Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and many women may consider having them augmented. Breast size can play a big role in a woman's self image and there are various reasons for having it done.

Those with smaller breasts, not only have difficulty finding clothes to fit them, they may also feel self conscious about the way in which their clothes fit. The same is true of women who have one breast larger than the other. It is impossible to find a bra that will fit, since both cups are the same size. This problem is even more noticeable in bathing suits, increasing self consciousness and lowering self esteem.

Women, who have had mastectomies due to breast cancer, will often opt for this procedure. It's difficult enough to endure breast cancer treatment. Losing your breasts adds insult to injury and breast augmentation can go a long way to making a woman feel better about herself.

While this form of surgery can boost a woman's self esteem, it's also important to consider the potential drawbacks.

Some women who receive this surgery experience a loss of sensation, especially in the nipple area. Conversely, other women may experience an increased sensation that could be uncomfortable. The sensation in this area could return to normal a few months after surgery, but for some women it is permanent.

There is also scarring to consider. Women have this surgery to improve the look of their breasts, but sometimes the scars can become hard and raised which defeats the purpose of the surgery.

The type of implant that you get is another important consideration. Implants can rupture and if they are made of silicone, they can cause very serious health problems.

With any surgery, infection is always a possibility. This could cause the implants to have to be removed until the infection clears up. After a few months, you will have to go through the procedure all over again.

Another common risk factor with any surgery is adverse effects caused by anesthesia. It's important to inform your doctor of any other medical conditions that you have, especially those related to breathing, such as asthma. Even if you don't suffer from this type of health problem, you could still have an allergic reaction that could be life threatening

Recovery time and pain involvement are other things to ask your doctor about. Everyone is different and some women recover faster and/or can tolerate pain better than others.

These considerations may seem like a lot, but there are many others to think about. Make sure you do your research before deciding to have this form of procedure. This way, you have a better chance of getting the results that you want.