BREAST AUGMENTATIONS: QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY

A breast augmentation can be a life changing decision. Your self esteem will change, the way others perceive you will change as well as the way your clothes fit. It’s important that you speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss all your options thoroughly. It’s also important that he or she understands your goals. You should be sure that all of your questions are answered and you are in agreement with your plastic surgeon’s final recommendations. More than one consultation may be required (at no extra expense to you) in order assure that you are totally comfortable with your surgeon’s recommendations. 

Dr. Lewis Obi, one of the leading plastic surgeons in Jacksonville, has compiled a list of questions you should consider before your enlargement surgery.

1. Is the plastic surgeon board certified?

Ask if your plastic surgeon is board certified and how many breast augmentations he or she has performed in the past. An inexperienced plastic surgeon or non board certified plastic surgeon should be a concern to you. Make sure the plastic surgeon has comprehensive experience with both saline and silicone gel implants. And experience with all of the surgical approaches available (areolar, inframammary, axillary, etc.) is a must.

2. Questions you should ask or your plastic surgeon should address include:

• What type of implant is recommended? Saline versus gel, textured versus smooth, round versus anatomic, etc.
• What is the best surgical approach? The surgical approach may affect positioning behind muscles, symmetry, cleavage, etc. You and your plastic surgeon should thoroughly discuss your options for breast implants and surgical approach when it comes to your augmentation surgery.
• What type of breast implant is the safest? Any surgery comes with risks, but your plastic surgeon should thoroughly address any complications that may arise from breast implants.
• When will I have to replace my breast implants?
• What are the short and long term risks of breast augmentation?
• How long have you been performing breast enlargement procedures?

3. Breast Implant Size and Symmetry with Your Body Type.

Tell your plastic surgeon what cup size you have in mind for your breast augmentation surgery and do not hesitate to present magazine or Internet pictures of what you like and do not like. Size is a matter of personal choice but an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Lewis Obi, will consider anatomic issues. This includes your size, body frame dimensions and most importantly, achieving a natural result. An important part of the consultation is to share breast augmentation photographs of similar patients with you in order for you to make a good decision as to shape and size.  

4. Where will the breast implant incision be and will there be scarring?

Ask where your incision will be made and if the scar will be minimal. An experienced plastic surgeon will know the best place to make an incision for a breast augmentation and will know how to minimize the scar after.

5. Will I be safe during the breast implant surgery?

Safety considerations in terms of anesthesia, licensure of the surgery center (preferably single specialty) and track record regarding infections are important considerations.

6. What type of post-operative care will I receive after the augmentation surgery?

What type of care and rest will be needed after your breast augmentation is very important. Typically, a patient will have to restrict almost all physical activities for up to one week after a breast augmentation. An experienced plastic surgeon should make sure the patient receives the proper instructions and post-operative care instructions before and after her breast augmentation. 

Be sure to write down all of your questions and thoroughly review them during your consultation. An experienced plastic surgeon understands that patients have concerns and will do their best to ease a patient's mind. There is no such thing as asking the wrong question or asking too many questions. It's your body and your personal choice.