Cosmetic surgical procedures are more popular in America than ever before. In 2008, an incredible 10.2 million procedures were performed, from facial laser hair removal to breast augmentation and lifts. The reasons for these procedures are as widely varied and unique as the patients who pursue them.
About 2.95 million patients undergo Botox injection and must be treated every four months, and 2007 saw about 1,448,716 Juvederm facial filler procedures. Procedures like those are generally chosen by men and women who are concerned about the effects of aging on the skin. Many other patients have chosen partial or full body laser hair removal in order to enjoy the convenience of less frequent shaving. Other patients undergo procedures like plastic surgery breast augmentation procedures to correct perceived flaws in the body.
Breast augmentations are among the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures. Though many women elect to go under the knife in order to enjoy larger breasts, not everyone is a good candidate for the breast augmentation procedure.
A Good Breast Augmentation Procedure Candidate
A good candidate for a breast augmentation procedure has one or more of the following characteristics:
- Dissatisfaction with breast size and a wish to have larger breasts.
- Shrunken breasts because of pregnancy or weight loss.
- Mild to moderate breast sagging.
- Assymetrical breasts.
- Dissatisfaction with a previous breast augmentation.
Aside from the above characteristics, for safety reasons, breast surgery candidates should meet the following requirements:
- For saline implants, patients should be over the age of 18.
- For silicone gel implants, patients should be older than 22.
- Good candidates are in good overall health.
- Patients should be good healers, a status that can be compromised by smoking, alcohol consumption, and medication.
Unlikely Breast Augmentation Procedure Candidates
Women who have the following characteristics are generally considered not to be good candidates for breast implant surgery:
- A woman with an active infection anywhere in the body.
- A woman with existing cancer or pre-cancer who hasn’t received adequate treatment for those conditions.
- A woman who is pregnant or lactating.
- A woman who tends to bleed easily.
- A woman who has a predisposition to developing a hardened capsule around the implant.