Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size and shape of the breasts. Women may consider having their breasts enlarged for several different reasons:
To make the breasts more proportionate with the body and enhance self-esteem
To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy
To reshape or enlarge breasts that have lost their shape from breast-feeding or aging
To balance asymmetrical breasts (breasts that differ significantly in size or shape)
To reconstruct the breast contour after breast removal surgery (mastectomy)
Procedure
While there are many variations in the procedure, breast implants are typically placed either under the chest muscle or under the breast tissue.
Types
The FDA has approved several types of implants for use in breast augmentation surgery. Saline-filled implants were approved in 2000, and the silicone gel-filled type was approved in 2006.
Risks
Implants can rupture after breast augmentations. Some other possible complications include difficulty breastfeeding, breast pain and hardening of the body area surrounding the implant.
Cost
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average physician fee for breast augmentation surgery in 2008 was $3,348. Most health insurance plans will not cover elective cosmetic surgery, so cost is often a factor for individuals considering breast augmentation.
Considerations
Breast augmentation may require numerous surgeries over the patient's lifetime for maintenance or because of complications. Additionally, it is important to remember that many of the changes made with breast augmentation surgery cannot be undone.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 December 2010 03:42
Facts about Plastic Surgery
Written by Administrator
Monday, 11 August 2008 22:13
Facts about Plastic Surgery
Origins and History of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery has been practiced for over 2700 years, since about 600 B. C.
Barber shops became popular places to perform plastic surgery from 1400 to 1700
The father of modern plastic surgery was an Italian-Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1546-1599)
The first breast augmentation surgery took place in Germany in 1893
The American Association of Plastic Surgery was formed in 1931 by surgeons who served in World War I
Plastic surgery including skin grafts, limb rebuilding and microsurgery, were widely practiced during World War II
In the 1960s, silicone breast implants became popular. However, side effects included breast amputation due to infection and "pendulous" breasts by the age of forty
In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill requiring insurance companies to pay for reconstructive breast surgery for women who had a mastectomy
Breast enlargement supplements have become a very lucrative industry these days, and their popularity may be due to their "guaranteed" safety, low cost and ease, as compared to surgical methods. However, most of these are sold as herbal supplements and are not subject to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's scrutiny for safety and effectiveness.
Surgical Enhancement
