Although mental health professionals have conducted many studies, little is known regarding the psychological condition of most breast implant patients or how the surgery can affect them. In fact, conflicting results have made pinpointing specific preoperative and postoperative psychological characteristics of breast implant patients difficult.

While definitive answers are yet to be determined, there are several factors that both patients and surgeons must consider from a psychological standpoint. While a surgeon is responsible for screening the mental health of each patient that wants breast implants, patients should also take time to think about:

-The motivation behind wanting breast implants

-The expectations of the surgery

-The postoperative challenges of recovery

Exploring the Motivation for Breast Enlargement

The most common reasons women want breast implants include improving self esteem and self confidence; correcting asymmetry and body disproportions; addressing deformities; and restoring breast volume and contours after mastectomy, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or aging. A plastic surgeon may ask what specifically a patient dislikes about her breasts to determine whether internal or external psychological motivations are at play. Women with internal motivations tend to want breast implant surgery because they are dissatisfied with their breast size, shape, or overall body image. More often than not, these patients are exhibiting physical effects from childbearing, aging, and weight loss, and simply want to “get their body back,” or feel more feminine.

Patients with external motivations – such as wanting breasts enlarged to please a partner, improve a relationship, or advance a career – often require additional screening before a surgeon consents to perform any procedure. Likewise, surgeons must carefully interview women with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The disorder is characterized by an obsession with a perceived or minor appearance flaw that causes extreme duress and can impair a patient’s daily functioning. A study performed in 2005 found that more than 90 percent of patients with BDD reported either no change or a worsening of symptoms after cosmetic surgery. For this reason, BDD sufferers are typically considered poor candidates for breast implants.

Expectations of Surgery

It’s also important for patients to have realistic expectations of breast implant surgery. A patient should understand that a surgeon cannot exactly reproduce the results seen in before and after photos, but will tailor the procedure to her specific body type, the amount of existing breast tissue, breast shape, degree of sagging, and nipple position. Since these aspects will affect the outcome of the procedure, a patient that takes time to review photos of women with body types similar to her own is more likely to develop reasonable expectations for her own surgery and is less likely to be disappointed. Above all, the best candidates are women who understand that breast implants won’t lead to miraculous life transformation in their relationships or careers, but seek to improve their self confidence and body image.

Recovery and Related Challenges

An often overlooked psychological consideration of breast implant surgery involves the postoperative challenges a patient must endure. For example, the healing process can present emotional challenges of its own, particularly once the pain, bruising, and swelling begin. Additionally, some patients may grapple with others’ negative perceptions surrounding motivations for the surgery. As a result, some patients may be at risk for developing depression. Furthermore, women with breast implants may have to learn how to deal with both wanted and unwanted attention they receive after surgery.

Breast implant surgery is not covered by insurance, so it’s important for candidates to also consider the financial aspects of the procedure and how the long term financial commitment could affect them psychologically. Although rare, complications after breast surgery can occur and additional surgery may be required. While today’s silicone breast implants last far longer than older models, patients should still keep in mind that paying for an implant replacement surgery may be necessary, particularly as breast tissue changes over time.

To ensure you’re psychologically, emotionally, and physically ready for breast implants, be 100 percent aware of your motivations for surgery, have reasonable expectations, and thoroughly understand the benefits and risks surrounding the procedure. If you’re suffering from any diagnosed psychological disorder, obtain treatment prior to undergoing any surgery. An experienced surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can help determine whether breast enlargement surgery is a good option.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com/ breast implants, and more.

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: breast augmentation, breast implants