Is There a "Weight Limit" to Have Breast Augmentation? (photo)

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.

You definitely could have a breast augmentation.  I do not believe that your weight would exclude you from the surgery.

Thank you for your question. I would not necessarily say that there is a weight restriction, but that your risk of having a complication may increase for having surgery with increased weight. If you are otherwise, healthy, then you may want visit with one or two more plastic surgeons in your area. We tend to offer our patients a weight management program to help discuss their weight goals and history. If weight management is part of their life goals, then we may consider a weight management program before surgery to help reach their goals. This is important with respect to any body contouring procedure including breast augmentation/reduction as the volume in the breast changes with weight.

For many surgical procedures, we generally recommend that patients be within around 10lb of their healthy goal weight. We do this for a few reasons. Being closer to a healthy goal weight means there is a lower risk of complications. We always want to deliver the safest surgery and recovery possible to our patients, and since a lower body weight will be safer, it's what we recommend. Secondly, being closer to your goal weight can help achieve the best cosmetic result possible that's in best proportion to the rest of your body.

Once you've reached your ideal weight and have maintained it, you can consider breast augmentation. You'll also need a breast lift to give your breasts a perkier contour. Being at a healthier BMI reduces the risks related to surgery. It will be safer for you.

            There’s
no absolute weight limit for patients contemplating breast augmentation
surgery. Although patients who are over weight have high satisfaction rates
with this procedure, they also have higher complication rates. Patients who are
over weight have a higher incidence of infection, wound breakdown, cardiac
problems, anesthesia issues and pulmonary problems. For these reasons, patients
with high BMI’s should have careful pre-operative screening. In some cases,
where sleep apnea may be an issue, inpatient surgery should be considered.

            Patients
who are over weight who have breast hypoplasia often have associated breast sag.
Correction of this problem may include breast augmentation in combination with
breast lift surgery.

            No
two patients are exactly alike, and the treatment plan should be individualized
for each patient. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would be
appropriate to determine the best surgical option for you.

Surgical risks and complications increase significantly with increased BMI.  I do not offer elective cosmetic procedures to people with a BMI over 30 in most cases.  I will sometimes allow up to 35, depending on the specific case.

Best,

There is no absolute weight limit to breast augmentation but one should be in good health prior to surgery.  In addition if a patient is losing weight it would be better to be closer to ideal body weight prior to surgery and to be off of any anorectic agents for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.

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" tall and 210 lbs, your BMI is 35.  Having a BMI in this range puts you at increased risks for complications during general anesthesia, recovery, and postoperative wound healing.  

Additionally, because of your size, you may not achieve your desired breast shape or amount of projection after breast augmentation.

I recommend that you lose at least 40 lbs, in order to get down to a BMI of 30, before undergoing any cosmetic surgery.  This will decrease your risk of complications and improve your overall satisfaction rates.

Jaime Perez, M.D.

Breast Augmentations Specialist in Tampa, Florida

Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa, Florida

 

 

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.

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.