SCOPE:

Breast augmentation is surgery to enlarge or change the shape of a woman's breasts.  This is accomplished by inserting saline implants under the breast tissue or under one of the chest wall muscles.  The surgery is generally cosmetic, performed to improve the appearance of an otherwise healthy person.  However, some women also have reconstructive plastic surgery on their breasts as a result of a single or double mastectomy.  (Encyclopedia Britannica Online 2004)
 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following sources will allow you to become more familiar with your topic, will give you ideas for narrowing your topic, and will serve as a starting point for your further research.

REFERENCE ITEMS
American Medical Association complete guide to women's health
REF RA778.A485 1996 

CIRCULATING ITEMS
Cosmetic surgery :  the cutting edge of commercial medicine in America
RD119.S85 2001 

Breasts :  the women's perspective on an American obsession
GT498.B47 L37 1998 

Silicone spills :  breast implants on trial
RD539.8.S74 1998  

AUDIO/VISUAL ITEMS
Changing the Face of Beauty
VIDEO BF697.5.B63 C47 

Breast Augmentation: A medical dictionary, bibliography and annotated research guide to internet references
EBooks/NetLibrary

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

This topic is one which can be studied from a number of aspects and points of view. Some of these might be:

• What is the difference between silicone and saline implants?

• What is the history of breast implants in the United States?
• Why did the FDA ban silicone implants in 1992?
• Do implants cause health problems?
• Do implants cause breast cancer?
• Should the FDA lift its ban on silicone implants?
• What is the difference between breast augmentation and breast reconstruction?
• What happened in the class action suit against Dow Corning?
• Is breast enhancement surgery dangerous?
• Are women who choose to have implants at a higher risk for suicide?
• How long does it take to recover from the surgery and what are potential side effects?
• Do women who get implants have self-esteem problems?
• Is the portrayal of women in the media to blame for the high number of breast implant surgeries each year?
• What is a Trilucent soybean oil-filled breast implant and is it FDA approved?