Medically reviewed by: Dr. Brian S. Coan, MD, FACS  |  Last reviewed: June 2026  |  Reading time: 8 minutes

Wondering whether breast augmentation might be right for you is itself a meaningful first step. It signals that you’re approaching the decision thoughtfully. As one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, breast augmentation has helped countless patients achieve a silhouette that feels more balanced and true to their personal vision, particularly when performed by a skilled, double board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Brian S. Coan.

With this page, we’ll break down the factors that typically shape candidacy, what a thorough consultation looks like, and why choosing the right surgeon is every bit as important as any other part of the process. If you’d like a broader overview of what to expect before scheduling a procedure, our guide to the first steps of breast augmentation is a helpful starting point. That said, every patient is different, and nothing replaces a one-on-one consultation tailored to your individual needs and goals.

If you’re considering breast augmentation and would like to better understand what may be right for your body and goals, schedule a consultation with Dr. Coan and the CARE Plastic Surgery team in Cary, NC.

Quick Answer

Most healthy women who want to restore breast volume, improve body proportion, correct asymmetry, or regain fullness after pregnancy or weight loss may be good candidates for breast augmentation. The best way to know is through a personalized consultation that evaluates your anatomy, health, goals, and lifestyle.

Breast Augmentation at a Glance

Procedure	Breast Augmentation
Surgery Time	1–3 hours (varies with combined procedures)
Anesthesia	General anesthesia (Preservé® technique may use local/twilight sedation)
Return to Work	Several days to one week
Exercise	4–6 weeks
Implants Offered	Silicone (Natrelle®) and Motiva® implants
Longevity	Breast implants are not lifetime devices

Who Is Generally Considered a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Understanding whether you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation begins with an honest look at your health, your goals, and your expectations. Ideal candidates are healthy adults with realistic expectations who are seeking fuller breasts, restoration of volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or improved symmetry. Dr. Brian S. Coan and our team at CARE Plastic Surgery approach every consultation with this foundational question in mind, following the same candidacy framework outlined by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in its breast augmentation safety guidance.

Physical Health Considerations

Most patients who are well-suited for breast augmentation are in good overall health, are non-smokers or are willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery, and have no active infections or untreated medical conditions that could affect healing. The FDA’s patient checklist outlines many of the same factors surgeons weigh before recommending surgery, including smoking status and general health. Maintaining a stable weight before surgery is also an important factor, as significant fluctuations after the procedure may affect your results. Per the FDA’s types of breast implants guidance, silicone implants are approved for cosmetic breast augmentation in women 22 and older in the US, while saline implants are approved starting at 18 (CARE Plastic Surgery offers Natrelle® and Motiva® silicone implants).

Aesthetic Goals and Realistic Expectations

Patients who tend to have the most satisfying outcomes are those seeking enhancement for personal reasons, not external pressure. Common goals include adding volume that was lost after pregnancy or weight changes, correcting asymmetry between the breasts, or simply achieving a silhouette that feels more proportionate to the body. During your consultation, Dr. Brian S. Coan takes time to understand your vision and discuss what is realistically achievable, including whether a traditional approach or the tissue-preserving Preservé® technique is the better fit for your anatomy. Patients considering a combination of augmentation and lift may also explore breast lift surgery at CARE Plastic Surgery to address both volume and position simultaneously.

Emotional Readiness

Emotional readiness is just as relevant as physical health. Ideal candidates approach breast augmentation with a clear personal motivation, a stable sense of self, and the understanding that results, while often meaningful, are not a solution to unrelated life challenges — a distinction ASPS also emphasizes in its patient guidance. Our team values this conversation and creates a space where patients feel genuinely heard.

Factors That May Affect Whether You Are a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation

Several specific anatomical and lifestyle factors help determine whether breast augmentation is appropriate for you, and when it might be best combined with other procedures.

Breast Tissue and Skin Quality

Patients with moderate skin laxity or significant drooping may find that implants alone do not fully address their concerns. In these cases, Dr. Coan may recommend combining augmentation with a lift procedure. Patients who have experienced substantial changes to their bodies following weight loss might also explore body contouring after weight loss or a tummy tuck to address multiple areas comprehensively. The amount of existing breast tissue can also influence implant size, type, and placement recommendations — options we review in detail on our Motiva implants page. Patients who are happy with their breast shape but want a subtle boost may also ask about fat transfer using liposuction as an alternative to implants.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Plans

While breast augmentation does not prevent future pregnancies, significant changes in breast size during pregnancy or nursing may affect long-term results. Many patients choose to wait until they have completed their families before proceeding, a conversation Dr. Coan welcomes openly. Patients who have already gone through pregnancy and wish to restore or enhance their figure may be well-suited candidates for a mommy makeover in Cary and Raleigh, NC, which may combine breast and body procedures for a more comprehensive outcome, or for post-baby breast augmentation focused specifically on restoring volume lost after breastfeeding.

Body Proportions and Implant Selection

Choosing the right implant type, size, and profile requires a nuanced understanding of your existing anatomy. With over a decade of experience in breast and body procedures, Dr. Coan uses detailed measurements and a collaborative discussion process to help patients identify options that feel natural and proportionate. Our guide to breast augmentation in Cary, NC walks through many of the anatomical considerations that go into this decision, and patients can review real outcomes in our before-and-after gallery.

When Breast Augmentation May Not Be the Right First Step

Not every patient who asks about breast augmentation candidacy will be advised to proceed immediately, and that is an important part of ethical, patient-centered care as outlined by ASPS. Patients who have any of the following issues may not be good candidates for breast augmentation:

Active Medical Conditions

Patients with certain autoimmune conditions, blood-clotting disorders, or active infections will typically need to address those concerns before pursuing elective surgery. Smoking significantly increases surgical risk, per both the FDA’s pre-surgical checklist and ASPS, and is a common reason to delay a procedure until cessation has been achieved for an appropriate period. During your consultation, Dr. Coan will review your complete medical history with care and transparency.

Insufficient Tissue Coverage

Patients with very little native breast tissue may require special consideration regarding implant placement to achieve a natural-looking result and reduce the likelihood of visible implant edges. This is a nuanced clinical assessment that benefits from the experience of a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and recognized for a record of surgical innovation.

Unrealistic Expectations

Patients who expect results that are not anatomically achievable, or who are seeking surgery primarily to meet someone else’s standards, may benefit from additional consultation before moving forward, consistent with the patient-readiness guidance published by ASPS. Our team at CARE Plastic Surgery is committed to honest, compassionate guidance at every stage of the process.

Why Choose CARE Plastic Surgery in Cary, NC?

When you are evaluating whether you are a good candidate for breast augmentation, the surgeon you choose is one of the most consequential decisions you will make. You can verify board certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which reflects rigorous, standardized training and examination in plastic surgery. Dr. Coan is double board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, recognized with numerous awards for his surgical skill, compassion, and innovation. He has also been honored by Cary Magazine as Best Plastic Surgeon in Cary, NC, for eight consecutive years, earned Gold for Best Plastic Surgeon in the 2026 5-West Diamond Awards, and has been named Best Plastic Surgeon in Durham by readers of Durham Magazine every consecutive year since 2010.

Patients across Cary, Raleigh, and the Triangle region trust CARE Plastic Surgery for its integrated approach, on-site surgical facilities, and a care model that prioritizes them from your first consultation through your full recovery. You can review our full breast augmentation procedure overview, browse our before-and-after gallery, read patient testimonials, or learn more about our financing options to help plan your procedure.

Ready to take the next step? Contact our team to schedule your personalized consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can I be considered a good candidate for breast augmentation?

Per the FDA’s guidance on types of breast implants, patients should be at least 18 years old for saline implants and 22 for silicone implants. Beyond age requirements, physical and emotional maturity are equally important factors. Patients considering augmentation in their early 20s may also find our article on breast augmentation in your 20s helpful. During a consultation with Dr. Coan, your overall health, goals, and readiness will all be thoughtfully assessed.

Can I be a candidate for breast augmentation if I plan to have children in the future?

Future pregnancies do not automatically disqualify you from being a candidate, but they are an important consideration. Pregnancy and nursing can affect breast shape and volume, which may influence long-term results. Dr. Coan will help you weigh timing thoughtfully during your consultation. Some patients choose to wait, while others proceed with the understanding that revision, or a post-baby breast augmentation, may be desired after completing their families.

Does my weight need to be stable before I pursue breast augmentation?

Maintaining a stable weight before surgery is generally recommended. Significant weight fluctuations after the procedure may affect the appearance and feel of your results. If you are in the process of losing weight, Dr. Coan may advise waiting until your weight has been consistent for several months. Patients who have achieved significant weight loss may also wish to explore body contouring options alongside their breast procedure.

What if I also have concerns about breast sagging? Will I need a breast lift?

If you have noticeable drooping in addition to volume concerns, breast augmentation alone may not fully address your goals. In those cases, a combined augmentation and lift procedure may be recommended. Dr. Coan will evaluate your breast tissue, skin elasticity, and nipple position during your consultation to help determine whether augmentation, a lift, or both would best serve your individual anatomy and aesthetic vision.

Will breast augmentation affect my ability to breastfeed?

Many women are able to breastfeed after breast augmentation, and implants themselves are not known to prevent milk production, although no surgery can guarantee breastfeeding success. Individual outcomes depend on incision location, implant placement, and each patient’s underlying anatomy. Per ASPS and FDA patient materials, this is a topic worth discussing directly with your surgeon if future breastfeeding is a priority for you.

Will my breasts look natural?

Natural-looking results come down to thorough planning that focuses on your proportions, chest wall shape, and existing breast anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Coan uses detailed measurements and, in select cases, the tissue-preserving Preservé® technique to help results look and feel like an extension of your own body.

How long do breast implants last?

Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. Some patients may require additional surgery in the future because of aging, rupture, capsular contracture, or changing aesthetic goals. The FDA’s overview of breast implants and its page on risks and complications outline the factors that can affect implant longevity and when replacement may be recommended.

What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?

As with any surgical procedure, breast augmentation carries risks, which may include infection, changes in nipple sensation, capsular contracture, and implant rupture or malposition. Both the FDA and ASPS maintain detailed, current information on breast implant risks and safety monitoring. Dr. Coan reviews these risks individually with every patient so that consent is fully informed.

How do I know my surgeon is qualified to perform breast augmentation?

You can verify board certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and look for training or recognition from organizations such as The Aesthetic Society, along with a track record of experience specific to breast procedures. Dr. Coan is double board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, with over a decade of dedicated experience in breast and body surgery. You can meet Dr. Coan to learn more about his background.

How painful is recovery, and what does it typically look like?

Most patients return home the same day and describe soreness and tightness rather than severe pain. Mild soreness, swelling, and tightness are expected during the first week, and most patients walk on their own a few hours after surgery. Many return to desk work within several days, while strenuous exercise typically resumes after four to six weeks with your plastic surgeon’s approval. Every recovery timeline is individual, and Dr. Coan will provide specific guidance based on your procedure and health history.

Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Consultation in Cary, NC

Still wondering whether you’re a good candidate for a breast augmentation? The most meaningful answer comes from a one-on-one conversation with a qualified surgeon. Dr. Coan and our team at CARE Plastic Surgery in Cary, NC, are here to provide the personalized guidance you deserve. Call us to request your consultation and take the first confident step toward your goals.

Trusted Medical Resources

At CARE Plastic Surgery, we believe patients make better decisions when they have access to medically trusted, accurate, evidence-based information. If you’d like to learn more about breast augmentation, implant safety, or how to choose a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon, these resources are an excellent place to start.

Breast Implant Safety

• FDA: Breast Implants Overview — Comprehensive information about breast implants, candidacy, surgery, long-term considerations, and patient education.
• FDA: Things to Consider Before Getting Breast Implants — The FDA’s patient checklist, questions to ask, and important considerations before breast augmentation.
• FDA: Risks and Complications of Breast Implants — Information about rupture, capsular contracture, additional surgery, changes in sensation, and other known risks.

Breast Augmentation Safety

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Breast Augmentation Risks & Safety — An overview of common risks, expected recovery, and safety considerations from the leading professional organization for plastic surgeons.
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Breast Implant Safety — Current information on breast implant safety, including BIA-ALCL, BIA-SCC, and breast implant illness (BII).

Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

• American Board of Plastic Surgery: Verify Board Certification — Learn what board certification means and verify that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• The Aesthetic Society — A professional membership organization dedicated to advancing safety and excellence in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Additional Reading

• FDA: What to Know About Breast Implants — A patient-friendly overview covering implant types, benefits, and long-term considerations.
• FDA: Types of Breast Implants — Learn the differences between saline and silicone implants, FDA-approved age recommendations, and implant characteristics.

Medical Review

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Brian S. Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. It is intended to educate prospective patients and should not replace an in-person consultation or individualized medical advice.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, who can evaluate your individual health history, anatomy, and goals. Please consult Dr. Brian S. Coan or another qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon before making any decisions about breast augmentation or any other cosmetic procedure.

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