This year, breast augmentation turns 50. In 1962, a 30-year-old mother of six from Texas underwent the first breast augmentation procedure using breast implants, specifically silicone breast implants. Timmie Jean Lindsey was looking for a doctor who could remove a chest tattoo when doctors told her she would be a perfect candidate for an exciting new procedure, for which they asked her to volunteer.

Women had been searching for ways to enlarge their breasts since the late 19th century, and probably before then. Some of these early attempts at augmentation were quite rudimentary and led to complications. Breast augmentation of the past included:

  • Paraffin injections that caused breast lumps and infections.
  • Fat injections that ultimately failed when the fat did not survive.
  • Sponge implants.
  • External devices intended to expand the breast.

Two pioneering doctors, Dr. Thomas Cronin and Dr. Frank Gerow, developed the first silicone breast implant after Dr. Gerow noticed the similarity between a silicone bag of blood and a woman’s breast. The idea developed from there. Timmie Jean Lindsey is now 80 and still has her silicone breast implants.

Breast implants have evolved significantly since 1962 and have become one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the US and in other nations. Breast augmentation was the top procedure of 2011 and up 4 percent from the previous year, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For breast augmentation in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center to schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Vasdev Rai.