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When someone mentions the phrase “cosmetic surgery” 8 out of 10 people will automatically associate it with one part of the body: breasts. Breast surgery is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery. There are breast lifts, breast enlargements (breast augmentations) and breast reductions. These procedures are performed on thousands of women (and sometimes men) every year. What is all the fuss about? Why are so many people unsatisfied with their bodies? Are there sometimes more understandable reasons for surgery?

In this article I will introduce the three main types of breast surgery. I will also discuss various reasons why people elect to have these surgeries. Further, I will cover different ways people are altering their breasts without surgery. Finally, I will go over what to expect when recovering from surgery.

Breast augmentation (also known as breast enlargement) is a procedure in which the breast is reshaped, making it larger. This is done using a silicone breast implant that can be inserted either above or below the muscle. There are two main types of silicone implant, round and tear drop. Breast augmentation is the most popular sub-group of breast surgery. Of course, most of the patients who undergo breast enlargement are female. Why do so many women want larger breasts? It is understandable to want to feel comfortable in your own skin, however, shouldn’t that phrase be taken more literally? “Your OWN skin” means feeling good about yourself they way you were made, not feeling good about yourself because of the fact that you have fake body parts. Many women would disagree, but I feel that the female race (within reason) needs to appreciate them selves just the way they are. On the other hand, breast surgery is sometimes performed for more medical reasons.

Breast reduction is performed almost as often as breast enlargement. This surgery is performed to make the breasts smaller. Most women that participate in this surgery suffer from medical problems because of their over sized breasts. These problems can include back pain and sleeplessness. Breast hypertrophy (over sized breasts) can also interfere with every day activities and severely damage the woman’s (or man’s) self-confidence. That’s right, many men undergo this procedure, as well. About half of all men on the planet currently have a condition known as gynecomastia. This is a condition in which the breast tissue is overgrown and resembles a woman’s breast more than a man’s breast. The best male candidates for breast reduction surgery are those who have tried dieting and exercising with no results as far as decreasing the size of their breasts. In the case of a male breast reduction, the operation is usually performed by way of liposuction, depending on the patient’s anatomical needs. In the above cases, I can understand why people would elect breast surgery to solve their problem. Medical issues because of over sized breasts is a condition that needs to be helped. Further, the lack of confidence that can come from a man with woman-like breasts (in my opinion) is much more severe than a woman that “just has to be that perfect, full C cup”.

Breast lift is the last sub-group of breast surgery. In this operation, the breast is reshaped, and the nipple replaced in order for the breast to sit higher on the chest. Most people choose this procedure to correct their sagging breasts. Sometimes, breast implants are inserted as part of the procedure. To some women, the scarring that results from he surgery looks worse than the sagging. Many doctors give the advice to only have a breast lift if the sagging is severe, with the nipple pointing completely downward.

Breast augmentation recovery is considerably painful, and most patients need a 1-2 week vacation from work and all other normal activities. Depending on how extensive the surgery is that the patient underwent, will determine the amount of time needed for a full recovery. Other factors that help determine recovery time include:

1. Age
2. Skin type
3. Any medical conditions
4. Family history
5. Surgical techniques used

A lot of rest and limited movement will also speed up recovery time. Younger patients generally need less recovery time than older patients. Many surgeons also suggest planning the recovery out by completing tasks before the surgery that the patient will not be able to perform after the surgery.

Now that I have mentioned surgical ways people are partaking in to correct their problems, I will discuss a non-surgical option that people are choosing to try. Natural breast enlargement (natural breast enhancement) is done by taking a pill. There are endless brands of breast enlargement pills currently on the market. A question that many women want to know: “Is this safe?” The answer: “No one really knows”. Breast enlargement pills could have an effect on breast tissue. The ingredients could have an estrogen-like effect on the woman’s body. Is this a good thing? In other pills (such as birth control) chemicals are put into the pill that counter act the estrogen. No one really knows if the same thing is done with breast enlargement pills. In fact, not a whole lot is known about the positive or negative effects of breast enlargement pills. Maybe the most important question that women need to ask them selves in this case is: “Is it worth the risk?”

To conclude, women are going to extreme lengths to increase their breast size. These lengths even include taking pills that may or may not be good for them. When one stops to think about this, why are big breasts so sought after by so many women? In the end, the patient has a choice to do what they please with the body that they possess, however, just as much bad as good can come from wanting the perfect body.