I'm Young, Soon to Be 17, and I Was Wondering the Legal Age to Get Breast Implants?

Question

I am 16 years old and I'll be 17 in a short period of time and my small breasts have been the cause of a lot of mental anguish to the point of depression over my personal self image and confidence. I'm about 5'5 and 135 with a small B-cup, honestly probably closer to an A. I was just wondering the legal limit to have breast implants WITH parental consent. They aren't completely on board yet, but it is something they've considered due to my poor confidence.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  You have to be 18 years old to have a breast augmentation, although gel implants are only available in some offices to women 21 years or older.  Do your research and find a board certified plastic surgeon discuss your goals and concerns.  Best of luck!Dr Dhaval Patel Double Board Certified Plastic SurgeonChicagoHoffman Estates Oak Brook

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question. Breast augmentation is a procedure 
often sought by women to increase 
size, add upper pole fullness and projection along with improve shape 
and symmetry of her breasts.  Women who have the breast augmentation 
done report increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and more comfortable
 with her body. In fact, it has been the most popular procedure 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 the breast augmentation 
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.  22 years of age is the FDA
 guideline for utilization of silicone implants.  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!

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	I'm sorry you've had a hard time. Adolescence is so very difficult under the best of circumstances...

	The propriety of breast augmentation for you at the age of 17 would depend on several issues... Whether or not your breasts have stopped growing, whether or not the rest of you has stopped growing (both minor issues having more to do with the details of the surgery than whether or not it should be done), and the more difficult issues surrounding the performance of cosmetic surgery in such a young woman.

	I'm glad that you've brought your parents into the conversation- their support will be important if and when you do proceed.

	If you were my daughter, I would want to believe that you were doing it for the right reasons (to be more self-confident, and not to draw more attention from boys or worse, a specific boy), I would want to believe you knew what you were getting into (implants don't last forever and you will need further surgery down the road. They also have certain risks.) Most of all, I would want to be as confident as possible that this would actually achieve the goal of a happier you.

	So I would probably make you think and talk about it with me for a long time...

	And that's what I recommend. Talk to your parents, family friends, pastor or priest- everyone and anyone you trust. Learn everything you can about the procedure, its outcomes, and its risks (without focusing on what type of implant or where you think you want the scar to be- those things will be decided later with the assistance of a good surgeon). In other words, don't rush because you're afraid your parents will change their minds. 

	If this is the right thing to do for you, time will only make that conviction stronger in both your parents minds and your own.

York Jay Yates, MD · Answer

There is no "legal" age for implants.  This kind of a thing is taken on a case by case basis and each surgeon has their own ideas.

	If there is a severe breast deformity, such as complete breast absence on one side, I would offer breast surgery when you are physically and mentally prepared.

	For breast augmentation of small but otherwise normally developed breasts I would wait until a patient is old enough to sign their own consent (18).

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

The normal development of Breast can start anywhere from 10 to 15 years old.  If a young lady has not  begun her menstrual cycle, we would have a medical evaluation performed for her.

	If she has otherwised developed hormonally and has gone through puberty, we would evaluate her breast development.  If she had one sided breast deelopment, she may have Poland syndrome, an if her opposite side developed - a decision would be made regarding wether she had full devloment on that side.

	If the patient has inadequate development on both sides - one would generally wait until the patient is 18 years old.  Silicone implants, accordng to the FDA, are not to be use for cosmetic augmentation until the patient is 22 years old.

	Call a Board Certifiec Plastic to discuss your situtation

Thomas T. Jeneby, MD · Answer

Hello! This is a difficult question as you may have a genetic physical problem that is causing this. In general, it is better to wait until you understand the procedure better, your goals, and your timing of children. Visit several reputable plastic surgeon and discuss this with them!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually one waits until they are fully grown. 17 is not an absolute contraindication, howver it is a bit youn. At this age you m ay only be able to have saline implants. Silicone can be used at age 22. If you have a breast deformity, then it possibly can be done.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

I read not medical issue with your breasts, so by implant company and FDA guidelines you can have SALINE at age 18 and SILICONE at age 21. You can call the implant companies to discuss or goggle their websites.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

The FDA approval for silicone breast implants was for women over twenty-two.  This age restriction is not based on any science, but probably was political.  Your private plastic surgeon may wish to alter these age restrictions.  For the companies that make the implants, they may be fined if they market, or advertise to teenagers.  The FDA does fine companies for off-label marketing.

	You private doctor may choose to perform off-label, off-FDA recomendations for your surgery.

	DIscuss this with your parents and see if they will accompany you to a plastic surgeon for a consult.

	Legally, under 18, you would mostly likely be under the age of consent for an operation such as this on your own.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	It is very difficult to give you good advice without direct examination or pictures.  Given the degree of your concern I wonder if you are dealing with congenital breast development anomalies/ asymmetry or with breast hypoplasia ( underdevelopment).

	There is no &ldquo;legal age to get breast implants&rdquo;.  However, generally it is in your best interest to wait till you are physically,  emotionally,  and psychosocially "mature"  enough to make a very significant body altering decision. Every patient will reach this level of maturity at a different chronological age.

	Your description of &ldquo;a lot of mental anguish to the point of depression&rdquo; is very concerning  and with all due respect seems somewhat extreme.  I wonder if counseling regarding &ldquo;poor confidence&rdquo; issues is indicated. It would be a shame to undergo any surgical procedure only to find subsequently that the real source of your &ldquo;mental anguish&rdquo; was something different altogether.

	I would suggest you wait on having the procedure for at least 2-3  years.  In the meantime work on self-improvement in other ways.  When the time is right me with a few well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.  Ask to see lots of their previous work and preferably meet with patients who have had the same procedure. Make sure you're well educated regarding the potential risks/complications...

	Best wishes.

I'm Young, Soon to Be 17, and I Was Wondering the Legal Age to Get Breast Implants?

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