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At Centre for Surgery in London, our surgeons frequently get asked the question, “what is the ideal age to have a breast augmentation?”. The optimum age for breast augmentation depends on several factors, including breast growth and development. Other factors that may influence a patient’s decision to undergo breast augmentation include mental well-being, financial considerations and whether women wish to have more children. Breast augmentation can be carried out at any age, provided patients are healthy, and it is not uncommon for patients to have a breast augmentation in their 50s.
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The best age for breast augmentation
the best breast augmentation results can be achieved at any age, although optimum results are possible with women between 18 and 50. Breast augmentation can address several concerns depending on the age at which the procedure is undertaken. Younger women may be primarily concerned about small breasts and would like to increase the size of their breasts. Women who have recently had children may notice changes in the shape of the breast and a decrease in size. In these cases, breast augmentation may need to be combined with a breast uplift procedure to restore perky breasts. Women in their 40s and 50s may begin to develop saggy breasts due to the ageing process, and breast augmentation is an ideal procedure to both increase the size of the breasts and tighten the skin envelope surrounding the breasts. There are certain factors which women should be aware of before making a final decision to have breast surgery, as discussed below.
How long is breast augmentation recovery?
Breast development
In the UK, women should be above 18 before having breast augmentation surgery. Before the age of 18, the breasts are still undergoing growth and development, and if breast augmentation is carried out too early, the results may be impaired by continued breast development, which could increase the risk of developing sagging breasts. Breast augmentation should only be carried out once women have fully developed breasts. Breast sizing is made more complicated if the breasts are immature. Every patient is different, and the growth and development of the breasts proceed at different speeds, with some women achieving mature breasts at an earlier age than others. Even by the age of 18, some women may still have immature breasts, and it is not advised to consider having a Breast augmentation until this process is complete. In some cases, women may have to wait until the age of 21 before undergoing the procedure.
Pregnancy and breast enlargement
Women who are keen to have a family in the future should ideally hold off having a breast augmentation until they have finished having children. The size and volume of the breasts change significantly during pregnancy, with an increase in volume most commonly reported. For women who breastfeed, the enlarged size of the breasts can cause the overlying skin to stretch, and when breastfeeding finishes, the breasts shrink in size. The result can be saggy-looking breasts with a loss of volume. Women who have breast augmentation before pregnancy have a slightly higher risk of needing breast implant revision to restore the size and shape of the breasts to their pre-pregnancy state. In many cases, women may have breast implant surgery before having children, and this is also entirely valid, provided women are aware of the potential changes in the breasts over time.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast enlargement
Mental well-being – it is important only to undergo breast augmentation until patients are sure that the procedure is the right one for them. Many patients undertake detailed online research before proceeding. This allows women to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the surgery and develop realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve for them. Patients who are hasty to undergo the procedure as soon as possible without being aware of what the procedure involves may be unhappy after the breast enlargement. This is why choosing a reputable private clinic that does not force or coerce patients into having surgery too early is essential. It’s vitally important to be in the right state of mind before having any cosmetic surgery procedure.
Financial considerations – all cosmetic surgery requires patience to self-fund the cost of the procedure, and breast augmentation is no different. Breast augmentation should be viewed as a significant investment in yourself with the potential to substantially improve confidence and emotional well-being. Centre for Surgery offers finance options for patients who are keen to spread the cost of the breast enlargement procedure over time to ensure financial stability. We partner with Chrysalis Finance to offer a wide range of finance options for breast implants.
Breast augmentation for older women
Older women in their 40s and 50s are increasingly aware of the benefits of breast surgery, including breast implants. There is no strict age cut-off for having a breast augmentation procedure; however, women should be aware that healing can be slower as they get older. Patients must be in good physical health and mental well-being with a good understanding of the potential risks and complications associated with breast augmentation surgery. We would recommend carrying out plenty of research on the pros and cons of breast surgery and being aware of the risks and complications before deciding to proceed with breast enlargement surgery.
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Centre for Surgery is home to some of London’s most experienced breast surgeons. Our surgeons are renowned for producing natural-looking breast augmentation results in patients of all ages. The breast augmentation consultation is the foundation for planning your procedure, and you should take the opportunity to ask as many questions as possible so that you are fully informed about what the procedure involves, including the recovery period and after-care.
Breast surgeons at Centre for Surgery
If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation, please read our frequently asked questions, view before-and-after photos, and read our hundreds of verified five-star Google and Trustpilot reviews.
