Among the reasons for choosing mammoplasty are:
- to increase breast size for women who feel that their natural breasts are too small
- to improve the shape and suppleness of breasts that are saggy or have lost firmness - often done in conjunction with a "breast lift" procedure
- to provide a more balanced contour, when a woman's natural breasts are moderately dissimilar in size or shape
- to restore
- to reconstruct the breast contour after a mastectomy, or to restore it after other cancer surgeries, like lumpectomies to restore breast volume after significant weight loss or pregnancy
- to improve the appearance of a breast, or create the appearance of a breast if one is missing or disfigured because of congenital conditions, or trauma.
When augmentation is done, the surgeon will insert an implant behind the existing breast tissue, either to restore the appearance of a breast, or to enhance a woman's bust by one or more cup sizes. While it is fairly common surgery, it does involve general anesthesia and is therefore risky, as is any procedure where there is an incision made.
Before even considering the surgery you should consider the following points:
- Why are you doing this?
- What are your expectations?
- Can you afford it?
Breast augmentation should never be done solely to please another person. If it was your partner's idea for you to get this surgery, think very carefully about whether or not you really want it, before you commit. Most surgeons offer extensive consultations, and will give you external breast enhancement products to insert in your bra, so that you can get an idea of your end result.
You should also examine your expectations. While breast augmentation can improve your self-confidence and give your appearance an extra boost, it will not magically turn you into the "ideal woman" you may be picturing in your head, nor will it make people treat you better, or differently.
Finally, since breast augmentation, like most plastic surgery, is an elective procedure, unless you are having this done post-mastectomy your insurance will not cover it. (Even with cancer treatments, there are limits, so please check with your insurance agent.) You need to make sure you can afford the surgery itself, as well as any time off work you take to recuperate.
If you are physically healthy, and realistic in your expectations - meaning that you are looking for an improvement in the way you look, not perfection, and not a miracle - you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery, but you should still familiarize yourself with the details of how the procedure works before you go forward.
After surgery, even if you think everything is fine, it's crucial that you keep any follow-up appointments that your doctors recommend. As well, whether you ultimately decide to have implants or not, it is vitally important to perform a monthly self-exam of your breasts, and also schedule regular mammograms, once you reach the age of forty.
The decision to have breast augmentation surgery is deeply personal, and not everyone in your life will understand your reasons, or support your choice. The important thing to remember is that if you are confident in the decision, and happy with the results, your surgery was successful.
