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Our LocationBeing dissatisfied is often part of the teenage experience. You may not yet know what to do with your life. The world likely hasn’t yet recognized your talents. And worst of all, your body can make you feel awkward or ugly, even if you’re not.
It’s no surprise then that more than 218,000 Americans under age 20 underwent plastic surgery in 2010. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that rhinoplasty (nose surgery), otoplasty (ear pinning), and breast surgery are the most commonly requested procedures for teenagers. More than 8,500 breast augmentations were performed in the US on 18- and 19-year-olds in 2010.
So is it appropriate for a teenager fresh out of high school to get saline breast implants? It is legal if you’re 18 years old, but you need to consider all the risks and consequences in order to make an informed decision before going forward. Here are some important factors to consider:
- There are safety reasons to wait until age 18. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of breast implants for girls under 18, so we typically don’t talk about it until then—unless there are extenuating medical conditions. Silicone implants are not FDA-approved for use in women younger than 22. These restrictions are in place to protect you.
- Your body may not be finished changing. Puberty and its associated growth spurts sometimes don’t end until your early 20s. While a delay may temporarily prolong social awkwardness, you must wait until your breasts have fully developed. Otherwise, your results will be impacted and you may even require corrective surgery.
- Peer pressure is particularly strong during the teen years. While a Denver breast augmentation can positively impact your self-esteem and self-image, I believe you should carefully consider your underlying motivations for pursuing the procedure. Be certain that you want an augmentation for yourself—not for your boyfriend, your boss, or even your parents.
Breast augmentation, like any surgery, is not without risks. You wouldn’t get your tonsils or your appendix removed without a good reason. Breast augmentation is major surgery, and an ethical surgeon should make you aware of the potential risks before you schedule a procedure.
Then there’s your psychological profile. Teenagers can be mature enough to understand the implications of a major elective surgery—but a board certified Denver Plastic Surgeon will make sure you do before proceeding. If you think new breasts will dramatically change your whole life, you’re wrong. If you think larger breasts will attract the man of your dreams, you may still be dreaming.
A healthy self-image is vital, and that relies more on your attitude than your breast size. With maturity and life experience, we learn that self-confidence comes from within. Getting your breasts enhanced cannot make you a new person—but it can complement the wonderful, confident woman you already are.
With proper guidance and a true understanding of the risks, we can pursue breast enlargement if you’re at least 18 and want the procedure for the right reasons. Once you’ve spoken to us in a personal consultation and arrived at a level-headed decision, we can assure you that you’ll be in the best of hands.