Teenagers and Breast Implants

Many teenagers worry about the size of their breasts. Some worry that they are too small and others worry that they are too big. This subjective view of themselves is intimately connected with their sense of self-esteem and confidence, particularly when it comes to relationships.

A teenage perspective
Teenagers have a different perspective to adults on body image. As with adults, requests for breast implants from teenagers are rising. However, a request from an adolescent for breast surgery requires a great deal of discussion and exploration. What does this request say about the young person's self image? Is the request being made without pressure from another? Is the young woman requesting it for fear she would lose her boyfriend?

Teenagers and the responsibility of doctor and cosmetic surgeons
If a teenager attends a doctor requesting cosmetic breast surgery, then the doctor has a special responsibility to ensure that the request is dealt with in a sensitive manner.

There are also important issues regarding the readiness of the surgeon to perform the procedure. Is the surgeon primarily motivated to make money? Concerns have been expressed regarding commercially driven cosmetic surgery services as a form of exploitation of the vulnerable. A request for breast surgery from an adolescent is a loaded question with the most intense emotional overlay. A surgeon who responds to the request at face value is letting his patient down.

Looking deeper into the teenager’s request for breast implants
A request for breast surgery could be met with a wide variety of therapeutic outcomes:

• Maybe the teenager needs to terminate a relationship with a pushy boyfriend
• Perhaps she would benefit from a course on self-assertiveness
• Perhaps counselling would be beneficial

 

Also, some may be considerably helped by being measured and fitted with a proper bra. That said, a minority might actually have their life transformed for the better by undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Tell me more about breast implants
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to cosmetically enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts using implants. The insertion of prosthesis (breast implants) gives breasts a fuller and larger appearance.

This procedure is for women who wish to improve their breast size and shape because of:

• A wish to correct uneven breasts (asymmetry)
• Desire to regain or improve breast shape and size following significant weight loss or childbirth
• Dissatisfaction with their original breast size
• Correction of a congenital deformity of one or both breasts

 

Whether you are a good candidate for breast augmentation is a question that can only be answered after a full consultation with your plastic or reconstructive surgeon. Determining factors are your age and health.

I am a teenager, can I have breast implants?
In general, the best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are:

• Not currently pregnant or nursing
• In good physical health
• Psychologically stable
• Wanting to improve their appearance
• Realistic in their expectations

 

With regard to age – ideally, you should be 18 or older. However, in some cases exceptions may be made for girls who are 16 or 17. The main rule is to wait for at least three years after the beginning of menstruation.

What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?
Like all surgical procedures, with breast augmentation surgery there is always a possibility of complications. Although these complications are extremely rare, they can include:

• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
• Excessive bleeding
• Loss of nipple sensation
• Unsatisfactory results
• Implant rupture or shifting
• Haematoma
• Asymmetry
• Capsular contracture (internal scar tissue)
• Visible implant rippling
• The need for second or sometimes third procedures.

 

Tell me more about risks and complications
Although risks and complications are more likely in patients with a compromised immune system, bleeding disorders or conditions that interfere with wound healing, the patient should be aware of them. The risks that are common to all type of surgeries are listed below:

Infection - If this occurs, the implant might need to be removed temporarily (for about six weeks). In this case the patient can experience pain or redness following the surgery, and if this is the case the surgeon should be notified immediately. However, sometimes prior to and after the operation, the patient is given antibiotics in order to prevent this complication.

Bleeding and Haematoma Formation - Some patients can lose blood after a breast augmentation and the drains may not drain all of the blood. The blood can accumulate in the pocket created for the implant. As a consequence, the breast may swell and become increasingly painful.

If this occurs the patient has to undergo another operation in order to have the haematoma removed and the bleeding stopped.

Capsular Contracture - This is a result of tightening of the scar tissue surrounding the breast implant. Even if its occurrence is not predictable, incidents of symptomatic capsular contracture can increase over time. If this becomes painful or causes a mis-shape in appearance of the breast, additional surgery to release the scar may be needed. The surgeon may suggest taking certain anti-inflammatory medicines that can soften the tightness. Massage and movement of the implants, along with the use of compression straps, may also help in these cases.

Altered Nipple Sensation - Some patients may experience loss of nipple sensitivity. On the other hand, a small minority of patients may develop nipple hypersensitivity.

Firmness and Discomfort - These problems usually result from asymmetrical or excessive contracture of the scar or capsule which forms around the implant itself. The scar capsule forms as a normal response to the implantation of foreign material. The shape of the breast can be distorted by excessive contracture.

The breast firmness can also be caused by calcium deposits that may form in the scar tissue. They are usually detected by mammography and may need to be evacuated surgically.

Asymmetry - Since all paired organs are generally uneven, it is likely to stay that way after the surgery as well. If the unevenness is noticeable enough and annoying for the patient, a new operation is possible.

Is there a link between breast augmentation and breast cancer?
Over the last few decades, there has been a lot of media attention on the risks of implants themselves: however, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that breast implants contribute to breast cancer.

Is there a link between breast augmentation and immune system disorders?
After breast augmentation, some women have reported having symptoms such as:

• Joint pain swelling
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Breast pain

However, no scientific evidence exists to prove immune system disorders are directly related to breast augmentation.

Think it through
In short, when a request from a teenager for breast implants is made, the fullest possible exploration of issues surrounding the request must be undertaken. It is also a good idea to have a cooling-off period prior to surgery in order for the teenager to have time to think again about their decision.

Find out more
If you would like to find out more about breast implants (or arrange a consultation), contact us today on 08707 606 555, or by completing our
online enquiry form for an immediate response.