Cosmetic surgery on the breasts has consistently been the most popular area of the body addressed by cosmetic surgery year after year. “Boob jobs” include breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lifts, and male breast reductions. The most popular procedure among these possibilities is a breast augmentation, with or without a breast lift, so this article will focus on that particular type of “boob job”.
Confidence
Women seek breast augmentations for many reasons, including:
- When their breasts aren’t in proportion to their body.
- They are self-conscious about the small size of their breasts.
- They want more cleavage to make themselves feel sexier and more feminine.
- To correct asymmetrically sized breasts or for reconstructive purposes.
Many women who undergo breast augmentation experience significant self-esteem and confidence issues in regards to the size and appearance of their breasts prior to the surgery, and in fact, one of the major positive aspects of this procedure is that almost all women who have undergone breast augmentation, report dramatic improvements in their quality of life, confidence, and self-esteem.
Natural
Breast augmentation used to get a bad rap, because in the past the results often didn’t look or feel natural; it was quite obvious the breasts were “fake”. However, nowadays, with improvements in surgical techniques and the construction of implants, it is practically impossible to tell by either observation or feel that the augmented breasts aren’t completely natural. Depending on where the surgeon chooses to place the incisions, scars from the procedure may not be visible even upon very close inspection. The incision is either hidden under the crease of the breast or placed in the armpit.
Long-Lasting
Another criticism of breast augmentation was that they were not permanent. Women used to have to routinely undergo more surgery every ten years or so to replace the implants. However, according to breast implant expert, Jason I. Altman, modern implants can last for over 25 years. Thus, women can undergo surgery and enjoy the results for long periods, possibly for their entire life, without needing to undergo any additional surgery.
Safety
In the past, there were also serious concerns about the health risks of silicone leaking out of ruptured implants. However, an extensive study has revealed that silicone implants are completely safe. Also, modern implants are extremely unlikely to leak or rupture, but even if they do, the silicone doesn’t go anywhere, it stays put inside the breast. For example, the popular Gummy Bear implants retain their shape even if the capsule is badly damaged because of the structure of the silicone.
Of course, saline-filled implants are also available, but they tend to not provide as natural a feel and look as silicone implants and if one leaks, the breast will quickly deflate. Another non-silicone option for breast augmentation is fat transfer, where fat is removed from another part of the body and injected into the breasts, but this procedure can only provide a fairly limited increase in breast size unless a special experimental procedure is used to “pre-expand” the breasts. Most plastic surgeons feel that the use of implants provides a more predictable final appearance and size of the breasts than fat transfer.
Recovery
Recovery from breast augmentation surgery nowadays is very straightforward. Although full recovery is estimated to take about six weeks, most individuals can return to work within a week of the procedure and return to almost all usual activities, including light exercise, within two weeks; strenuous exercise should be avoided until after six weeks. Discomfort is usually limited to only the first few days and is easily controlled with medication. Most women describe their recovery as being easy and not that big a deal.
Sensation
Some women worry that breast augmentation will decrease sensation in their nipples. However, straightforward breast augmentation performed using modern surgical methods rarely affects nipple sensation. A more extensive procedure to perform a breast lift that may require incisions to be made around the areola or even removal of the aureola to replace it in a different location can lead to nipple numbness or loss of sensation, but this effect is temporary and will resolve within a few months.
Breastfeeding
The vast majority of women can breastfeed normally after breast augmentation, says lactation consultant Taya Griffin. The milk ducts are not injured or interfered with during most implant placement approaches. Younger women getting breast augmentation who are concerned about their later ability to breastfeed should bring this up during their pre-surgery consultation so the surgeon can select a surgical approach that is certain to not affect the milk ducts.
Satisfaction
Surveys of women who have undergone breast augmentation report that 98% are very happy with their new look and that the results met or exceeded their expectations. Also, 90% report dramatic increases in self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life.
Under/overrated?
Based on the facts about breast augmentation, in particular, the incredibly high percentage of women very satisfied with their results, “boob jobs” are definitely underrated. They produce a wonderfully natural look and feel with no visible scarring and dramatically improve the lives of women who choose to get one.
*collaborative post
