Do Surgically Improved Breasts Really Increase Self-Esteem?

Expecting to enhance appearance or quality of life, pleasing others, improvements to a relationship or employment prospects are some of the many reasons women choose to opt for breast augmentation. Often improvements to breast shape can boost confidence and self-esteem as fears of lost femininity are restored. Relatively quick, the entire procedure takes just under two hours. A major step, many women reported a boost in confidence and noted feeling sexier and more feminine post-surgery. 

Studies have shown a positive correlation between better body image, improved sexual satisfaction and increased self-worth among women who have undergone breast enlargement surgery.  Yet studies report careful screening by doctors and self-awareness are critical for women thinking about the procedure.  Breast implants are not a quick fix for women facing mental health issues. For example, women with a history of substance abuse problems or psychological problems pre-surgery are at slightly higher risk of suicide years later.

Having surgery should reflect choice on a personal rather than emotional level.  Unrealistic expectations from surgery can create additional emotional distress. Seeing the real you can be difficult for any women seeking a perfect image of what they believe they should look like. A healthy body image is an important factor in a woman’s self-esteem and many women report improvements to body image and psychological issues following the procedure. Everyone wants to look and feel their best but a healthy-self image prior to surgery is important in maintaining positive self-esteem.

For women stricken with cancer, the loss of one or both breasts can dramatically impact self-confidence.  The absence of breasts leaves many women with conflicted feelings of guilt, loss of femininity and low self-worth. For women battling chronic diseases like cancer, having breast surgery can have vast, positive mental effects and improve confidence.

Healthy Body Image
Creating a healthy body image is a difficult journey for many women and the results from breast augmentation can be an emotional rollercoaster.  Before surgery, studies report women that do undergo surgery face greater emotions of distress about their appearance and spend more time with a psychiatrist. Often when facing self-esteem issues expectations is often unrealistic leaving many women in an emotionally fragile state. A band-aid does not alleviate breast surgery since surgery cannot transform unhealthy or unnatural expectations.

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and learning to accept them is the first step towards a healthy self-esteem.  Surgery won’t change your life but it can make improvements to how you view yourself in the mirror. The impact of cosmetic breast implants can help improve confidence but realistic expectations from yourself and insights from medical professionals are necessary to tell whether implants are right for you.