thinks she's too fat or skinny or maybe she's worried about her own breasts, have a conversation about it and make sure she understands that her body is still changing.

She may or may not have the small-breast genes so she has to give it time. Once she's an adult, then she can decide to change her appearance, but first she must give her body time to grow and develop. In the end, she may not need or want to change anything.

Communicating with your daughter is the best way to make sure she has a realistic and healthy view of her body. This can be a bonding experience as well as a learning experience for both of you. Just remember that while you are an adult and have the right to make this decision for yourself, see the situation through the eyes of your daughter and be sensitive to her during this time.