The decision to get breast implants often makes women anxious during the initial phase of the decision making process. It is typical for them to be concerned about how they will look, what kind of scarring they might have, how long the implants will last and how others may perceive their choice to have breast enhancement. Even with these psychological aspects of breast implants, breast augmentation is the number one cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 300,000 women had breast implants in the year 2013. With that many women undergoing breast implant surgery, let’s take a look at the reasons why they decide to get them.
The reasons women choose to have breast implant surgery can vary depending on the individual person and their circumstances. Although the goal of breast implants is to gain larger breasts, some people are under the impression that the majority of augmentation patients are young and have implants due to their own vanity. However, the largest number of breast implant patients is not 20-somethings. Only 83,638 patients between the ages of 20 and 29 had breast augmentation in 2013. Approximately 105,877 women between the ages of 30 and 39 had breast implants and this age group continues to be the majority. Knowing this information, what is their motivation for getting breast implants?
A large number of women in their 30’s are in the middle of, or nearing the end of, their childbearing years. After pregnancy and/or nursing, many women lose breast volume and develop saggy breasts. When volume loss occurs, women become unhappy with the way their breasts look. Breast implants can restore their original shape and size as well as boost self-confidence.
Women between 40 and 54 years of age are second in line when it comes to having a high number of breast implant patients. As a person ages, gravity takes place. The breasts begin to get smaller due to volume loss and they begin to sag. Since many women like to fight the natural aging process, implants can be very desirable at this point in life. Breast augmentation, particularly in conjunction with a breast lift, can restore the shape and volume of the breasts and give them a more youthful contour.
While some women want breast implants to rejuvenate their bodies due to volume or weight loss, others women suffer from congenital deformities such as asymmetry or an underdevelopment of breast tissue. Micromastia is a condition that involves uneven estrogen levels affecting the size of each breast differently. Although this condition is not uncommon, it can impact the way a woman feels about herself. It can be difficult for a person with this condition to find properly fitting clothing and bras. The patient may choose to only enlarge the lacking breast or both breasts in order to keep them balanced as aging occurs.
One final reason some women get breast implants is due to breast cancer. Women with breast cancer might have to undergo a mastectomy and may require breast reconstruction surgery to fix the shape and any irregularity of the breasts. The placement of the implants generally includes skin grafting and adjustments in the nipple and areola areas.
11/8/16 SP