augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly thought of procedures when the average person thinks of plastic surgery. And despite its prevalence in our society, breast implants themselves are still an object of curiosity and confusion for so many patients that I speak with. It’s perfectly natural to have questions and concerns leading up to a cosmetic procedure. That’s why I wanted to take some time to answer a few commonly asked questions about breast implants and breast augmentation surgery.

Question #1: How common are complications from breast implants?

It’s important to reinforce the notion that complications from breast implants are exceedingly rare. According to the FDA, the risk of experiencing a complication or adverse outcome resulting from breast implants is around 1%. This includes the most commonly known breast augmentation complications including capsular contracture, implant rupturing, and implant displacement. Women with breast implants still need to keep up with regular breast cancer screenings following their surgery.

Question #2: What if I change my mind about wanting my breast implants in the years following my surgery?

It’s not uncommon for a woman’s preferences about the appearance of her breasts to change after she has undergone a breast augmentation procedure. In these cases, I offer breast implant removal procedures, as well as breast revision surgery as potentially helpful options. During breast implant removal, the implants are surgically removed in order to return to their original, natural breast size. In some cases, patients may opt for a breast lift at this time to help with the excess skin left behind. A breast revision procedure removes the implants and then replaces them with new ones that better fit the patient’s new aesthetic preferences.

Question #3: How old is “too old” to undergo breast augmentation surgery?

While the majority of my breast augmentation patients are in their mid-to-late 30s, there are obviously many exceptions to this in my experience. I have performed breast augmentation procedures on many women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s with truly outstanding aesthetic results. I typically take things on a patient-by-patient basis when considering if someone is a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure instead of adhering to an arbitrary age restriction.

My staff and I pride ourselves on making sure each of our patients feels knowledgeable and confident heading into their surgery. That’s why I am always willing to take the time to address these questions. For more information or if you would like to schedule an in-person consultation appointment, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery news, tips, and much more.