Oftentimes, breast augmentation is dismissed as the vanity of young women, but it is a procedure that can effect one’s lifestyle greatly and one’s self-esteem tremendously.

All aspects of self esteem and all of the external and internal factors that create one’s self-confidence is entirely beyond the scope of this article, but it is widely accepted that appearance is one of the most influential factors in the pride a woman has in herself. If a woman feels uncomfortable in her body because of breast size or asymmetry (noticeable or not to the outside world), an enhancement procedure may be considered.

An aside: often during consultation, a woman may not recognize a slight asymmetry in size or appearance. Although asymmetry is not within the scope of correction during a breast augmentation, a surgeon will usually try to balance the two breasts, many times with different size implants.

A University of Florida study found that women reported better sexuality and improved self-esteem after breast augmentation. In the study, the women who responded did not have significant low sexuality issues or confidence problems. It’s just that after augmentation surgery, they experienced a boost to their already healthy levels of confidence.

The PhD clinical assistant professor conducting the study, commented that plastic surgery is not a cure for all self-esteem issues. If underlying psychological issues are creating serious self-esteem problems, those issues should be addressed before a trip to the surgeon’s office.

However, she says it is certainly not frivolous for woman to want to improve their body image. She says, “This procedure does change women’s psychosocial issues. There are differences [in life satisfaction] between people with good and poor self-esteem”.

A little humor sums it up “You look good, you feel good!”

“I am so pleased with the results of my breast augmentation”, Houston area 33 year old woman says. “My surgeon helped to increase my self esteem, and it’s incredible to walk around work and shopping with my head held a little higher and I have a quicker smile for the people I pass”.

Comments on her surgery from a 26 year old woman in Houston, “Breast augmentation was the best decision I have made! I am incredibly pleased with my results, and it has only been a few weeks! I was able to get back to work only three days after surgery and I have already been getting really slowly back to working out”.

Recovery should not be considered lightly by the patient nor by the surgeon. A well-developed recovery period may include several tools to be used under the advice of the surgeon: compresses, an elastic support strap, breast massage, some surgeon’s may advise on pre and post surgery vitamins, and lymphatic massage.

Breast massage should be shown to you by the surgeon’s staff. The breast implant displacement exercises help to keep the implants soft and natural. It may help in reducing the risk of capsular contracture. It bears repeating, any recovery tool and practices should be used after discussing the techniques and benefits with the surgeon.