Mevish Jaffer
Most people who look into the mirror on a daily basis are not 100% satisfied with the reflection staring back. Some may suffer from imperfections on the facial area, while others are dissatisfied with the shape of their bodies. In fact, many people make it a point to avoid looking at themselves in the mirror for these particular reasons. Although no one is completely flawless, we would all like to believe in the impossible, and often indulge in this possibility when browsing through different pop culture and fashion magazines. One of the most common parts of the body which many people, particularly women are discontented with is the chest.
Some women have smaller than average breasts, while others have extremely large breasts, which may be far too big or not proportioned for their body. Other problems that can also affect the chest area include excessive sagging and a condition known as gynecomastia.
Procedure Information and Options
Thankfully, cosmetic surgery can make all the difference in the world when it comes to correcting these types of abnormalities. Some common breast surgery procedures that individuals can consider include breast augmentation or breast enhancement surgery, breast lift surgery and breast reduction surgery. All three cosmetic procedures target the common issues most women face with their breasts, which are size, shape and location.
Breast Enhancment
Breast augmentation, commonly referred to as breast enhancement, is a surgical procedure that makes use of implants from certain materials such as silicon to increase the size and shape of a woman’s chest. Breast augmentation costs vary depending on the surgeon and/or facility which is performing the procedure. Patients can expect to pay anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000, which typically includes the cost for the implants and anesthesia.
Some common situations that motivate women to undergo breast enhancement surgery include the following:
- Post pregnancy: Women who have just had a baby often opt for breast augmentation surgery for the purpose of restoring their previous size and shape.
- Breast reconstruction: Some women, who have to undergo breast reconstruction for reasons such as weight loss or cancer, also choose to have breast enhancement surgery in order to achieve a more natural-looking appearance.
- Fuller look: Women with a small chest may want the chance to have a fuller bra cup size.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
It’s common for women to question whether they should undergo breast augmentation surgery or simply opt for a breast lift. The answer lies in differentiating between the two types of cosmetic surgery procedures. Breast augmentation is specifically meant to increase the size of a woman’s breast or fill in empty space as a result of tissue loss. Breast lift surgery, on the other hand raises sagging or droopy breasts and repositions them back in their normal location. In some cases, both surgical procedures may be necessary and can often be performed simultaneously.
Breast Enlargement Risks
For those who can only dream of having a larger chest, breast reduction surgery is a procedure they can’t even begin to fathom. In addition to the cosmetic reasons for breast reduction surgery (including the correction of asymmetry), there are also some health issues involved. For example, big-chested women often experience shoulder, back and neck problems, which can lead to strained muscles and chronic headaches.
These medical problems are further heightened in women whose body frame is not proportional to the chest size. Women with large breasts can also be limited when it comes to do everyday activities such as exercising. This is especially true for cardio exercises such as jogging and running.
Some women opt for breast reduction surgery for psychological reasons. They are often driven to reduce the size of their breasts based on their assumption of society’s perception towards their character. A bigger bosom is also known to attract the wrong kind of attention. This is why many women get breast reduction surgery to stop the unwanted leering and staring.
Gynecomastia
Additionally, breast reduction surgery can also be useful to correct gynecomastia, a male-specific condition that causes a man’s chest to grow as large as a woman’s. While the root cause for gynecomastia remains undiscovered, it is thought to be hereditary, and mainly based on the imbalance of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
The major benefit for all the plastic surgery procedures mentioned above is the restoration of a person’s confidence and self-esteem. However, prior to consenting to any type of cosmetic surgery, it’s very important for patients to thoroughly discuss the procedure with a certified and experienced plastic surgeon. They should also heavily weigh the potential risks and complications that may be involved.
[page updated December 2008]