Growth Trends in Breast Augmentation in the US

Most women have an intense desire to look beautiful. Whether or not they are actively doing something about it, the desire rarely ceases to make its presence felt. The need to look good is so intense that often body image, or the way you perceive your appearance, has a very meaningful impact on self esteem, says the Center for Young Women's Health. While looks play such a key role in determining our mood and belief in ourselves, there are certain aspects of the body that cannot be visually enhanced even with diet and exercise. The way our breasts look is something that is very tough to alter without professional help. No wonder then that a surprisingly large number of women are opting for breast enhancement.

The shape and size of the breasts change on account of several reasons. Aging can make them sag and, since there are no muscles to work on, this cannot be corrected easily. Weight loss can result in breasts losing volume, which is almost impossible to get back. With pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts can lose their shape. Some women are born with asymmetrical breasts, which can also be corrected by Augmentation Mammoplasty. Moreover, sometimes breast augmentation techniques and implants are used for reconstruction after a mastectomy.

What is the most performed surgical procedure in the US? Breast augmentation retained its topmost position, according to a report published by American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2014. Breast augmentation had beaten the frontrunner in 2012, which was liposuction, to become the most performed surgical procedure in the US in 2012. The growth trajectory did not change in 2013.

The report mentions that 15.1 million cosmetic procedures took place in the US in 2013. These cosmetic procedures, which include both minimally-invasive and surgical treatments, rose 3% from the since the previous year. Apart from this, 5.7 million reconstructive surgeries were performed in 2013, marking a 2% rise since 2012.

Why has there been such a surge in breast augmentation. To begin with, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gave its approval for a number of new plastic surgery devices and products in 2013. Among the products approved by the FDA are form-stable silicone gel breast implants. "With new devices and products hitting the market each year, there are more options and choices available to consumers wanting to refresh their look,” says ASPS President Robert X. Murphy.

Competition in the working world has been stiffening and there is a strong desire to gain an edge. Appearances play a vital role in gaining this edge. This trend is seen not only in industries that rely on looks, but also in highly professional and high-profile spheres.

While earlier, breast augmentations would look "fake", this has changed with developments in technology. Today, natural and subtle results can be achieved with advancements in surgical techniques. The breast implants being used today by leading plastic surgeons make the enhancement appear much more natural, with minimal side effects and faster recovery.

With the growth in demand for breast augmentations in 2013, an increasing number of women opted for silicone breast implants. In fact, as high as 72% of all breast augmentations used silicone implants, with saline implants being used in merely 28% of the cases, according to the ASPS report.