I want to enlarge my breasts. How do I know if I'm a good candidate? (photo)

Deciding if you're a good candidate for breast augmentation is a personal journey that involves several factors. It's essential to have realistic expectations and be in good overall health, both physically and mentally. Here's a breakdown of the typical considerations:

You might be a good candidate if you:

Are in good physical health: You should not have any active infections, untreated serious illnesses, or cancer. Any pre-existing medical conditions should be discussed with your surgeon.
Are at least 18 years old for saline implants or 22 years old for silicone implants. These are the FDA's minimum age requirements for cosmetic augmentation.  
Have fully developed breasts: While there isn't a strict age limit beyond the FDA's, it's generally preferred that your breasts are fully developed.
Have realistic expectations: Understand that breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and potentially boost your self-confidence, but it won't drastically change your overall look or solve body image issues.  
Are a non-smoker or are willing to quit: Smoking can significantly hinder healing and increase the risk of complications.  
Have stable weight: Significant weight fluctuations after surgery can affect the appearance of your breasts.  
Understand the risks and benefits: Be fully aware of the potential complications and the expected outcomes of the surgery.
Are doing it for yourself: Your decision should be based on your own desires and not influenced by others.
Have specific concerns you want to address, such as:
Naturally small breasts.
Loss of breast volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
Uneven breast size or shape.
Breasts that appear flattened, elongated, or sagging.
Are prepared for the recovery process: You'll need time to rest and avoid certain activities after surgery.
You might not be a good candidate if you:

Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Have breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram that hasn't been evaluated.
Have an active infection or are currently ill.
Have unrealistic expectations about the results.
Have significant health problems that could increase surgical risks.
Are using breast augmentation to try and fix other underlying psychological issues.
How to know for sure if you're a good candidate:

The only way to definitively determine if you're a good candidate for breast augmentation is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During this consultation, the surgeon will:  

Review your medical history.
Discuss your goals and expectations.  
Perform a physical examination of your breasts.
Explain the different types of implants (saline, silicone, cohesive gel), sizes, shapes, and placement options.
Discuss the surgical procedure in detail, including potential risks, benefits, and recovery.
Assess your overall health and psychological well-being.
Answer all your questions.
Based on this comprehensive evaluation, the surgeon will be able to give you an honest and professional opinion about whether breast augmentation is a suitable option for you. They can also discuss alternatives if breast augmentation is not recommended.

Key takeaway: Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon is the most crucial step in determining your candidacy for breast augmentation.


Sources and related content

You are. Good candidate for augmentation and will have a natural result with the appropriate size. Smooth round saline or silicone implants are used as far as implants are concerned. Saline implants are simple to maintain as far as rupture is concerned as you know if they are ruptured and the exchange is easy, low risk and far much less expensive. Textured implants (gummy bear type) have been causative (rarely) in lymphoma or squamous cell cancers so I do not use them. Also know that fat transfer is an excellent option with low long term risk. Thank you for inquiring!