Breast augmentation, popular procedure for younger female patients, does not appear to have the short shelf life many expected. In fact, women well into the middle years of life are successfully undergoing breast augmentation today, with excellent results in most cases. If you are looking for a way to turn back time and regain your youthful figure, breast augmentation may be just the procedure to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a procedure that increases the size and fullness of the breasts via implants. These implants come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes that allow us to customize your implants to your specific body proportions and desired results. The implants may be placed directly into the breast tissue or underneath the pectoral muscle to add shape and volume to the breast contour.
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. Incisions to place the implants are typically made around the areola or in the breast crease, where visible scarring after surgery will be minimal. Most patients are back to regular activities within 1-2 weeks after their augmentation procedure.
Reasons for Getting Breast Implants Now
The face is not the only area of the body that begins to show the signs of aging over time. The breasts can also undergo changes, including:
- Breasts that have lost volume, due to pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Breasts that have begun to droop and sag, known as ptosis
- Nipples that have begun to point downward
- Changes to the appearance of the breasts due to weight fluctuations
All of these changes to the breasts can alter your entire body contour, making you look older than you feel. The good news is that breast augmentation, sometimes combined with a lift procedure, can help restore a more youthful profile and give you some of your bounce and vitality back.
Benefits of a Later Breast Augmentation
When women hit their 40s and 50s, they are often much more self-assured and confident than they were during their younger years. They have typically raised their children and achieved success in their chosen professions. Women at this stage of life are often in a better place emotionally, mentally and financially to undergo plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation.
In addition, women at this age have often seen changes take place to their breasts that can be effectively addressed through surgical enhancement. On the other hand, women that have augmentation at an earlier age may still see some of those changes take place later on, necessitating an additional procedure in some case to maintain the positive results. When augmentation is performed later, additional procedures can be performed at the same time to create those positive results in a single surgery.
The Importance of Medical History
When you are seeking any type of surgical procedure in the later years of life, including plastic surgery, there are some specific factors to consider. As a general rule, plastic surgery can be safe and successful at any age as long as you are in relatively good health. A medical history becomes even more important as patients enter their 50s and beyond, because there can be more medical concerns that arise as you get older. Having a medical condition doesn’t necessarily rule out all surgery options, but it can alter how your procedure is performed to ensure it is as safe as possible for you.
Ensuring Proper Healing
Another concern when pursuing breast augmentation in your 50s is the condition of your skin. As we age, our skin begins to lose some of its firmness and elasticity, leading to skin sagging and the formation of creases. These changes can also impact how well our bodies respond to plastic surgery. Of particular concern may be your body’s ability to heal well at the incision site. Your plastic surgeon can recommend topical treatments or other methods for ensuring the best wound-healing possible.
The Need for a Lift
Women in their 50s that are contemplating breast augmentation may find that combining the implants with a breast lift offers the best results. A breast lift is a surgical procedure that restores the breasts to a youthful position on the chest, reversing ptosis that often occurs over time. A breast lift may also involve repositioning of nipples that have begun to point downward, promising a more natural, beautiful result.
If you are unsure whether you need a lift with your augmentation procedure, talk to your plastic surgeon. Working together, you can determine whether a lift is essential to give you the best results from your augmentation. If you decide a lift is necessary, it can be performed at the same time as your augmentation procedure, giving you additional benefits from a single surgical session and recovery period.
Switching it Up
Some women decide to have breast augmentation in their later years because they want to make changes to an augmentation procedure they had undergone previously. This is known as breast revision surgery and it may involve changing the size or type of implant or removing the implants completely. If you decide to have breast revision surgery, it is important to choose a surgeon that is experienced in this type of procedure. Revision surgery can be more complicated due to the formation of scar tissue and other factors, requiring a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to make sure the procedure offers the best outcome possible.
Breast augmentation is a popular procedure for younger women, but it can be a good option for women in their middle to later years as well. The surgeons and staff at Coastal Plastic Surgeons are experienced in working with patients of all ages and can help you choose the augmentation procedure to achieve your aesthetic goals. To learn more about your choices in breast augmentation, contact Coastal Plastic Surgeons at (858) 365-3558.