Breast Enlargement: The Good, the Bad
IT is amazing how the 21st century woman would go under the knife and pains to remain young, beautiful and attractive. Women these days will do whatever it takes to stay young. From breast enlargement to breast augmentation and breast lift, botox, face lift and body product. Some men also go for botox in order to have a wrinkle – stress-free face.
In the 1980s and even early 1990s small breast was in vogue. But today, the reverse is the case big breast and cleavage is the in-thing. However, like everything else it comes with its risk too.
Whenever breast enlargement is mentioned in Nigeria, the first person that comes to mind is Modupe Ozolua, CEO, Body Enhancement Anti-ageing Centre. Other centres are also springing up because of the demand.
In 2007, Karen Igbo a 23-year old student had her breast enhanced for 4000 pounds sterling (about 1 million naira) at a surgical cosmetic group in London. In an interview with Genevieve Magazine in March, 2008 she said “…I needed to feel more curvaceous. I totally feel comfortable now. I feel sexy and I am ready to conquer the modeling industry. This is jet age…”
- Enhance breasts they consider too small. The definition of too small or too large depends on the individual. There is no universal standard for the sizes of breast.
- Restore the size or shape of the breast after significant weight loss or pregnancy. A breast lift may be done at the same time as the enlargement in these cases.
- Make the breast more evenly proportioned. In many women, one breast may be larger or sit higher than the other. Breast implant may be also used to reconstruct breast after surgery for breast cancer (Mastectomy).
During surgery to enlarge the breasts, (augmentation mammoplasty), an implant is placed under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle beneath the breast. An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with a saline (saltwater) solution, silicone gel, or another substance, such as methylcellulose gel or hydrogel Saline solution is currently the material most commonly used to fill breast implants because it can be safely absorbed by the body if the implant leaks or ruptures.
To position the implant, an incision is made in the bottom crease of the breast, the armpit, or along the lower edge of the areola (the colored area surrounding the nipple). The implant is inserted through the incision and may be placed under either the breast tissue or the chest muscle beneath the breast. Some doctors believe that putting the implant beneath the chest muscle lowers the risk for a condition called capsular contracture (hardening of tissue surrounding the implant) and interferes less with mammography than when the implant is under the breast tissue but in front of the muscle. After the implant has been carefully adjusted to the correct shape and position, the incision is closed with stitches.
A breast lift (mastopexy) may be done at the same time as the breast enlargement. A breast lift can raise sagging or drooping breasts and elevate the nipple and areola. To lift the breasts, excess skin from the bottom of the breast and the area around the areola is removed. The remaining skin is then brought together, which tightens and raises the breast. A breast lift requires larger incisions than a breast enlargement alone. Incisions may extend from the areola down to the crease where the bottom of the breast meets the chest.
Breast enlargements and lifts are usually done as outpatient procedures in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. An overnight stay in the hospital is not needed unless there are complications during surgery. The surgery takes 1 to 2 hours. General anesthesia is usually used, although local anesthesia or an epidural may be used in some cases.
Risks
Breast implants may make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram. Other risks of getting breast implants include:
* Capsular contracture. One of the most common problems caused by breast implants, this condition occurs when scar tissue around the implant hardens and begins to squeeze the implant. It can cause hardening of the breast tissue, rippling in the skin of the breast, and changes in the shape of the breast. It may also be painful. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove the scar tissue or replace the implant when capsular contracture develops.
* Loss of feeling in the nipples or breast tissue due to nerve damage. Often this is temporary, but it may be permanent in some women.
* Differences in size or shape of the breasts after surgery.
* Changes in the implant. Normal activity or an injury to the breast can damage the implant, causing it to leak, deflate, or rupture. Over time, the implant may harden, develop ripples, shift position, or change shape. Surgery may be needed to remove the implant and replace it (if desired) if any of these changes occur.
* Infection (not common). This can occur at any time, but it typically occurs during the first week after surgery. In some cases of infection, the implant may have to be removed for several months and then replaced.
* Blood collection under the skin, or hematoma (uncommon).
* Abnormal scarring (uncommon).
Having more than one procedure at the same time, such as a breast lift and breast enlargement, increases the risk of problems after the surgery.
Controversy over breast implant safety
The possible connection between silicone gel breast implants and connective tissue disease has been the subject of much research and public debate. But studies have not shown a clear link between implants and connective disease. The use of implants filled with silicone gel has been restricted in parts of Europe and in Canada, and in the United States between 1992 and 2006. This is because of concerns about harm that could come from silicone gel leaking into the body if an implant leaks or ruptures.
In late 2006, the FDA again approved silicone breast implants. This approval was based on studies of women with silicone implants for up to 4 years. Each maker of these implants is now required to study 40,000 women during the first 10 years they have silicone implants. These studies will begin to show how safe silicone implants are over a woman’s lifetime.
Newer silicone implants contain a gel-like material instead of a liquid. These types of implants do not leak if punctured or cut.
Saline-filled implants are considered safe and are the most commonly used breast implant today. Saline solution can be safely absorbed by the body if the implant leaks or ruptures.

Karen Igbo, left, with her new shaped breast and Modupe Ozolua,
CEO, Body Enhancement Anti-Aging Centre.