Freedom of Choice: Breast Implants

Freedom of Choice: Breast Implants

Women have the right to buy products that will make them look better or feel better about themselves. The decision to have breast implants should be part of this undeniable right to choose. The corporations that manufacture breast implants, the plastic surgeons who use them and the women who want them are all focused on that right. They are angry there have been restrictions on certain types of implants for the past 14 years. Furthermore, they question the motives of government officials, women’s organizations, and health advocates that question their freedom of choice.

In addition to being a controversy of public opinion, the issue of cosmetic breast surgery has made its way into the legal forum. An emotionally charged debate concerning the safety of breast implant surgery is taking place within the United States Food and Drug Administration, state legislatures and in the courts (Blakeslee, 1989).

Breast augmentation is one of the most sought after plastic surgery procedures. Women of all ages, sizes and

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social backgrounds choose to have breast augmentation. For some women the choice is a matter of looking better. For others breast implants may be a way to help recovery after breast cancer. Regardless of for what reason a women makes this choice; it is still surgery. Surgery should always be taken seriously and before undergoing this or any other surgical procedure one should be fully informed about the operation.

According to the Columbia Encyclopedia (2004) a breast implant is:

[A]saline or silicone filled prosthesis used after mastectomy as a part of the breast reconstruction process or used cosmetically to augment small breasts. An implant consists of a fluid-filled, malleable pouch that is designed to mimic to the look and feel of natural breast tissue when inserted into a pocket created under the skin in a procedure called a mammoplasty. (“Breast Implant”, 2004).

Breast augmentation is a very personal decision that a woman should make only after she has become aware of the possible risks and rewards. However, regardless of the potential negative effects of this surgery women should not be denied the right to make this choice.

On the positive side, breast augmentation can be very beneficial to a woman psychologically (Blakeslee, 1989). Breast implants enlarge the breasts, creating what many

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people in today’s society consider a more voluptuous and appealing appearance. For women who feel they have small breasts this procedure can lead to a healthier self-image.

For mastectomy patients, breast implants can be used to create a new breast to replace the one which was surgically removed. For women who have endured the trauma of breast cancer, breast augmentation can be a positive experience on the road to recovery (Blakeslee, 1989).

In her 1989 New York Times Article, journalist Sandra Blakeslee quoted psychiatrist Dr. Marcia Goin. Goin stated that “The benefits of breast implant surgery are primarily psychological. Many women are intensely self-conscious about being flat-chested. Other women are devastated by a mastectomy. A breast implant makes them feel whole,” (Blakeslee, 1989).

While there are health risks associated with breast implants, the operation is no more dangerous than most surgeries. Surgeons who perform breast augmentation say the procedure is safe and effective. In addition, they note that the majority of the two million American women who have had breast implants are pleased with their results. Moreover, doctors state that although there are potential

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complications,