In order to determine why anything works, it is necessary to define what “works” means. What is breast augmentation meant to accomplish? According to one survey, “…almost 90 percent of women surveyed agreed with the statement that “breast augmentation is a personal choice that helps women to achieve the confidence and well-being to flourish in other areas of their lives…”

It’s easy to get people to agree with an ennobling statement, but the essential point about breast augmentation is contained the survey query: this surgery is about self esteem. And self esteem, as any professional in the fields of psychology will tell you, is at the core of a life that is both productive and happy. With that in mind, here are the top 7 reasons why breast augmentation ‘works’:

1. Personal appearance is at the top of the self-esteem recipe, and breast augmentation contributes to a woman’s appearance not only for others, but more importantly as she appears to herself.

2. A survey published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2004 showed that the average respondent was a mother in her thirties, seeking to restore her figure to its pre-childbirth dimensions. These are people seeking to improve on who they are, not trying to be someone else.

There has been a stigma attached to breast augmentation, associating the procedure with professional women who need professional breasts. It is essentially an urban myth – the procedure is the third most popular cosmetic surgery choice in the country, with about 300,000 occurrences annually.

3. Breast augmentation also falls into the category of breast reconstruction. Women who have lost a breast to a mastectomy or to some sort of trauma often report a tremendous psychological shock, sense of loss and disfigurement. Restoring her former profile and self image can be a critical step in the healing process for a breast cancer victim. The options for breast reconstruction go beyond insertion of an augmentation device.

4. Breast augmentation works best when the patient who opts for it is well informed. The study cited above reported that 68% of respondents study reported that they considered the surgery for at least one year before deciding to act. There is much to learn about breast augmentation: a good place to start is the FDA’s Breast Implant Consumer Handbook.

5. It’s important to understand that, just as any surgical procedure, there may be post-op complications. One important part of the process in selecting a surgeon is finding one who will be straightforward about possible complications and their likelihood.

6. Breast augmentation with implants is best considered to be a procedure that will have to be repeated. Implants are generally replaced after ten to fifteen years. It is also possible that an implant can burst. There is no health threat associated with a burst implant, but it will require replacing. It’s important to know the surgical reality behind the aesthetic improvement.

7. Finally, select your surgeon with care. Ask your regular doctor for a recommendation, and then seek out other women who have had procedures or who have knowledge of the field. Many plastic surgeons specialize today; find one who specializes in breast augmentation and reconstruction and who has his or her own criteria for accepting patients.