Pros & Cons of the Instant Saline Breast Augmentation
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1by Cosmetics Expert Mike Dune
A recent story from The New York Times is making quite a splash in the health and beauty industry right now, especially among the thousands of U.S. women out there who are curious what it might be like to give their busts a little boost. The article details a procedure in which women get injections of saline, a harmless saltwater solution, directly into their breasts, which causes them to swell as though they’ve had breast augmentation. In 24 hours, the body absorbs the saline, and just like Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, the breasts go back to their original form.
Although this treatment seems a little fantastic, it’s no fairy tale. So is it worth considering? If you’re among the many women thinking about enhancing your breasts, take a look at these pros and cons.
Pros
The main benefit of saline breast injections is obvious: You get bigger breasts for a day. About 300,000 women in the U.S. get long-lasting silicone- or saline-filled breast implants (click here for a comparison of these options) each year, so it’s clear that the desire for enlargement is a common one. The new injection approach is a simple means to that end. The Manhattan plastic surgeon popularizing the injections, according to The Times article, has been doing them for 5 years, with a surge in requests in the past year. Patients seem to appreciate how simple the process is compared with breast augmentation surgery, which requires enduring some discomfort and weeks of recuperation.
The temporary nature of the injections is actually a benefit for some, allowing them to enjoy the boosted effects for special occasions without committing to decades of monitoring breast implants. The subject of The Times story, Amanda Sanders, got the injections before a romantic weekend away, and another woman interviewed for a Good Morning America segment got them before a 5-year anniversary date with her boyfriend.
The injections can also be used to help those who are considering long-term breast implants decide whether to pull the trigger. Some surgeons perform the injections as part of the consultation process for augmentation, allowing a patient who is on the fence to basically try out how it feels to have bigger breasts.
Cons
One of the major drawbacks of saline breast injections is the cost, considering how short-lived the results are. Sanders paid about $3,500 for her injections, and the woman from the Good Morning America segment paid $2,500. The cost of breast augmentation with implants is between $6,000 and $7,000, according to the website of a group of breast augmentation specialists near Syracuse. So, if you got the injections twice, as Sanders did, you could have also afforded implants lasting 10 to 15 years. Plus, for a fraction of the cost, you could invest in a great push-up bra that might have similar effects, at least when you’re clothed, depending on how much natural tissue you already have.
Another disadvantage of the saline injections is the potential for stretching out the breast skin if a person gets them too many times. President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Dr. Michael Edwards told The Times, “You’re altering the architecture of the breast. I would be concerned that you would be taking away some intrinsic support in the breast.” Many women may rather avoid that cosmetic risk, but there don’t seem to be any health risks, doctors say, considering that saline is used every day around the world for numerous medical reasons.
Now that you’re armed with all the pros and cons, consider whether saline breast injections sound like they might be right for you. Your next step is meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with several breast enhancement options. He or she will be able to guide you on an enhancement path that meets all your goals.
Your Opinion?
Mike Dune
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