Is Italy's Ban on Teen Breast Implants Reasonable?

Teen girls in Italy under the age of will soon be banned from having breast implants, according to Bloomberg News. What is the standard in the US? Is this ban in Italy even reasonable?

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Eva S in Seattle, WA

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Age Limits for Breast Implants

There may be appropriate situations for a teenager to have implant surgery, as for reconstruction of deformity. Cosmetic breast augmentation is generally not judicious in teenage women who are physically still actively developing. No less importantly is consideration of the implications for psychosocial development and self-image. Under ideal circumstances, the determination of appropriateness of elective surgery results from a thoughtful and informed decision by an adult in... more

Breast surgery in teens. How old should you be? (how young is too young?)

18. The FDA and Italy have decided you should be 18 before doing cosmetic surgery to change your breast. I am a girl who believes in girl power. I think an 18 year old girl in these informational times can be astute and well informed. BUT Your teens is a time of immense change. Girls mature at different times. When did you get your period? Stop growing? Is your weight fluctating? (And if not yet, have you gone to college and gotten the freshman 15?) Who you are and what... more

Italy's Ban on Teen Breast Implants

I agree with the spirit of the December 2009 Breast Augmentation on Teens Italian ban NOT with the letter. The non-Plastic surgery public, including lawmakers, do not understand the difference between reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery. While putting an implant in a 17 year old girl just so she can fill a much larger bra is what the public is used to seeing, they have no clue of the pain and desperation of young women who have huge breast asymmetry, under developed (Poland's... more

Teenage Breast Implants

Cosmetic surgery in patients under the age of 18 not recommended...however, reconstructive surgery, and even utilization of breast prostheses for correction of congenital breast anomalies, can be a fantastic use of plastic surgery resources to bring change to a young females live. However, even reconstructive surgery must be performed only after significant deliberation, discussion, counseling, preparation and education as well as parental consent. I personally do not perform cosmetic procedu more

Age limits on breast augmentation

The standard (not law) in the United States that most board-certified plastic surgeons abide by is not performing cosmetic breast augmentation on any women under the age of 18. This standard is accepted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Most teenagers are not ready mentally to undergo elective cosmetic surgery. Physically, their bodies may still be developing. There are exceptions to this rule and that is why the surgeon, patient, and her family should... more

Age limits on breast augmentation

Breast augmentation and cosmetic procedures in general should only be performed in adolescents if there are clear indications. Age cut offs may be somewhat arbitrary as physical and psychological development is variable.

Italian ban on breast implants in teens--a good idea?

Government, in my opinion, has no business practicing medicine. It is up to the surgeon, the patient, and her family (parent or guardian) to decide what is right for the patient. I'm not a particular advocate of teenagers having breast augmentation--in fact, many should NOT, as their breasts and bodies are still growing and changing. However, breast implants can make a huge positive difference in a girl's life if they are used to correct significant breast... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

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Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Age Limits on Implants

Yes its true that girls under the age of 18 in Italy will not be allowed to get implants. However this is a fair call because your body is still growing at that age and getting implants when you aren't sure what size you will be after you are finished growing is just not smart. In the USA there is not age limit but i would not recommend and implant to anyone so young. The only age thing in the US is that you have to be 22 years old for a silicone implant, however if you are that... more

Age requirements for breast augmentation

Breast augmentation can be performed for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. In young patients, there may be an overlap between these two surgical goals. In most cases, both surgeon and patient should exercise good judgement before proceeding with a breast augmentation. In all cases, it is difficult to be judgemental about age requirements for breast augmentation until you carefully examine the specific factors in each case.

Italy bans breast implants for young girls

The ban on breast implants will be for patients under 18. This is not unreasonable but should have exceptions for special circumstances. There are some problems young girls may face that should be allowed to be treated with breast implants. For example, some women are born with one breast REALLY different from the other. This can be uncomfortable socially for obvious reasons. Then there are some girls born missing one or both breasts. In these types of situations (and maybe a few others)... more