What You Need to Know Before Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

August 8, 2016 DLM Admin


What You Need to Know Before Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

What You Need to Know before Your Breast Augmentation ConsultationMaking 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.

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
5.0
2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
5.0
2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*
5.0
2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
5.0
2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*

Jan 24th, 2013

Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*
2015-02-10T19:26:55-06:00
Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*

Nov 2nd, 2012

I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*
2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

Oct 29th, 2012

Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*
2015-02-10T19:27:54-06:00
Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*

Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
2015-03-30T12:00:04-05:00
Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

You Rock!!

I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

Amazing!

I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*
2015-03-30T12:02:20-05:00
I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*

With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
2015-03-30T12:02:40-05:00
With appreciation for putting me back together!*

I am forever grateful

I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*
2015-03-30T12:03:02-05:00
I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*

Thank You

Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*
2015-03-30T12:03:24-05:00
Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*

April 12, 2016

Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
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