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sheila I health position than the other or a capsule of scar tissue forming around the implant. B comforting news for women who have plans to have more children. And where breast implants used to have a shelf life, Ms Brady says the quality of implants used at Assure were guaranteed by the manufacturer for life. ut she says breast implants do not interfere with breast feeding, which is often can DRAMATICALLY improve a woman's BREAST reduction quality OF LIFE "With a breast reduction, though uncommon, side effects can include reduced sensitivity of the nipples, which improves with time. Prior to surgery, most women have one breast smaller than the other and it is possible that this slight size difference may remain after reduction surgery." S he says overly large or sagging breasts can be very debilitating. Many women suffer from discomfort during exercise or other physical activity and can have constant pain in the lower neck, shoulders or back, or the breasts themselves. A breast reduction can help address these problems and dramatically improve a woman's quality of life and self-esteem. It is as much a functional operation as it is an aesthetic one. It can improve a woman's posture and enable her to exercise again, as well as improving overall appearance. Following breast surgery, most women are so happy to have a 92 SHEILA MAY 2012 "It's fair to say the impact of breast surgery on a person's mental wellbeing is positive. If you have been bothered by the size, shape or perhaps the asymmetry of your breasts for some time, the effect of the surgery is essentially to take a load off your mind and alleviate your concerns," she says. "The confidence that comes from feeling comfortable with your physical appearance and how you wear clothing – and in the case of a breast reduction, the ability to exercise and to overcome problems associated with large breasts – is a very positive shift." "That being said, we are careful to remind our patients that surgery of any kind is not a solution to a psychological or emotional problem." A nd some of the best feedback of all relates to improved self esteem. problem that has been affecting their self esteem finally dealt with. "After surgery, the most common comment we hear is, 'why didn't I have this done sooner?'. Women generally put a lot of time and research into their surgery, and read or hear about a lot of personal reports. A lot of women know a friend or a friend of a friend who had a bad experience, so naturally, they can be quite concerned going into surgery. Commonly, we hear how the pain and discomfort of the actual procedure is not as bad as they were expecting," she says. THE PATH TO BREAST SURGERY top tips l Having surgery is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It involves a lot of research and at least two consultations with your surgeon prior to surgery, plus time for in-depth thought about whether to proceed. "The process cannot be short-circuited over the internet, with photography and email as a substitute for face-to- face appointments with a qualified surgeon." l If you are thinking about surgery, the first step would be to book a consultation with a medical expert. You can visit Assure Breast Centre's specialty cosmetic breast nurse Jill Brady for an initial consultation, free of charge. You will be given clear and accurate information to assist with your decision making process. If you decide to go ahead, an initial appointment with your plastic surgeon would then be scheduled. l Surgical costs vary depending on each individual patient's requirements, the type of procedure, implant selection etc. S