My friend Susan and I are about as different as two BFFs can be. She is a plain Jane who is comfortable in her body, doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, and only purchased a few sleek, sexy blouses once — because I dragged her to the store for her birthday and told her it was on me. While I married, had three kids, and made it a must to voyage overseas at least twice a year, she’s never been married. She wears traditional plain outfits, while I live for the bling. Oh, and Susan could burst out of a DD bra, while I barely fill out a B-cup. And Susan and I have a mutual friend, Jennifer, who swears that she couldn’t tell what breast size I am for the life of her.
Does Breast Size Matter?
Most people believe that breast size matters differently to each person. While one woman may not care what breast size she has, another woman may care a lot. But the medical community has a different perspective. Recently, the medical community has come out with scientific evidence that shows breast size plays a huge role in your mental and physical well-being.
Breast size has a tremendous impact on a woman’s self-esteem. Almost every woman has had time in her life where she got out of bed, looked in the mirror, and was dissatisfied with what she saw. Either her breasts were too small, too average, too big, or uneven. Either way, if you’re unsatisfied with your breast size, then it’s going to reflect on your self-image and lower your self-esteem.
Being dissatisfied with the breast size can also affect a woman’s mental health. According to a recent study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, asymmetrical (uneven) or macromastia (abnormally large) breasts can lead to mental health problems, from lower self-esteem to eating disorders. So yes, breast size does matter.
Facts To Know About Your Breasts
A woman’s left breast is never the same as her right breast. Both breasts often vary in size and shape. It’s common for young women to have different-sized breasts or nipples, especially as they develop during puberty. This condition is known as breast asymmetry and affects more than half of all women. Dr. Brian I. Labow, lead author of the study and ASPS Member Surgeon of Boston Children’s Hospital, believes breast asymmetry is more than just a “cosmetic issue” and that it can have adverse psychological and emotional effects on women.
In one study that was performed by Dr. Brian I. Labow, it was concluded that there was an adverse impact on women with asymmetrical breasts, extra-large breasts, and those with a relatively mild difference in breast size. It was discovered that many young women who had different size breasts suffered from mental and physical health issues compared with those with “normal” breasts. They also suffered from lower self-esteem. Asymmetrical breasts were also linked with borderline issues in social functioning, eating behaviors, and attitudes.
“According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ latest statistics, there has been a 70% increase in breast lifts and a 37% growth in breast augmentation since 2000. Interventions and surgery could make the difference between poorer self-image and confidence for women with breast asymmetry,” says Dr. Diane Gibby.
Facts To Know Before Breast Augmentation
“Crossing the right breast size” is the number one concern of women getting augmentations. All women come from all different walks of life and carry their own individual needs. Whether women are undergoing cosmetic breast surgery (augmentation, lift, or reduction) or reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, their goals are similar: they want to look feminine, natural, and proportional. They want their clothes to fit better.
There is no substitute for accurate measurements. Your surgeon must determine how broad your chest is, the base width of your breasts, and the distance between your breasts.
Another important factor is skin laxity or looseness. You must have enough tissue to cover the breast implant. It is also important to make sure your breasts are even (symmetrical).
Talk to your surgeon about your preferences regarding breast size. Bring in pictures of breasts that you find appealing. Tell your surgeon what you like about these breasts and be as specific as possible. This discussion will help your surgeon get an accurate idea of what you want out of your breast enhancement surgery, and more importantly, whether it is feasible.
