There are a number of reasons why you may want to have breast implants. For example:
- You may be unhappy about the size or shape of your breasts.
- Your breasts may be uneven in size (asymmetrical).
- Your breasts may have changed in appearance, for example, after having children.
- You may need to have reconstructive breast surgery, for example, after having a mastectomy (where one or both breasts are surgically removed).
Most breast implant procedures are carried out to:
- make the breasts larger
- make the breasts firmer – with age, breast shape changes and the breasts gradually begin to droop (ptosis)
- even out unequally sized or irregular breasts
- reconstruct a breast after a mastectomy
Developmental problems
Sometimes a woman’s breasts do not develop "normally" during puberty. Abnormal development can affect one or both breasts. Examples of abnormal breast development include:
- complete failure of breast tissue development (amastia)
- marked under-development (hypoplastic growth)
- marked asymmetry (unevenness) of size
- abnormal development of contour and shape. For example, tubular breasts (where early growth is limited, resulting in unusually small, drooping and uneven breasts).
It is normal for breast size and breast shape to vary between women, and many women have one breast which is slightly larger than the other. However, in some cases where a woman has particularly small or large breasts, or where differences in breast size or shape are very pronounced, it can cause problems and lead to the woman becoming particularly self-conscious about her appearance.
Psychological effects
There is no specific medical advantage for having breast implants, but they can have positive psychological effects. For example, if a woman feels that her breasts are unwomanly or inadequate, having breast implants may help to improve her confidence and self-esteem.
However, it is very important not to regard breast implants as a "quick fix", and you should take your time when considering whether or not to have them. When making your decision, you need to balance the potential benefits with the risk of developing possible side effects and complications. See Breast implants – Complications for more information.
