Who Is Not A Candidate For Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most requested plastic surgery procedures across the U.S. and the world. The procedure is much more advanced than years ago, and recovery time is a few weeks for many patients. 

The decision to get breast implants is personal and can be a great choice, but not everyone is an ideal candidate. Therefore, you should learn the risks and benefits of breast augmentation to determine if this is a good decision for you. 

The Ideal Candidate For Breast Augmentation

Your plastic surgeon will generally consider you a good candidate for breast augmentation if the following apply: 

Good General Health

You need to be in good physical condition to have breast augmentation. Generally, this means you don’t have any infections, cancer, or severe health problems, including heart disease. 

If you have medical problems, please talk to your plastic surgeon to help you determine if breast implants are a good fit for you. 

Remember, breast augmentation is a serious surgery with general anesthesia, and you need to be in good health to reduce the chances of complications. 

Drooping Breasts

Many women develop dropping  or slack breasts as part of aging, weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. 

If you are unhappy with the location or fullness of your breasts, breast augmentation can help you regain your youth’s contours. 

But keep in mind that if your breasts are very droopy, implants will only accentuate the problem. So your surgeon may need to perform a breast lift to move them back in their natural position.

Fortunately, you can have breast augmentation and a breast lift simultaneously, so you get all of your recovery done at once. 

Don’t Smoke Or Drink

Most plastic surgeons prefer that you don’t smoke or drink a lot of alcohol when having plastic surgery. 

Smoking, in particular, causes problems with healing and bleeding. Therefore, your surgeon may require you to quit smoking several weeks before and after breast surgery to be considered for treatment. 

Healthy Frame Of Mind

Breast augmentation will change your appearance, and most people like the changes. But you should be in a healthy frame of mind before considering any plastic surgery, including breast augmentation. 

Also, breast augmentation is highly advanced today, but you still will need to recover for a few weeks, and there will be some pain and soreness, too. However, as long as you understand these factors going in, you will probably be happy with the results. 

Realistic Expectations

Breast augmentation will change the appearance of your breasts, but it won’t help if you have body image problems or expect an entirely ‘new you.’ You still will be the same person, so it’s vital to have realistic expectations. 

Your surgeon will ask you about your goals for breast augmentation and advise you if your expectations are unrealistic. 

The Procedure Is For You

Ideal breast augmentation candidates understand that the procedure is done for them; you should never change your breasts to make someone else happy. 

If your partner encourages you to get breast surgery and you don’t want it, you should not move forward with this procedure. It’s unlikely you’ll be satisfied with the results if you don’t even want the procedure in the first place. 

Be Ready For Recovery

Breast augmentation is major surgery, and you will need a few weeks of rest and fewer activities to recover. You won’t be able to lift heavy objects, do strenuous workouts, or do extensive childcare duties for at least two or three weeks. 

You should have plans in place before surgery to help you with childcare and other strenuous activities during your recovery. 

Who Is Not A Breast Augmentation Candidate

Generally, you should not have breast augmentation if you are not in good mental and physical health. Your doctor will review your medical history and mental state during your consultation. He probably will not recommend breast surgery if: 

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. 
• You have any type of cancer that is in treatment, including breast cancer. Also, he probably won’t recommend surgery if you have an unusual mammogram. 
• You are seriously ill or have an infection that requires antibiotics. 
• You don’t have realistic expectations after surgery, such as expecting to do a marathon a few weeks after breast augmentation. 

Most women can eventually qualify for breast augmentation. However, you should be honest with your plastic surgeon during your consultation. If breast augmentation isn’t a fit for you today, it could be in a few months or next year. 

Also, your surgeon might recommend other options to help you enhance the appearance of your breasts. 

Outlook 

Breast augmentation is a safe, popular cosmetic procedure that offers many patients enhanced contours and greater self-esteem. However, you should consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure. 

References:

Breast Augmentation by Dr. Ashley Steinberg Plastic Surgery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.drsteinberg.com/procedures/breast/breast-augmentation/ 

Are You A Good Candidate For Breast Augmentation? (2019). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/are-you-a-good-candidate-for-breast-augmentation/

Breast Augmentation Candidates. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/candidates