To Improve Her Health, Fitness And Appearance million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States, an increase of 446 percent in the last decade. What’s more, breast augmentation surgery surpassed liposuction as the No. 1 surgical cosmetic procedure for women in 2006, with more than 380,000 procedures performed. (NAPSA)—Joanne Eddinger accomplished a major personal victory when she gradually lost more than 100 pounds. Eddinger, a nonprofit executive in College Grove, Tenn., knew the weight loss would leave her with excess skin; however, she did not antici- pate the impact it would have on other areas of her body, like her breasts. Eddinger’s new outlook on life inspired her to further improve her appearance—restoring her breast shape through breast augmentation surgery and a breastlift. Eddinger’s story may be more common than we think. New research from the not-for-profit National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) shows that life-changing events, such as childbirth, weight loss or divorce, often change a woman’s mindset, inspiring a renewed focus on herself. This new outlook motivates many women to improve their health, fitness and, for 42 percent of women, physical appearance. Of those women motivated to improve their appearance, nearly half (45 percent) said they would consider plastic surgery to do so. These are a few findings of the Life Makeover Secrets of the Mod- ern Womansurvey, a national sur- vey of women ages18 to 64. “My breasts are important to me as a womanandto mysense of femininity. For my life makeover, I regained control of my life and health by losing over 100 pounds. While I am proud of my accomplishment, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on the shape of my breasts. It was frustrating to work so hard to achieve the healthy body I had always wanted only to lose my feminine curves,” says Eddinger. “I chose breast augmentation and lift to restore the breast shape and volume that I had lost along with the weight. It was the right decision for me, and I feel more healthy and vibrant than everbefore.” According to the survey, more than 90 percent of women cited “The NWHRC survey results echo what I hear from patients in my practice. My typical breast aesthetic patient looks just like the desire to reshape their breasts following a major physical change like weight loss or childbirth as the primary reason they may consider breast aesthetic surgery. “The survey shows that women focus on themselves after lifechanging events, which often leads to an increased consideration for medical aesthetic procedures to improve appearance,” says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive vice president of the NWHRC. “During the past decade, we’ve seen the topic of plastic surgery—including breast aesthetics—become increasingly relevant for women. Therefore, it’s critical that we provide women the information and tools needed to make informed decisions.” The NWHRC survey specifically challenges stigmas and stereotypes associated with breast aesthetic surgery and the women who choose surgery. In your sister, your neighbor or the school librarian. She’s well-edu- cated, savvy and she has turned her attention back onto herself after years of taking care of every- one else,” says Caroline Glicksman, M.D., a plastic surgeon in private practice in New Jersey. “The women who come into my practice to inquire about breast aesthetic surgery are generally looking to restore or enhancetheir breast shape, often after breastfeeding or surviving breast cancer, or to obtain a more proportionate body. Their decision is driven from within, as they are motivated to make a change for themselves rather than to please anyone else.” Whenconsidering breast aes- thetic surgery, women should confident (60 percent) and feminine (61 percent). Women’s changing views may stem from seek advice from a plastic surgeon to define realistic surgical goals and a plan for long-term breast health. For more information about breast aesthetics or to find a board-certified surgeon near you, please visit www. healthywoman.org/breastsurgery or www.NATRELLE.com. The Life Makeover Secrets of the Modern Woman national consumer survey and campaign are part of an NWHRCeducational initiative, sponsored by Allergan, cent of women reported knowing someone who has had breast aug- Collection of breast implants. For detailed information about fact, more than half of women surveyed (53 percent) are more accepting of breast augmentation surgery than they used to be and described women who undergo breast augmentation surgery as personal experience, as 50 permentation surgery. Recent data from The Ameri- can Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) support the survey findings. In 2006, nearly 11.5 Inc., maker of the NATRELLE™ the safety of silicone and silicone gel-filled breast implants, read the complete patient information at www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastim plants/labeling.html.
