Twenty years can be a long time or a short time depending on your perspective and circumstances.
And, so much can and usually does change during this period of time.
If you are in your twenties or thirties, twenty years is a long time in the future. Close to double your age and nearing what may seem to you as getting old.
When you are in your forties or fifties, twenty years will seem to go by faster – and then you will definitely be old.
Maybe!
If you have young children, in twenty years they will be adults, at least in age. Maybe you will be lucky and they will be productive, functional and not spending most of their waking hours existing in their bedroom – in your house!
However, if they have “issues”, even a year can be a very long time.
Some things may not change…
Perhaps they are your breast augmentation results.
Of course, many factors will have to come into play to make this happen.
The following patient of mine underwent a breast augmentation close to 20 years ago, when she was in her early thirties. The photos are from several months postoperatively (A, C and E).
Smooth surfaced saline implants were placed in a submuscular location (behind the muscle) using an inframammary incision. At that time, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) prohibited the usage of silicone implants for primary breast augmentations which is why the saline implants were used.
A.) Initial breast augmentation results
B.) 20 year breast augmentation results
C.) Initial breast augmentation results
D.) 20 year breast augmentation results
E.) Initial breast augmentation results
F.) 20 year breast augmentation results
Seen almost twenty years later, her breasts have changed little in shape, size or proportionality (B, D and F).
And, there is no drooping.
Almost like time stood still!
Are these results typical of most or even many breast augmentations?
Of course not!
And especially given that these were saline breast implants where the long term results are generally not as good as those experienced with silicone breast implants.
Over the course of 20 years, the majority of women will gain weight, many a substantial amount which will impact the size and appearance of their breasts. For perspective, a study conducted in February 2021 by the American Psychological Association, less than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, showed that 42% of Americans gained weight with the average amount being 29 pounds. Ten percent gained more than 50 pounds.
There are so many other factors which can affect the breast appearance over time. Some of these include weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, smoking, health, a variety of vigorous physical activities, genetics and aging.
So, indeed, this patient took great care of herself AND the stars were in alignment for her.
Though results like this are possible twenty years after breast augmentation surgery, they are not typical or very frequent.
For more information on breast augmentation surgery or other plastic surgery procedures that we offer, you can contact us at the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by phone at (480) 451-3000 or by email.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona