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Is There a "Weight Limit" to Have Breast Augmentation?

asked 3 years ago by thrumyis in Apache Junction, Az
Latest answer by Raj S. Ambay, MD
Question viewed 8,125 times
Tags: overweight

I am 5'5" and approximately 210 lbs. I just had a plastic surgeon tell me that I was "too fat" for breast augementation and he would not do it on me! Are there "weight restrictions" for something like this?

15 answers to Is There a "Weight Limit" to Have Breast Augmentation?

No absolute limit

There is no absolute number or maximum weight, as long as your overall health is ok and you can tolerate the procedure. If you are planning on losing a significant amount of weight, however, I would recommend getting closer to your goal weight prior to surgery, as it will likely give you the best chance at an excellent cosmetic result in balance with the rest of your body.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Higher Breast Augmentation risks for overweight patients

Hello We don't have a weight limit on our patients, but we do tell all patients who are overweight that they have higher risks of complications such as infection, loss of implant and anesthetic complications. Having clearly stated goals, and discussing these with your surgeon is very important. Heavier patients who have droop in their breasts are not going to get the perky breasts that a thin patient with no droop will get. If you are satisfied with a larger version of your own breasts,... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation and Ideal Weight

While there is no set weight limit for patients undergoing breast augmentation, or any elective cosmetic surgery for that matter, some plastic surgeons choose not to perform elective plastic surgery on patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. The BMI is a a measure of body fat based on height and weight: Underweight : BMI < 18.4 Ideal Weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9 Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9 Obese: BMI > 30 At 5'5"... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with augmentation for best results

There are no absolute weight restrictions for a breast augmentation, but when considering any body contouring procedure, it is best to be at or nearly at your 'goal' weight prior to the procedure. From your photos you would be a better candidate for a breast lift and a breast augmentation. A breast lift by itself will not give you a satisfactory result. Your nipples are in a low position. It is important, to make the result look correct to have the implant directly behind the center of... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

No

If you mean: Can you have a breast augmentation if you are overweight? the answer is yes you can. If you are so overweight that you are not a good anesthesia risk, then you should not have any unnecesary surgery.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Weight not exactly limited for Breast Augmentation

There are many things to conside in cosmetic surgery. One thing that is perhaps the most important is that the patient be an appropriate candidate for the procedure. If you are obese to the point that you are not healthy, I would expect that you would address that issue, so your procedure would not put you at undue risk. Additonally, if you are very heavy, especially with a short waist line, implants may actually make you look heavier. Perhaps now might be a more appropriate time to look... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

No weight limit to Breast Augmentation

Absolutely not. Weight is not a factor in the decision to pursue breast augmentation. However, excessive body fat on the abdomen and lateral chest wall may influence the projection of the breasts after augmentation and make them less noticeable when compared to a more svelte patient.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Higher body fat and Complications

No limit but known higher risk of complications with incresed weight for any surgical procedure. Also, if your abdomen is large the result of augmenatation are less pronounced in clothing. For the best result get to a weight you are comfortable with then have the procedure.

Raj S. Ambay, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Weight and Breast Augmentation

There is no absolute weight limit for breast augmentation. The surgeon needs to verify that you are in adequate physical condition to undergo the surgery. There are greater risks for overweight patients.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation in overweight individuals

Overall risks from surgery are elevated in individuals who aer above their ideal body weight. As long as you understand this, it is my opinion that you could undergo a breast augmentation procedure.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants not just for skinny women

Assuming you are otherwise healthy, there is no reason you couldn't have a breast augmentation, no matter what your weight is right now. Breast implants make your breasts larger--if that's your goal, then they're probably right for you. Based on your photo, by the way, I think you'll need a breast lift as well.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Even fat people can have breast implants.

If obesity is a contraindication to a safe operation, I would agree with you surgeon. If you are healthy, there is no reason not to have bigger breasts, if you wish. The operation is simple and straightforward.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Weight limits and breast augmentation

Certaily there are no weight limits. However, it is always better to do this surgery when patients are at their goal weight. The risk of complications are greater in heavier patients, but it is not an absolute contraindication.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

No weight limit for Breast Augmentation

There is no weight limit for breast augmentation. In my experience, weight does influence the size of the implant selected. Heavier patients require larger implants to achieve the desired change in breast cup size. In some patients, obesity can affect their health status. These patients must be properly evaluated to determine their surgical risk before undergoing this type of procedure.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

As long as you are a safe surgical candidate, there is no restriction

Thrumyis, If you are asking about your weight, then there is no restriction as long as you are a safe surgical candidate. However, if you are very heavy, then even large implants may not be perceptible underneath all of your own tissue.