Although breast augmentation surgery offers some women a number of positive benefits, breast augmentation is not for everyone. If you are a woman who feels uncomfortable about the appearance of your body or who is uncertain about your motives for wanting the surgery, breast surgery may not be for you. However, if you are both physically healthy and emotionally stable, you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation as long as you understand the possible risks and complications before you elect to have the surgery.
Reasons
Women seek breast surgery for different reasons. In some cases, women see breast augmentation as a way to make them feel better about their body. Yet according to a study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, women who seek breast augmentation do not have a lower self-image than other women. These are women who are seeking improvement in their appearance rather than perfection. One example is a woman who opts for breast surgery to replace a breast removed because of breast cancer. But no matter what the reason for choosing surgery, women who have a good outlook before undergoing surgery are more likely to have a positive outcome after surgery.
Outcome
Experts agree that the reason why a woman chooses to have breast surgery can affect her level of satisfaction with the surgery afterward. Although it is only natural for a woman to want to look her best, if she has a healthy self-image before surgery, she is more likely to be satisfied with the results after the procedure. For women battling breast cancer, surgery often helps to improve their outlook on life, giving them more confidence and hope.
Counseling
Because this type of cosmetic surgery is not for every woman, you should should schedule an appointment to meet with a trained therapist before deciding whether to have the surgery. A therapist can help determine if you are really a candidate for breast augmentation. If you are recently divorced or have just lost your job, you may be considering the surgery for the wrong reasons. Counseling can help you realistically evaluate your goals and decide whether breast surgery is the best choice for you.
Factors to Consider
Before having breast augmentation surgery, you should carefully assess your motives. You should consider how you currently perceive your body image. Ask yourself if this is really something you want or if you are doing it to make someone else happy. You should think about how you would handle any complications that might occur after surgery. Healing from any kind of surgery can have psychological implications of its own.
Warning
You might not really be a candidate for surgery if you have recently experienced a crisis in your life or lost someone close to you. Similarly, surgery might not be right for you if you are a perfectionist who is merely striving to correct any perceived imperfections in your body or life.
Before Surgery
Learn as much about the surgery as you can. You need to have a clear understanding of what the procedure involves as well as the self-care required afterward. How satisfied you are with the outcome will depend on whether you have realistic goals going in. If you expect too much, you will probably be disappointed with the results.
Together you and your surgeon need to weigh the benefits against the possible risks associated with the surgery. To avoid the risk of any complications during or after surgery, be sure to tell your surgeon about anything in your medical history that could be relevant, including chronic conditions and medications.
After Surgery
Although breast augmentation is a common surgical procedure, every woman recovers from surgery differently. In general, it can take several weeks for the breasts to heal completely. The breasts often appear bruised and swollen after surgery. This is normal, and swelling can last for up to four or five weeks. Your breasts may also remain sore for a couple of weeks, and you may feel a tingling or burning sensation near the incision or around the nipples.
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