The profile of women who have breast augmentation at a glance
- Patients200
- Average age34.6 years
- Average BMI19.5
- At least one child73%
- Self-consciousness69.5%
- Natural result wanted97.5%
In the series of 200 patients who underwent breast augmentation with implants at Nice University Hospital (CHU de Nice), studied for Dr Médard de Chardon’s thesis (2008), the typical patient was about 35 years old, slim (average body mass index of 19.5) and had already had a child. Seven patients out of ten described feeling self-conscious, mainly on a personal level. Almost all (97.5%) wanted a natural result, most often a medium augmentation, of one to two cup sizes.
Based on Dr Médard de Chardon’s MD thesis on breast augmentation (Nice Faculty of Medicine, 2008).
What age, what build, how many children?
How old are the patients?
The average age of the patients was 34.6 years, ranging from 18 to 64.
What build?
The patients were slim on the whole, with an average body mass index of 19.5. The average weight was 53 kg (from 38 to 74 kg), for an average height of 1.65 m (from 1.47 to 1.80 m).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
73% of patients had at least one child at the time of the procedure, with an average of 1.41 children. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breast often loses volume: many of these patients wanted to get back the breasts they had before, without going beyond them.
Why do they ask for breast augmentation?
In 69.5% of cases, the patient described feeling self-conscious. This showed:
Proportion of self-conscious patients; several answers possible.
In the remaining 30.5%, the request was purely aesthetic, with no self-consciousness.
What result do they want?
The vast majority wanted a natural result (97.5%):
Patients whose breasts had deflated after pregnancy or breastfeeding most often wanted to get back their previous volume, without going beyond it. Younger women without children more often asked for a larger volume. How to choose implant volume
And today?
Breast augmentation remains the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure in France: 41,580 operations in 2025, according to the ISAPS survey (the countries where cosmetic surgery is performed most). A natural result, with moderate volumes, is still what patients ask Dr Médard de Chardon for in consultation.
Before the procedure, the consultation also identifies anything that may affect the result: an asymmetry of the breasts or chest wall, present in 77% of patients in the same series, or scoliosis. All about breast augmentation
Frequently asked questions
At what age do women have breast augmentation?
In the thesis series, the average age was 34.6 years, ranging from 18 to 64. The procedure is reserved for women aged 18 and over.
Do you need to have had children?
No. 73% of patients in the series had at least one child, but the procedure is also requested by women without children, who more often want a larger volume.
What volume do most women choose?
A medium, natural augmentation, of one to two cup sizes, for 78.5% of patients in the series.
Why do women ask for breast augmentation?
Seven out of ten described feeling self-conscious, mainly about how they see themselves, in intimacy and in clothing; three out of ten had a purely aesthetic request.
Reference
- MD thesis of Dr Victor Médard de Chardon on breast augmentation, Nice Faculty of Medicine, 2008 (series of 200 patients operated on at Nice University Hospital).