Roughly 300,000 women get an augmentation each year. Why is this procedure so popular? It turns out there are several factors that make so many women decide to get an augmentation.
In the past few decades, the number of people interested in augmentations has increased sharply. An analysis of the almost 2 million cosmetic surgical procedures done each year reveals that augmentations are the most common type of procedure overall.
Since 2017 alone, the number of people getting augmentations has increased by 4%. The increase is even sharper when you look at decade-long trends for augmentation statistics. In the past 20 years, there’s been a 41% increase in augmentations. Another procedure rapidly on the rise is breast lifts, which have experienced a shocking 114% increase since 2000. Often done alongside an augmentation, a breast lift helps reshape the breast.
Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery because there are so many cultural notions surrounding breasts. Even in the era of body positivity, many people associate breasts with femininity, desirability, and style. For most women, choosing an augmentation is all about improving their own relationship with their bodies.
Many women who get implants report that they have long felt self-conscious about the size or shape of their breasts. So many fashions today make it hard to wear bras, so women want perfect breasts without the aid of support garments. This relatively simple surgery can provide a huge confidence boost. Instead of feeling insecure about their bodies, women can focus on enjoying life.
Many people getting breast implants are between the ages of 30 and 49. Why? Because implants solve quite a few of the problems that these women face. As women age, they tend to lose volume in the breast region. Combined with a loss of skin elasticity, this leads to breasts that look lower and flatter.
Adding an implant can restore lost volume and make breasts look more youthful. Many women looking for a more youthful appearance get implants alongside a breast lift. This helps tighten loose skin and can make breasts look younger and perkier.
Implants are also a common part of the “mommy makeover” procedures that are so common now. Modern women don’t get the sense that they have to quit feeling attractive and desirable just because they are moms. Therefore, most new mothers now express an interest in getting back to their pre-childbirth shape.
The breasts are one of the areas of the body most changed by motherhood. Hormones cause breasts to rapidly increase and decrease in size, leading to loose skin and a loss of fullness. Augmentation helps restore fullness, especially in the upper poles of the breast, making them look like they used to before childbirth.
Another frequently cited reason for getting augmentations is weight loss. Many women are happy with the overall size of their breasts, but they want to lose weight in the stomach, thighs, or other areas.
However, since breasts are mostly made of fat, they are one of the areas that first changes during weight loss. This leaves a lot of loose skin and drooping breasts. If you’re proud of your weight loss success but you miss your old breasts, augmentation can bring them back.
More and more women are turning to augmentations because they are safer and simpler than ever. Older techniques meant an augmentation was a surgery that took months and months to recover from and resulted in significant scarring.
Today, most women return to normal activities within two to three weeks. Scars may be just a few short lines, or they may be invisible. This means getting implants is far more convenient.
Furthermore, new implant materials and surgical techniques have a more natural look. You don’t have to worry that your investment may look odd or bulky. Instead, they have a soft, natural feel and a gently rounded shape. No one has to know you got surgical help unless you want them to.
There are several types of augmentations, and no style is superior to another. The best option really just depends on your personal goals and preferences.
First, you’ll want to consider the material for your implants. Silicone feels a little more natural according to some women. However, if it leaks, it is can cause problems. Saline implants can leak without causing any problems. A newer implant type, often called “gummy bear” implants, is made from a thicker version of silicone. It manages to be both natural-looking and less likely to leak.
The best incision type will depend on your current breast shape and your implant choice. Larger incisions, like an “anchor” or “lollipop” incision, are used for breast lifting. Smaller incisions are used for pure breast augmentation. If you are just going up a single cup size, you may find that smaller incisions around the nipples work well. However, nipple incisions may not be recommended if you plan to go up two or more cup sizes or want to breastfeed afterward. In these cases, you may want to select an incision at the lower crease of the breast.
Something else to consider is whether or not you want your implants to be placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle. Implants beneath the muscle are less likely to show implant edges or rippling. However, athletic women may find their breasts move too much with upper arm movement. Furthermore, implants on top of the muscle involve a slightly simpler surgery.
If you still aren’t sure whether breast augmentation is the right choice for you, ask Edelstein Cosmetic. Let’s talk about the different augmentation types and discuss your options for lifts or other similar procedures.
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