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50 Too Old for Breast Implants?

I'm turning 50 this year, still in good shape but feeling gravity all over! Can I still have breast implant surgery and what would reasonable expectations be for a woman my age?

Sort 29 expert answers by:
+3

Happy Birthday! Age in itself is not a contraindication for breast enhancement.

About 20% of my augmentation patients are in this age group. Many women think that because gravity was not kind to them, that an augmentation will fix this. If you think that in a bra you have enough breast volume, than a lift might be more appropriate. If you feel that you would like more fullness on top to balance the hips, thae an augmentation might be the better choice. The better your skin elasticity, thickness and lack of stretch marks, the better the results. Also, remember that if... more
George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+3

Breast implants are not age-specific

As long as you accept the fact that breast implants are not permanent solutions in that changes will continue to occur to your breasts such as sagging, changes in volume and quality of your overlying soft tissues. and ongoing concerns with cancer detection, you may still be a good candidate for breast implants. Whether you will need a lift as well or whether the implants by themselves can produce the results beneficial to you should be addressed by your plastic surgeon.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+3

Go For It!

You are not alone. It is quite common for women in their late 40s and early 50s to have breast implants. It actually makes good sense because this is often the time when women have less family obligations and are then able to begin focusing on themselves. From a plastic surgeon's standpoint, as long as you are healthy, 50 is still young. I think this is a great time for you to spoil youself and feel good about the way you look. You are definitely not alone and I think you will be so... more
Thomas T. Nguyen, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Implants At Any Age

Your birthdate is not as important as your overall health. If you are healthy and active, you may be a candidate for an electivr cosmetic procedure. See a board-certified plastic surgeeon to discuss your goals and determine if you are a good candidate fir breast implant surgery.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast Implants and Age: Performing Breast Augmentation over the age of 50

There are several things we would consider when planning breast augmentation surgery at any age: The overall health of the patient Anatomic characteristics of the breast Skin quality Nipple position Body proportions and harmony Age is not a reflection of body image or the need to feel 'sexy.' If you feel you need more volume in the breasts to acheive more harmony in body proportion, a board certified plastic surgeon should evaluate your medical condition and anatomic characteristics that... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Too old for breast implants??

There is no age limit on implants. Instead, in my practice, the issues we focus on are: Are you healthy enough for surgery? Do you have realistic expectations for the outcome? What type of implant will best suit your needs? What are your physical and physiologic characteristics and how can we get the best result taking those into consideration? ... In other words, the same things we consider for all breast augmentation patients. Here are some things that can be different for patients aged... more
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Our oldest patient who elected breast implants was just short of age 70!

As we baby boomers age, we are redefining the age limits on many procedures. Our criteria for excluding patients is not based on age. Rather, we want our patients to lead healthy lifestyles and have no major medical problems. So if you are a healthy 50 or 60 year-old patient, we welcome you in our Wine Country/Marin plastic surgery practice for breast implants. We actually find that the "older" patients end up having less pain and recovering just as quickly, if not more quickly,... more
Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+2

Age is just a number

Dear Mtn-mama, Age 50 is considered young in my book. There is no magic age above which you shouldn't have breast implants. If you are healthy and have no contraindications to the surgery, you can readily and safely undergo breast augmentation. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area will determine what is necessary to get you to your goal, i.e., you may need a breast lift, as well as, or instead of breast implants. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Age is relative

Hi there- The short answer to your question is definitely NO. I have successfully enhanced the breasts of women older than yourself- with a great deal of patient satisfaction. The most important issue is really not your age, but your state of health. As long as you are healthy and have a good understanding of your goals, the procedure and its likely outcome, recovery, and risks, you are a good candidate. Find a board certified plastic surgeon you like and think you can work with and discuss... more
Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+2

As long as you are healthy there really is no age limit on breast implants

I don't believe that there is an age limit for breast implant surgery. I have performed primary augmentation mamoplasty on patients as old as 76. Older folks may have medical indications that would prohibit elective cosmetic surgery but there is no reason to deny them the chance to have their breast enlarged. There is also a higher chance that they may need additional surgery to simultaneously lift their breast or reshape their breast. Those older folks have been every bit as happy as my... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Not too old for implants!

I've taken care of a lot of patients who wanted breast augmentation at ages 50 and older. 50 year old patients are at no greater risk than their healthy younger counterparts. If this is what you'd like, I'd encourage you to follow through with the idea and meet some doctors in your area and get some more information and see if it's right for you! Dr. Kaufman
David L. Kaufman, MD
Folsom Plastic Surgeon
+1

Age Limit for Breast Augmentation

51 is definitely not too old for Breast Augmentation.  Today's 50 is yesterdays 40.  As long as you are healthy and take care of your body than there's no reason not to consider a Breast Augmentation at your age. 
Robert N. Young, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation at 50

Congratulations on celebrating such a wonderful milestone! By no means is being 50 a disqualifier for breast augmentation. Good candidacy is left to your overall health, genetics, the health and condition of your skin and breast tissue, as well as your expectations. I’d also recommend getting medical clearance from your primary care doctor beforehand. You may have different goals for the breast augmentation surgery than a 20 year old would. For that reason, I suggest that you... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

50 is the new 30!

Sorry for the humor, but if you are healthy, 50 is not old at all!  The main issue for you is the amount of droop your breast have.  If you have just lost volume, implants are the answer.  If you have a little droop, implants may still be the answer.  If there is a lot of droop, then you will need a breast lift in addition to implants to add volume.  I have a video on my web site that reviews these issues. Visit with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon to... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation at any age......

Breast Augmentation at almost any adult age is a reasonable thing to do if you are in good overall health and do not smoke.  I see women of all ages for breast augmentation who are happy with results for various and individual personal reasons. 
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Age Restriction for Breast Augmentation

Age does not exclude you from being a good candidate for breast augmentation; genetics, your overall health, your anatomy, namely the condition of your breast tissue and skin quality, your attitude (which certainly does not seem to be too large of a hurdle....I would be excited for you and as long as everything checks out with your doctor would advise you to pursue your goal). However, you did mention that gravity is affecting you. If this is true, and your breasts are ptotic )sagging), t more
John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Age at time of breast augmentation

Getting breast implants at the age of 50 is a perfectly reasonable thing to do if you are in good health.  While it is true that the majority of patients undergoing breast augmentation are in their 20s and 30s, more patients in their 40s and beyond are looking at breast implants as an option.  If gravity is affecting your breasts, then a breast lift will also likely be needed.  You can expect great results with a breast lift and augmentation at the age of 50!... more
Naveen Setty, MD
Plano Plastic Surgeon
+1

50 and finally getting your fabulous breasts!

If you are in good health and you want a breast augmentation, there is no age limit for the procedure.  I've done breast augmentations on women much older than you and all have said they wish they'd done it years earlier!
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is no age restriction on implants

To be eligible for implants you must be in good physical and mental health. When you say that you're feeling gravity all over, that implies to me that you may have some droopiness to your breasts and perhaps a breast lift in addition to breast implants is something that you may want to consider.  It will add scars, but would possibly greatly improve the overall shape of your breasts. Talk to your board certified Plastic Surgeon about whether or not you may need a lift as... more
Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

50 is a perfect age

Age is not a contraindication or limitation to breast augmentation. Criteria that makes a good candidate for surgery include  individuals who are overall healthy, and have no major medical problems. 50 is a perfect age if you meet the criteria above.
Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ages for breast implants

Breast implants in woman over 50 are not uncommon. In my view, 50 is definitely not "old!" What really defines your age is your overall health. Although it's a cliche, age really is relative. There are some changes that occur with your breasts as you age, and these must be taken into consideration with augmentation. For example, often times, a lift may be considered if there is any ptosis (or droopiness) of the breasts. A mammogram is required prior to... more
David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plastic surgery for aging women

Age does not exclude you from being a good candidate for breast augmentation. However, you mentioned that gravity is a factor in why you are choosing plastic surgery. You may need a lift in addition to the breast enhancement. I would advice you to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your best possible options. Usually, prior to surgery, a mammogram, EKG, and medical clearance is required to proceed with surgery. Take care and good luck to you.
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast enhancement can be great at any age- as long as you are healthy!

50 is the new 30, I'm told... your age does not preclude breast enhancement in any way.  You will likely need a medical clearance from your medical physician, as your plastic surgeon will want to make sure that you don't have any heart or lung disease that can interfere with safety in an elective operation.  Breast enhancement, in many ways, is easier and a shorter operation than a face lift which I commonly perform on women in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

You're never too old for breast implants.

Age is not a contraindication to breast augmentation.  I have augmented a woman for the first time when she was in her 70's and she was delight as any 21 year old.  I don't know what motivates every patient but I find it reassuring the people in their later years still have interest in many aspects of life.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

50 is not too old for breast implants!

Breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery in the United States because it provides a consistent way for a woman to change the shape, position and size of her breasts. If you are considering to increase or change the shape of your breast, be sure that you are working with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to examine the and let you know of the different options that are available in your case. You may benefit from a breast augmentation alone or a breast... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
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