2 septembre, 2005 14:49
Health - Uplifting experience
By SALLY JOHNSTON, EDMONTON SUN
Barb Freysteinson shows off her new bustline. 'When I woke up from surgery it was like Christmas morning,' she gushes. (Brendon Dlouhy)
She's heard all the horror stories about boob jobs.
But despite reports of risks of ruptures and serious illness, former barmaid Barb Freysteinson couldn't be happier with the $7,000 silicone gel breast implants she got two weeks ago.
"When I woke up from the surgery it was like Christmas morning," said the 44-year-old owner of Bad Girlz boutique in St. Albert.
"You just can't put a price tag or even words on the kind of emotion that it brought up in me seeing the 'new girls.' "
Love 'em or hate 'em, fake tits are a controversial topic for which actress Pam Anderson remains the poster girl, years after claiming to have had hers removed.
Because of safety concerns, Canadian doctors must seek permission from Health Canada before using silicone implants. There's also growing public debate about the self-esteem issues associated with cosmetic surgery.
Regardless, increasing numbers of North American women like Freysteinson, a single mom of girls aged 18 and 15, are flocking to get boob jobs.
Tired of what she sees as negative coverage about the surgery, including two columns by the Sun's Mindelle Jacobs criticizing the procedure, Freysteinson shared her story.
BEGINNINGS: I'm five-foot-six and have always been thin. I have Crohn's disease, a digestive disorder and graduated high school weighing 87 pounds. I'd get comments, girls would call me skinny bones. I remember one guy said, "You're a 10 from behind," meaning I looked better from the back.
THE DECISION: I started thinking about getting implants when I was in my teens. I remember actress Raquel Welch's boobs. I think they were fake and I thought how beautiful they were. It was always an obsession. Even when I was little I always equated being large-breasted with being attractive. I sometimes wonder if it was that darn Barbie doll.
REWARD: I went through a really terrible time last year with relationships, work, finances, everything. When I came through that I felt I wanted to reward myself.
THE RISKS: My plastic surgeon, Dr Gary Lobary, explained the risks.One is that scar tissue could squeeze the silicone and make the breasts misshapen. But he said it's rare. He gave me literature to read but people that write that might be trying to put you off.
THE SURGERY: I did it for me. I said "Make them look as big as you can without them looking fake." I didn't want grapefruits coming out of my chest. He implanted a 375-cc silicone gel pouch under each breast which took me from a 34B bra to a 34C or D. It doesn't sound like much but my breasts are much firmer and fuller.
PRESSURE: At first it felt like I was wearing a really tight lifejacket. It's more annoying than painful, a constant pressure. I have to wear a sports bra day and night for a month. My nipples hurt because they are sticking out further.
REACTION: My boyfriend wasn't too gung-ho at first. But he paid for the surgery and now he thinks they're great. His first reaction was, "When can you unleash those puppies?" My mom isn't talking to me right now because of what I've done.
SIDE-EFFECTS: I have a hard time shaving my armpits now because my breasts are fuller at the sides.
DAUGHTERS: If they wanted to get breast implants I'd be supportive if they were doing it for the right reasons.
SELF-ESTEEM: It's still important who you are on the inside. Physical attraction wears off. But I used to look at the SUNshine Girls in the Sun and wish I looked like that. Now I look and say "I think I'm bigger than her."
CLOTHES: I've always been a halter top and camisole person. And now I can't wait to go shopping for a swimsuit.
SEX: I think it will make it better because I am more comfortable with me.
CRITICS: How come everyone is so down on boob jobs? Women are always saying "It's our bodies and we can do what we want" for abortion and that kind of stuff. Why are breast implants any different?
JUSTIFICATION: Plastic surgery was the only way for me to achieve the results that I sought, so it was right for me. I guess that doesn't mean that it's right for other people.
AND FINALLY: I'd love to go on The Swan or Extreme Makeover (TV shows). I've heard people say they should do psychological evaluations on boob job patients. But my doctor knew I wasn't doing it to be a rock star or anything. I wasn't expecting it to open doors for me. I just did it for me.
