Breast Augmentation: When Gravity Turns Friend into Foe
Bodacious breasts are coveted by most women, and men, the world over when the woman is in her teens, twenties and thirties, but as the years go by and gravity proves to be unforgiving, what once was displayed with youthful pride can become, simply put, both cumbersome and painful to carry. Breast augmentation may be able to offer a solution to alleviate the back pain and discomfort many patients experience, after a proper evaluation is performed by a licensed plastic surgeon who determines this to be an appropriate procedure for this patient.
When most people hear the words breast augmentation an image comes to mind of a young woman opting to increase her bust size. But recently there has been a rise in the number of people seeking to decrease their breast size,
primarily due to continuous discomfort, either physical, emotional or both, brought on by an ample bosom size.
In her younger years, a woman is blessed with firm muscles and taut skin, so large breasts can be carried with youthful pride and confidence, along with a satisfaction felt to possess a lush full cleavage. But with the passage of time, and possibly one or more pregnancies, the breast tissue will stretch and lose tone, which will cause the breasts to sag. Soon enough those beautiful, sexy little lacy bras are replaced with utilitarian fabric garments lined with industrial strength underwire. Suffering chronic back pain, sore shoulders and daily neck aches can steer a woman toward the decision to seek out a plastic surgeon to discuss breast augmentation for a reduction in size as a possible solution to continuous physical discomfort.
Once a reputable, Board certified plastic surgeon has been chosen as the ideal candidate to perform the breast augmentation, there are several steps still to be followed prior to the actual surgery date being scheduled. An initial consultation will need to be made with the surgeon to determine if the patient is a candidate for breast augmentation. If the doctor clears the patient for surgery, then several appointments will be scheduled to have lab work and a baseline mammogram done. A patient will be required to quit smoking several weeks before surgery, as well as stop taking aspirin and any herbal remedies that could interfere with or cause bleeding issues.
The doctor will assist the patient in determining the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing shape and size of the "new" breasts, while taking into consideration the patient's desired post- surgery results. Unlike in the case of breast implants, a reduction in size may be covered by insurance if it is recommended as treatment by the patient's primary doctor. If chronic back, neck and shoulder pain has been treated in the past unsuccessfully, then insurance is more likely to approve the surgery.
As with any other type of surgery, there are risks involved, such as:
- Loss of sensation
- Scar tissue formation
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Infection and bleeding issues
These are just a few of the potential risks that will be discussed prior to the surgery date.
Post operation the patient will need assistance for several days with simple tasks that involve lifting or raising the arms: dressing, bathing, and other common tasks.
Breast augmentation can offer the relief many women are longing for to assuage the physical and emotional discomfort associated with overly large breasts. With the cost of surgery potentially being coved by insurance relief may be in the very near future.
