Ever heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” It’s really quite a popular adage, and for good reason. Few things in life are actually free, but that’s not stopping a group of hopeful breast implant patients from trying to get their surgeries on the house.
On a new website called , hundreds of women are trying to get strangers to donate to their breast augmentation fund. Upon first entering the site, it looks just like a dating site. You can check out women’s profiles, chat and even learn about their personal interests. But while getting to know them, you may also be lured into paying for their plastic surgery.
The goal of the website is to connect women who can’t afford breast implants with donors who will pay for their surgeries. To get started on the site, all a prospective patient has to do is provide her name, birthday and a few pictures of herself. Then, she can immediately start meeting potential donors and can even participate in one of the many “contests” set up by the donors themselves.
The site is free to use, but if you want to chat, it will cost the donor $1 each time. But that’s ok, that’s what the donors are there for…right?
Though it may seem like the site is just a big scam, no one of the women on MFI actually have access to any of the money that is raised. Instead, the funds are put into an escrow account, quite fittingly called the “Boob Bank.”
Once a prospective patient reaches her goal (around $5,500), the money goes straight to paying an MFI-affiliated plastic surgeon who will then perform her breast augmentation surgery. Then, the patient’s before-and-after pictures, along with a Q&A, are entered into the ever exclusive MFI Hall of Fame.
It is rumored that around 1,100 women have already gotten their breast implants through the site, but it seems like an awful long time to accrue the funds. After all, each private message only costs $1. Do the prospects have to engage in any illegal activities to raise more money? Allegedly, some women go as far as to offer racy pictures of themselves for more money, and there are far too many eager donors willing to please.
While the site may have about 13,500 active users – 3,500 women and 10,000 men – the nonchalant atmosphere distracts from the fact that breast augmentation surgery is not a joke. Sure, if the site follows through with its promises, a woman may have her breasts enhanced for free, but what about follow-up care? Medications? Implant replacements? That’s all going to come out of the woman’s own pocket, so technically, the surgery isn’t entirely free.
And though the site only claims to release Boob Bank funds only to board-certified plastic surgeons, both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have condemned the site.
It’s important for anyone who has considered breast augmentation to turn to an experienced plastic surgeon to discuss their best options. A woman may have an idea about what kind of implants she may want, but the choice may not be suitable. Obtaining the advice of a plastic surgeon is critical to ensuring successful results.
Frequently Asked Questions
The website aims to connect women who cannot afford breast augmentation surgery with donors willing to fund their procedures. Women create profiles and interact with potential donors to raise money for their breast implants.
The site is free to use, but donors pay $1 for each private message they send to women. Women can chat with donors and participate in contests to raise funds for their surgeries.
Funds raised are held in an escrow account called the "Boob Bank." Once a woman reaches her fundraising goal, the money is sent directly to an affiliated plastic surgeon to cover the cost of her breast augmentation surgery.
No, women do not have direct access to the funds. The money is managed by the site and only released to board-certified plastic surgeons to ensure proper use for surgery costs.
After surgery, the woman's before-and-after photos and a Q&A are featured in the site's Hall of Fame, showcasing successful procedures funded through the platform.
Yes, professional plastic surgery organizations have condemned the site due to concerns about safety, follow-up care, and the potential for women to engage in inappropriate activities to raise funds. The site also does not cover post-surgery expenses like medications or implant replacements.
While the surgery cost is covered by donations, women are responsible for follow-up care, medications, and future implant replacements, meaning the procedure is not entirely free.
The site reportedly has about 13,500 active users, including approximately 3,500 women seeking surgery and 10,000 male donors.
Women should consult experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss their options and receive professional advice tailored to their needs, ensuring safe and successful outcomes.
Yes, some women reportedly resort to offering racy photos to attract more donations, which raises ethical and safety concerns. Additionally, the site’s informal atmosphere may downplay the seriousness of surgery and aftercare.
