Why Do Women Opt for Breast Enlargement Surgery?
Statistics reported recently in the Guardian newspaper show that 90% of the cosmetic procedures performed in 2011 were on women, an increase of 6.2% on the previous year. Of those surgeries, the largest number – 10,015 – were breast augmentations. It seems that despite the on-going economic downturn, many women are still finding the money to fund cosmetic enhancements whether for aesthetic purposes, health reasons, or purely out of vanity. Industry insiders say it is still too early to assess the impact of the PIP implant scandal on the market but for now, at least, there seems to be no drop in the number of enquiries to the UK’s cosmetic surgery providers.
There are many reasons why a woman may consider a breast enlargement to be the best option for her. Having small or uneven breasts is generally the most often quoted factor, with the after effects from pregnancy and childbirth also being a major influence for a lot of women.
As we all become ever more conscious of diet and weight loss, more women are finding that after losing their excess weight they are left with unsightly sagging skin and breasts which have lost their contour and volume. A combined breast lift and enlargement can restore and revive the bust to a more aesthetically pleasing condition.
For some women, an augmentation will follow treatment for breast cancer and be part of their reconstructive programme. For these ladies in particular, the procedure will play a vital role in their road to recovery, helping to restore confidence and self-esteem which will inevitably have been dented during their diagnosis and treatment.
If a recent Daily Mail article is to be believed, a breast enlargement could also improve your sex life. They reported on the findings of an online survey in which a number of women who had undergone breast enhancement surgery were asked to assess their sex life both before and after the procedure. Of those who replied, 61% said that they had sex more often afterwards and 70% said that it was a lot more satisfying than before!
Things to Consider before Taking the Plunge
Before considering any kind of cosmetic procedure, it is vital to ask yourself some very important questions; what do you hope to achieve through the surgery, are you sure it is totally your decision and are you certain you are not being influenced by anyone else?
It can be too easy to see all your problems in life as being the result of just one thing. Breast enlargement surgery may give you a better shape, allow you to wear lovely clothes and feel more confident about yourself. However, what it can never do is mend a broken relationship, make someone love you if they don’t or get you that high-flying career you’ve always dreamed of. Be realistic about your aims and aspirations from your surgery. All reputable cosmetic surgery providers will have access to counselling services where patients can discuss their hopes and fears and receive advice and guidance.
The condition of a patient’s general health will also have a huge impact on the outcome of the surgery. Perhaps this would be a good time to give up smoking, lose those few surplus pounds and generally get into tip-top condition prior to the procedure. If you are investing all that money and time in yourself, it only makes sense to have the best possible opportunity for a terrific outcome.
Another consideration to factor in is the possibility of future pregnancies. Although it is perfectly possible to breastfeed with implants in place, the rigours of pregnancy may well alter the shape of the enhanced bust, leading to the need for further procedures and expense.
Finding an accomplished, reputable, highly skilled cosmetic surgeon should be the next step on the road. Do your homework and research thoroughly all potential candidates, asking to see examples of their work, statistics for the number of augmentations they have performed and percentage of surgical complications. Obviously, word of mouth is often the best recommendation; a good reputation for providing safe, high quality results makes for the gold standard when it comes to finding the best surgeons. However, there are a few basic guidelines to follow which should set you on the right path.
Firstly, check for qualifications. Ensure that your surgeon has FRCS (Plast) designation after his name indicating that he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons with a speciality in Plastic Surgery. Another good indicator is to see if your provider has BAPS (British Association of Plastic Surgeons) or BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) accreditation. This will demonstrate that he has been deemed fit to practice as a qualified professional by his fellow members.
Selecting the Right Implant and Surgical Procedure
The decision of which type of implant to choose and which surgical procedure to have should both be discussed at length once you have selected the surgeon to perform your breast enlargement. It may well be that your particular practitioner has a preference for a specific implant and method of incision which may influence his choice.
There are basically two types of implant on the market; saline filled or silicon filled. Both are available in a comprehensive range of shapes and sizes which should be suitable for any application. Silicon filled implants are most widely used in the UK as they are considered to offer the most natural results – women who have had them fitted claim that they feel like a natural breast and that they give excellent contour and definition. The biggest disadvantage is that, should they rupture, the silicon is dispersed around the body necessitating further surgery and the potential for distress.
Saline filled implants are much cheaper and they also have the benefit of being a lot less intrusive if they rupture; because the saline solution is basically salt water it will be absorbed naturally into the body without causing too much discomfort. The prime disadvantage is that they have a reputation for wrinkling and may cause the breast surface to pucker. Some women also find that the overall look and feel of the breast is a lot less natural when saline implants are used.
The surgical procedure for fitting the implants will involve either a sub-glandular, partial sub-muscular, or complete sub-muscular method. The surgeon will assess which method will be most suitable on a patient by patient basis.
The sub-glandular procedure entails the implant being placed behind the breast but in front of the tissue and muscle, and the partial sub-muscular procedure places the implant behind the breast tissue and partially under the pectoral and other muscles. The complete sub-muscular method places the implant behind the breast and under the major chest muscles – this application is most commonly used with saline filled implants as any wrinkling will be less visible.
Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss all of the implications of your breast enlargement procedure with you at your initial consultation. It is his responsibility to guide you through the procedure from pre-operative tests and assessments to the surgical techniques he will be using during the operation, right through to what to expect from post-operative recuperation and aftercare. Never be afraid to ask questions and if, at any point, you begin to doubt your decision, it is never too late to re-think your alternatives. Breast augmentation is a big life change to make, so do make sure it is the right one for you.
This article was produced by Ed Beardsell, a writer for Clinic Compare.
