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How Old Do I Have to Be To Receive Breast Implants?

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Cosmetic surgery procedures like breast augmentation were seen in the past as something almost exclusively for people in their 40s and up. Thankfully, that time is long gone. It’s been so encouraging over the last several years to be able to meet and help so many younger patients who are interested in improving their appearance with cosmetic rejuvenation. Still, not every procedure is necessarily an option for every person regardless of their age. Today I wanted to discuss the age requirements for someone who may be interested in undergoing a breast augmentation.

Some opinions may vary, but I personally believe that a woman should wait until she reaches her adult years before pursuing breast augmentation. Although it’s true that every woman develops differently, the breasts need time to fully grow and develop before it makes sense to consider undergoing a breast enhancement procedure. In my experience, a woman should wait at least until she reaches the age of 18. For younger women who want to use breast augmentation as a method for treating breast asymmetry, it can still be helpful to wait, as additional development after surgery can lead to more issues with asymmetry down the road.

In the video below, I discuss breast augmentation surgery, when it might be appropriate for younger patients, and other factors that prospective patients should be aware of:

The final decision is ultimately up to the patient, and their guardian in cases where the patient has not yet reached adult age. But I feel it is part of my responsibility to fully inform my patients about their cosmetic surgery options to help them make the best and most beneficial decisions for their needs. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.

Ask Dr. Elliott: Common Questions About Breast Implants

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breast-implantsBreast 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.

Should You Choose Autologous Breast Reconstruction? Top Pros and Cons

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Breast ReconstructionIf you find yourself facing a single or double mastectomy, you have several options for your reconstruction. The procedures fall into two categories: implant reconstruction or autologous reconstruction. In implant reconstruction, I use a breast implant to reconstruct your breast, while in autologous reconstruction, I use tissue from your own body to rebuild the breast.

Every patient has different circumstances that may make them a better fit for one choice or another. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, to help you understand your potential options, I’m laying out the top pros and cons of autologous breast reconstruction.

Pro: More Natural-Looking Result

Autologous breast reconstruction often looks, feels, and acts as your natural breast because it’s using your own tissue – tissue that is extremely similar to that in your original breast. In most of these procedures, I use a flap of muscle, fat, blood vessels, and skin from your abdomen, and these same tissues make up a large portion of your natural breast too.

While implants have changed over the years to offer more natural shapes, they often have a slightly more rounded and lifted shape. Some patients prefer this, but particularly if you only had a single mastectomy, it tends to be more noticeable than your natural breast and reconstructed breast do not match.

Con: Longer Surgery

Understandably, autologous breast reconstruction is a more complex surgery compared to reconstruction with implants. After all, I operate on your breast as well as your abdomen, your back, or any other area where I take the tissue for your new breast. As a result, it takes more time to complete this surgery, which means that you will spend more time under anesthesia. While the risks are still low for this surgery, the extended time does mean that patients with some medical conditions may not be candidates for autologous breast reconstruction.

Pro: Tummy Tuck-Like Side Benefits

As I mentioned above, in most autologous breast reconstructions, I use tissue from your abdomen, back, or other areas. If I use tissue from your abdomen this reduces the size of your abdomen, and better yet, when I suture your abdominal muscles to close the area where I took muscle for your breast, it cinches your waist to a degree. You won’t see as much of a difference to your abdomen as you would from a true tummy tuck, but you will see some slimming and shaping.

Con: More Extensive Recovery

Autologous breast reconstruction is a significant surgery because, essentially, I am performing surgery on both your breast and your abdomen, back, or other areas. Because more areas of your body need to heal, the surgery tends to have a more extensive recovery compared to breast reconstruction with a breast implant.

Keep in mind, though, that every patient’s surgery and recovery is unique and customized to their specific needs, so the recovery time and experience will vary even among women who have a similar type of procedure.

Pro: No Need for Implant Monitoring

Breast implants have highly innovative and advanced designs that make them very safe and low-risk. However, there is always some risk of future complications, and because of this, women with breast implants need to have scans every so often to monitor their implants and look for potential ruptures. Implants also need to be replaced eventually. It often takes about 20 years (and sometimes longer) before that is necessary, but it is still an additional surgery to keep in mind. With autologous reconstruction, though, you don’t need this extra monitoring or eventual replacement.

Every woman who has a mastectomy deserves to have the reconstruction that best aligns with her goals, her body, and her needs. I am dedicated to making that happen. Schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to determine if autologous or implant reconstruction is the best choice for you. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter as well for more plastic surgery insights.