The pros and cons of surgical breast enlargement

Surgery is an increasingly popular method of breast enlargement. In fact, according to the NHS, it is the most common type of cosmetic surgery conducted in the UK, with more than 30,000 procedures carried out each year. Women around the world choose to get breast enlargement surgery for a number of different reasons, but when deciding to opt for cosmetic surgery, which can be a costly and occasionally risky procedure, it is important to look in depth at its pros and cons.

Pros

When it comes to breast enlargement surgery there is little doubt of its worldwide popularity. Over 300,000 breast enlargement procedures are completed each year and this only seems to be growing each year. The most common reasons given for having the surgery is to increase self confidence and body image. In this case they are most often a success. Women often report that following breast enhancement surgery, they feel more confident, are happy with the results and even report having more frequent and enjoyable sex. The procedure is generally fast and safe, with most patients not required to spend a single night at the surgery. Recovery can be painful but the immediate results prove to be a major draw for people. Another divisive pro to breast enlargement surgery is that is removes any abnormalities and improves appearance. This positive is purely subjective and really depends on how concerned a patient is about nipple abnormalities, unevenness or altering the feel of breasts.

Cons

As with all surgeries, breast enlargement surgery comes with its own risks. Every body can react differently, and the risks that are generally involved in performing surgery under anesthesia can all be applied to breast augmentation. After the surgery, there is often a painful recovery period as bodies adjust to the new breast size. Depending on where the breast implant was inserted, scars may be visible. These may fade over time but are worth considering when weighing up the pros and cons of surgery, also taking on board that any additional surgery needed on the breast will likely add to the visibility of the scars. Another con that may put a lot of people off is the cost. Whilst the general cost is slowly decreasing due to the procedure becoming more commonplace, average costs are around £3,500. Initial costs of the procedure may not be the only time that someone participating in the surgery will have to pay. Around 25% of women need surgery again after 10 years. The causes of this are varied but can include; the body not taking to the implant, implants rupturing and general degradation. Mothers, both current or prospective, may be put off by the surgery as pregnancy can cause additional discomfort and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. Data on this is generally inconsistent, but the issues reported seem to be more prominent for people who opt to use an areola incision for the implant. One final risk is that the person participating in the procedure may not be satisfied with the results. Breast alteration should be considered a long term decision, and after paying a large sum of money, it is not guaranteed that results will be permanent or that satisfaction is guaranteed.

In summary

Surgery is a popular method of breast enlargement for women around the world, but it comes with a list of imposing risks that should be thoroughly considered before the procedure. Especially when there are other alternatives, such as our breast pumps which offer a safe, more cost effective solution to breast augmentation.