Background: As breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic body procedure done today, it is no surprise that it captures a wide range of female ages. Just as it has the interest of very young women, even under the age of 21, it has of equal interest to those older women 55 years and older. Looking to negate the effects of age, gravity and having had children, breast implants offer an immediate rejuvenating body effect as well as a boost in self-image.
Breast augmentation in older women is not fundamentally different than in younger women. The surgical technique is the same and the preferred partial submuscular (dual plane) implant position is identical. The differences in the older breast augmentation patient is that they may be more conservative in their choice of implant sizes and their need to address breast sagging may be greater. There is also the appreciation that the quality of their breast tissue and skin may be of lesser quality with diminished elasticity.
But occasionally you do get older women that do not want to be conservative in their breast augmentation size. They desire a much fuller breast size that gives them a lot of upper pole fullness and creates a total chest rejuvenative effect.
Case Study: This 58 year-old female desired breast implants and she was interested in a larger size. Using a volumetric implant sizing system, she choose 550cc silicone implants for her 5’4” and 135lb body frame. She had very little breast tissue and a little bit of sag to her small breasts.
Under general anesthesia, she had high profile gummy bear silicone breast implants placed in a dual plane position. Her thin breast tissues were easily expanded by the implants. Her inframammary folds were lowered to accommodate the base diameter of the implants.
Her postoperative results showed a major change in the size of her breasts and in the appearance of her chest. She had a rapid recovery and returned to work as a laborer in less than 10 days after surgery.
Breast augmentation in older women is usually as much about creating a rejuvenating chest appearance effect as it is about merely making bigger breasts. The larger breasts help stretch out loose skin, soften chest wrinkles and create cleavage that does not look ‘old’. There is a balance between implant size and tissue support given the patient’s age but this is a risk that they often are willing to take for the larger plumping effect of the implants.
Highlights:
1) Breast augmentation today is not limited by age requirements but by the health and desire of the patient.
2) Large breast implants in older women create a profound rejuvenating effect of the woman’s chest.
3) Long term tissue support is an important consideration in large breast implants in older women.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana