It has become the single most elected cosmetic surgery procedure in the relatively short history of this crazy medical field of plastic surgery - you know what it is - you see it everywhere you look now, especially if you live in any looks-conscious area like LA, Hollywood or New York. It's breast implant surgery, or breast augemtation AKA mammoplasty.
It's not just implants that have become all the rage, although this particular surgery garners tons of publicity since boobs are such a societal focus here in the US. Nose jobs, facelifts and liposuction are just a few of the other high profile, high demand services being offered in the ever-expanding surgical cosmetic enhancement offerings of plastic surgeons nationwide.
Plastic surgery has become somewhat of a norm in a lot of communities, prompting critics to say "enough is enough", and spawning a new addiction - plastic surgery addiction as you may have heard through stories of the likes of the "Catwoman" and adult star Tabitha Stevens. People like this are the extreme example of body image issues, and they've pursued literally hundreds of cosmetic procedures in pursuit of beauty, only to mar their natural beauty and become somewhat of a freak show.
Implants are one of the most performed cosmetic surgeries today in the U.S., and shows no signs of slowing down as women demand this procedure more and more. Signs of this are all over when you go to the beach nowadays, you find yourself wondering, "Are hers real?" if a women has a particularly shapely set of breasts - especially if she's naturally thin everywhere else.
What Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Breast augmentation or implants, on average, cost about $5,000 for a regular procedure. This cost may vary fairly dramatically from area to area, and it also depends on the method of implantation, what type of breast implant you get, and who is performing the surgery. You also may pay more if you choose newer methods, which are typically only in practice by more experienced or higher end plastic surgeons who are able to practice the latest greatest methods of insertion of the implant, method of placement, and so on and so forth.
What are the Methods of Implantation and Insertion of the Breast Implant?
1.) Transumbilical - This one's a little on the fringe right now still, and is not in practice by a large number of surgeons at this point, since it is still considered an advanced and more difficult method (at least at the time of print of this article). Usually if a surgeon is experienced in this methods, you want to ask about how many times he's performed this particular procedure so you can be confident that he has done it enough to know the ins and outs of this method.
Advantages and Disadvantages of this Implant Method:
The advantages are that the results of minimal scarring and no scars whatsoever around the actual breast area, which is why it is opted for usually - for scar conscious women.
Its disadavantages MAY be higher risk of implant migration. This means the implant may actually move to another location other than its intended location in the chest cavity due to the placement method used in this particular technique.
I say "MAY" because this theory or higher migration risk has not been 100% proven yet, although it makes logical sense and does occur more frequently in patients with this type of insertion at this point in time.
2.) Areolar - Areolar means around the nipple. Advantages are low scar visibility due to the excellent rebound and healing properties of the tissue around the nipple, the areola. The scarring is usually so minimal that most women report extreme pleasure in the healing process and the virtual disappearance of the original scar in a relatively short period of time. This is the kind that it looks like Tara Reid had, judging for her nipple slip incident on the well carpet (you've probably seen the footage - everyone has). You see her scarring right around the nipple - that's areolar insertion.
3.) Side of bottom insertion of the implant. This is not so popular any more. Side or bottom of the breast insertion results in a pretty nasty and long scar, and is not in common practice any more as far as I know since better, less visible methods have come about since this original method was used in the infany of breast augmentation.
What to Look For Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgeon
Most importantly, verify that your surgeon has been certified and backed by the ABPS, or American Board of Plastic Surgery. It will probably not be in your best interest to go with the guy or girl that's the cheapest! The cheapest are usually cheap for a reason - they may lack the experience, or provide less service or hurried service. Of course this is not true in every instance, but use your best instincts and judgment when shopping around. Breast implants are medical man made devices you will have for ten years if all goes well and there are not rupturing problems or leakage. It's really not worth saving a few bucks if you aren't happy with the results. Implants will be with you for a long time!
Some websites may offer referrals to discount surgery. These are usually reputable, and offer around a $500 discount on popular plastic surgery procedures such as mammoplasty, just use your judgment again. If you're not comfortable, back off and look elsewhere.
Communicate with your surgeon about your desired outcome. An example would be, do you want more natural looking implants that hang lower like real breasts, and are not over inflated or too big, or do you want higher, rounder and bigger breasts similar to the type seen on Playboy models or adult film actresses? Your surgeon is there to provide you the results you want. Although I would say go smaller and natural, that may not be what you want, and you want to get it right the first time.
And, since this is what this website if all about you know I have to mention it! If you decide that breast implant surgery just isn't for you, or that you really don't want to risk looking fake or having hard, unnatural feeling breasts that aren't all "you", there are several natural options out there that will help you grow your own breast tissue gradually. Many women have naturally augmented their breasts without surgery - it's just a matter of finding what works for you.
