Considering a Breast Augmentation? Here are 10 Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Your Plastic Surgeon During a Consultation

It is vital to know if you are a good candidate to undergo a breast augmentation procedure in the first place. During your consultation, your doctor will thoroughly review your medical history, your plans (if any) to have future children, and your aesthetic goals to better understand what procedure may be the right choice for you. Your surgeon will determine the information you will need to ensure you are a good candidate for a procedure.

When choosing a surgeon, you will want to know what their work looks like. Most plastic surgeons will have a before and after section on their website. You might find that you do not care for the outcomes of some of the procedures, or you may realize that the results of previous patients are similar to what your desires for the augmentation are. It is important to choose a surgeon whose previous work meets the aesthetic goals you hope to achieve.

You want to have a knowledgeable doctor on your side when undergoing surgery. Always ask your doctor what qualifications they have to ensure you are getting the adequate care and attention you need to have a successful procedure. You may want to ask about their current certifications and how many years they have been performing breast augmentation procedures.

When undergoing any surgery, you will want to know just how long you will be out of commission and what you can or cannot do during your healing process. Exercise, lifting, and other strenuous activities should be avoided in the first few weeks. Planning ahead to guarantee you have a smooth healing process can be crucial to a successful and speedy recovery. Each woman’s body is unique, so healing is different for everyone, but your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you on exactly what you can expect and how to prepare.

All surgical procedures come with the possibility of complications. What risks are associated with a breast augmentation procedure? While 98% of women are reported to be satisfied with their surgery, you must understand any potential dangers that may come up, though unlikely. Your doctor will be able to walk you through all risk factors and how to best avoid them for a successful and beautiful outcome.

There are many different types of implants available – varying in size, shape, and material. It can be overwhelming to decide on what would be the right choice for you. While you may already have an idea of what you want, your doctor will be able to assess your individual situation, analyze your specific goals, and make an individualized recommendation to help achieve your desired results.

Though this question may seem like a no-brainer, it is important to know the longevity of your breast augmentation. Breast implants do not have a lifetime guarantee. While most implants are rated to last at least ten years, some end up lasting much longer. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what will provide you with the most reliable and consistent results, as well as what to expect from your implants as time goes on.

While it is critical that you know of any potential surgical complications, it is equally important to know what your options are in the unlikely event that something happens. Be sure to ask your doctor about your implant warranty – nearly all breast implants have a warranty, and your plastic surgeon will advise you on what these warranties are and assist you in making the most informed decision.

As much as we wish we didn’t, we all age. Similarly, your breast implants will age and change over time. Depending on various factors such as pregnancy, weight loss or gain, and skin sagging, you can expect that your implants will not always look just as they did when you had the augmentation procedure done. Your doctor can counsel you on what to expect in the future and options for restoring the look of your implants if they change down the line.

Last but not least – what happens if you are not happy with the outcome of your procedure? Do you have to pay for revision surgery? Are there options for the removal of the implant? Check with your plastic surgeon and their staff so that you know the full scope of your breast augmentation cycle, even if things do not go as planned.