From a very early age, women are subjected to ideals regarding the size and shape of their breasts. Modern media -- glossy magazines and movies - tell us how big and what shape they should be. Many women consider and eventually have breast implants in order to conform to these opinions but while there are advantages to having this done there are still some concerns and many questions that need answering.
Not all cosmetic surgery is carried out on women who simply want bigger breasts. Many face psychological problems because the size or shape of each breast is different. Breast cancer sufferers consider breast-rebuilding treatment to try and get their lives back on track.
Gone are the days where the only surgical procedure available for women was breast enlargements. There are numerous surgical procedures for various areas of the body although the breasts remain a firm favourite for women. You can now have breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, breast implants, a breast lift and a breast reduction.
You should always consider every view and get the full facts before you consider any surgery, least of all cosmetic surgery.
For most forms of breast implants a small incision of approximately 1.5 inches is made in the fold under the breast, around the areola or in the underarm. For saline implants, a pocket is then created and the implant inserted. Once inserted the implant is then inflated with the saline solution.
The procedure itself usually takes between an hour and two hours and dressing and bandaging is worn for the proceeding 24 to 48 hours. After this a support bra is worn for around 3 weeks although patients can normally be up and moving within 24 hours of the operation. It is advised that strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for about a month after surgery.
You will suffer bruising and swelling around the breasts that should disappear with time, and also a firmness in the breasts that will disappear with time. You will more than likely feel a little discomfort for several days following the procedure; if this discomfort continues you should consult the clinic where you underwent the operation.
What are the possible side effects of breast implant surgery?
Current research shows no heightened risk of systemic disease or breast cancer in patients, however, as with all surgery there are risks attached. Unfavourable scarring may occur leaving nasty marks around the incision area or around the implant. Infection may occur as with any surgery. Bleeding, excessive firmness, rippling, deflation, asymmetry and a change in nipple sensation may also be encountered but breast augmentation has the highest satisfaction rate of any cosmetic surgery.
What implants are used?
Currently, in the United States, saline implants are used for breast augmentation; these are a silicone rubber shell filled with saline (salt water) during surgery. They are available in a wide choice of shapes and sizes. If a patient has significant problems and saline implants would not be the best solution then gel implants may also be used.
The advantage of saline implants that if you are one of the unlucky 1% of people who's implants deflate, the body absorbs the salt-water solution and the implant deflates at a rate that means the body can cope with the amount of salt water being absorbed.
How much will breast augmentation cost?
Obviously this will differ dependant on exactly what procedure you want, the incision type your require and where you have the procedure done. It is obviously not advised to plump for the cheapest option as this may lead to using an inefficient surgeon and complications with the procedure. As a very rough guide you can expect to pay between $4000 and $10000 for breast augmentation.
There are probably cheaper and more expensive options available, but I wouldn't advise either. The price you pay also takes into account the availability of plastic surgeons in that area and the qualifications and expertise of the potential surgeon.
If you are certain you want breast implants but feel that the price is a little too high for your budget, you will be pleased to hear that many surgeons will offer credit agreements to spread the cost over time.
You should always be very careful when picking a clinic or surgeon. Make sure they are professionally certified and be aware that this is a prime example of you get what you pay for; the price you pay is usually indicative of the qualifications, experience and expertise of your surgeon.
Do not be afraid to ask your surgeon for testimonials from satisfied clients; any professional worth his salt will be able to supply them and will be only to pleased to do so.
At the end of the day, you must have confidence in your surgeon. And the only way to achieve that, is to do your research.
Unhappy with their breast size and how they look, more and more girls under the age of 18 are undergoing expensive and dangerous breast implant surgery. As reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 3,841 young women 18 or younger underwent breast augmentation, a 24 percent jump from 3,095, a 19 percent increase from 2002.
From coast to coast, and especially prevalent in Texas and California, breast implants are fast becoming the most popular new fad among teens looking to improve their looks and become more noticeable to the opposite sex."Breasts are a fashion item," says Dr. Garry Brody, professor of plastic surgery at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. More and more teens regard this dangerous practice as nothing more than fun, willing to ignore the danger, side effects, and long term problems associated with breast implant surgery.
Many teens regard the surgery as "just a fun thing to do," comparing it to having their hair or nails done, rather than the complicated, dangerous, and expensive surgical procedure it really is.
Around holidays, spring break, graduation, and especially during the Christmas season, doctors begin to see the demand for implant surgery increase.Breast augmentation has become so popular among teens, that many parents are now offering the surgery as a Sweet 16 or high school graduation gift, sometimes paying upwards of $10,000 for breast enlargement.
Even though in 2000 the Food and Drug Administration approved saline implants for women 18 or older, its recommendation is only advisory, because unlike medications, breast implants are not regulated by them.
However, silicone-gel implants are not approved for marketing, available to women only through FDA approved clinical studies.Throwing caution to the wind, teens are unwilling to treat implant surgery with the seriousness it deserves, acknowledging the risks and permanent changes they're making to their bodies and appearance. And unfortunately those risks far outweigh the advantages to having larger, fuller breasts, especially at such a young age, when most teen's bodies aren't even fully developed yet.
Most teens don't want sensible advice thrown at them, though, especially if they're flat-chested girls still in the process of developing. Unfortunately at that age, teen girls have the worst self and body image. When they look through magazines and see voluptuous models with large, full breasts on every page, they want to look just like that, the consequences be damned.
And there are always consequences to breast implant surgery, some serious, some not, but one thing is for sure, their bodies will be forever changed. And the saddest thing is that once the surgery is completed, it can't be undone. They're stuck with facing, what for some of these young girls, will end up being a lifetime of regret.
Everything from severe asymmetry to life threatening complications and illness can occur with implant surgery. Other risks include complications from anesthesia, excessive bleeding and infection, to name just a few. Also, over time the implants can rupture or deflate, requiring more surgery, along with capsular contracture the tightening of scar tissue around the implant, a common complication following breast augmentation.
Fortunately today there are other safer, all natural remedies, and alternatives to increasing breast size available on the market that can be just as effective, with none of the side effects or dangers involved with implant surgery.
If they're willing to take the time to look around, women and teens can have the larger, fuller breasts they want, without risking their lives to have it.
Both Adrien Brody & Norman Hem are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adrien Brody has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Cosmetic Surgery and Breast Enlargements. Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit. Adrien Brody's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Norman Hem has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breast Enlargements, Legal Matters and Makeup. Norm Hem is the CEO of 4naturalhealth.net, a global authority on all natural enhancement products. For a limited time you can download the FREE classified report, "What Plastic Surgeon's Don't Want You Too Ever Know About. Norman Hem's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.