Trends in Plastic Surgery
Smaller Breast Implants
Today, breast augmentation is more popular than ever. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 329,000 breast-augmentation surgeries were performed last year in the United States-an almost 30% increase from 2003. But the days of bigger is better may be diminishing.
Some plastic surgeons and their patients are rediscovering the aesthetic ideal for the female breast-one that is soft and supple, fuller in the lower than the upper pole, and in proportion to the rest of the patient’s figure.
Part of the change may be attributed to the changing demographics of breast implant patients. Today, women in their 30s and 40s-particularly moms-are the fastest-growing group of patients seeking breast augmentation. This patient population has lost breast volume following pregnancy and lactation, and simply want to restore a natural, more youthful breast contour to their chests.
Even women who have not had children are opting for smaller, more realistic-appearing breasts. Professional women do not want to look like they’ve had breast implants.
Potential breast augmentation patients should also give serious thought to the following consideration: one great advantage of a conservative breast enhancement is that small implants are much more likely to feel natural. It is possible to provide an enhancement that is soft, supple, and even undetectable (by touching) with a small implant.
Implants of a moderate (and in my opinion, appropriate) volume, whether they be saline or the new FDA approved cohesive silicone gel implants, can look and feel natural exceedingly natural.