The psychology behind breast implants may appear obvious
Contents
Why do women get breast implants?
Answer: They want larger breasts.
However, there’s always more to it than that. Below, we’ll explore some of the top reasons women get breast implants and how breast augmentation with implants can provide a cascade of positive outcomes for these individuals.
If you are considering breast implants, your reasons are your own. As with most things in life, there’s no reason to constantly compare yourself with others.
Still, women undergoing breast augmentation are often curious as to why other women may be interested in the same procedure. A large-scale prospective study of more than 3,000 breast augmentation patients was published in PubMed.
It found that the most commonly cited motivations for breast augmentation surgery were a desire to improve overall appearance, a wish to feel more feminine, and dissatisfaction with breast size after pregnancy or weight changes. One-year post-operative satisfaction rates were consistently high across all motivation groups.
Below are the top reasons.
Top reasons women get breast implants
They’ve always wanted bigger boobs.
One of the top reasons women get breast augmentation surgery is that they’ve always had naturally small breasts. These women may feel self-conscious about the size of their boobs, and breast implants can give them that boost of confidence.
A clinical study published in PubMed found that 88% of breast augmentation patients reported heightened self-confidence after surgery. 86% reported decreased self-consciousness, and 95% said they felt better about themselves. It supports the significant psychological impact this procedure can have for the right candidate.
For patients who have felt self-conscious about breast size their entire adult lives, augmentation can be genuinely life-changing. The confidence shift we see post-operatively is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
– Dr. Lahar
Aging has caused a loss of volume.
Aging affects us all, and it certainly affects our breasts. Time, plus a loss of naturally-made collagen, plus changes in hormones, plus gravity equals smaller, more “deflated” boobs. Fortunately, breast implants can remedy this.
They’ve recently lost weight, and their breasts have “shrunk”.
Breasts can carry excess fat just as the hips, bottom, and tummy do. So, it stands to reason that if someone loses excess weight, they’ll lose it everywhere — even in their breasts.
Sometimes, this happens, and women decide they miss their old, larger breasts, so they opt for surgery.
Having children has changed their breasts.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are commonly cited reasons why women get breast implants as well. Both of these stages of life can cause the size of the breasts to change rapidly and significantly.
This back-and-forth can stretch the skin and ultimately end in a loss of volume, which can only be rectified with breast augmentation surgery.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in ScienceDirect found that breast augmentation produces significant improvements in psychosocial well-being, sexual well-being, and satisfaction with breast appearance. BREAST-Q scores for satisfaction with breasts rose from 26.3 to 72.7 post-operatively across all patient groups.
Are there any reasons not to get breast implants?
When surveyed, most women will say that they prefer to have larger breasts over smaller breasts. In this vein, breast implant surgery can certainly provide an array of wonderful benefits for many women.
Still, not everyone wants larger breasts, no matter what. For one thing, the most common breast enlargement cause is actually weight gain — something most people try to avoid.
Likewise, some people simply don’t want to undergo surgery if it’s not medically necessary, and that’s also understandable.
Beyond these reasons, here are some other reasons a patient should not get breast implants.
Your health doesn’t allow it.
Only healthy individuals should undergo elective procedures such as breast augmentation. Most patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or cancer will not be cleared for surgery.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) states that ideal candidates for breast augmentation are in good overall health, have fully developed breasts, and do not smoke.
Dr. Lahar performs a physical exam and takes a close look at every patient’s medical history in order to ensure all patients are qualified to undergo their desired procedures.
Your spouse or partner is asking you to.
Getting breast implants should be your choice, not someone else’s.
A qualitative study on motivational factors in breast augmentation was published in PubMed. It found that patients whose motivations were externally driven, such as social pressure or a desire to meet a partner’s expectations, were significantly more likely to experience dissatisfaction with their outcome. In contrast, those motivated by personal goals and self-image improvement reported better satisfaction.
Women who get breast implants because their spouses request it end up resenting their partners.
Keep in mind that if you want breast implants for yourself and your spouse or partner is simply supportive of this choice, that’s a different matter. There’s nothing wrong with deciding to get implants for yourself and talking it over with your partner before moving forward.
Breast implant alternatives
Perhaps you’re interested in having larger breasts, but you know that implants aren’t right for you. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Think of fat transfer breast augmentation like a breast enlargement injection using your own fat.
Dr. Lahar will use liposuction to remove unwanted fat from your abdomen or another “trouble spot” on your body. This fat will then be processed and reintroduced into your breasts to create a modest but significant increase in size.
Breast Lift surgery
Breast lift surgery is not meant to increase breast size. However, it can make a positive change in your figure.
The surgery is designed to lift drooping, “deflated” breasts — common after weight loss and childbirth. For some women, even though no volume is added with a breast lift, the result may still create the illusion of larger breasts.
Find out more about breast implants
Dr. Nicholas Lahar, MD, would be happy to discuss your questions and concerns regarding breast implants at a personalized consultation appointment. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and learn more about your breast augmentation options.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Breast Augmentation.
- Spear SL, et al. Breast Augmentation Motivations and Satisfaction: A Prospective Study of More Than 3,000 Silicone Implantations. PubMed. 2009.
- Bates RL. The Efficacy of Breast Augmentation: Breast Size Increase, Patient Satisfaction, and Psychological Effects. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. PubMed. 1995.
- Solvi AS, et al. Motivational Factors and Psychological Processes in Cosmetic Breast Augmentation Surgery. PubMed. 2009.
- Seidler M, et al. Quality of Life and Satisfaction After Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of BREAST-Q Patient-Reported Outcomes. ScienceDirect. 2024.