Breast Augmentation Candidates

There are many important factors to consider if you are asking yourself, "Should I get breast augmentation?" One of the first factors should be whether or not you can even be considered a viable candidate for the procedure.

Physical Requirements and Age

Physically, the most ideal candidates are simply healthy adults. Any medical restrictions, like a problematic immune system, medications, or other serious medical conditions should be discussed with a doctor on an individual basis.

Teenagers under the age of 18 have undergone breast augmentation surgery, but the FDA has only approved saline breast implants for people 18 years of age and over, and silicone implants for people 22 years and older. Female teenagers are usually not good candidates for breast implants because their breasts tend to continue developing into their early twenties. This makes it hard to predict whether or not a teenage girl will actually require breast augmentation, or whether the size implant they receive will be appropriate to the look they desire. It's important to note that women who get breast implants are very likely to need a type of follow-up surgery within a decade, and every decade after that, according to the FDA.

However, some surgeons may be willing to place implants into younger patients as long as they're in good health and wholly understand the risks and side-effects associated with the procedure.

Older women who are entertaining the idea of getting breast implants should know they are not alone. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons report on plastic surgery statistics in the United States, women in the 30 to 39-year-old age group underwent the most breast augmentation procedures in 2009, but women 40 and older also make up a significant group:

  • 13-19 Yrs: 8,199
  • 20-29 Yrs: 86,525
  • 30-39 Yrs: 103,738
  • 40-54 Yrs: 80,668
  • 55+ Yrs: 10,198

Normally, when considering age, it is much more important to consider health instead. Many women who have had a mastectomy in their later years choose to get breast implants after the procedure, and many simply want to return their breasts to a size and shape they enjoyed before the effects pregnancy and gravity settled in. It is their general health that is the key. So if you are asking yourself, "Should I get breast augmentation?" it's definitely worth asking your doctor as well.

The Right Reasons

Other than general health, the most ideal candidates are people who are well informed about the procedure, keeping realistic results in mind while seriously considering potential risks and side-effects.

Breast implants are not a sure-fire solution to severe body-image issues, emotional trauma, or marital woes. When done properly and for the right reasons, they can help boost confidence and kick-start a path to better self-esteem, but only to a degree. To be truly pleased with the results, it's best for candidates to have realistic expectations about what breast augmentation can do for them.

Someone who is considering breast implants should also be confident in the reasons why, and not be pressured into it by someone else. Patients who undergo the procedure to try and save a failing relationship, please their partner, or are pressured into getting them, usually end up regretting the procedure. This can sometimes lead to negatively compounding personal issues and a drop in self-esteem, or even other multiple surgeries to reduce and correct the original procedure.

If you are an adult who is sure of your reasons, is well informed, and is in generally good health, then breast augmentation may be right for you.

Breast Augmentation Forums

Some of the best ways to get information about a procedure is to talk to people who have gotten it themselves. Online forums for people who have undergone breast augmentation allow people to share their experiences and help inform those who are considering it.

In a breast augmentation forum, patients respond to questions about their surgery and how they felt afterwards, recommend good surgeons, and create a community of support. By being able to get personal stories from people who have experienced the surgery on a first-hand basis, potential patients are able to truly discover if it is right for them.

Find a Qualified Breast Surgeon near You

If you are asking yourself, "Should I get breast augmentation?" find out if you can be considered a healthy candidate first by talking to a doctor. After that, you can decide whether the procedure will be right for you, and if you're doing it for the right reasons. Of course, before you make the final decision, educate yourself about the procedure and any different types that may be available. If you need more information about breast augmentation, but aren't sure which surgeon to talk to, locate an experienced surgeon near you through our localized directory.

 

 

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