Who Are Suitable Candidates for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures worldwide. However, not every woman with small breasts or who has experienced a loss of volume is a suitable candidate for this surgery. The selection of suitable candidates should be based on a comprehensive assessment of their current breast structure, skin quality, general health, expectations and life plans.

What does it mean to be a suitable candidate for breast augmentation?

Being a suitable candidate does not simply mean ‘having small breasts’. From a plastic surgeon’s perspective, a suitable candidate is someone who is likely to benefit from the operation, has realistic expectations, and can undergo the procedure safely.

This assessment is not based solely on breast volume; it is carried out by taking into account the breast base, skin elasticity, nipple position, asymmetry, the patient’s state of health and their expectations.

In Which Circumstances Might Breast Augmentation Surgery Be Considered?

Every woman’s breast structure is different. Whilst some women are naturally born with small breasts, others may experience a loss of volume over time due to pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight fluctuations. The important thing is to accurately analyse why your breasts are causing you discomfort and to determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Breast augmentation surgery may be a suitable option in the following circumstances.

Congenital small breasts

In some women, breast development may not reach the expected size even by the end of puberty. Breasts that are disproportionately small in relation to the rest of the body can cause discomfort in many areas, from choosing clothes to self-confidence.

In these patients, where there is sufficient existing breast tissue and no other anatomical problems, breast augmentation surgery can generally produce successful and natural-looking results.

Loss of volume following pregnancy and breastfeeding

Breast tissue that grows during pregnancy may not return to its previous size after breastfeeding. In particular, a loss of fullness in the upper quadrant and a reduction in breast fullness are among the most common complaints we encounter.

If the main problem is a loss of volume, breast augmentation on its own may be sufficient. However, if there is also significant sagging, using implants alone may not produce the desired result.

👉 In this case, breast augmentation and lift surgery may be a more suitable option.

Breast sagging following weight loss

Many women who lose a significant amount of weight also experience a reduction in breast volume. Depending on the elasticity of the skin, this may involve a loss of volume alone, or it may be accompanied by sagging.

Depending on which problem is deemed to be the main issue during the examination, treatment may involve either augmentation alone or augmentation combined with a lift.

Breast asymmetry

No woman’s breasts are completely symmetrical. However, in some patients, differences in volume or shape may be pronounced enough to affect their daily lives.

In such cases, it is possible to achieve a more balanced appearance by using implants on one side only or of different sizes.

👉 For more detailed information, please visit our Breast Asymmetry Correction page.

Tuberous breast deformity

For some women, the problem is not simply small breasts. Congenital structural differences may be present, such as underdevelopment of the lower pole of the breast, a narrow breast base and widening around the nipple.

In such cases, standard breast augmentation surgery may not be sufficient. Specialised surgical techniques involving the reshaping of breast tissue may be required.

👉 You can find detailed information on this topic on our Tuberosity Breast Correction page.

Breast reconstruction following breast cancer

Implants may also be used to restore breast volume following a mastectomy. However, these procedures are planned differently from cosmetic breast augmentation and are assessed on the basis of the oncological treatments the patient has undergone.

In what circumstances might it be better to postpone breast augmentation surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that, when performed at the right time, can provide satisfaction for many years. However, in some cases, postponing the operation for a few months or a few years may be the better decision, both in terms of surgical safety and aesthetic results.

The following circumstances do not necessarily preclude surgery; however, they may require the plan to be reassessed.

If you are planning to become pregnant in the near future

Breast tissue changes naturally during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These changes may affect the shape achieved after surgery and could lead to the need for further surgery in later years.

For this reason, in patients who are planning to have children in the near future, I prefer to discuss the timing of the operation with them.

If you are currently breastfeeding

Breast volume and breast tissue undergo constant changes whilst breastfeeding continues. Furthermore, surgical planning cannot be carried out properly whilst milk production is ongoing.

It is generally more appropriate to carry out an assessment once breastfeeding has finished and the breasts have settled into their final shape.

If you are currently trying to lose weight

If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight in the near future, your breast size may also change.

Reaching your target weight before surgery ensures that the implant is selected more accurately and that more stable results are achieved in the long term.

If you can’t give up smoking

Smoking can adversely affect not only general health but also wound healing. Reduced blood flow to the tissues can increase the risk of infection, delayed wound healing and certain complications.

For this reason, I advise my patients who smoke to give up before their operation, if possible, or at least to take a break from smoking for a certain period of time.

If your expectations are unrealistic

The aim of plastic surgery is not to create perfection.

Before the operation;

• an operation that leaves absolutely no trace,
• perfect symmetry,
• implants that produce the same result for everyone

If there are unrealistic expectations such as these, I prefer to discuss them in detail first.

A successful breast augmentation operation is not merely a technically well-executed procedure; it is also one that produces results in line with the patient’s expectations.

If you are making the decision on someone else’s behalf

Breast augmentation surgery is an entirely personal decision.

If you are considering having surgery because of the influence of your partner, your circle of friends or examples you have seen on social media, I would advise you to clarify your own expectations first.

The most satisfied patients are those who make this decision of their own free will and are able to clearly explain why they wish to undergo surgery.

📌 My approach

Sometimes, rather than giving a patient a date for an operation, I suggest they wait a little longer. This is because an operation carried out at the right time can yield even better results than a successful operation carried out in haste.

What Criteria Are Assessed During a Breast Augmentation Consultation?

The information you read online may give you an idea; however, only a consultation can determine which implant to use or whether breast augmentation surgery is suitable for you.

The initial assessment does not focus solely on breast volume. A number of anatomical and personal factors that influence the surgical plan are assessed together.

Breast base width

Not every implant is suitable for every patient.

When choosing an implant, it is not just the volume (cc) but also the width of the breast base that is one of the most important criteria. Choosing an implant that is wider than the breast base can result in an unnatural appearance and lead to certain problems in the long term.

For this reason, the choice of implant should be planned on an individual basis following a measurement.

Skin quality and elasticity

The skin’s elasticity directly affects how the implant will look.

The same implant can produce completely different results in patients with thin, loose skin and those with thick, elastic skin.

For this reason, it is not correct to focus solely on the volume of the implant.

Thickness of breast tissue

The amount of existing breast tissue may influence the plane in which the implant is placed.

Whilst in some patients placing the implant submuscularly or using the dual-plane technique yields more natural-looking results, in others different surgical approaches may be preferred.

👉 I have explained the differences between subcutaneous, intramuscular and dual-plane techniques in detail on our relevant page.

Position of the nipple

The position of the nipple relative to the inframammary fold is carefully assessed.

If the nipple has shifted noticeably downwards, using an implant alone may not be sufficient.

In these patients, planning a breast lift in addition to breast augmentation may be a more appropriate approach.

👉 For more information on this topic, please visit our Breast Augmentation and Lift page.

Asymmetry

Very slight asymmetries are found in almost every woman.

However, in cases of significant differences in volume or shape, implants of different sizes may be selected or additional surgical procedures may be planned.

One of the key aims of the examination is to analyse these differences accurately.

Structure of the ribcage

In some people, the ribcage may be slightly curved inwards or outwards from birth.

These anatomical features may influence the choice of implant and the post-operative appearance.

For this reason, it is not correct to compare a result you see online directly with your own body.

Your expectations

This is actually the most important part of the examination.

Whilst some patients simply want a slightly fuller appearance, others aim for a more pronounced décolletage.

As the same implant can produce different results in different people, discussing your expectations in detail is an essential part of proper planning.

📌 My approach

My aim during the consultation is not to recommend the largest implant, but to determine which implant is best suited to your body type. The right implant is one that retains its natural appearance even years later and makes you happy.

Can you assess yourself?

No online article can replace a face-to-face consultation. However, the questions below may give you a general idea of whether you are a suitable candidate for breast augmentation surgery.

If you answer ‘Yes’ to most of these questions, it might be worth consulting a plastic surgeon.

📌 If you are still unsure whether breast augmentation surgery is the right choice for you, I recommend that you first read the decision guide I have put together, ‘Should I Have Breast Augmentation?’. This guide will help you make a more informed decision about the surgery.

The Most Common Misconceptions About Breast Augmentation Surgery

There is a great deal of information available online about breast augmentation surgery. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of this consists of either incomplete or misinterpreted information. I would like to address some of the most common misconceptions that my patients raise during consultations.

Myth 1: Larger implants always look better.

That is not true.

The size of the implant alone does not determine the outcome. The width of the rib cage, the breast base, skin elasticity and existing breast tissue must all be assessed together.

Implants that are too large for the body;

• may spoil its natural appearance,
• may cause unnecessary tension in the skin,
• may increase the risk of sagging over time,
• may increase the need for revision.

The right implant isn’t necessarily the largest one; it’s the one that suits your body best.

Misconception 2: An implant never needs to be replaced throughout one’s lifetime.

That is not entirely correct either.

It used to be thought that implants needed to be replaced at regular intervals. The modern silicone implants used today are much more durable and do not need to be replaced routinely every 10 years.

However, an implant may need to be replaced in the following circumstances:

• the development of capsular contracture,
• tearing of the implant,
• significant changes in weight,
• post-pregnancy body changes,
• the patient requesting a different volume.

If you have no complaints, you do not need to have surgery simply because of the age of the implant.

Myth 3: Breast augmentation always looks unnatural.

This is perhaps the most common misconception.

A natural look;

• the right choice of implant,
• appropriate projection,
• the correct plane (subcutaneous, dual-plane or intramuscular),
• surgical technique

is directly related to.

Nowadays, many patients are able to achieve results where those around them cannot tell that they have implants.

Myth 4: Breast augmentation surgery will definitely prevent breastfeeding.

No.

In standard breast augmentation surgery, the mammary glands are not removed.

For this reason, the majority of patients will be able to continue breastfeeding in the years to come.

Of course, every patient’s anatomy is different, and it is not possible to give a 100 per cent guarantee for any surgical procedure. However, breast augmentation surgery on its own does not mean you will be unable to breastfeed.

Myth 5: Implants cause cancer.

This question comes up at almost every consultation.

To date, there is no reliable scientific evidence to suggest that silicone implants cause breast cancer.

However, a separate condition known as BIA-ALCL, which is associated with certain types of implants and is extremely rare, has been identified. With the new-generation implants currently in use, this risk is very low, and this factor is also taken into account when selecting an implant.

Mistake 6: Everyone achieves the same result with the same implant.

No.

The same implant;

• different sizes,
• different weights,
• different ribcage,
• different breast tissue

It looks completely different on the two people in question.

For this reason, it is not realistic to expect to achieve exactly the same results on yourself as those you see on social media.

Surgical planning is entirely personalised.

Before Making Your Final Decision, Ask Yourself Once More

Breast augmentation surgery is not merely a procedure that increases breast volume. It is also a significant decision that can affect a person’s body image, choice of clothing and self-confidence.

For this reason, the decision to undergo surgery;

• due to the influence of social media,
• under the influence of one’s surroundings,
• with short-term emotional fluctuations

No, it should be based on your own expectations and long-term satisfaction.

If you’re still in the process of making a decision, don’t rush into anything. Make a note of your questions, consult a plastic surgeon you trust, and discuss the options that are right for you.

A well-considered decision taken at the right time often lays the foundation for the most successful surgical outcome.

We can discuss the best option for you together

Every breast is different. Therefore, information found online can only provide a general idea; the most appropriate plan for you can only be determined through a detailed examination.

During the examination;

• Your breast structure will be assessed,
• Your expectations will be discussed in detail,
• whether an implant is required,
• appropriate implant volume and shape,
• a surgical technique that could be used,
• potential risks and the recovery process

It is planned together with you, taking your personal characteristics into account.

Our aim is not to create the largest possible breasts, but to achieve a result that is in harmony with your body, looks natural, and will keep you happy for many years to come.

• 
  Can Breast Implants Burst? What You Need to Know About Implant Rupture
• 
  What is a Fibroadenoma?
• 
  What is Capsular Contracture (Capsule Formation)?
• 
  Exion RF, Morpheus8 or Scarlet S? Why, as a plastic surgeon, I prefer Exion
• 
  What Causes Breast Pain? When Is It Serious?
• 
  Breast Augmentation Surgery Prices 2026 | Factors Affecting the Price