Most women who get breast augmentation are between the age of 30 and 39, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Women in their 40s and 20s are not far behind. For many women, their 40s are the decade in which they have completed childbearing and the breast tissues are not the same as earlier in life. In your 40s, breast augmentation is still a great option! Read below for particulars as they relate to surgery at this point in your life.
Breast Augmentation Age Statistics
First, take a look below at age groups and what percentage of breast augmentation patients they make up.
- Under 20: 3 percent
- Age 20-29: 29 percent
- Age 30-39: 37 percent
- Age 40-54: 29 percent
- Age 55 and over: 2 percent
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons calculated these statistics based on numbers from their member surgeons. They publish an annual statistics report each year, and the above percentages are from their 2018 report – the latest available.
Breast Tissue in Young Adulthood vs. Mid-Adulthood
In your 40s, your breasts will look and feel different than they did in your 20s and 30s. Aging naturally causes loss of volume and increasing sagginess. Any breast augmentation in middle age should be tailored to address the degree to which you are experiencing both of these issues.
Dr. Perez may suggest combining a breast lift with the placement of breast implants. This combination will both increase breast size and reduce sagging breast tissue. Also called mastopexy, a breast lift removes the excess tissue, re-positions drooping nipples, and re-shapes the breasts to a more lifted, round appearance.
Breast Augmentation and Your Childbearing Years
In your 40s, your choices surrounding children may be different than years past. Perhaps you've had all the children you want and have no future plans to become pregnant. While pregnancy has no effect on a breast augmentation or vice versa, there is a benefit to waiting until you no longer plan for pregnancy to undergo breast augmentation:
- Your results won't be affected by pregnancy. The natural weight gain and loss, and the enlargement of the breasts that occurs during pregnancy can change the look of previously augmented breasts. The skin may become a little saggy and there may be less perkiness than before. Some women find they need a revision augmentation or a breast lift following childbirth.
- You won't have to include breastfeeding as a concern when weighing your options. The vast majority of women who receive breast augmentation have no problems with breastfeeding later on. There is a small number of breast augmentation patients who are unable to breastfeed afterward, either because of the surgery itself, or because they were already unable to breastfeed. Overall, inability to breastfeed is a small risk of breast surgery, so waiting until you no longer plan to have more children may be the perfect time to undergo this procedure.
Breast Augmentation and Mammograms
Breast augmentation tends not to interfere with mammograms, according to Cleveland Clinic. You should certainly let your mammography technician know that you have breast implants. She or he will be able to use that information to more effectively complete the scan. If the implants are placed under the chest muscle, farther away from the breast gland, that will help with mammograms as well.
Tailoring the Decision to You as an Individual
Whether you are in your 40s, a young adult, an older woman, or anywhere in between, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Victor Perez will help you decide if breast augmentation is right for you, right now. Many women in middle age know themselves well, and possess the maturity and financial security to make breast surgery a great choice. To schedule your consultation in Overland Park, KS, please call Renue Aesthetic Surgery at 913-685-1108.
