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Breast Implants and the Economy
By Dr. R. Jarial | July 7, 2009
With the economy in the current state, people from all walks of life are watching their expenditures and holding off on big ticket items to some degree. Cosmetic surgery is no exception.
Breast augmentation has also been affected. There have been some articles in the press with a focus on how teens were pursuing implant surgery at increased rate compared to a number of years ago. In fact, as the economy slowed last year, so did the number of teenagers’ and adults’ breast implant operations.
Statistics collected by national organizations of cosmetic doctors show a long-term increase in the numbers of girls getting implants, ending with a short-term drop last year.
Nationwide, 18- and 19-year-old had about 9,000 breast enhancements last year, according to a survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That’s down 14 percent from the previous year, but up 388 percent from 1998.
A survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found similar trends. Their report said girls 18 and younger had about 4,100 breast enhancements last year, which was down 48 percent from 2007 and up 343 percent from 1998.
Plastic surgeons say they scrutinize the motivations of teenagers who seek breast implants.
Implants often need to be replaced after about 10 years, so a girl who gets them as a teenager could be setting herself up for a series of follow-up operations, plus other complications. As the non-profit site BreastImplantInfo.org states:
-Is it appropriate to perform cosmetic surgery on patients whose bodies are still maturing? Breast development can continue into the late teens and early twenties, so girls who think they need augmentation now might change their mind later.
-There are no epidemiological studies or clinical trials on the safety and long-term risks of breast implants and liposuction on patients younger than 18. So, the risks are unknown.
-Although the FDA approved breast implants only for women ages 18 and older, there are no legal restrictions on the procedure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has an official position against breast augmentation for most teens younger than 18, but there is no enforcement. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has no official position regarding augmentation for teenagers.
-Breast augmentation has a very high complication rate that often requires additional surgery within five to 10 years. For a girl of 18, that means she will probably need another surgery while she is in her 20s, her 30s, and every decade after that.
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