CosBeauty Magazine #85

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DID YOU KNOW
Breast augmentation has increased by more than 200% since
1997, according to stats from the American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Possibly the earliest representation of breasts in art is the Venus
of Willendorf, a tiny 11.1cm limestone statuette thought to date
from 24,000-22,000 BC. She was found in 1908 by archaeologist
Josef Szombathy at a Paleolithic site near Willendorf.
Human breasts function differently to those of other primates.
In other primates, the breasts grow only when the female is
producing milk. When the non-human primate has weaned her
young, her breasts flatten back down. In humans, the breasts
develop during a female’s adolescence, usually well before
pregnancy, and stay enlarged throughout her life.
Legend says that Hercules became immortal after he drank the
milk of the divine goddess Hera while she was sleeping. When
she woke, and realised he was not her own child, she drew her
breast away with such force that the milk spurted into the heavens
and created the Milky Way.
A fourth century prostitute was said to have been spared the
death penalty by baring her breasts. When it seemed the verdict
of her trial would be unfavourable, she removed her clothing. The
judges were so impressed by their beauty that they acquitted her.
It is believed the word ‘Amazon’ was derived from the Greek
‘a-mazos’, which means ‘without breast’. In Greek mythology, it
is said that the Amazons had their right breast removed so they
would be able to use a bow and arrow more freely and throw
spears without the physical limitation and obstruction.
No two breasts are exactly the same size; usually the left is larger.
From infancy to just before puberty, there is no difference
between the female and male breasts.
Although unusual, extra or ‘supernumerary’ nipples are not really
that rare, occurring in one out of 18 people. Pop stars Carrie
Underwood and Lily Allen and actor Mark Wahlberg all have a
third nipple. Anne Boleyn, the wife of King Henry VIII, is said to
have had a third nipple or even a third breast.
When it comes to milk production, size doesn’t matter. The milkproducing
structures are the same in all women. Just because one
woman’s breasts are bigger doesn’t necessarily mean she would
have or make more milk.
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Questions to
ask yourself
before surgery
By answering these questions honestly
and reviewing them with your doctor,
you will become much clearer about
whether breast surgery is a good choice
for you psychologically and emotionally.
Why do you want to have
breast augmentation surgery?
How do you feel about your
body image right now?
Is anyone prompting you to
have the surgery?
Do you suffer from an emotional
or psychological disorder?
Did you recently experience a
stressful event or crisis, like a
divorce or the loss of a loved one?
Are you a perfectionist, and do you
find minor flaws with many parts of
your body and with your life?
Would you be prepared to handle
a complication if something goes
wrong after surgery?
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