What is the most common cosmetic procedure? Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States of America, and has been for the last couple of years. Advancements in technology have made the process of undergoing cosmetic surgery easier than ever with very little if any down time at all. Although breast augmentation is commonplace and usually performed in addition with other procedures, not everyone knows exactly what breast augmentation entails. Breast augmentation has advanced exponentially since the late 1800’s and continues to advance annually. Read on to learn more about this life changing cosmetic procedure.
What is it?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that improves the size, shape or overall appearance of the breast with implants, fat transfer or saline. The cost of breast augmentation ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the type of augmentation, your geographic location, the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia and the cost of the implant used during the procedure. A good candidate for breast implants is in overall good health and is unhappy with the appearance of the breasts due weight loss, pregnancy or breast feeding.
Breast Augmentation in the 19th Century
Did you know that the first breast transfer augmentation surgery was performed in Germany? Yes, it was performed in Germany in 1895 by Vincent Czerny for aesthetic purposes. Czerny utilized adipose tissue from the patient to restore the look of a breast after he removed a tumor. The procedure undoubtedly motivated the attempts of breast augmentation with paraffin injections in 1889. Paraffin, the flammable wax that hardens when it cools was not the ideal choice for mimicking the natural contours of a woman’s anatomy. The paraffin injections for breast augmentation were unsuccessful.
However, the turn of the century ushered in new ideas of how to perform a successful breast augmentation procedure. Surgeons attempted to fill the breast cavity with everything from wool to a formaldehyde polymer sponge to ground rubber. In the mid- century, silicone injections were given to thousands of women. Unfortunately, the silicon injections formed granulomas and had to be removed by mastectomy.
The Dow Corning Corporation to the Rescue
In 1961 American aesthetic surgeons Cronin and Gerow in conjunction with Dow Corning Corporation invented the first silicone implant. The first breast augmentation procedure also known as mammoplasty, was performed shortly thereafter in 1962. Since the 1960’s there has been significant improvements to the silicone implant. Today’s implant is composed of incredibly cohesive silicone gel that virtually eliminates the chance of implant leakage and/or migration of the implant.
The Saline Implant
The sterile saline implant was introduced in 1964 by the French company Lavatories Arion.
After the Augmentation
Post-operative breast augmentation patients report having increased self-confidence, self-esteem, increase in sexual drive and a more positive outlook on life in general. Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States of America for a reason; it yields excellent results. Visit a Plastic Surgeon Austin clinic for a consultation.
