Why Do You Want Breast Augmentation?
If you feel that your breasts are too small, if you have issues fitting into clothing due to breast size, or if you are self-conscious in a swimsuit or tank top, you may be considering breast augmentation. Womens' motivations for having cosmetic surgery are many and varied.
Here are just some of the factors that may contribute to a woman's decision to undergo breast augmentation:
Size. The No. 1 reason women want breast augmentation surgery is because they want larger breasts.
Pregnancy. Some mothers choose to undergo breast augmentation as part of a "mommy makeover" — a combination of procedures designed to help restore a woman's body to its pre-pregnancy, pre-motherhood state. (See sidebar.)
Breast cancer. Other women receive breast implants during breast reconstruction procedures performed following breast cancer surgery, or after preventive mastectomies performed because they have a strong family history of breast cancer. A mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts. Breast reconstruction may involve implants or a transfer of fat and tissue from your abdomen.
Asymmetry. Some women want breast augmentation because their breasts are asymmetrical or because of congenital deformities.
Breast shape. Others simply want rounder, fuller breasts.
Weight loss. Weight loss can cause significant changes to the size and shape of a woman's breasts. Implants can help restore their appearance.
The bottom line is that you may benefit from breast augmentation for any number of reasons.
If someone is urging you to have breast augmentation (say, a spouse, boyfriend or significant other), and you do not want it, don't do it.
Make the Right Decision
If you decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery, be sure that your reasons are your own. If someone is urging you to have breast augmentation (say, a spouse, boyfriend or significant other), and you do not want it, don't do it. It is also important to manage your expectations about breast augmentation — know what the procedure entails now and in the future. Breast augmentation may help you feel better about yourself and boost your self-esteem, but it will not change anything else about your life.
Breast augmentation is a surgery and should never be taken lightly. You will experience pain and discomfort afterward. It is also important to remember that breast implants don't necessarily last forever, so you may need a second surgery down the road.
What's more, they also involve some maintenance. For example, if you choose silicone-gel-filled breast implants, you will need to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your breasts three years postoperatively, then every two years, to check for ruptures. Unlike with saline breast implants, it is not immediately evident if a silicone implant ruptures, because the gel leaks out gradually.
Discuss your reasons for wanting breast augmentation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. A candid discussion about what you expect to gain from this surgery will allow your surgeon to determine if your expectations are realistic.
