Breast augmentation isnt new. Its not even a twentieth century idea. Women have been trying to improve on nature for centuries. It was only a matter of time before women turned to science and medicine for aid.
In 1889, paraffin injections were tried. The results of this were disastrous. 1895 is the earliest known use of implants. The first one was done by the German surgeon, Vincenz Czerny. He used the adipose tissue (the fatty tissue) from the womans back. This benign growth or a lipoma, seemed appropriate because theyre comprised of fatty tissues, soft to the touch and moveable.
Between 1895 and the early to mid-1900s many other substances were tried. Glass balls, ox cartilage, ivory, Terylene wood, polyethylene chips, ground rubber, polyester, Silastic rubber and Teflon-silicone prostheses were some of the choices.
In 1945 and 1950 attempts were made to rotate the womans chest wall tissue into the breast to add volume. Different synthetics were used during the 1950s and 1960s. An estimated 50,000 women received injections of silicone. In some of these women, hardening of the breasts and development of silicone granulomas (small nodules) were so severe, mastectomies were needed for treatment. 30 years after these treatments, women are still seeking medical services from complications resulting from these injections.
Todays implants are much safer and the instances of complications have been greatly reduced. Hopefully, medical science will be able to keep up with womens attempts to improve on their natural gifts.