Introduction to Breast Augmentation

Cosmetic plastic surgery comprises a combination of procedures used to change or improve the aesthetics of a patient. The two most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures are liposuction and rhinoplasty (nose surgery). Other commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), facelift (face-lift) and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). The most commonly performed breast enhancement surgery procedures are breast augmentation with breast lift, breast implants, breast enlargement and breast reduction. Botox injection was the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Overall, cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures increased by 33% from 2002 to 2003, with over 8.7 million procedures being performed.

Women chose breast augmentation surgery to enhance the body contour and shape. Breast volume and shape can be lower than desired for a number of reasons. First, breast shape and size are inherited traits and woman can be born with the genetic makeup for smaller breasts. The desire to enhance the breast size is common for these women. Also, pregnancy and age impact breast volume. The breasts typically droop or sag after child birth and breast feeding. Age also impacts the firmness of the breasts. Breast augmentation surgery can reverse these effects. In some cases, breasts are not symmetrical and one breast has a different size and/or shape than the other. Breast augmentation surgery can offset this imbalance. Women who are victims of breast cancer often desire breast reconstruction surgery because a breast is partially or totally removed as a treatment for cancer. Breast augmentation is an important part of the treatment for these patients in order to restore the body contour.

Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation Surgery

For those women who desire breast augmentation surgery, the best candidates are in good health, eat a healthy diet and have a history of physical activity. These types of women typically are focused on improving or maintaining their appearance through a proper lifestyle. If a person has a good lifestyle and yet would like to look better or change the body appearance, then breast augmentation is an excellent choice to permanently enhance the body shape and contour. But, breast surgery may not be a good choice a person with poor body shape due to lack of exercise or poor eating habits. Breast augmentation is not a "quick fix" to change the body shape. It is an excellent choice to enhance a figure, not completely change it.

Breast Augmentation Can Change Self Confidence

A person's appearance often times affects how that person feels about herself or himself. It also impacts how she or he is perceived by others. The decision to have plastic surgery of the breast can change both of these perceptions. A woman's body contour and shape directly impacts the self-confidence and how others, particularly men, interact with her.

Breast augmentation can boost self-confidence, but it cannot completely change a person's appearance. It is important to have the proper and realistic expectations about breast surgery. The surgery may not be able to create the ideal perceived image. When making a decision about breast augmentation, the patient should be comfortable with the idea that the surgery will improve her contour, not completely change it.

For additional information about Breast Augmentation Surgeons, please visit the Breast Enhancement Surgeon Directory or the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures are rhinoplasty (nose surgery), liposuction and breast augmentation. Other popular surgical procedures include tummy tuck and facelift. Learn more about breast, nose and tummy procedures from the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.

This webpage discusses information about breast augmentation, who are the best candidates and how to find a breast surgeon.

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