Did you know that the minimum age to get breast augmentation, according to the FDA, is different for saline implants than it is for silicone implants? It’s true. Saline implants are approved for women 18 and older, while silicone implants are approved for women who are at least 22. The difference is pretty small, but it raises the larger question about whether age is a factor for women who want breast augmentation. As surgeons who see a wide range of patients from Santa Rosa, Napa, and Marin counties, we often are asked by patients if they are “too young” or “too old” to get breast implants.
Once someone reaches a certain age, she remains a breast augmentation candidate for the rest of her life, as long as she is generally healthy enough for surgery. There really is no age limit. The reasons for getting breast implants often vary depending on the patient’s age, but they usually fall under the umbrella of wanting to improve one’s self-confidence.
Most plastic surgery practices see a broad spectrum of patients who want breast augmentation surgery. A woman in her 20s may feel that getting breast implants will give her more choices when it comes to buying clothes or bathing suits. A woman in her 50s may be fulfilling a long-held desire to regain the more youthful figure she enjoyed before having children.
Once someone decides to get breast implants, it’s critical to find a plastic surgeon who is board-certified and who specializes in breast augmentation. Scheduling consultations with multiple surgeons gives patients the peace of mind of having performed the due diligence necessary before selecting a surgeon. No matter what age, breast augmentation patients are among the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients, particularly when they see top-notch surgeons.