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Breast implants her choice, not parents'

DEAR ABBY: I am 23 years old, working full-time as a teacher and about to move out of my parents' house. I have decided to have breast augmentation surgery and the best time to do it would be this summer so I'll recover before school starts.

DEAR ABBY: I am 23 years old, working full-time as a teacher and about to move out of my parents' house. I have decided to have breast augmentation surgery and the best time to do it would be this summer so I'll recover before school starts.

The problem is my parents are adamantly against my having this surgery. I've heard it all: "I wish you loved your body the way it is." "That's so superficial," and "You'll regret it!"

I would wait until I move out, but my new place (which is being built) won't be finished until the end of the school year. I have postponed this surgery for several years, and now I have the money and I'm ready. How can I please my parents and also please myself?

- Tired of Waiting

DEAR TIRED: Have another talk with your folks and explain that while they may wish you loved your body the way it is, you don't. Tell them you don't feel wanting surgery is superficial and it will give you confidence about your appearance that you don't have now.

The decision about whether to have plastic surgery is a personal one; the choice should be yours and yours alone. If you decide later that you regret it, you can have the implants removed.

DEAR ABBY: I am planning a wedding this summer. My fiance and I are paying for it, so we are trying to keep it within a budget. I'm so excited I want to shout it from the rooftops because I thought this day would never happen.

My problem is, when I have shared the news of our engagement, some people have told me, "I can't wait to get my invitation." We have already made up our guest list and they aren't on it, so how can I reply without offending? My fiance and I have even discussed whether it would be worth the extra money each guest will cost in order to not have anyone carry a grudge against us.

- Struggling to be Polite in Virginia DEAR STRUGGLING: When someone who is not on your guest list says he or she can't wait to receive an invitation, that's your cue to explain that due to budget constraints, your wedding will be small - pretty much immediate family only. No one can argue with that.