Silicone implants help to raise self-esteem and quality of life

The affirmation was made through research carried out with 40 women who had hypomastia and underwent implant surgery.

What woman does not want to have firm and well-shaped breasts in harmony with her physical type? The symbol of femininity, the breasts are psychologically very important for a woman’s well-being. However, many women feel discontented because they have small breasts. In some cases, the reason may be hypomastia (little development of breast volume) or amastia (non-development of the breast). For situations where the objective is to improve self-esteem, many doctors recommend inserting silicone implants by means of augmentation mastoplasty instead of the psychotherapeutic treatment.

The most recent study carried out in Brazil on self-esteem and quality of life in women with hypomasty who underwent augmentation surgery was carried out in 2002 by Dr. Luiz Eduardo Abla, who pointed out positive changes in both these issues. The study, which was his doctoral dissertation at the Paulista School of Medicine, counted on the participation of 40 women who attended the plastic-surgery outpatient department of the São Paulo Hospital.

The same research revealed curious data on the women in the study. At first it was expected that they would be older and suffering from some measure of unhappiness. But it turned out that most were aged between 25 and 30 and contented with their appearance, but wanted their breasts to be proportional to their body.

"Though augmentation mastoplasty is considered aesthetic or functional, the fact is that it is the most effective recourse to change the negative perception of patients in relation to their breasts. Psychotherapy can help to increase satisfaction with the body image, but only surgery is capable of bringing benefits," claims Abla, who is a Full Member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgiões Plásticos - SBCP (Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgeons).

The profile of the women who sought out the hospital was predominantly young. Of the total number of participants, 62.5% were under 30, 52.5% had a university education, 55% had an outside job, and 65% were single.

The average size of the implants used in the surgeries was 213 cm3. Although this was not part of the research, it was noted that the patients with two or more children (30%) tended to have implants with greater volumes than those without children (62.5%), but these were adequate for their physical types. None of them presented any post-surgery complications.

Augmentation mastoplasty

Plastic surgery has developed different techniques to help women realize their dreams. It is up to the plastic surgeon to decide which type of incision to make, in mutual agreement with the patient, paying all due attention to each patient’s characteristics.

According to Dr. Wanda Elisabeth, a plastic surgeon and President of the Silicone Commission of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgiões Plásticos - SBCP (Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgeons), this type of surgical intervention does not eliminate the sensibility of the breast or impede breast-feeding in the future.

"Women can lead a normal life soon afterwards, working, studying and driving. Care should be taken not to exaggerate on physical exercises," says the Dr. Wanda.