On Thursday afternoon three young women were in the Transform Clinic in Dublin waiting to have silicone breast implants. They were nervous about the operation but talked about the reasons for wanting the surgery and how they felt it would change them. All said that at various stages of their lives they had been teased about being "flat-chested". At their request their names have been changed:

Aoife

"I have always wanted to get them done but I never had the money. Now I do and I can't wait. I always joked about it with my family, I'd say "don't be surprised if I come home bigger one day". These days it (cosmetic surgery) is not such a big deal. I am 32B and I am going to be 34C. I'm expecting to be in a bit of pain after the operation but it will be worth it. The fashion now is for nice tops and low-cut dresses. In four hours I will be a new woman. If anyone suspects anything, I will just blame it on the pill".

Mary

"I've always had the money to do it but I never had the bottle. Two girls I know got it done and that gave me the courage to go for it. I think it will give me a lot more confidence and improve my sex life"."

Julie

"I'd been thinking about implants for a while - I was called two backs at school - but when I had a baby that's when I made up my mind. I remember breast feeding and looking down at my chest and thinking "that's how I want my breasts to look all the time". I don't want a Pamela Anderson job, I'm only going from 34A to 34C. I think I will feel a lot more feminine and have more confidence but it won't change my life."