In our media-driven world, teens feel the pressure to have a perfect body all the time. Peer pressure is another large factor pushing them. Many teens want to have breast augmentation surgery in order to be at the head of the pack. It is a very popular procedure with women at many ages. The biggest question however when is it safe for women to have? Until a girl reaches around twenty-one, she may continue to grow. The breasts are no exception to this. If a surgeon performs the surgery before she stops growing, there can be trouble. Holding off for a few years is a good idea.

Some teens, that get breast augmentation surgery, do it before that are finished growing. This can lead to abnormally large sized breasts that will require further surgery to correct. If they wait until they’re at least twenty-one, she may not need surgery at all. The size they reach by that age is what nature gave her. One question to ask any teen contemplating the surgery is why she wants it. If it is a question of self-esteem, no cosmetic surgical procedure will fix that problem. Before making any decisions, it may be necessary to seek counseling for your teen. Make sure she wants the surgery for the right reasons.

The Food and Drug Administration forbids any breast implants for any women younger than eighteen years old. They forbid silicone implants for anyone under the age of twenty-two. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons endorses both of these recommendations. This limits breast augmentation procedures to women old enough to make their own decisions by law. However, parents often play a part in the decision if their daughter stills depends on them financially. Parents often play devil’s advocate in the process.

If you and your teen decided she should go through with breast augmentation surgery, be aware of the risks. Some people have adverse reactions to anesthesia. Most are mild. However, in rare cases, it can lead to death. She may also be at risk of complications during the recovery period. Infection and bleeding are just two of the most obvious ones. Make sure your teen understands all of this prior to the surgery. Make sure your teen is comfortable with the surgeon that you select. This is the only way to make sure that a safe, comfortable procedure happens. It is important for any patient facing a surgical procedure to obtain full information.