Katie Price and breast augmentation: her own words on surgery and age

What has Katie Price said about her breast augmentation?

Katie Price has never hidden her breast surgery; it has been part of her public story since the late 1990s. In a long interview with The Guardian in October 2023, the newspaper noted that she was 18 when she first had surgery, and she put her own career in one line: “Apart from my boobs, I did my whole career without surgery.”

In the same conversation she said something that is rarely heard from a celebrity: “I think 21 should be the minimum age for boob jobs. Back then, my mum was ‘don’t do it, don’t do it’ and it wasn’t as common. Now boob jobs are like buying a pair of shoes.”

That interview is all we rely on here. Price did not describe the implants, the technique or the surgeons in those quotes, and she has had several later breast operations whose details we do not try to reconstruct. Where the text below explains how augmentation works, it describes the operation in general, not her treatment.

Why her point about age matters

The most useful part of Price’s answer is not about her own body at all. She is saying that a breast augmentation should be a considered adult decision, and that it has become too easy to treat it as a quick purchase. Surgeons would agree with the spirit of that: an augmentation is a real operation under general anaesthesia, the implants are not a lifetime device, and the choice of size and shape deserves time.

Her remark about her mother is a reminder that talking the decision through with people you trust, and with a surgeon who is willing to say no, is part of doing it well. Nothing in this article judges how anyone looks; the point is the decision itself.

How breast augmentation is done today

Breast augmentation places an implant behind the breast tissue or the chest muscle to add volume and improve shape. It is done under general anaesthesia, usually takes 1.5–3 hours, and the patient normally spends one day in hospital. The implant is chosen together with the surgeon, based on the chest width, the skin and the result the patient wants.

Implants usually last about 10–15 years before they need to be replaced, so anyone planning an augmentation should expect that further surgery may be needed later in life. That is worth weighing honestly at the first consultation, especially for younger patients.

Who is a candidate and how to prepare

A good candidate is an adult in stable health who wants more volume or a better breast shape and has realistic expectations. Women who plan pregnancy are usually advised to think about timing: after childbirth, surgeons recommend waiting at least 6–12 months after the birth and after breastfeeding has ended.

Before surgery the clinic asks for blood tests, a coagulation panel, infection tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray and a breast ultrasound. Aspirin-type drugs, steroids and hormonal drugs are stopped in agreement with the doctor; oral contraceptives are usually paused at least a month before. The surgeon also explains the possible complications, including hematoma, seroma, infection, changes in nipple sensitivity, capsular contracture, asymmetry, wound separation and tissue necrosis.

What recovery looks like

Most patients describe moderate discomfort for the first three days, much less by days 5–7, and none by weeks 2–3. Non-physical work is possible after 7–14 days and walks after one to two weeks. Fitness and swimming come back after 4–6 weeks and strength training after three months. Compression garments are worn for 4–6 weeks. Swelling settles in about a month, full recovery takes 3–6 months, scars fade over 6–12 months and sensitivity usually returns within 3–12 months. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryGeneral anaesthesia, 1.5–3 hours in theatre, then one day in hospital.
2. Days 1–3Moderate discomfort, controlled with prescribed painkillers; compression garment on.
3. Days 5–14Discomfort eases; non-physical work is usually possible after 7–14 days.
4. Weeks 4–6Swelling has largely settled; fitness and swimming return; compression garment comes off.
5. Month 3Strength training is allowed again.
6. Months 3–12Full recovery at 3–6 months; scars fade and sensitivity usually returns within a year.

Breast augmentation at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs breast augmentation, breast lifts with and without implants, breast reduction and implant removal for international patients. The first consultation is free and can be held online; the surgeon reviews your wishes and health, and the price is then fixed in the contract. Breast augmentation costs $4,700, and the price includes anaesthesia, the hospital stay and a year of follow-up with the plastic surgeon. A personal coordinator stays in touch from the first enquiry through recovery. More details are on the breast augmentation page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Katie Price or her treatment. Her words are simply a well-known example of someone who has talked openly about the operation for decades.

Frequently asked questions

How old was Katie Price when she first had breast surgery?

The Guardian reported in its 2023 interview that she was 18 when she first had surgery. In the same interview she said she thinks 21 should be the minimum age for breast augmentation.

What implants did Katie Price have?

She did not describe the type or size of implants in the interview we rely on, so we do not speculate. Implant type, shape and size are always chosen individually with the surgeon.

Do breast implants last for life?

No. Implants usually last about 10–15 years before replacement, so a future operation should be part of the plan from the start.

How much does breast augmentation cost at City Medical Centre?

Breast augmentation costs $4,700, including anaesthesia, the hospital stay and a year of follow-up with the plastic surgeon. The first consultation is free and the price is fixed in the contract.

When can I go back to work after breast augmentation?

Non-physical work is usually possible after 7–14 days. Fitness and swimming come back after 4–6 weeks and strength training after three months.