Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure used to enlarge a woman’s breasts. During the procedure, breast implants made of a silicone shell and filled with a saline (saltwater) solution, or implants containing silicone gel, are inserted into the body to create a larger bust line.

The reasons for electing to have breast augmentation are varied, but most often include:

• Increasing breast size of a woman who may think that her breasts are too small
  
  
• Reconstructing  a breast after a mastectomy for breast cancer or injury
  
  
• Improving the appearance or size of breasts that have drooped or lost volume following pregnancy or breastfeeding
  
  
• Correcting abnormalities, such as asymmetry or different-sized breasts

In 2006, about 329,000 women elected to have breast augmentation, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The ASPS says the large number of women choosing this type of surgery has been growing rapidly since 1992. According to the ASPS, breast augmentation is the most popular type of cosmetic surgery, followed by nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) and liposuction.

These statistics are potentially confusing as they do not distinguish between women who are having a first surgery (either for augmentation or reconstruction) and those who are replacing old implants that have ruptured or leaked.

Although breast augmentation may be used to increase the size and proportion of a woman’s breast or to restore the shape of a breast after surgery or injury, the procedure is not recommended for:

• Women with malignant or premalignant breast cancer (without adequate treatment)
• Women with an active infection in the body
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Currently, the safety and effectiveness of the procedure has not been established for patients with autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, scleroderma), conditions that interfere with healing and blood clotting, weakened immune systems or reduced blood supply to the breast tissue.

In additon, the ASPS advises people who want breast augmentation or any other type of cosmetic surgery to do their research beforeheand, especially check their surgeon’s credentials. According to a recent poll conducted by the ASPS, only 28 percent of patients had checked their surgeon’s credentials. And although 91 percent of patients indicated that they knew what to expect during surgery, less than half of patients could recall being told by their physician about side effects, such as post-operative bleeding, nausea or blood clots.