Breast Augmentation: An Historical Perspective

A breast augmentation, referred to casually as a “boob job,” can change a woman’s quality of life. Dr. Lawrence Iteld, a Chicago-based breast augmentation specialist, explains that while breast implants are a commonplace procedure these days, this wasn’t always the case. The events leading up to their development are an intriguing tale.

What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Simply put, a breast augmentation surgery is performed to add volume to the breasts, using either silicone gel implants or sterile saline-filled implants. This allows women to increase the size, as well as their breast shape. For some women, getting implants might be a way of feeling sexy in their own skin or fitting into clothes better, but it can also be used for reconstruction after a mastectomy.

During the procedure, surgeons follow a process that first involves making a small incision in an inconspicuous area: under the fold of the breast, around the nipple, or under the arm. The surgeon then creates a pocket by separating some of the breast tissue from the underlying connective tissue. The implant is then placed over, under, or partially under the pectoral muscle before the wound is closed up with dissolving sutures and surgical tape or skin adhesive.

The Origins of Breast Augmentation

· 1800s - Early 1900s

Our cultural fascination with increasing the size of the bust has existed for centuries. From as early as the 1800s, attempts were made to boost cup sizes by transplanting tissue—albeit for medical purposes rather than cosmetic ones. The first known women to attempt using silicone for breast enhancements were wartime-era Japanese prostitutes who injected industrial silicone directly into their chests, often with lethal results. People began experimenting with paraffin and a number of other foreign materials with (unsurprisingly) terrible outcomes. Implants have thankfully improved significantly since then.

· The 1950s - ’60s

After World War II, by the mid-1950s, Americans were in a celebratory mood as they began to prosper in a booming economy. The first Barbie doll made her debut, and as the Golden Age of Hollywood arrived, the bombshell glamour girls of film—like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly—came to represent the pinnacle of attractiveness. The ideal body type for women was a curvy hourglass figure with a large bust. Realizing that women were increasingly open to enlarging their breasts, in 1963 pioneering doctors created and implanted the first set of silicone devices.

· The 1970s - ’90s:

The FDA began to closely regulate the safety of implants in the United States, and experts extensively studied and evaluated silicone devices in particular. Second-generation implants went through a series of modifications and design changes, becoming more flexible with thinner shells. In the ’90s, the safety of silicone implants was momentarily called into question, and they were temporarily banned for cosmetic use unless used under the guidance of a study protocol.

· 2000s - Present

In November 2006, after many studies and clinical trials confirmed that silicone implants did NOT present a health risk, the FDA authorized the use of silicone gel implants, and they remain women’s preferred choice of implant. More recent studies have explored the apparent link between certain textured implants and a specific, very rare form of cancer. Ongoing studies have confirmed the safety of silicone breast implants, especially smooth walled devices.

The Future of Breast Augmentation

Technology revolutionized the way breast augmentation has been performed in the last few decades, making the procedure safer and more easily accessible than ever before. With the advent of new, game-changing innovations like the fifth generation highly cohesive (gummy bear) implants and second generation structured saline implants (the Ideal implant), patients have a more diverse range of devices to choose from than ever before. Add to that the development of the Keller Funnel, which allows for a no-touch technique that shortens the surgical procedure while lowering the risk of potential complications, such as formation of tight scar tissue around the implants.

Considering 313,735 breast augmentation surgeries performed in 2018, statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that breast augmentations increased in the United States by at least 48 percent since the start of the new millennium. Breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure and ongoing development and innovation continues to improve outcomes and patient options.

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Dr. Lawrence Iteld at Iteld Plastic Surgery can answer further questions and address concerns about breast augmentation. Send a message or call 312.757.4505.