What would cause someone to not qualify as a candidate for a breast augmentation?

Question

What are some examples of patients not being a candidate for a breast augmentation?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

A patient may not be a good candidate for breast augmentation if the surgery cannot be done safely or if the expected result is unlikely to meet the goal. Examples include uncontrolled medical problems, high anesthesia risk, active infection, untreated breast masses or abnormal breast imaging, pregnancy or early breastfeeding, nicotine use that cannot be stopped, bleeding disorders, or medications that cannot safely be paused.

There are also aesthetic and expectation-related reasons. Very thin tissue, severe sagging that needs a lift, major asymmetry, choosing an implant size that is too large for the chest, or unrealistic expectations can all make augmentation alone the wrong operation.

The decision is usually made after an in-person exam, review of medical history, breast measurements, and any needed clearance or imaging. Sometimes the answer is not “no surgery,” but a different plan or delaying surgery until health and expectations are optimized.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Dls1213,
in most cases, patient will have other medical conditions that prevent them from getting a surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

An example of someone "not being a candidate" for breast augmentation would include a patient who has too much breast ptosis (sagging). If the breasts were too low in position, we would perform a mastopexy (breast lift) first, wait a number of months and then place an implant.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

That is a very interesting and important question. It is a personal decision a woman must make. Breast implants are not permanent. If you sign up for breast augmentation, you really are signing up for at least two operations. Placement of the implants and sometime down the road, in 10 to 15 years, either exchanging them or removing them. Also women undergoing breast augmentation surgery should be doing it for herself alone! If you are considering this surgery because your boyfriend or husband likes big breasts, it is a mistake in my opinion.
However, generally speaking, there really are not any contraindications for breast augmentation surgery for a healthy woman. Come see me or another board-certified Plastic Surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you. Best of luck.

Jonathan Landon, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! A few contraindications for a breast augmentation include a patient with body dysmorphic disorder, psychological instability, or someone having the procedure done due to pressure from a peer/spouse/parent/etc. Additionally, someone under the age of 18, a patient with significant breast disease (for example severe fibrocystic disease, ductal hyperplasia, or high risk breast cancer), or a patient with collagen vascular disease are also advised against having a breast augmentation.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. However, you may or may not need a breast augmentation but need a breast lift. More information is needed to give an more accurate answer.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Each patient is evaluated individually to determine if they are a candidate for breast augmentation but there are some general concerns that may exclude them from candidacy.  The first is medical history.  If the patient has uncontrolled medical conditions that would make surgery unsafe.  These can range from bleeding disorders, to high blood pressure, to uncontrolled diabetes to name a few.  Your surgeon will review your medical history at your consultation to determine if clearance is needed by a specialist.  Another concern would be someone with unrealistic expectations.  If someone comes in and would like implants alone to lift the breasts but will not consider a lift as well, then the surgeon knows this patient will end up dissatisfied with poor results. Another example would be someone who is unrealistic or unable to allow time for recovery.  If unable then the patient and surgeon may consider meeting again when the patient is better able to arrange for time to heal from surgery.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

First, those who have health issues that are not stable enough to have elective surgery should not have elective surgery. Those who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breast feeding should not have surgery. Those with unknown breast masses should not have surgery until the mass is known to be benign. Those who are not realistic about what can and cannot be done should not have breast surgery. These are some of the more common reasons, but there are more.  Those who do not want a breast augmentation should not have one.

What would cause someone to not qualify as a candidate for a breast augmentation?

Answers (8)

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