Breast augmentation proves to be appealing choice for women

By Martha Petersante
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

In most ways, Jessica is a normal 19-year-old sophomore student at Norwich University. She attends regular classes and hangs out with her boyfriend in the evenings. She likes to spend her free time talking with friends and goes out on the weekend.

According to Jessica, who asked that her real name not be used, few people notice her problem, even though it is right there for all who ever meet her to see. Over the years, Jessica said she has learned how to hide what is actually a fairly common problem among women.

"I can't wear horizontal stripes, because it shows the difference, and I can't wear strapless dresses, either, for that same reason," said Jessica.

Jessica's breasts are not equal in size. About one cup size of difference exists, according to Jessica, between the left and the right.

There is nothing wrong with Jessica. Few women's breasts are completely identical, and the problem is easy enough for her to hide. But the difference is enough for Jessica to feel awkward in certain situations.

"My boyfriend likes to make jokes about it," Jessica said. "One time he rested his head on my chest and said to me, 'Hey, one side is higher then the other.' He was only kidding, and I know he was just trying to be funny. Still, it feels a little weird."

There are two methods for correcting Jessica's problem: have the smaller breast artificially enlarged using an implant, or have the larger breast reduced. Jessica said that she does not consider implants, which have been at the center of much debate within the medical community, as an option.

"If there was a safe way to enlarge a woman's breast, then I would do that in a heartbeat," Jessica said. "But since there doesn't seem to be, I want to reduce one so that it matches the other."

Dr Sherwood Bast is a plastic surgeon who was recently honored by the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery for "his pioneering efforts on Scarless Breast Reduction."

On his web page (www.cosmedical.com/breast_reduction.htm) Dr. Bast explains the basics of breast reduction.

"The traditional breast reduction has been performed by plastic surgeons for over 50 years," according to Bast. "It is an excellent operation, solving the problems of back, neck and breast pain due to the excessive weight of the breast."

According to Dr. Bast's website, breast reduction surgery removes excess tissue from the breast, lifting it and decreasing it in size.

Good candidates for breast reduction, according to New Body.Com (www.newbody.com), experience one or more of the following complaints.

1. Breast size out of proportion to your body;
2. Pain due to breast size, usually involving the back, neck, and/or shoulders;
3. Shoulder grooving from brassiere straps;
4. Skin irritation beneath the breasts;
5. Restrictions in activity due to breast size;
6. Dissatisfaction & self-consciousness about your breast size;
7. Pain from dense, fibrous breast (even if not extremely large-breasted);
8. Breast size varies significantly from side to side.

Christi Rinehard, a sophomore communications major from Roxbury, VT, can choose several complaints from the list as being ones she has personally experienced. For years, Rinehard said she has felt her breasts were simply too big.

"I think it was age 15 that I decided that my breasts were too big," said Rinehard. "It is not easy interacting with people when in the back of your mind you think, hey, they think I look like Betty Boop."

One of Rinehard's biggest problems with her enormous chest size is the difficulty faced when trying to buy clothes.

"When you're trying to find that perfect outfit, and you do, but then when you put it on the bottom fits but the top looks like it was painted on," Rinehard said. "Then you try the size bigger, which is great because it fits your chest, but now you look like you have tiny little arms."

Rinehard said she has begun the process of getting a breast reduction.

"I am finally perusing this elective surgery, because I am sick of the back pain, the psychological issues, and the problems finding clothing that fits properly," said Rinehard.

According to New Body, the procedure is quite simple.

"Typically, incisions are around your nipple, from your nipple down to your chest wall, and side to side under your breast. The skin over the breast tissue to be preserved is removed, sometimes by laser. Excess breast tissue and skin is removed, with the remaining breast tissue moved to its new position, and the skin closed around your new breast mound," according to the website.

However, the procedure is not without complications.

"The drawback is the extreme nature of the surgery," according to Dr. Bast. "It is performed in a hospital, under full general anesthesia, often taking 2-6 hours, with two surgeons working at the same time. Blood transfusions are not uncommon. The major disadvantage is the extensive scars."

It doesn't matter where the doctor makes the incision, said Dr. Studin of Web Plactics.com (www.webplastics.com), "there is going to be some mark in the skin."

"While most patients heal very well, some will form more visible scars than others," said Studin. "Be aware that even your past scarring history is not always a good predictor of how you will heal."

Both Rinehard and Jessica said they were aware of the doctors' warnings.

"I would love a procedure in which there are no visible scars," Rinehard said.

"I would rather not have the anchor-shaped scar on my chest," Jessica said. "I am still doing a lot of research as to the different techniques."

Some products claim to aid in the reduction of scarring. Cica Care silicone gel sheeting, Kelocote silicone cream, Scar Guard (www.ScarGuard.com) are among those trying to improve the results of surgery.

New techniques, pioneered by surgeons such as Dr. Bast and Dr. Studin, promise to reduce the amount of scarring as a result of breast reduction surgery. Information on these techniques is available at the doctors' websites.

Many doctors advise against surgery for younger patients, advising women to wait until the body has finished completely maturing before making drastic changes.

This poses a problem for Jessica, who is only 19.

"One drawback to my situation is my age," Jessica said. "My doctor has advised me to wait until 21, when the female body has reached maturity."

After the surgery, most women can return to their daily routines within about a week.

"You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more, since sexual arousal can cause your incisions to swell, and to avoid anything but gentle contact with your breasts for about six weeks," according to the Plastic Surgery Information Center Website (www.plasticsurgery.org/surgery/brstred.htm). The website further advises post-operative patients that "a small amount of fluid draining from your surgical wound, or some crusting, is normal. If you have any unusual symptoms, such as bleeding or severe pain, don't hesitate to call your doctor."

Jessica says that the final decision on whether or not to alter her body will not rest solely on a question of appearance.

"Someday, I would like to have children," Jessica said. "I don't want to have this interfering with that dream."

According to Dr. Studin, most patients will maintain good nipple sensation and, therefore, the ability to breastfeed. However, "some will lose feeling permanently in the nipple. There is no known treatment to improve the rate of return in those patients who have decreased sensation. Many women who have very large breasts have been shown to have poor sensation due to nerve stretch before having surgery."

The Plastic Surgery Information Website informs women that, "Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first few weeks, it may be six months to a year before your breasts settle into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response to your hormonal shifts, weight changes, and pregnancy."

In making the decision, Jessica said she feels the full weight of social attitudes towards plastic surgery.

"The worst part is getting over the entire stigma which surrounds either getting a breast enlargement or reduction," Jessica said. "It seems to hinder many women. Women shouldn't get it, breast enlargement or reduction, for others' they should get it for themselves, their own self-esteem."

Rinhard said she wants out from under the stereotype that has followed her for the whole of her adult life.

"I want people to look at my face first, not my breasts, when I talk to them," Rinehard said. "It makes you feel better as a whole person if you know that people are truly listening to you, not just staring at your body."

Back to Guidon index