Breast Implants on the Rise, Despite Risks

I'll be honest: I don't approve of cosmetic surgery. I think it's incredibly important to love and accept our bodies for what they are, and to extend that acceptance to everyone's body. To my mind, surgically altering your body solely for cosmetic reasons is neither loving nor accepting.

Unfortunately,

Teen breast implants have become an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery within the last few years. According to statistics, the number of women under the age of 18 who underwent teen breast implants surgery more than tripled between 1992 and 2002. In 2002 alone 3,095 girls underwent a teen breast implants procedure, compared to 3,841 girls in 2003 who received teen breast implants. This is 24 percent increase in the number of girls who seek teen breast implants. --Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource

For the record, the FDA has age limits on both saline (minimum of 18 years of age) and silicone (minimum of 22 years of age) implants.

Given the above, I was very interested when I read one woman's reasons for wanting her implants out and how her implants actually made her sick.

For more information on implants, including the risks and side effects, Breast Implant Info has several factsheets and Our Bodies, Ourselves has a wonderful collection of links.

For more information about how to love your body check out these articles:
Life Lessons from the Third Stall on the Left
I hate my body, so I don't want my boyfriend to see it.
I Love My Breasts, Yes I Do, I Love My Breasts, How About You?