Is 18 Too Young for a Breast Lift? (photo)

Breast shape, volume and skin laxity are more important factors than age in determining the need for a breast lift. I often see young women with no children who have loose, saggy breast. The decision as to whether to have only a breast lift, only a breast augmentation, or a combination of both really depends on what your goals are for the final result. In your situation, an implant will add more volume to the upper breast, but will not address the amount of sag you currently have. A lift alone will improve your shape and slightly increase the upper pole volume at the expense of incisions on the breast. A lift with an implant will both increase your volume, and elevate the breast and nipple/areolar complex.

There is no doubt that you will benefit in terms of aesthetics from a breast uplift that may be combined with an implant to enhance your volume. You should however be aware of the potential scars and the inability to breast feed after a mastopexy. You need to consult a Plastic surgeon and consider the surgery before proceeding. 

Hello! Thank you for your question. Breast lift is an excellent procedure to rejuvenate of reshape the breasts.  Women who have the breast lift done report increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and more comfortable
with her body. In fact, it has been one of the the most popular procedures in
plastic surgery in the US for the past few years. Many surgeons use 18
years of age as the standard for when to offer an aesthetic
procedure to women. Maturity and the ability to make an educated
decision for yourself of whether this procedure is the right one for you
as well as factors regarding implant choice, size, incision placement,
position of the implant, other adjunct procedures, etc are major
factors. Having the maturity to understand all of the risks and
benefits of the surgical procedure is also mandatory - thus, most are
readily able to comprehend this at that age. However, your breasts will continue to grow and change with age, gravity, pregnancy, weight gain/loss - so this is something to consider in your decision.  But, a consultation once you are ready to at least hear the discussion can be done at any time.  Good
communication between you and your surgeon of
your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the
first step. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon well-versed
in this procedure. Research your surgeon's education, training, as
well as ability to perform this procedure. See postoperative
photographs and most importantly choose the one who you feel most
comfortable with and competent to meet your expectations. Discussion of
your wishes and having an honest and open
dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type, incision,
placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the
patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for
in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's
pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal
for you. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize
his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best
possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and
fitting the right implant for your breast width. Hope that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

You may benefit from either a breast implant to improve upper pole breast volume, an areolar reduction, or a simple breast lift.  Genetic factors may influence early or late drooping of the breasts. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

If I were you I would not have a mastopexy. The breasts are attractive and not deserving of the incisions required for mastopexy. If you want to be somewhat larger breast implants will give the appearance of the lift.

          If you want more fullness above the areolae, you may want to consider implants.  If you want to have a breast lift with areolar reduction, this can be done as well.  18 is not too young for this surgery.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast lift procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for your question and photographs.  Breast lift surgery is an excellent procedure to reshape the breasts and many young women in my practice report increased self-confidence and self esteem following this procedure. The decision to have a breast lift, a breast augmentation or a combination of procedures will ultimately depend on what your desired final results.  You may be happy with a breast augmentation alone in the short term but its likely down the track you would require a revision breast lift with implants to address breast sagging and to achieve fullness to the upper portion of your breast.  Your areolas could be reshaped at the same time as your breast surgery.

You are not too young for breast surgery at 18. Depending upon what you want, you might consider an augmentation for larger and fuller breast. This will not lift the breast, and lifting does involve more scarring. Remember, with pregnancy and breast feeding, your breast will probably change. At your age, I would consider the augmentation. After you have had all the children you desire, then consider lifting.

If your main concern is lack of tissue above the nipple then a Breast Implant will help fill the upper pole and give you a nice cleavage.

If the droopy/saggy breast is the major concern that you would like addressed then a Breast Lift will suffice, although the lift will not address the upper pole fullness.

If both are your concerns then the answer is Implant + lift

Hope this helps

 

There is no age (except that of consent) as to when you can have surgery.  BUT you must consider the risks inherent in such procedures and if they can impact important issues to you like fully breast feeding or having sensitive nipples, you really need to review your motivations before making a decision.  Surgery certainly be done... just make sure you really want it, especially since it is not a permanent fix.