Woman going in for consultation with plastic surgeon

Are You a Good Candidate for a Breast Augmentation?

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery?

Timmie Jean Lindsey. Does that name ring a bell? Lindsey was a single mother of six who, in the spring of 1962, had a momentary lapse of judgment that resulted in her acquiring a rather large tattoo of a rose on her breast. Immediately regretting this impulsive move, she went to Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston Texas to see if she could get it removed. 

It just so happened that Lindsey ended up in the care of plastic surgeon Frank Gerow. Gerow and his colleague, Thomas Cronin, had been experimenting with breast implants. Having recently inserted a gel-filled silicone bag into a dog, with no obvious side effects, they were looking for a human volunteer. Lindsey wasn’t especially interested in having her breasts made larger, but she was unhappy with the way her ears stuck out from the side of her head. Gerow and Cronin agreed to also take care of the ear procedure if she would allow them to do the implants. 

And that was the very first time that breast augmentation surgery was done using implants. 

During World War II, Japanese women injected various substances directly into their breasts in an attempt to appeal to American soldiers. Some injected a non-medical grade of silicone (no bag), while others used materials like paraffin and sponge. While none of these attempts had the desired results and were often disastrous, Timmie Jean Lindsey’s implants were still in place 50 years later when she was tracked down for an interview by the BBC.  

At the time, it is doubtful that Gerow and Cronin appreciated the magnitude of what they had done. In less than ten years, more than 50,000 implants had been manufactured and sold. Breast augmentation had caught on like wildfire.

Reasons Behind the Popularity

Basically, breast augmentation is just what it sounds like; a procedure to increase the size of the breast. Also known as augmentation mammoplasty and breast implant surgery, this procedure has continued to become increasingly popular. In fact, of the top three most often performed cosmetic surgical procedures, breast augmentation takes the top spot, followed by liposuction and then rhinoplasty. 

Attracting the attention of American GIs not being one of them, there are many good reasons for considering breast augmentation. Some of the more common of these include:

  • Appearance – the desire to increase the size of breasts that are believed to be too small
  • Balance – adjusting the size of one breast to better match the other
  • Post-pregnancy – corrections following pregnancy to make the breasts look more “normal” or the way they were before giving birth
  • Self-confidence – improving how someone feels about themselves by correcting a perceived deficiency

Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Not everyone is a good candidate for breast augmentation. Some of the factors that you should take into consideration are:

  • Being in good physical health
  • Not being pregnant or currently breastfeeding
  • Being over the age of 18 for saline implants and over the age of 22 for silicone implants
  • Having realistic expectations and being aware of risks and possible complications

Besides being a good candidate according to the above list, it is extremely important that you work with a highly-skilled, experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, your surgeon will be able to help advise you whether this is a good step for you and discuss with you what to expect. Choosing the right surgeon will help to make this an experience that is not only safe but one that will give you long-lasting and satisfactory results. 

Dr. Brian D. Cohen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic/reconstructive plastic surgery and has had years of experience performing a wide array of cosmetic surgery procedures, specializing in procedures of the face, eyes, nose, breast and body and is known for his exemplary and compassionate care by his patients. Knowing that Dr. Cohen has been selected by his peers in Super Doctors for 7 years in a row in 2019 gives you the confidence that he is highly respected for his performance in his specialty.

Information on locations and office hours for Cohen Plastic Surgery can be found by clicking here