Introduction to Psychological Benefits of Breast Enhancement
Are you considering breast enhancement to transform your figure? Otherwise referred to as breast augmentation, the cosmetic procedure can give you a full figure, more symmetrical breasts, and so much more. In fact, studies show that breast enhancement can raise your self-esteem and improve your quality of life. There has been much research into the psychological benefits of breast enhancement. Here are some to consider if you are thinking about signing up for this life-changing cosmetic surgery.
Why Do Women Seek Out Breast Enhancement?
There is nothing wrong with wanting to make physical changes to your body. Enhancing your curves is normal, healthy, and common. Having breast augmentation surgery can even motivate you to want to improve other aspects of your life, such as eating healthier and engaging in more exercise.
Most women seek out a cosmetic surgeon because they feel dissatisfied with their breasts. This can be a frustrating notion because there is nothing you can eat, no pill you can take, or exercises you can engage in that will add volume to your breasts or improve the appearance of your cleavage.
Getting breast implants, having fat injected into your breasts through the fat transfer technique, or undergoing both cosmetic procedures can add symmetry and volume to the breasts. In return, you can experience considerable psychological benefits. You should still have realistic expectations following surgery. In other words, don’t expect breast enhancement to perfectly eradicate all your insecurities or emotional problems.
What are the Psychological Benefits of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Studies show that breast augmentation can have a significant impact on how you feel about yourself, your body, and your quality of life. Experts believe this is due to the fact that breast augmentation surgery has a 98% satisfaction rate among women who undergo the procedure.
Following surgery, women report greater self-esteem and greater quality of life, which includes both psychosocial and sexual well-being.
How Does Breast Enhancement Improve Self-Image?
When we speak of self-image, we mean the concept of how you see yourself and the way you look. When you are happy with the way you look, the world seems like a more pleasant place. Conversely, when you feel self-conscious about your appearance, your life can suffer in a number of ways. There are some that would interject here and say you should learn to love yourself as you are, and that you should strive to find self-love whether you choose to enhance your breasts or not.
Others might argue that taking charge and changing an aspect of yourself that is under your control is healthy and normal. Breast augmentation surgery is common and with such a high probability of a favorable outcome, why wouldn’t you want to improve your body if you could? Breast enhancement is a procedure that can transform your shape and remove your self-consciousness, helping to make the world you live in a more pleasant place to be.
How Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Improve Your Life?
In addition to raising your self-esteem and level of confidence, clothes tend to fit better when the procedure fills out your figure. Women also report feeling more feminine following a breast augmentation procedure. Your sex life could improve also, as women often report that breast enhancement makes them feel more attractive while getting intimate.
What Does it Mean to Have Realistic Expectations About Breast Surgery?
A good cosmetic surgeon will help you emotionally prepare for surgery, which includes managing your expectations. The best way to maintain healthy expectations is to identify what it is you hope to achieve from the breast enhancement surgery. Do you want larger breasts, symmetrical breasts, or both?
Read our article: Can a Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgeon Give You Perky Breasts?
What you should not do is strive for a perfect body. No one’s body is truly perfect, even models, actresses, and other famous people. Everyone has flaws. Bodies also change as we age. It is important that you are honest with yourself about your reasons for wanting breast augmentation surgery and what expectations you have for the results in both the short-term and long-term.
Another thing you should never do is have breast enhancement surgery for other people. You should only want breast enhancement for yourself, not because you think it will alter how others view you.
Once you have these reasons clear in your mind, you should discuss your expectations with a cosmetic surgeon.
A surgeon can help you decide if surgery is the best option for you or if there are underlying issues that should be addressed before you commit yourself emotionally, physically, and financially.
What Should You Expect After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery is a major procedure that can produce a number of after-effects. One of these includes a diminished mood. Yes, post-operative depression is a thing, even when the surgery is successful. When your body goes through something as drastic as surgery, you can’t help but feel a little beat-up, bruised, and in pain. Your sleep might become slightly disturbed immediately following the procedure, as your body begins to heal, and this can lead to increased fatigue and decreased tolerance to daily stress.
Negative emotions can be compounded by the natural effects of healing. You might have sensitive skin, changes in nipple sensitivity, numb breasts, and scar tissue. All of these things heaped on your shoulders at once can lead to anxiety and a depressed mood.
Swelling and Bruising
Immediately following a breast augmentation surgery, swelling and bruising around the treatment area are expected. It can take weeks before these effects diminish on their own. Because of the swollen and raw skin, you may find yourself becoming upset the first time you lay eyes on your new breasts after waking up from anesthesia. The shock can be compounded by the anesthesia and pain medication you might be on.
General Anesthesia
The anesthesiologist present during your breast augmentation ensures that you are asleep throughout the procedure. After you awaken, the effects of the drug can linger for several weeks afterward. The residual impact of general anesthesia can include lethargy, depression, as well as other emotional and physical symptoms.
Pain Medication
Your cosmetic surgeon may prescribe pain medication following your operation to help you recover comfortably. Pain killers can make you feel lethargic. You may also feel a bit disoriented.
Reduced Mobility
After breast augmentation, you may be confined to your bed or restricted within the confines of your home as you recover. The recovery process can take a couple to several weeks. During this time, you might find yourself feeling restless, bored, useless, and helpless. These feelings can be exacerbated if you have to spend the time alone. Having friends and family visit regularly can help immensely in the days after surgery.
Can Post-Operative Depression Be Prevented?
Not everyone feels depressed after breast augmentation surgery. There are ways you can ward off the onset of depression following your operation.
Get a Support System
Rallying friends and family around you can help to build you up physically and emotionally. Tell those close to you about your surgery, and don’t be afraid to ask for help during your recovery period.
Plan for a Healthy Recovery
Your surgeon will spend time before and after your surgery talking you through the recovery process. The discussions include how long the process can take and what to expect. You will also come to know how much time you may need to spend away from work. To make the process easier, plan to have items nearby while you heal. These include bottles of water, healthy snacks, a long phone charger cord, books, the TV remote, and warm layers to snuggle up in.
Eat and Drink Healthy
Drink plenty of water while you heal. Eat healthy foods also, such as whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Stay away from alcohol during the healing process. Drinking can disrupt your pain medication, negatively affect your mood, and enhance your depressive thoughts.
Have Patience
Give yourself time to heal. You should not make any judgments about your new breasts, their shape, or the volume until after the bruising and swelling have subsided.
Read our article: Be Prepared for These Feelings and Emotions After Cosmetic Surgery
What to Expect from Breast Augmentation Over the Long-Term
When the bruising and swelling have subsided, that is the time to take stock of your new breasts. Hopefully, they are the shape and size you anticipated. Again, studies show a 98% satisfaction rate. Most women feel happy with the results of their surgery and report improved self-esteem and confidence.
Even if the surgery is a success, it is not uncommon for the results to fall short of your expectations. This can cause distress. You should strive to give the results at least six months to manifest. Take your mind off your breasts, then re-evaluate the results after those six months are complete. As long as your expectations were realistic going into surgery, you are sure to find satisfaction with your new breasts once they have fully healed.
Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?
Even with a high satisfaction level, breast surgery is never something to be taken lightly. You should weigh the potential risks, as well as the benefits, before making your decision.
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, your first step is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. A surgeon is an expert in the field and can help guide you through the breast enhancement process. This includes making sure you have realistic expectations. The surgeon can then help you choose the best options that are well suited for you. Depending on your needs, you may opt for breast implants, the fat transfer technique, a breast lift with implants, or all of the above.
Read our article: How to Choose the Ideal Breast Surgery for Your Body Contouring Goals
Based on your decision, a board-certified surgeon like Doctor Babak Moein of Moein Surgical Arts can give you a realistic idea of the risks and healing process. Choosing cosmetic surgery can seem overwhelming, especially at first. It is important that you take your time to ask plenty of questions and process your decision carefully before scheduling the day of surgery. Doctor Moein wants you to feel safe and secure in your choice to augment your breasts. Feeling good about your decision will help produce more favorable outcomes and help you heal adequately following the procedure.
Read our article: Find the Best Cosmetic Surgeon by Using This Checklist for Stellar Results
Schedule a Breast Surgery Consultation with Doctor Moein in Los Angeles
Are you self-conscious about your breasts? Are they uneven? Does it make you unhappy to see the shape and size, possibly after pregnancy or breastfeeding? You might even be interested in reducing your breast size because they are causing discomfort or pain, requiring a breast reduction.
Read our article: Can Breast Reduction Surgery Ease Back Pain?
All of these issues can be corrected with breast enhancement or breast augmentation surgery. Just imagine that a single procedure can boost your self-esteem, and confidence, and lead to an improved quality of life in several key areas.
To discuss breast enhancement, the psychological benefits, risks of the procedure, the fees associated with breast augmentation, and to get answers to any questions you might have, schedule a consultation with Doctor Babak Moein. Get started now by calling Moein Surgical Arts in Los Angeles. Dial (310)694-4486.
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