Oops, someone’s done it again. In recent years, the number of Britney Spears fans has shriveled, but the controversy surrounding her chest remains. While Spears continues to maintain that her assets are real, there are a rising number of college women who don’t.
In 2001, American women spent $668.9 million on breast augmentation, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Women between the ages of 19 and 34 accounted for 56 percent of the money spent.
The number of women in this same age group who sought breast augmentation increased from about 19,500 in 1992 to more than 108,000 in 2000. Despite a decade of silicone scares and other controversies, breast enhancements are becoming more popular, especially among college-aged women.
SMU women are no exception, spending an average of $3,043 per rack.
SMU senior “Kate,” who wishes to remain unidentified, went under the knife at age 19 to have her then B-cup left breast and A-cup right breast altered to a proportionate C-cup.
“I had always been very self-conscious about my breasts,” Kate said. “I was constantly worrying about their shape and size and their affect on my physical appearance. It had become a point of embarrassment for me.”
Kate is very satisfied with what she called the “natural-looking” results. She said the surgery made a considerable difference in her self-esteem. She even noticed that she takes better care of her body now. Her only regret is that she “perhaps would have gotten them a little smaller.”
SMU junior Lauren Jordan has heard of many parents giving their children cosmetic surgery for special events like birthdays and graduation, herself included.
“My mom asked me if I wanted breast implants before I went to college,” Jordan said. “She told me now was the time to do it, but I turned down the offer.”
A decade ago, breast implants seemed to be on the way out. The old kind – filled with silicone gel – were linked to debilitating health problems, particularly connective-tissue diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. They became the subject of class-action lawsuits, and in 1992 the Food and Drug Administration banned their cosmetic use. For a year or so, augmentations plummeted.
Many women have turned to the saline, or saltwater-filled, alternative to silicone implants. But some public health advocates and physicians remain alarmed about implants of all types – especially now, with their resurging popularity.
The most recent data presented to the FDA showed that almost one-quarter of all cosmetic saline breast implants will need to be followed by another operation within five years, and that few implants can be expected to last more than 10 years.
Studies have also found significant levels of internal infection, hardening of the tissue around the implanted device and implant leakage and deflation. Breast augmentation also can result in the loss of sensation round the nipple and the inability to breast feed.
“Jane,” a junior at SMU who wishes to remain unidentified, is considering breast augmentation, but the complications that may have arisen from her mother’s implants give her second thoughts.
Fifteen years ago, her mother, who had silicone implants, was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, her cancer has been in remission. Although Jane’s mother is unsure of the association between her implants and breast cancer, she does not support Jane’s desire for enhancement. Jane has a different view.
“Anything foreign in your body can’t be good, but if my doctor thinks saline implants are safe then I will definitely consider it,” Jane said.
Jane said she just wants to feel that her chest complements her slim figure. Larger breasts would make her feel more feminine and comfortable with her body.
“Boys do play a part on my decision, but it would be for me more than anything else,” she said.
LaSandra Cooper, spokeswomen for the Society of Plastic Surgeons, says that patients seek relief for emotional stress regarding their looks.
“Potential patients, regardless of age, may hope to gain self-esteem and confidence by altering physical characteristics, which they see as imperfect,” she said.
Many women believe plastic surgery is a quick fix for their physical, and in many cases their emotional problems.
But many experts say this is simply not the case.
Brainevent.com, an online magazine for teenagers, states, “Looks don’t directly translate into feelings. Plastic surgery may be a quick fix, but it doesn’t prepare people for the things that can’t be so easily snipped and tucked in the real world.”
One SMU junior who went from a 32A to 32D with the help of saline implants said “bigger is better as long as they’re classy-looking.” She went under the knife at the age of 17 to “fit better in my clothes.”
When asked about the stigmas and unsolicited attention that come with breast enhancement, she responded, “Men are pigs and girls are jealous!”
Experts say women should not base their self-worth on their chest size. Despite this, thousands of college women are opting for saline implants over the miracle bra. In an era where image is everything, many see plastic surgery as the path of least resistance. The popular attitude seems to be: If you’re not born with it change it.
“Let’s face it,” Jane said, “guys like boobs.”
