Breast Implants and Psychology

Although they seem like unrelated topics, breast implants and psychology are actually closely related. Psychology plays an important role in many aspects of breast augmentation surgery. From the motivations behind the desire for breast implants, to the actual acclimation process, psychology plays a vital role in the way all women react to their cosmetic breast surgeries.

Breast Implants and Psychology / Motivation

There are always motivating psycho-emotional factors which contribute or even cause women to choose to receive breast implants. Internal psychological motivators such as insecurity, lack of confidence, poor self image or desire for attention are all common reasons why women are driven to improve their breasts. External motivating factors such as working in the adult industry, trying to please a significant other or repairing an obvious defect or abnormal condition in the breasts, qualify as additional psychological motivation. All women have different goals in mind when it comes to the expectations for their breast augmentation procedure and the benefits they will receive from their new larger breasts. However, it is a safe bet that psychology plays an important role in their decision making process.

Breast Implants and Psychology / Acclimation

Getting acclimated to having breast implants can be a psychologically draining process for some women. Patients who go drastically larger are often especially affected by their new voluminous breasts. Women may react in many possible ways, depending on individual personalities and the response of those around them. It is common for an augmented woman to become more outgoing and possibly provocative in her dress or behavior. Some women react the opposite and tone down their personalities and styles to avoid getting too much negative attention from their increased size. Many women are worried about what co-workers, family and friends will think about their new breasts, especially if these people have a conservative general attitude. It is common for a woman to use her implants as a liberating experience and a sign of independence and self-empowerment. This factor accounts for the large number of women who choose to get implants after a divorce or bad relationship. Getting used to having implants is a process which will often affect women in a variety of emotional and psychological ways. It is important to have at least one person to talk to concerning any new feelings or experiences stemming from your decision to receive breast prostheses.

Breast Implants and Psychology / Fears

Fear can also factor into the psychological effects of breast implants. Many women began to associate their implants with illness during the late 1970�s and 1980�s. This is a direct nocebo effect caused by the toxicity scare which stemmed from the lowered quality and reliability of second generation silicone implants. Although many women were truly sick, the silicone implants were found to be a coincidental factor in the illnesses. It is no surprise that with the shear number of women who received implants, some would get sick, just like an equal number of women who never had implants. Regardless, public opinion, high profile litigation and the news media created an outcry against the implants which scared some women into literally becoming sick. This type of psychosomatic illness is very common in situations involving a considerable and well accepted nocebo. It is not to say that these women were not really sick, just that their symptoms were either coincidental or related to a psychogenic process, not a biological contaminant. Remember that the power of the mind over the body is extreme and accounts for the majority of chronic pain syndromes of all types and bodily locations.

The Bottom Line on Breast Implants and Psychology

The mind and body are not only connected in every way, but also mutually interactive. Factors in the mind will influence aspects of the physical body. Conditions in the physical body will also change the way the mind perceives information. Make sure that you are considering implants for all the right reasons. Do not think that new breasts will somehow improve your life if you have other psycho-emotional issues which must be sorted out. If you decide to get new breasts, enjoy them safely. Do not allow yourself to change as a person or fall into some destructive behavior patterns because of a larger bra size. Most importantly, be confident with your decision and do not allow rumor or public speculation to ruin the experience for you. In order to insure a healthy psychological experience during your new life with larger breasts, consider the following rules:

* Plan carefully and be confident in your doctor and procedure.

* Make sure you really want the implants FOR YOU.

* Understand the pros and cons of your decision in advance.

* Enjoy your breasts and do not let others lessen your pleasure.

Above all else, love yourself for who you really are�breast implants or not.

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Breast Implants and Psychology to Breast Enlargement & Breast Reduction
12/14/07 Revised 2/19/08