In this guide7 sections
- What is ‘Boob Greed’?
- How Long Does Boob Greed Usually Last?
- Should You Consider a Second Surgery for Boob Greed?
- How Can I Determine the Perfect Breast Implant Size for Myself?
- How Can I Determine If My Breast Implants Are Excessively Large?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Breast Augmentation at Centre for Surgery
You’ve chosen to go ahead with a breast enlargement procedure. Before making this decision, you’ve had detailed talks with your surgeon about what you want, your worries, and what you hope to achieve from the operation. After these discussions, you’ve both settled on the size of the implant you’ll get. For many women, deciding the size can be the most nerve-wracking part of the process. They often fear that their breasts will look overly large and not natural. So, it’s pretty surprising for some of them when, after the surgery, they first see their new breasts and feel they might be too small.
What is ‘Boob Greed’?
‘Boob greed’ is an informal phrase that’s been coined to capture a somewhat unexpected sentiment that some women might experience after their breast augmentation surgery. In essence, it refers to the feeling of regret or second-guessing about the size of the implants chosen, typically wishing they had gone for a larger option. Usually, about a week or so following a successful breast enlargement procedure, even if the results align perfectly with the pre-surgery discussions and the augmented breasts are fuller, perkier, and visually appealing, some women might find themselves yearning for an even larger size. This feeling can occasionally be so overpowering that they contemplate undergoing a second procedure to increase their breast size further.
Delving a bit into the intricacies of breast augmentation, it’s vital to underscore the point that this kind of surgery is not strictly formulaic. Meaning, the outcome isn’t always predictable to the last detail. While surgeons use their vast experience and knowledge to approximate results, it’s virtually impossible to accurately predict how a specific implant size or shape will settle on an individual’s body or the definitive bra cup size they will end up wearing post-surgery.
If you find yourself contemplating breast augmentation, or perhaps if ‘boob greed’ is a concern of yours, it might be comforting to know that Centre for Surgery in London have a team of highly experienced breast surgeons. We are here to guide you, ensuring that your decisions are rooted in expert knowledge. During a detailed consultation session, our surgeons provide clinical insights and tailor their advice to each patient’s aesthetic goals, body type, and health considerations. Your surgeon’s aim is always to find the most harmonious balance that not only enhances physical appearance but also bolsters self-confidence and well-being.
How Long Does Boob Greed Usually Last?
For most women who experience it, boob greed is a passing phase rather than a permanent verdict on their results. It tends to peak in the first few weeks after surgery, often driven by a combination of factors that have nothing to do with whether the size chosen was actually right: post-operative swelling initially making the breasts look fuller and higher than their eventual settled shape, the psychological adjustment of getting used to a genuinely new body, and — for some — simply comparing themselves to more dramatic augmentations seen online.
As swelling resolves and implants settle into their final position over the following weeks to months, many women find the urge to go bigger fades on its own, particularly once the results they specifically discussed and chose with their surgeon become fully apparent. This is exactly why surgeons consistently recommend waiting at least three to six months before making any decision about revision surgery — jumping to a second procedure during the adjustment period risks acting on a temporary feeling rather than a considered view of the final result.
Should You Consider a Second Surgery for Boob Greed?
Sometimes, yes — but not straight away, and not without a proper conversation with your surgeon first. If, after the full settling period, you still feel your implants are genuinely too small for your goals, revision surgery to increase size is a legitimate option, and it’s worth discussing openly rather than living with ongoing dissatisfaction.
That said, it’s worth being honest with yourself about what’s actually driving the feeling before booking a second procedure. Revision surgery carries its own risks, cost, and recovery time, and going through a second operation to chase a feeling that may well have resolved on its own is not a decision to rush into. A good surgeon will talk through your original goals, what’s genuinely changed in your assessment versus what’s simply taking time to settle, and whether a modest increase would meaningfully address what you’re feeling — rather than simply agreeing to whatever size you now ask for.
How Can I Determine the Perfect Breast Implant Size for Myself?
Choosing the ideal breast implant size involves balancing personal preferences with professional guidance. Here’s a more detailed guide to help you navigate through this significant decision:
Clear Expectations
Begin by setting realistic expectations for the outcome. It’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your cosmetic surgeon, ensuring they fully understand your desires and the end result you envision.
Lifestyle Considerations
Your everyday activities and lifestyle can significantly influence your choice. If you routinely engage in vigorous physical activities or sports, larger implants might hinder your movements or make certain exercises uncomfortable. In such cases, opting for a moderately sized implant might be more suitable.
Personal and Professional Image
Reflect on how the change in breast size might impact your personal brand or professional image. Some professions might have unspoken aesthetic norms, so weigh how the augmentation might be perceived.
True to Yourself
While societal standards and ideals can sway choices, it’s crucial to stay true to your personal desires. If you’ve always dreamt of having larger breasts, don’t feel compelled to choose a smaller size because of prevailing trends or societal opinions.
Feedback but with Caution
While seeking opinions from loved ones can be helpful, remember that this decision is intensely personal. Your comfort and satisfaction should be paramount. Friends and family can provide valuable insights, but the final decision should resonate with your inner desires.
Physical Considerations
Your natural anatomy plays a role in determining implant size. If you naturally have more breast tissue, you might not require as significant an implant compared to someone with less breast tissue. Your stature, height, and shoulder width are also factors; for instance, a taller person with broad shoulders might be more proportionate with larger implants.
Lastly, always lean on professional expertise. The surgeons at the Centre for Surgery are adept at understanding individual needs and body types. They’ll guide you, keeping your desired breast shape and size in mind. Their advice will be tailored to ensure the chosen implant size and shape align perfectly with your unique physical structure and aesthetic goals.
How Can I Determine If My Breast Implants Are Excessively Large?
Regretting the decision of having excessively large breast implants is quite the opposite of ‘boob greed’. Everyone’s ideal breast size is deeply personal, and you might feel that the augmented breasts are inconsistent with your everyday life. You might feel they impede your activities, restrict your wardrobe choices, or even contradict the primary objective you had for the breast augmentation.
Physical Considerations with Larger Implants:
- Skin Stretching: Heavier implants might overstretch the skin, leading to premature sagging.
- Unnatural Cleavage Gap: Larger implants can sometimes create too much distance between the breasts, giving rise to an abnormal-looking cleavage space.
- Physical Discomfort: The added weight from larger implants can cause neck, shoulder, and back pain. There might also be challenges with maintaining an upright posture and balance.
- Breathing Difficulties: In pronounced cases, the added weight and size of the implants might exert pressure on the chest, leading to breathing complications.
- Sleep Disruption: Finding a comfortable sleeping posture can become challenging, leading to sleep disturbances or even insomnia.
Patience is Key:
Post-operative swelling, muscle tension, and soft tissue adjustments are common after breast augmentation surgery. These factors can temporarily make the breasts appear or feel larger than they will eventually be. Hence, it’s pivotal to be patient.
The weeks and months post-surgery are transformational. As your body adjusts to the implants, they’ll settle, especially in the lower breast area, giving a fuller, rounder shape. This settling might also make the breasts seem even more significant due to the enhanced contour.
For anyone undergoing cosmetic surgery, it’s prudent to wait at least 3 to 6 months post-surgery before making a final assessment of the results. The body requires time to heal and adapt, and this period is crucial for understanding how the implants complement your physique and lifestyle. If, after this period, you still feel the implants are too large, it’s recommended to consult with your surgeon about potential solutions, including downsizing to smaller implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is boob greed a real, recognised phenomenon?
It isn’t a formal medical term, but it describes a genuinely common experience surgeons see regularly — the urge to go bigger shortly after surgery, even when the result matches what was originally agreed. It’s driven by swelling, psychological adjustment, and comparison rather than a flaw in the original size choice.
Does boob greed mean I chose the wrong implant size?
Not usually. Most women who experience it find their satisfaction with the original size returns once swelling settles and they’ve had time to adjust — which is why surgeons recommend waiting several months before drawing any conclusions.
Can I go back to my surgeon if I still want to go bigger after waiting?
Yes. If the feeling persists well beyond the settling period, it’s entirely reasonable to book a follow-up consultation and discuss revision surgery honestly and without judgement.
How can I reduce my risk of experiencing boob greed in the first place?
Being thorough at your original consultation helps — trying on sample implants, discussing sizing openly rather than deferring entirely to “what looks safe,” and being honest with your surgeon about wanting a fuller result if that’s genuinely your preference, rather than under-choosing out of caution.
Breast Augmentation at Centre for Surgery
Our plastic surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council, with genuine experience guiding patients through the implant-sizing decision to help avoid both boob greed and the opposite problem of feeling oversized. Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on Baker Street, delivering breast augmentation under TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) as part of our day-case surgical programme.
If you’re weighing up implant size and want an honest, experience-led conversation about what’s realistic for your body, book a consultation with one of our breast surgeons.
Contact Details:
Phone: 020 7993 4849
Email: contact@centreforsurgery.com
📍 Address: 95-97 Baker Street, London W1U 6RN
Related Articles
- Breast Implant Sizes: How to Choose the Right Size
- Mini Boob Job
- Breast Augmentation Consultation: What to Know Before You Go
- Breast Implant Replacement and Revision
