EXTRA LARGE BREAST IMPLANTS OVER 800CC

 

After my own breast augmentation procedures, I understand the importance of achieving your desired breast size following breast augmentation. This is why I believe patient autonomy should be based on a patient’s capacity to understand the risks and complications associated with a cosmetic surgery procedure.

As with all practicing medical professionals, plastic surgeons are bound to the principle of non-maleficence, to perform no harm. Consequently, plastic surgeons are confronted with novel and complex ethical decisions when performing plastic and cosmetic surgery. There is no simple solution to many of the dilemmas attributed to this medical field.

Numerous plastic surgeons will not perform breast augmentation with extra large breast implants over 800cc. On the other hand, there are specialist, accredited plastic surgeons who will use much larger custom-made silicone breast implants. The majority of plastic surgeons that perform extra large breast augmentation will overfill saline breast implants or tissue expanders to between approximately 1500cc to 3000cc.

A person’s inalienable right to their body is why, in my opinion, considerable weight needs to be assigned to the patient’s choice of breast implant size. The ethical dilemma around patient informed consent and resource rationing, does not have a general solution. However, there are measures that can be taken to support the patient’s control and decision-making ability.

 

Patient Autonomy and Plastic Surgery

It is my view that patients who have been provided with all of the risks and complications, following a careful analysis of the potential risks and advantages by a plastic surgeon, should be able to make their own decisions. All individuals have the right to personal identity and research indicates that this is more important than the views of their appearance from other people.

I propose that this right to personal identity includes choosing to have extra-large breast implants in the pursuit of professional success or because you are rejecting social and cultural ideals. Nevertheless, I also advocate that plastic surgeons should retain the right to refuse to perform any cosmetic surgery procedure they deem to be high risk or harmful.

 

Finding a Plastic Surgeon for Large Breast Augmentation

There is no question that in comparison to breast augmentation with breast implants 800cc and below, extra large breast augmentation carries additional risks and associated complications. One way to increase the probability of a safe procedure with an optimal outcome is to find a plastic surgeon that performs cosmetic surgery.

Unfortunately, there are also many cosmetic surgeons of dubious integrity who will put profit before patient safety and are willing to carry out procedures they do not have the experience or competency to perform. Additionally, it is relatively easy to set up a cosmetic surgery clinic or company that is profit-focused, not patient-focused.

One way to know that your surgeon is a specialist, accredited plastic surgeon, is to check they are a member of one of the below, recognized plastic surgery associations:

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons – BAAPS

British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons – BAPRAS

American Association of Plastic Surgeons – AAPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons – ASPS

The American Association of Plastic Surgeons – AAPS