Making the decision to move forward with breast augmentation? If so, a consultation with your plastic surgeon is the next step in the process. Before you put that appointment on your calendar, however, there are a few basic facts about breast augmentation you need to know.
Choosing Your Surgeon
Before you schedule your breast augmentation consultation, make sure you are meeting with the best plastic surgeon for your procedure. Some factors to consider when selecting your surgeon include:
Training and Experience
While any physician can offer breast augmentation, it is important to choose a plastic surgeon with specific training and experience in this area. Don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon how many breast augmentations are performed each month and request before and after photos of previous patients to see what you might expect from your own results.
Board Certification
To become certified in plastic surgery, surgeons must complete a plastic surgery residency program and pass a rigorous examination process. Board certification lets you know the surgeon you choose is committed to the highest level of education, experience and patient care in the field of plastic surgery.
Comfort Level
Breast augmentation is a highly personal and sensitive procedure, so make sure you are working with a surgeon that makes you feel comfortable with the process. You should feel as though all your questions are answered and that you are not rushed through appointments. It is also important that the surgeon’s staff is equally professional and friendly to put you at ease from your first consultation to your last follow-up.
Dr. Andrews at Dr. Andrews Plastic, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery is a board certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He offers a variety of options in breast rejuvenation which allows him to tailor the surgery to the unique needs and desired results of each patient. In addition, he strives to make all of his patients feel comfortable and well cared for every time they come into his office.
Preparing Your Health History
At your consultation, your plastic surgeon will likely want to know details about your medical history as well as your goals for your surgery. Your medical history offers valuable facts that will help determine whether breast augmentation will be both safe and effective for you. Some of the information your surgeon will collect might include:
- Previous illnesses or surgeries
- Past or present medical conditions
- Medications you are currently taking
- Previous issues with anesthesia
It can be very helpful to write down some of this information prior to your consultation to bring along so you don’t have to complete forms from memory. Your surgeon will also want to know whether you smoke, drink alcohol or use any recreational drugs. It is very important to answer these questions honestly, since it could impact the safety of your procedure. For example, smokers do not tend to heal as well after surgery, which could impact the overall results of your breast augmentation.
Understanding Your Options
When you discuss your breast augmentation at your initial consultation, you will quickly discover that there are a number of decisions that go into planning this procedure. Some of the choices you will need to make before your surgery include:
Implant Type
Most surgeons, including Dr. Andrews, offer both saline and silicone implants to their patients. Each type of implant has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Saline implants consist of silicone shells that are filled with a sterile saline solution after the shell is placed into the breast tissue. Silicone implants also have a silicone shell that comes pre-filled with a semi-solid silicone. There are also cohesive gel implants available today, known as gummy bear implants, which tend to look and feel more like natural breast tissue.
Implant Size and Shape
Pre-filled implants come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate any breast size and shape. There are also round implants and teardrop-shaped implants that allow you to further customize your new look to help meet your aesthetic goals. Round implants tend to offer more fullness in the upper pole while teardrop implants may appear more anatomically natural. Like your implant type, there are advantages and disadvantages to the different implant shapes that you will want to discuss with your plastic surgeon.
Implant Placement
The implants you choose can also be placed in two different locations. Some patients prefer to have the implants placed on top of the chest muscle and behind the breast tissue. This placement is good for patients with ample breast tissue to begin with who may have a little droop to their breasts. The implants can also be placed underneath the chest or pectoral muscle. While this might offer a more natural look for some patients, it does tend to involve a longer and more uncomfortable recovery period.
Incision Location
Your incisions for your surgery may also vary. Common incision locations include:
- Periareolar – incision is located at the margin of the areola
- Inframammary – incision is placed underneath the breast in the natural skin crease
- Transaxillary – incision is in the armpit, away from the breast itself
The incision placement will depend on the type of implant you choose and where the implant will be placed. Dr. Andrews will discuss your options with you and help you determine the best incision location for your specific procedure.
Expecting Realistic Results
The initial consultation is also the time to ensure your expectations about your procedure are realistic. Dr. Andrews will ask you many questions about your aesthetic goals for your procedure to determine what type of results you might be looking for. He might also help you modify your goals somewhat to ensure the final result looks more natural and proportionate to the rest of your body. Looking at photos of breasts you like and even “trying on” different implants in a special bra can also help you have a realistic view of how your breasts might look after surgery.
The consultation before breast augmentation surgery is an important time for you and your surgeon to discuss your aesthetic goals. Together, you and your surgeon will develop a plan to help you reach those goals. To learn more about preparing for breast augmentation, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery at 855-338-0261 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Andrews.
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