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Am I Too Old For Breast Augmentation?

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Guide:

There is no age restriction for breast surgery. Patients in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s are happy with their breast augmentation results. The saying “You’re only as old as you feel” correlates to breast augmentation candidacy, as overall health matters much more than age. The only concern is that health slowly deteriorates with age for many people. With safety as his number one priority, Dr. David Liland in Dallas avoids doing surgery on patients who are not healthy enough to undergo it without potential complications.

Health problems go beyond safety, though, as they can affect the quality of the results from an aesthetic standpoint as well. Before meeting with a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation, make sure you’ve been making time for your annual medical check-ups to ensure you’re in healthy condition to undergo cosmetic surgery. We recommend asking your primary care provider whether you are at an increased risk for any type of surgery.

Dr. Liland has delivered successful breast augmentations for women at several ages and life stages, from their early 20s to their 70s. While there is a minimum age requirement for implants, 22 for silicone implants, and 18 for saline implants, there is no limit or “maximum” age restriction.

Most women in their more mature years have concerns beyond restoring volume to their breasts, including lifting and tightening excess, drooping breast tissue. Breast implants cannot accomplish this on their own. Dr. Liland usually recommends breast augmentation with a breast lift to these patients, as it lifts the breasts, repositions them, and improves their contour after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or aging has left them with a sagging appearance.

Breast Implants After 50: Is It Safe?

After the age of 50, most people notice changes to their bodies, and for women, one of the main areas impacted by aging changes is the breasts. A combination of age, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can leave your breasts looking much different at 55 than at 25. Many women of this age start considering breast surgery to restore the breasts they had when they were younger. But is breast augmentation the best solution for deflated, drooping breasts?

As mentioned above, as long as your health permits, you can get a breast augmentation, mastopexy, or a breast lift with implants at any age. Many women of more mature ages consider breast implants either to restore the volume lost over time or to reconstruct their breasts after having a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer.

As with any cosmetic procedure, whatever your age, breast augmentation has some minor risks, including problems with anesthesia, bruising, swelling, bleeding, and changes in sensation. Other risks associated with having breast implants in your 50s, 60s, or 70s include:

  • Skin wrinkling over the implant
  • Capsular contracture (scar tissue wrapping around the implant and putting pressure on it)
  • Pain
  • Implant rupture
  • Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
  • Fatigue and other symptoms associated with breast implant illness (BII)

Why Get Breast Implants After 50?

If you’re experiencing changes in your breasts over 50, such as breast ptosis (sagging) and volume loss, breast surgery can promote a firmer, more youthful appearance.

Various reasons women after 50 may see changes in their breasts, like volume loss and sagging, include:

  • Weight loss/weight gain
  • Gravity
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Weakened tissues due to age
  • Past surgeries such as mastectomy or lumpectomy

One of the main characteristics of making a woman feel young and confident is having volumized, perky breasts.  

Getting breast implants after 50 can dramatically affect your appearance and confidence, influencing how you carry yourself.

As long as you don’t have any underlying medical conditions that increase your risk of complications from breast augmentation and you have realistic expectations of your results, you are a candidate and can enjoy your newly enhanced breasts at any age.

What Size Implants Should You Get After 50?

As many women start to face joint pain after 50, which often includes back pain, we recommend that you avoid getting large, heavy implants at this age range. Sometimes, smaller implants can make a big difference, especially if you combine your augmentation with a breast lift, which boosts your results by improving the placement and contour of your breasts.

Many patients are thrilled with their results after a breast lift with small implants as their breasts are sitting higher, there is a reduction in sagging, and their volume is restored and enhanced.

Do Breast Implants Cause Breast Cancer?

According to WebMD, breast implants do not cause breast cancer or increase your risk of getting breast cancer.

While breast implants may make it more difficult for radiologists to see the breast tissue on a mammogram, it does not prevent you from getting a mammogram or any type of breast cancer screening. You can safely get mammograms with breast implants, and we highly recommend continuing your annual breast screenings after breast augmentation. Your doctor may recommend a 3D mammogram, MRI, or ultrasound rather than a traditional 2D mammogram, as these are more effective at locating abnormal masses in breasts with dense tissue or implants.

While breast implants have a small risk of causing BIA-ALCL, this is very rare and a cancer of the immune system, not the breast tissue. According to Dr. Sandhya Pruthi’s answer at Mayo Clinic, BIA-ALCL is often curable if caught in its early stages.

Considering Breast Implants Over 50?

If you’re in Dallas and considering breast augmentation with concerns over whether your age restricts you from being an ideal candidate, request a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Liland to discuss your goals and get a professional assessment. Dr. Liland will use his rich training and experience, with helping hundreds of women of all ages love their breasts, to answer all your questions and give his professional recommendations.