The Average Breast Size: A Guide to Whether You Truly Need Breast Augmentation Procedures
Read the 2017 National Plastic Surgery Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons – this survey proves that breast augmentation procedures are by far the most popular among all cosmetic procedures done in the United States. In 2017 alone, a total of 300,378 breast augmentation procedures were done out of the 1.8 million total cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the country.
What do these numbers say? Women want change in their breast size and appearance. While some may find it necessary due to breast health concerns, for a lot of them, it is safe to say that it’s more of a choice just because they want to and they have the right to do so.
History of Breast Augmentation
There was a time when breast lifts and implants are procedures popular only to celebrities and socialites. Truth be told, even today, breast augmentation can cost a whole lot of money especially when done by a reputable cosmetic surgeon. And of course, you wouldn’t want just anyone to do the job for you simply because it’s invasive and still quite risky.
However, through the years, breast augmentation became more popular because some cosmetic surgeons already offer the service with not-so-expensive price tags. Furthermore, because there are so many procedures done practically on a daily basis, there are many surgeons who are already considered experts in it. Hence, they already have a competition among themselves and to have an edge among others, they have to either be competitive when it comes to their rates or they have to have such a good reputation.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is also known as breast aug or simply boob job. This process aims to increase the breast size in by transferring fat from other parts of the body or by using breast implants.
Breast implants use silicone gel or saline, or a combination of both. Fats used for breast augmentation come from other parts of the body such as the buttocks, thighs or belly via liposuction and transfers that to the breasts.
Implants are usually recommended to those who want extreme changes. For instance, if you are a cup A and you want to increase to cup D in just one procedure, you have to go get implants.
On the other hand, if you want more natural results and just a small increase in breast size, the fat transfer procedure would be more ideal for you.
While some women are satisfied with just one breast augmentation procedure, others go through multiple sessions. When one wants even larger breasts after the first procedure, she can go back to her surgeon for another.
Others go through more than one procedure because the first procedure resulted to larger breasts than what they expected or wanted. Large breasts have weight, too. When your breasts are too heavy, it can be uncomfortable and may sometimes even have health risks. It can result to back pains, among others. For those who want to decrease their breast size, they can do that too.
How Popular is Breast Augmentation?
Just when we all thought that liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure of all time, breast augmentation actually takes the top spot.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, among the 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States in 2017, 300,378 of those are breast augmentation procedures. That’s a 3% jump from the previous year’s number. Liposuction only follows on second place with barely 246,000 procedures done.
However, it is also interesting to know that there are plenty of Americans who go through breast reduction procedures. While there are many who want larger breasts, there are some who want smaller breasts or are probably requesting to decrease the size of their previous breast augmentation procedure.
While there’s no specific number provided regarding breast reduction, it has been said that there were a total of 5.8 million reconstructive procedures done. Breast reduction procedures went up 11% in 2017 compared to data from 2016.
Why Women Want to Undergo Breast Augmentation Procedures
It can be expensive and it can also be risky at times. Going to a plastic surgeon to have breast augmentation procedures done is not an easy decision to make.
It takes time, a whole lot of money, and an extensive thinking process of whether one wants to push through with something as major as this or not.
However, a lot of women still want to go under the knife so they can make changes to their breast size and/or appearance. Others want larger breasts while some others would like to decrease the size of their breasts. There are also some who just want to have perkier or firmer breasts.
Whatever the reason is, it is safe to assume that there are plenty of women out there who are simply unsatisfied of the way their breasts look or measure.
Measure Your Breast Size: Is It Below Average?
So what is the average breast size? An article from the Medical Daily says that a 2013 survey that involved women in America came out with 34DD. That’s quite large especially since the average size 20 years earlier was only 34B.
The same source says that the increased average breast size can include inflated cup sizes, breast augmentation procedures and the rising obesity rate.
You must take note, however, that breast sizes differ greatly. It is said that American and European women have the largest breasts in the world. Women from East Asia are said to have the smallest. If you are not from the United States, it is best to check the average size details specific to your location so you can compare with your actual breast size.
Your breast size is usually your bra size. You can also take a tape measure and measure around the band area, which is just right under your breasts, and the breast area which is right above your nipple. These steps can help you get the actual number.
Do You Really Need to Make Changes?
Of course, you want to stand out and be unique. It is quite understandable when women won’t settle to being just around the average. When it comes to breasts, there are many who would want larger sizes simply because they feel like it’s more attractive or it would help them fit into the clothes they like better.
However, do you really need to make changes with your breast size through surgery? There are plenty of other ways to do it without going under the knife.
You can check out exercises that can help in increasing breast size or make your breasts firmer and perkier. You can also research about breast enlargement supplements, vitamins and other creams that are known to help increase breast size.
Before you make that final decision, think about it a thousand times. It is a major choice to make and you better make it a good one.
