Recent research has highlighted one difference between the UK and the rest of the world when it comes to ideal breast size. In July, over 16,000 women searched for breast augmentation surgery in the UK, whereas eight in 10 women in the US and 71 per cent of women in France and Italy searched for breast reductions.
Who is the ideal candidate for a breast augmentation?
Mr Matt Venus sees many women seeking aesthetic breast enhancement in all his Warwickshire cosmetic surgery clinics. Typically, they split into two main groups.
The first are younger women whose breasts may not have fully developed or have developed properly but they feel are too small for their frame. All women have slight differences in their breast size or shape, but for some women the asymmetry is marked enough to be noticeable to the eye and a breast augmentation can be an effective way to correct breast asymmetry.
The second group are a wider age range but are generally older than the first group. These women have seen changes occur to the fullness or shape of their breasts, either as a result of pregnancy, breast feeding, massive weight loss or as a result of the natural ageing process. These women believe a breast augmentation can restore a more youthful appearance to the breast by increasing volume, particularly on the upper pole of the breast.
For both categories of women the reason given for wanting a breast augmentation is to improve self-confidence and as long as you have realistic expectations of what breast augmentation surgery can do, then most patients find their self-esteem is greatly boosted by surgery.
Who is not suitable for a breast augmentation?
Age is a factor that Mr Venus will take into account. Although the legal age for undergoing cosmetic surgery is eighteen, most women’s breasts are not considered fully developed until they are in their twenties. Younger patients should also be made aware that a breast augmentation is not a one-off procedure and they have to take into account that they may require a number of repeat procedures during their lifetime.
Also, a breast augmentation will mainly address volume, whereas a breast uplift may be a more suitable procedure for an older woman that has seen a number of changes in the breast over time; less cleavage, less volume, sagging of the skin and breast tissues and changes to the nipple shape and position.
During your consultation, Mr Venus will assess the breasts and if drooping, known as ptosis, is mild and the nipple is still positioned near the centre of the breast and is not pointing downwards, then breast implants should fulfil your expectations from surgery.
If the sagging of skin and breast tissue is more severe and the nipple is positioned lower down on the breast and/or the nipple is pointing downwards and there is adequate breast tissue, then a breast lift is a more appropriate operation, allowing Mr Venus to lift and reshape the breasts to a more youthful pleasing shape and position. He is also able to reshape the areola which can stretch as you age.
Often a breast augmentation and breast lift are combined for optimal results and during your consultation Mr Matt Venus will give unbiased, expert advice on which is the best procedure for you.
