Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Posted January 21, 2025 in Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation continues to be near the top of the list of the most requested plastic surgeries in the U.S., with over 300,000 patients choosing to get breast implants in 2023. However, like any cosmetic surgery, it’s not for everyone. Determining whether you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation requires careful consideration of several factors, including your health, lifestyle, and expectations. In this blog, we’ll go through some of the key points to keep in mind as you decide if breast augmentation surgery is right for you.
What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, involves placing silicone or saline breast implants to enhance the appearance of your breasts. The procedure can address a variety of concerns, including:
- Increasing breast size
- Restoring breast volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss
- Improving breast symmetry
- Boosting your confidence in your body
The benefits of breast augmentation can often be life-changing, but it may not be the right choice for everyone. Below, we go over what you need to know when determining if you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation.
Your Age
Your age is the first consideration when determining if you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation. Saline implants are FDA-approved for anyone over the age of 18, while silicone implants are approved for anyone over the age of 22. The primary reason for the age requirement is to allow your breasts to finish developing before you undergo augmentation.
However, being of a certain age before getting breast implants also helps ensure that you have the emotional maturity to make the decision. Your surgeon wants to know that you’ve thought carefully about your reasons for breast augmentation: is it something you want and not something you’re doing to please others? The good news is that breast augmentation surgery doesn’t have an upper age limit, so you can choose to get breast implants at any time, as long as you’re in good health.
Your Expectations
Most women are pleased with their breast augmentation results, which is why it continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the world. When you come in for your breast augmentation consultation, your surgeon will go over your reasons for choosing surgery and what you hope to achieve with your results. Once they’ve examined you and determined that you’re a good candidate physically, they will want to know if you have realistic expectations for your results.
For example, getting breast implants can be a transformative experience—increasing your self-esteem and confidence in your appearance—but there are some limitations. Breast augmentation can address asymmetry as well as enhance the size and shape of your breasts. But it can’t address sagging (combining a breast lift with your augmentation can do that), and your individual anatomy may impose some limitations on what surgery can achieve.
Your Physical Health
The most vital consideration when determining your eligibility for breast augmentation is your overall health. During your consultation, your surgeon will review your medical history to assess whether breast augmentation surgery is a safe option for you. Some of the health factors that could disqualify you from surgery include:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity (BMI over 30)
- Diabetes
- Certain autoimmune conditions
The above conditions can increase the risks of complications during surgery and recovery, so be honest with your surgeon about your health. Additionally, while a history of breast cancer certainly won’t prevent you from getting breast augmentation, a routine mammogram may be required prior to surgery.
Your Lifestyle
One of the most important factors to consider when determining your candidacy for breast augmentation is whether you use nicotine in any form. Nicotine is detrimental to any surgery and recovery because it constricts your blood vessels. Constriction of blood vessels can lead to cardiovascular risks during surgery and poor or slow wound healing after surgery. If you do use nicotine, your surgeon will likely require you to stop at least two weeks before your surgery and for two weeks after.
Other lifestyle considerations include being at a stable, healthy weight. Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight can impact your breast augmentation results, so you should be within a few pounds of your ideal weight and committed to maintaining it. This also applies to pregnancy; many surgeons recommend waiting until you’re done having children before undergoing breast augmentation, as pregnancy and breastfeeding will likely affect the appearance of your breasts.
Find Out if You’re a Candidate for Breast Augmentation in Fresno
If you’ve been thinking about undergoing breast augmentation but aren’t sure if you’re a good candidate for the procedure, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Chin at Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Chin will listen to your concerns and goals regarding breast augmentation, examine you, and help you determine if it is the right procedure to achieve the results you desire. Call our office today at (559) 435-9646 or complete the online contact form to schedule an appointment.