Breast lift surgery can be a highly effective solution for sagging breasts, but this doesn’t mean that the surgery is for everyone. The best candidates for this procedure are women who have experienced significant breast drooping, stretching of the skin and a loss of breast volume. Age is another important consideration. The vast majority of doctors recommend that patients be 18 years or older before having breast lift surgery. Why? In addition to basic physical reasons, there are also psychological factors to consider.
Reasons to Wait for Breast Lift Surgery
If you are under the age of 18 and want to have breast lift surgery, you may feel impatient or frustrated that doctors prefer you wait. It is important to understand that waiting until you’re older can actually lead to better results. For most young women, breasts continue to develop throughout the teen years. By the time you have reached the age of 18, however, development and growth will have had time to finish and stabilize.
Another important factor to consider is the psychological and emotional consequences of surgery. Before you have any type of cosmetic surgery, you must be mature enough to deal with the recovery, aftercare and long-term implications of the procedures. What may seem like a good decision today may not be the best choice years down the road. For this reason, most doctors suggest that women wait until they are at least 18, although some doctors even recommend waiting until over the age of 21.
If You Do Opt for Surgery
While 18 is the earliest age recommended by the majority of doctors, this does not mean that it is impossible to have a breast lift at a young age. For teens with very large, sagging breasts, surgeons may decide that a breast lift is a viable option. Women whose breast growth has stabilized and are experiencing significant drooping or sagging are the best candidates.
In some cases, your doctor may also recommend a breast reduction or breast augmentation in conjunction with your breast lift. Breast reductions are frequently performed in cases where extremely large breasts have lead to back pain, neck pain, sagging and even breathing problems. Breast augmentation surgery can help restore volume and shape to breasts with significant sagging. If you believe that this might be a good option for your needs, start by consulting a qualified breast augmentation doctor to learn more about the procedure.
If you do choose to have a breast lift, carefully research the benefits, outcomes and risks associated with the cosmetic procedure
Discuss questions you may have with a plastic surgeon. By understanding all aspects of the cosmetic surgery you will be more likely to enjoy a satisfying surgery experience.
