Part I: Breast Implants and Guinea Pigs

I ran across this post from a lady on a forum recently and what she has discovered is all too common!  I cannot tell you how many times I have had patients tell me they either did not want to tell anyone for fear of rejection or judgment (from usually sisters and Moms) or they had told a buddy and gotten the same response as she did below......

"Hey girls, I've had something heavy on my mind this past week and I just thought I'd post it here to see if the rest of you have encountered this and if I should expect it ongoing.  I had one of my long-term clients (whom I would also consider a friend) say I would lose all credibility in her book if I got implants.  She doesn't even know I have the surgery scheduled, she just knows I've talked about wanting them in the past, and we were talking about a couple of others in our neighborhood who just had it done.  To give you some further details, I am a personal trainer, very thin, obviously flat chested and so is my client.  At first I thought it was a jealousy thing, then my husband said more than a jealousy thing, he thinks she's also self-conscious about her lack-of-boob, and somehow felt like I thought SHE should also get implants because I'm not happy with mine currently.  I don't know, but I wasn't prepared to hear such a reaction and I feel judged unfairly.  I know I preach self-acceptance (to a degree), taking care of your body inside and out, being as healthy as you can be, but this is something I can't fix with diet and exercise.  I explained it was something I've always wanted just for myself, not from pressure from my husband or anyone else, but I honestly feel like I might lose her as a client AND a friend and I wasn't prepared for this.  So far, all other clients and friends who know have been very accepting and excited for me and this decision.  Now I'm thinking I should BE prepared for this type of reaction from others and learn to not let it upset me.  I wonder if it's strictly the role I play with my job, or just someone getting breast implants period???  I'm anxious to hear what the rest of you think or have experienced."