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In preparation for National Cleavage Day this Thursday, BUPA has decided
to reveal some facts about your cleavage that you never realised...
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They stop traffic, men love them and women are rarely satisfied with them.
However, women continue to be preoccupied with the size and shape of their
breasts.
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1. Most women think that the ideal size for breasts is a C/D cup, whereas
the average breast size of women in the UK is 36B.
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2. Most women who have breast operations go up or down two sizes.
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&quot;When it comes to cosmetic surgery, breast enlargements and reductions
are by far the most popular operation, with almost 37 per cent of self-pay
cosmetic surgery operations in BUPA hospitals being breast enlargements or
reductions,&quot; reveals Dr Paula Franklin, BUPA's assistant medical director.
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If you really want to change, take care!
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If you are thinking of having an operation to change the size of your
breasts, BUPA's Dr Franklin advises that you consider the following:
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<LI>Choose a surgeon carefully. BUPA suggests that surgeons who are members
of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS) and the British
Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) are a good place to start.
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<LI>Choose a private hospital or clinic that specialises in cosmetic
surgery. If you are considering having cosmetic surgery on your breasts, phone
BUPA on 0845 600 8822 for more information.
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<LI>Know what you're paying for to avoid hidden extras, for example,
out-patient consultations and therapies.
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<LI>Discuss your procedure with others including previous patients, your
GP, and friends and family.
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<LI>Ask as many questions as you need.
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<LI>Be informed. Ask how much time you will need to take off work following
the operation and about unforseen extras.
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<LI>Have a cooling off period between your consultation and the decision to
go ahead with the operation. Make sure that this is something that you really
want.
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Look after your breasts!
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Over 70 per cent of women in the UK wear the wrong sized bra. BUPA's Dr
Paula Franklin advises: &quot;Wearing the wrong sized bra can lead to inadequate
support, pressure sores, or back or neck problems (caused by the bra straps
pulling on your back and neck). Therefore, it is important that women get
themselves measured professionally and find a bra that gives them the required
support and comfort. Women should wear a bra to prevent discomfort and
sagging.&quot;
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3. There was a lawsuit fought from 1934 to 1942 over rights to the bra,
between a German-born designer, Otto Titzling, and a French-born designer,
Philippe de Brassiere. Titzling had invented the first bra and although he
patented improvements that he made, he did not actually patent the original.
Brassiere won the case.
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4. In the late 1920's, a Russian immigrant named Ida Rosenthal, was
responsible for grouping women into the bust size categories (cup sizes) that
we use nowadays and developed bras for every stage of life (puberty to
maturity).
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