Breast Implants: Saline vs. Silicone and More on Augmentation Surgery

They're getting bigger. Trends in cosmetic surgery, that is.

Susie*, 34, moved to Orange County, California last year and along with her change of address came a change in bra size. The number of women getting breast enlargements and lifts has sextupled in the past decade. Susie, also a mother of four, is one of over 250,000 women who had breast enlargement surgery last year.

The preferred bra size is anywhere between boulders and mosquito bites. Yes, this means that "the perfect breast size" is a myth; it's all a matter of personal preference. Many people are content with their breast size- A, B, C or D- and so are those attracted to them. But for many others who think their breasts are less than perfect, self esteem suffers. The latter group includes NEPA native Susie.

"I had four children. (My breasts) would blow up and down each time, and I nursed three out of four of the kids. I was a full B before I had kids, and I went to a negative A. I was shopping for training bras," said Susie. " I was 33 and done having kids. I wanted to feel like a woman again."

Di, 37, a mother of three (five if you count the twins, as she calls them) from Wilkes-Barre had breast implants for the same reason nine years ago while she was living in Italy. But, Di's story is a little different. She is on her second set.

"I decided to get them after my third child. You can fix your body; you can lose weight, tone- but you can't make your breasts beautiful again. The first thing that goes (when you have a baby) is your upper body," said Di. After almost ten years, the normal shelf life, one began to leak. She immediately made an appointment with Dr. Levandoski in Forty Fort for replacements- a size up. "They are more noticeable the second time around!"

Whether it is medically necessary or for aesthetic reasons, more women than ever are turning to breast augmentation and/or breast lifts, even moms like Susie and Di. And studies report that most women are happy with the results.

A Brief Overview