Question
Is a 68-year-old female a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Answer
Breast augmentation is a personal decision some women choose to make during their lifetimes. A breast augmentation will increase the size of the breasts, and may add volume that has been lost with breastfeeding or weight loss. As a woman ages, she often will have a change in the proportions of the breast. She will have more fat and less breast tissue overall. In addition, there is a natural loss of collagen and elastin in the skin and underlying tissues, which shows itself as droop to the breasts, known as "ptosis."
There is no upper age limit for breast augmentation. However, a 68-year-old woman will likely have some breast ptosis and will likely also benefit from a breast lift ("mastopexy") as well, in order to have the best cosmetic result.
A breast lift will remove excess baggy skin, lift the nipple and areola up to a position on the breast which is aesthetically pleasing (but age-appropriate). An implant will add back volume that may have been lost over time. The results should be as natural as possible.
Surgery is not for everyone; some women choose instead to invest in a great padded and push-up bra to achieve the same results non-surgically.
To learn more about your surgical options, be sure to see a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in breast surgery, particularly in older women, and who has experience in combination mastopexy and augmentation. See a number of experts until you find the very best fit for you.