Young, supple breasts

With the news spreading over 18-year-old Stephanie Kuleba’s recent death due to complications after cosmetic breast surgery, it has become a sort of hot topic in the world of infotainment. NBC’s Today Show even got an interview with Kuleba’s parents and attorney. It seems that this story won’t be leaving us soon. It is, of course, a rather sad story, giving much cause for grief and condolence.

Though what is missing from most reports is perhaps the most obvious issue, the one that has shocked most readers: Why was an 18-year-old girl having cosmetic breast surgery? What happened to the age-old debate of when to get your ears pierced? Now, it’s when to get breast implants?

The truth is, it was not the surgery that directly caused Kuleba’s death. Rather, it was complications with the anesthesia used during the operation. But on another note, Kuleba is just one of many young girls who have chosen to go under the aesthetic knife. With some reports stating that the number of teenage girls undergoing breast augmentations is up 500 percent within ten years, one has to ask a host of questions, like what the hell is motivating so many girls to do this? Who is footing the bill for the minimum $3,690 surgery (national average)? Who are the doctors allowing so many girls to go through with this?

There are no restrictions on allowing girls 18 and younger to have such procedures done, according to the FDA, granted there is a medical reason for the surgery, such as reconstruction of abnormalities or alleviating the effects of trauma. Though many surgeons do not recommend that young women get breast implants at such a young age, there is the concern that surgery is a mature decision to make and that development in a woman continues throughout her early 20s–and messing with biology at that time is not really a good idea.

There are many risks involved with such an operation that, perhaps, many don’t consider, starting with the possible damage and harm to the body. Aside from well-known issues of harm to the back, nerve damage is also possible, leaving the area numb. Should a woman later have children, breastfeeding can become complicated. Perhaps most concerning is that in the case of implants, the detection of breast cancer becomes more difficult.

What I was most surprised to discover is that implants aren’t permanent. Yes, like a brand new Ford, they will eventually fail you. Implants leak or rupture, and in time will need further maintenance or replacement. A big cha-ching for plastic surgeons.

The decision to go through such a procedure, and the maturity needed to make that decision, is debatable. If a medical necessity is at hand, then the debate is far narrower. If this decision is influenced by the way our popular culture represents women, which is also a concern, take the time to reflect on the fact that regardless of your physical image, people can hate you as much as they can adore you. For that thought I offer Britney Spears as evidence.

If the decision for implants is swayed by the opinion of the opposite sex, let me give you ladies a little insight, on a more personal note. There are different strokes for different folks, and in reality, most guys aren’t too picky–and that’s not meant to be offensive. A guy who is not idiotically bonded to physical details is probably a much better catch in the long run. Just look again at our pop culture and the guys those large-breasted idols end up with. Odds are, the ratio of douche bags surrounding a woman grows proportionately with her artificial bra size.

I will concede that I may lack the proper age and sex for adequate insight into this topic. And I am not addressing or arguing against any genuine medical purpose for having breast surgery. Ultimately, I believe anyone should have the right to do with his or her body what they wish, and breast surgery falls under that sentiment.

However, I still feel there is a boundary that age sets, and that Mother Nature draws the line. If breast surgery is something a young woman wishes to pursue, so be it, but let’s at least have the common sense to acknowledge the proper maturity and time for such a major decision. Or at least let Mother Nature finish her job first.