Initial Breast Augmentation Consultation

What to discuss with your plastic surgeon.

After you have conducted a careful search of qualified breast augmentation plastic surgeons in your area, make a list of those you would like to call. Then call each physician's office with a list of questions that are important to you. Next, choose two or three plastic surgeons that you feel comfortable with and make a consultation appointment.

When choosing a plastic surgeon who is experienced with breast implantation, you should know the answers to the following questions:

• How many breast augmentation implantation procedures does the plastic surgeon perform each year?
• For how many years has the surgeon performed breast implant procedures?
• Is the surgeon board certified? If so, by what board?
• In what states is the surgeon licensed to practice surgery? Some states provide information to prospective patients about a surgeon's history that includes disciplinary action and malpractice claims and settlements.
• What is the most common complication the surgeon encounters with breast implantation?
• What is the surgeon's reoperation rate with breast implantation, and what type of reoperation performed by the surgeon is the most common?

Questions You Should Ask A Plastic Surgeon About Breast Augmentation

• What are the risks and complications associated with having breast implants?
• How many operations on my implanted breast(s) can I expect over my lifetime?
• How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed without replacement?
• What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site is recommended for me?
• How will my ability to breast feed be affected?
• How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time?
• How can I expect my implanted breasts to look after pregnancy or after breast feeding?
• What are my options if I'm dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
• What alternate procedures or products are available if I choose not to have breast implants?
• Do you have before/after photos I can look at for each procedure; what results are reasonable for me?
• Who is the manufacturer of my breast implant?
• Does the manufacturer have a product limited warranty?
• What is the voluntary patient registry?

After you have visited with each plastic surgeon on your list and have had all of your questions completely answered, choose the surgeon that you feel is the best match for you.

Several important factors may affect your individual procedure, recovery and final result. You should have a thorough understanding of these factors and carefully discuss them with your doctor. They include:

• Your overall health
• Your chest structure and overall body shape
• Your healing capabilities, which can be affected by smoking, alcohol and various medications
• Prior breast surgeries
• Bleeding tendencies
• Infections
• Scarring of the incision
• Predisposition to develop a hardened capsule around the implant