Making The Most Of Your Cosmetic Procedure

Breast augmentation is often thought of as a young woman's procedure. However, women in their 40s and beyond can have their breasts augmented too. As an older woman who is considering an augmentation procedure, you may not know what information applies to you or what you really need to consider at your age. Here are a few key pieces of information you may find helpful.

1. It is safe to have a mammogram with implants

One reason why some older women avoid getting breast implants, even though they might want them, is that they are concerned about having mammograms. It is more important to have regular mammograms once you get older in order to ensure any signs of breast cancer are detected ASAP. You might assume that a breast implant would make it harder or more dangerous to have a mammogram, but this is not the case. Women with breast implants can have mammograms, and the risk of anything negative happening is very, very low.

2. You can have your areola altered at the same time

Many women who have their breasts augmented also wish to have their areolas resized. Younger women are often encouraged not to do this, as it may interfere with their ability to breastfeed later on. However, as an older woman who probably does not plan on breastfeeding in the future, you can more easily have an areola reduction procedure at the same time you have your breasts augmented. 

3. Your doctor can show you how to continue breast self-exams

Breast self-exams are important for the early detection of breast cancer in all women, but especially in women over 40. If you do have your breasts augmented, they will feel different afterward. But your doctor can show you how to keep performing self-exams, and they can explain what is and what is not normal to feel after an augmentation.

4. Fat transfer is an option

If the idea of breast implants still makes you feel a little uneasy, there is another option available to women your age. It's known as fat transfer. Your doctor can remove fat from your hips or buttocks and inject it into your breasts, increasing their volume in a more natural way. While this procedure is an option for adult women of all ages, it tends to be common in older women who find the idea of implants too invasive.

Armed with this knowledge, you should be better prepared to talk to your doctor about breast augmentation.