surgery is performed on women, and the number one is breast augmentation. Let's bust this

wide open.

In the 1940s, Japanese prostitutes would inject paraffin or sponge into their breasts to increase

their bust line and attract American soldiers during World War II. Then, in 1962, the first

silicone breast implantation was performed in Houston, Texas. Now, 50 years later,. In

2013, there were more than 23 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed

worldwide and the most common, at 1.77 million, were breast implant surgeries!

Breasts are a collection of fat, milk-producing lobules, lymph nodes, and connective tissues.

No two are alike, even on the same person! They sit on top of pectoral muscles, over

the ribs and, as you likely know, exist for breast feeding infants, but have other social

purposes as well. They're continually developing until the age of 22, and their size is both

genetically and environmentally determined; hormone or chemical exposure, diet and genetics

will all affect their size, but in the end, some augment their breast tissue with a prosthetic

implant.

In the US, most implants are made of a contoured or round synthetic polymer called elastomer.

The sizes are measured in cubic centimeters, and each cup-size is 175 to 200 ccs of fluid.

In 2012, 72 percent contained silicone, and 28 percent a sterile saline solution -- a

basic medical grade salt water. Silicone was banned by the FDA from 1992 because of concerns

over the implant rupturing, but in 2006 the ban was lifted after significant testing.

There are three types of breast implant surgeries. Under the breast tissue alone, MOSTLY under

the pectoralis major muscle and ENTIRELY under the pectoralis major. The implant can be inserted

through an incision around the areola incision to limit scar tissue, in the crease of the

breast for when the crease needs moving anyway, through the armpit, to avoid breast scarring

or damage, or even through the belly button! Once inserted the implants are inflated with

fluid, positioned, and voila!

It's a surgery, so it takes time for body has to heal, and patients must essentially

do physical therapy during that process. The human body doesn't enjoy having things inserted

into it, so as it heals the immune system will begin creating scar tissue around the

implant. A new method for silicone implants from the UK uses a textured surface on the

exterior of the implant which mimics other surfaces in the body, but scar tissues are

pretty much inevitable. Overall, if both the surgeon and patient do their jobs properly,

the breasts will look entirely natural. If not, capsular contracture will occur, which

is when the scar tissue causes a stiff, unnatural look. A good boob job is like a good wig -- you

don't notice the good ones...

Though 1-2 percent of implants fail each year, breast implants shouldn't harm the body any

more than any other implanted medical prosthesis. If they DO rupture the scar tissue surrounding

the implant could keep it intact for a while; saline can be absorbed by the body, and the

FDA says silicone won't harm the body, cause cancer or damage tissues in any way. Either

way surgery would be involved to remove the implant or replace it. FYI: NO, they don't

pop on airplanes, and can even be run over by a car to test their durability.

People undergo breast augmentation for MANY reasons: postmastectomy reconstruction, congenital

deformations, uneven breast development, post-breastfeeding collapse, or simply by choice for their own

positive body image, self-esteem or confidence or gender reassignment surgeries! In fact,

the second most common plastic surgery in the world for MEN is Breast Reduction for

Gynecomastia. Some men get breast augmentation too. Surgeons are trained to screen for body

dysmorphic disorders in their patients, and they know any procedure is part of a conversation.

Studies have correlated breast augmentation electees to increases in suicide over 10 years,

as well as self-esteem issues, but the bottom line is: it's your body, your choice.