3 Pros And 3 Cons Of Breast Enlargement

The decision to undergo breast enlargement surgery is a serious and life-changing one. Moreover, patients sometimes have doubts about breast implants due to concerns about risks and consequences, as well as prevalent misconceptions about the procedure. 

So, to make an educated decision about whether breast enlargement is suitable for you, you should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the surgery. It’s also best to consult with a plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon experienced in this procedure. 

What is breast enlargement? 

Breast enlargement, commonly known as breast augmentation, is a cosmetic surgical intervention that enlarges and shapes the breasts, usually using silicone or saline implants. The primary objective of this surgery is to improve a patient’s natural measurements and produce a more symmetric, visually appealing breast appearance. Moreover, the specific procedure is customized to fit the unique needs of each patient. (1) 

What are the pros and cons of breast enhancement? 

Since breast enhancement is a kind of surgery, it’s not something that should be undertaken lightly. Knowing the benefits and disadvantages of the surgery might help you decide whether you’re suitable for the procedure.  

The following is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of breast enhancement. 

Pros 

1. May improve figure and shape 

The most common reason for breast enlargement surgery is to enhance a woman’s overall appearance and shape. For instance, some women are born with smaller breasts. This may prevent them from wearing certain types of dresses or tops. Moreover, some women are born with naturally bigger breasts. But after having a child and breastfeeding, their breasts deflate. While some women effectively shed considerable weight, however, they also reduce their breast size as they lose weight. (2) 

Breast enlargement may help a patient achieve a more attractive and feminine figure. It may also improve the proportions of the breasts in respect to the rest of the body. Moreover, for breasts that sagged or deflate, breast enlargement may help regain the fullness and elasticity of the breasts with the use of implants.  

2. May provide long-term results 

Many women contemplating breast enlargement surgery believe that they would need implant replacement ten years following the procedure. This is mainly attributable to a 2011 FDA study on the safety of silicone implants. According to the findings, one in every five patients required a replacement or correction after ten years. (2) 

However, a brief analysis of the figures should reassure rather than worry patients. Though one in five individuals may require another treatment, four in five continue to benefit from their implants ten years after being placed.  

Furthermore, those subsequent surgeries aren’t always related to implant deflation or rupture. These are uncommon complications, affecting around 3% of patients. Also, many procedures are voluntary, as women choose to adjust their size or improve their appearance. (4) 

3. May boost self-confidence 

Feeling good about oneself and comfortable with your own skin can improve every part of life. However, the sad reality is that many women believe that their breasts’ size mostly determines their beauty. Fortunately, breast enlargement can make a difference in the size of one’s breast. As a result, it may enhance the patient’s confidence, allowing them to feel more at ease in their own skin. 

Cons 

1. Implants can leak or burst 

As mentioned above, implant failures are uncommon, but they do occur. Most implants can only be ruptured or burst with substantial force. For example, getting hit in the chest or collapsing and falling on your breast may cause the implant to pop or rupture. 

In addition, rapture detection differs depending on the kind of implant placed in the breast. With saline implants, patients can immediately detect the puncture because the fluid will flow out and be taken up by the body. On the other hand, silicone implant punctures are harder to detect because their gel is dense. 

2. Make cancer screening more difficult 

Breast implants are deemed safe and haven’t been linked to cancer. However, when receiving breast cancer screening, patients will be required to undergo advanced mammogram views. This may be regarded as a further inconvenience by some people, although the rest perceive it as a minor concern. (5) 

3. Can be expensive 

Breast enlargement surgery may be quite expensive and is often not covered by health insurance. Moreover, the cost of the operation will vary depending on the kind of implants, the amount of anesthesia used, and the expense of post-operative medicines. 

Apart from the initial expense of the procedure, many surgeons suggest that patients undergo MRIs every three years. This is to guarantee no leaks or ruptures have occurred. However, these scans are also expensive, and insurance policies may not cover them. 

Conclusion 

The advantages and disadvantages stated in this article are just a sampling of the important factors to consider when contemplating cosmetic breast enlargement. Ultimately, all cosmetic surgeries include some level of risk. Hence, before undergoing breast enlargement, you should be well informed and understand all related risks and benefits.

References:

1. “Breast augmentation guide”, Source: https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/breast/breast-augmentation-guide/
2. “Breast augmentation”, Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178
3. “Update on the Safety of Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants (2011) – Executive Summary”, Source: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/update-safety-silicone-gel-filled-breast-implants-2011-executive-summary
4. “Will you need to replace your breast implants?”, Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/will-you-need-to-replace-your-breast-implants
5. “Information for Women About the Safety of Silicone Breast Implants”, Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44775/