Breast augmentation is often seen as a procedure for younger women. It's something a lot of women do in their 20s, and maybe into their early 30s. What if you're over 40 and are unhappy with the size of your breasts? Is augmentation an option? Yes it is — and there are a few things you should know and consider before consulting with a surgeon.

Breast augmentation won't interfere with mammograms.

When you're over 40, getting mammograms becomes increasingly important as your risk of breast cancer increases with age. Some older women avoid getting implants because they assume the implants will interfere with the accuracy of mammograms — but this really is not the case. Your mammogram tech will need to use a different positioning technique once you have the implants, but they can still generate clear images that allow for the early detection of breast cancer.

You can get more "realistic" implants.

You may picture breast implants as looking dramatic and unnatural. Indeed, some women do desire this dramatic look. But if you're an older, professional woman who wants to maintain a more subdued image, you can achieve that look with implants. It is not uncommon for patients to just go up one breast size. You can also have a mini breast lift, which involves removing some skin from the upper portion of your breast, at the same time as your breast augmentation. This results in a tighter, more toned look that many older women are after, especially after having had kids.

Your implants may need to be replaced.

It's important to remember that breast implants do not last forever. Most modern implants last up to 20 years, at most. This means that you should plan on having your implants replaced about 20 years from now. If you are not healthy enough to undergo a replacement surgery at that time, that could be a concern, but replacing implants is a less-involved procedure than getting your initial implants. As long as you are generally healthy, your surgeon should be able to perform the procedure. However, if you already have a condition that is associated with poor healing, such as diabetes, you may want to consider that 20 years from now, you may not be healthy enough to have your implants replaced.

Breast implants are an option for most women over 40. If this is something you desire, talk to a cosmetic surgeon to learn more.