By: Thomas McNemar, MD

Contrary to what you might think, the majority of breast augmentation patients are in the 35 to 45 age range. As a breast augmentation surgeon near Danville and Walnut Creek, I perform many procedures for this age group and in fact I have even performed breast enhancement for healthy women who are in their upper 50s and 60s.

Age is not a deciding factor for breast augmentation procedures, but older women still should be aware of extra considerations that are important to make sure your surgery and recovery develop the way you want them to.

Specifically, you and your surgeon will need to take into account your:

• Breast position: Over time, loose breast skin can stretch and sag, changing the position of the breast mound. For women with smaller breasts this may be less of a problem, but childbirth and family traits can speed up the effects of gravity. Sometimes, breast augmentation can create the illusion of lifting the breasts, but in most cases (especially if you are receiving larger breast implants), it is more appropriate to elevate the breast mound slightly with a breast lift in addition to augmentation.
• Skin quality and vascularity: Depending on your genetics and health habits, your skin may have thinned significantly over time. This is not necessarily a concern, but it may affect your surgeon’s choice of techniques and it may add to the time it takes your incisions to heal and fade. Exercise promotes better blood circulation, so women with thinner skin but very good exercise habits typically do not experience these problems.
• Health and healing: Full disclosure about any medical conditions, medications, or nutritional supplements is essential for healthy surgical planning, so if you have questions or concerns about your eligibility for your procedure, do not be afraid to ask your breast augmentation surgeon. My Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Modesto patients sometimes have medical conditions that require them to receive a different type of anesthesia or take extra steps during recovery, and your surgeon should be able to explain how he or she will take these kinds of factors into account.

Regardless of your age, getting to know your options thoroughly is the first step to any successful cosmetic surgery procedure. I would also encourage women considering surgery to pay careful attention to their surgeon’s credentials and experience and take the time to compare different surgery centers.