Breast augmentation in Portland and across the nation continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. In part, it’s because it provides the same benefit to women of all ages, from college students to mothers to women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. Portland Plastic Surgery Group is dedicated to helping these women achieve the breasts that they desire, no matter what age they are.
That said, there are different things to consider for women of different ages. In part 1, we will discuss women who are planning on getting a breast augmentation in their 20s. A plastic surgeon should take a woman’s age into consideration when discussing breast procedure, especially in younger patients.
Make sure your body is ready.
Many women are unhappy with the size and/or shape of their breasts from a young age, but it’s important to keep in mind that the body does continue to change through the teens. More importantly, breast implants are only FDA-approved for women 18 years or older. This is also partly because patients younger than this may not have the maturity to provide proper informed consent regarding the procedure, alternatives, and risks.
Most surgeons recommend waiting until the size of a patient’s breasts have remained unchanged for 6 to 12 months. In general, breast development stops between the ages of 17 and 21. Even that rule is fluid though: Breast size and shape never stop evolving during a woman’s life due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and menopause. Even after surgery, these things will affect a woman’s breast shape and size.
Consider your future plans, too.
If you are planning on getting a breast augmentation in your 20s, there are also a few things to carefully consider. Though the idea of starting a family may seem far off, it’s important to let your surgeon know if you are planning to have children in the future, because he or she will need to adjust the procedure to preserve your ability to breastfeed. Having open communication with your doctor will help your surgeon plan your procedure according to your needs.
There is technically no time limit as to when you should exchange your implants, but you are likely to want to exchange them at some point in life. If you get your breast augmentation in your 20s, you must keep in mind that your body will change as you get older — so there is a higher chance that you may want to switch your implants for newer ones later.
If you’re sure, it’s the safest time for surgery.
Getting breast surgery in your 20s has some great benefits. Women at this age are generally very healthy. This drastically decreases the possibility of complications. Women in their 20s have youthful skin, too, and that elasticity goes a long way toward supporting a recovery with optimal results.
Make sure to do your research about implant types, sizes, and placement with the help of a trusted board-certified surgeon before you make any decisions.
If you are looking in the Portland area for a breast augmentation specialist, request a consultation to meet with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons on our team or call our office at (503) 292-9200 for more information.
