Breast Augmentation History

Across civilizations and centuries, breasts have been viewed as symbols of feminine beauty, health and sexuality. It's not surprising, then, that women who consider themselves under-endowed have always sought ways to enhance their breast appearance.

Stuff and Stuffing

The breast enhancement method most women have turned to throughout the ages is illusion. A 2005 article in Slate, the popular Web-based chronicle of news and culture, detailed some of the patents handed out during the 1800's for the ingenious "falsies" of the day. Considering some of the famous inventors hard at work during the nineteenth century – Goodyear, Singer, and others – you can probably imagine the materials these accessories contained: wire, inflatable rubber and sheet metal, for starters. Ouch.

The popularity of this least-invasive form of breast enhancement continues today. For women who want to look a little better in their clothes, whether the need is prosthetic or cosmetic, there are scores of places to buy silicone breast enhancers. For youngsters dreaming of the day their figure fills out, the traditional approach of bras stuffed with socks or toilet paper seems to suffice.

Many fanciful contraptions have been tried in the last century or two to coax breast tissue to grow by pulling and tugging on the breast. Before you assume these gadgets have gone the way of the jiggling belt exercisers of yesteryear, be assured you can still buy devices that promise to increase the size of your breasts today. One offering on the market will set you back as much as $2,500, and, like the creams, pills and other "remedies" you may see on the Internet – or even in your email "in box" with the rest of the spam you receive – it offers mixed results at best.

Bumps and Grinds

The history of surgical breast augmentation can be traced back over 100 years. Some of the earliest known attempts to enlarge the breasts from within used paraffin injections. Best case results were larger breasts that were hard and lumpy, worst case results included serious infections. Some physicians in the early 1900's tried fat transplantation, finding to their dismay that the body absorbs the fat and leaves the patient with lumpy, uneven breasts. Other early implant materials included rubber, polymer sponges, even ivory and glass.

Some of the earliest uses of silicone for breast augmentation occurred during World War II, when Japanese prostitutes injected liquid silicone directly into their breasts to boost their size and increase their appeal to American GIs. A variety of health issues ensued, including inflammation and infection. Nevertheless, silicone shots became popular for a time around the globe thanks in part to women like Carol Doda, the famous San Francisco stripper, who turned her ordinary bustline into a size 44-DD entertainment franchise.

First You See 'Em, Then You Don't

The first silicone breast implants were developed by researchers at Dow Corning in 1961. This development touched off modern breast augmentation and was the foundation for ongoing improvement of the devices. Women in Europe and the rest of the world have had continuous access to silicone breast implants with few issues reported. In the United States, however, the story is a bit different.

Bowing to pressure – and indeed a measure of hysteria – from a variety of groups, in 1992 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration banned the use of silicone implants in this country for all but reconstruction and revision patients. In late 2006, after considerable additional study, the FDA re-approved the devices for all women over the age of 22, finding no evidence that they cause disease.

During the fourteen years that silicone implants were available only to a select few women in the U.S., saline implants became the devices of choice. Though saline implants have potential cosmetic disadvantages and are not popular outside the U.S., they are a good option for some patients.

Breast Augmentation in Los Angeles Today

Throughout four and a half decades of change, surgeons in the U.S. have been working to achieve safe, attractive outcomes for their patients. They have studied results, honed techniques and shared findings with each other. The result is that breast enlargement in Los Angeles and across the country is safer and more satisfying than ever. The surgery normally takes just one to two hours, and though there are risks and complications, as there are with any surgery, the rate of occurrence is low.

Marina Plastic Surgery Associates is a great choice for women interested in a breast augmentation in Los Angeles. Dr. Grant Stevens, Medical Director, has been a long-time silicone supporter, urging the FDA not to ban the devices in a letter to the Wall Street Journal in 1991. He and his partner, Dr. Michelle Spring, are among a few select surgeons who have been chosen to offer the very latest silicone breast enhancement implants in Los Angeles as part of a clinical study. To meet with them, you can receive a FREE consultation by requesting your appointment online and scheduling during select times they have set aside exclusively for Web visitors.