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Answer
Breast augmentation is performed by a licensed cosmetic surgeon who inserts implants filled with saline solution, silicone gel, or other substances under the natural breast. Implants come in different sizes to increase a patient’s bust size according to her wishes. Every year, thousands of women undergo surgery to enhance their bust sizes. If a Christian woman has the support of family and friends and the financial means for surgery, should she consider getting breast implants? The answer lies in her response to another question: Why?
The “why” behind any decision reveals much about our hearts. No woman seeks breast augmentation surgery for the health benefits it provides. Breast implants are not essential for mothers who want to breastfeed infants. The sole reason a woman would subject herself to physical risk and spend thousands of dollars on breast implants is that she believes the surgery will enhance her attractiveness or boost her self-esteem. This belief is rooted in a specific perception of the “ideal woman.” Some men may pressure their wives or girlfriends to undergo breast augmentation, but not for the woman’s well-being. When a man urges a woman to have breast implants, he is implying that her natural body is not appealing enough to him and that she must undergo surgical alterations before he will be satisfied. Breast augmentation surgery (distinct from breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy) serves only one purpose: enhancing attractiveness.
Men and women have distinct reasons for supporting breast implant surgery, so we will address each of those motivations separately:
Men: In our sex-saturated culture, it is unfortunately true that men may find a woman with a small bust less attractive than the surgically enhanced actresses and other women they have encountered. A husband may believe that if his wife could resemble those women more closely, their relationship could thrive.e out his fantasies. He may even think that, if his wife’s body fulfills his fantasies, he won’t be tempted to look at other women. However, the problem is not his wife’s body. The issue lies within his mind (see Matthew 5:28). A man who pressures his wife into undergoing elective surgery for his sake is not loving her as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25-27). He is not encouraging her to take care of herself; instead, he is fostering insecurity in her for the sake of his own desires. He is handing her a measuring rod by which she may now judge herself. Perhaps without realizing it, he is initiating a news ticker scrolling across the back of her mind: You are not enough…You are not enough…
A godly husband would not insist that his wife undergo breast augmentation to enhance their intimate life. Instead, he can and should train himself to view his wife’s body as his standard of beauty. If he has tainted his mind with pornographic images, he needs to repent, seek accountability, and acknowledge his sexual brokenness. He has allowed lust to take root in his heart, creating expectations that cannot be fulfilled by normal, healthy sexual relations. No real woman can compete with the fantasies fabricated by pornography.
Of course, women with ample bosoms are not exclusive to pornographic content, and a man may find himself unintentionally and even involuntarily drawn to women in his daily life—perhaps even to his acquaintances. He may believe that if his wife’s bust can measure up, he’ll be better equipped to honor both his wife and the other women in his life. What he may not realize is that he’s evading responsibility for his own reactions and shifting it onto others instead. He is avoiding the challenging process of sanctification that would empower him to respect people as they are.
A husband’s initial step away from the notion of his wife undergoing breast augmentation is to implore the Lord to purify his thought life and refocus his attention on his wife as she is. Instead of insiStressing that a husband’s focus should not solely be on his pleasure during their intimate moments, he should shift his perspective to prioritize making his wife feel valued. Taking inspiration from the Song of Solomon, where the groom admires every aspect of his bride, a husband can redirect his desires by appreciating the qualities in his wife that he finds appealing. By approaching sexual intimacy as an opportunity to give rather than receive, his inclination for his wife to undergo breast augmentation may naturally diminish.
Women often experience societal pressure to exude sexual attractiveness, a burden that can begin as early as elementary school. The commercialization of childhood sees young girls dressed provocatively, with clothing brands producing alluring garments in miniature sizes. When parents unknowingly purchase items like “Hottie” t-shirts or “Kiss Me” underwear for their 6-year-olds, it reflects a troubling aspect of our society. These actions instill in young minds the notion that a girl’s worth is primarily tied to her sex appeal. Consequently, as these girls mature, they may gauge their value based on their physical attributes, such as bust size.
In contemplating breast enhancement surgery, Christian women should introspect and question their motives. Why do they believe that larger breasts will bring them greater happiness? Who is influencing this belief? If it is their spouse, they should guide them towards the biblical perspective on beauty. If it is past romantic partners, they should seek relationships with individuals of higher integrity. If it is societal norms shaping their views, they must realign their values with their faith. Whose approval are they seeking? Followers of Christ should not seek validation from others, as stated in Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Personal worth should not be dictated by societal standards; Christian women are embraced by the King of Kings and bestowed with citizenship in His kingdom.
In heaven. It is that allegiance that must inform her every decision.
Another reason behind the desire for breast implants is one that a woman may not realize or wish to admit. Sexual attractiveness is powerful. Teenage girls discover this power early, and, for some, it can be intoxicating. They learn to play the game, using their physical beauty to manipulate others and build their own egos. When they sense their power slipping, some believe they must regain it, leading them to get a breast augmentation. Christian girls need to recognize this trap set by the enemy and turn their attention away from attracting guys to pleasing Christ. Instead of settling for the thrill of sexual attention, a wise woman will develop her mind, her talents, her character, and her leadership potential. She understands that those elements are where the real power is found.
A Christian woman considering breast implants also needs to think about when she began to believe she needed larger breasts. The timing may hold the key to a deeper wound. What message did she come to believe at that time? Whom is she allowing to define her worth? Does she really want to be with a man who is only attracted to her because of her breast size? For some women, aging is the catalyst for body enhancements. Aging has been declared the enemy in modern society, and many women fear it. After all, if a woman’s primary worth is found in her physical appearance, then aging is indeed an enemy because it threatens that worth. Many women in midlife allow themselves to undergo plastic surgery in an attempt to cling to the illusion of youthfulness.
Midlife does not have to be a crisis, but it is a perfect season for reassessment. A woman can reorganize her life as she switches roles and creates a new normal for herself and her family. Rather than cling to youth, an aging woman can embrace the character she has developed and seek ways to impart her wisdom to younger women (Titus 2:3-4)
She can assess her accomplishments and utilize her skills to make a greater impact on her world (1 Peter 3:3-4). Breast augmentation at this stage is often a sorrowful and desperate effort for a woman to feign being someone else. God desires much more for His daughters.
Women contemplating implants should thoroughly consider the potential future health risks that many implant recipients face.
A Christian woman should appreciate her body as God intended and treat it as His sanctuary (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If she displays her sexuality to attract male attention, she is not respecting God’s sanctuary. Instead, she is exploiting it by encouraging lust. A Christian woman must honestly assess the motives behind getting implants. While male attention may be enticing, it is a superficial victory. Remember, “Don’t advertise it if it’s not for sale.” Christian women are not commodities. They have been “bought at a price” by God, and He cherishes His daughters just as they are made «for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: », (Colossians 1:16).
