Question about getting breast implants at 21?

All insurance plans are different and your insurance will likely change between now and when you have an issue with your implants. But to be on the safe side, you should ask your current insurance company about coverage of cosmetic surgery issues. If you have any questions about whether implants are right for you, you might choose to wait a year to make sure you still want them. Make sure your doctor reviews all potential risks and that you have given a lot of thought to your desired breast size. Once you are well informed and still want them, it should be an enjoyable experience at 21 or 22.

My personal philosophy is not to consider insurance able to provide coverage for anything that was performed for aesthetic/cosmetic reasons initially. All of the 3 major implant companies in the United States have warranties for their respective breast implant devices related to rupture. I would have a conversation with the plastic surgeon that is going to perform your breast augmentation procedure regarding the postoperative period including management of a ruptured implant.

Determing the best age at which to undergo breast augmentation is an individual assessment that each patient needs to make after consulting with their surgeon. The reason that you have been told 22 is that the FDA approval for silicone implants is in women over the age of 22 for a variety of mostly political reasons. In general, if you are fully matured (meaning the breasts are stable in size for at least a year), not currently pregnant or nursing, have no active infections, and are cancer free, you may be considered a candidate for breast augmentation. Full consultation will address other relative contraindications and individual considerations of risk. In my experience, insurance rarely covers treatment of a rupture regardless of the age at which the initial surgery was done. In some rare instances with earlier generation implants, there is such a significant capsular contracture or calcification that insurance has covered the removal of the implants only, but again this is not common. Most implant companies offer warranty coverage that includes replacement of the implant devices and some amount of money toward the surgery required if a rupture occurs, so it is worth looking into your options for that.
If you are confused by the information provided at your initial consultation or feel your questions are unanswered, it is always worth seeking a second opinion. I hope this helps!