Breast augmentation surgery is a popular cosmetic surgery that many women choose to have to increase breast volume. From lost volume from weight loss or breast feeding, going through breast cancer, to wanting a boost in self-confidence, there are lots of reasons why women undergo the plastic surgery.
When it comes to breast augmentation procedures, there will be a lot of decisions to make. For example, the type of breast implants that suit your body type best. This can include silicone implants, gummy bear implants, saline implants, etc. Another decision includes the breast size and breast appearance you’re looking to achieve.
However, the most important decision you’ll have to make for your breast augmentation procedure is which plastic surgeon you want to perform your breast surgery. Ideally, you’ll choose a board certified plastic surgeon with plenty of experience performing breast enhancement procedures. Of course, there’s a bit more to choosing the right fit among all the plastic surgeons out there.
Understanding Breast Augmentation Surgery and Breast Implants
A significant part of finding the right plastic surgeon for your best breast augmentation involves understanding what a breast augmentation procedure involves.
Breast augmentation is a type of plastic surgery during which a breast implant is placed in the breast tissue. Fat transfer is also a form of augmentation, as is a breast lift. All types of augmentation have the same goal: To improve the body’s natural appearance by enhancing the breasts.
The type of augmentation that’s right for you will depend entirely on your aesthetic goals in addition to your circumstances. For example, if your goal is to simply enlarge the size of your breasts, you’ll likely want to opt for silicone implants, whereas a more natural appearance is typically achieved with saline implants. For sagging breasts, many women opt for both augmentation and a breast lift simultaneously.
While breast augmentation is considered an aesthetic plastic surgery, many women who have gone through breast or skin cancer have had to have all of their breast tissue removed during a mastectomy surgery procedure. In these instances, silicone gel implants are often recommended, whether the patient requires one breast implant or two breast implants.
Ultimately, the plastic surgeon you choose should have experience with the type of breast enhancement you require.
What to Expect From A Breast Augmentation Consultation
To ensure that the plastic surgeon you’re considering is right for your breast enhancement, you’ll need to meet for an initial consultation. During this consultation, the plastic surgeon will conduct a physical exam of your breasts and talk to you about your aesthetic surgery goals.
The most important aspects of a consultation involve:
- Discussing the different types of breast implants available and which breast implant is right for your body and your goals.
- Discussing your overall health and medical history to ensure that you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation.
- Discussing breast size and implant placement. For example, some plastic surgeons and patients feel they’ll benefit more from augmentation mammoplasty. This is when the breast implant is placed beneath the breast tissue for more aesthetically natural breasts. Subglandular placement and submuscular placement will also be considered.
- Discussing any other procedures you would benefit from in addition to breast augmentation, such as a breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, etc.
- Discussing realistic expectations for your breast augmentation results.
- Discussing potential risks, such as implant rupture, implant leakage, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, capsular contracture. (Capsular contracture is when the body’s immune system reacts poorly to the presence of breast implants), and scar tissue from surgery.
- Dicussing how the plastic surgery is conducted, the surgical technique that will be used, general anesthesia, and what the recovery process looks like, including taking pain medication.
- Discussing follow-up procedures, such as routine mammograms.
Ultimately, meeting with your plastic surgeon to discuss your breast augmentation should have you feeling comfortable with the plastic surgery procedure and the plastic surgeon. It should also have you feeling confident in your choice of breast implant and breast size.
Choosing the Right Surgeon For Your Surgery
Finding the right plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation procedure can be time-consuming. Aside from ensuring that you’re well-informed and confident moving forward with the augmentation and your future breast implants, you also must become well-informed on the various plastic surgeons in your area.
Here’s what to look for:
A Proper Board Certification
It’s essential that you only choose a board certified plastic surgeon for your augmentation. A board certified surgeon will have the proper training under the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which entails a minimum of six years of approved surgical procedure training.
A board certification means that plastic surgeons have also passed several written and oral exams, have completed their education at an accredited medical school, perform breast augmentation surgeries in state-licensed and Medicare-certified facilities, and participate in ongoing medical education to ensure safety.
An Exceptional Reputation
The plastic surgeon you choose should have a reputation that proves their patients’ success with breast augmentation and other body contouring procedures. Aside from having years of experience in performing augmentation and working with different types of breast implants, your surgeon should also come with spotless reviews.
They should also provide you with an extensive before and after portfolio of previously completed breast augmentation surgeries using various breast implant types and sizes.
Proper Etiquette
Whether you’re looking to get breast implants, a breast lift, or another type of breast enhancement, your surgeon should listen attentively to your goals and concerns. What’s more, they and their staff — especially those who will be assisting with the breast augmentation — should show you the utmost respect regarding your body and breast implant choice.
Lastly, your surgeon should have your best interest in mind regarding everything from the type of breast implants suitable for your body and the size of the breast implants. They should never try to upsell you on breast implants you’re not comfortable with or try and push you into a procedure you’re uncomfortable with. Your surgeon should make you feel comfortable and secure with your breast implant choices from start to finish.
Breast Implant Surgeon FAQs
What questions should I ask my plastic surgeon?
The most important questions to ask any plastic surgeon are about their credentials, surgical facility, surgical training, and how they handle complications with the cosmetic surgery, such as an implant rupture or improper implant placement. Ask to see before and after photos to verify previous breast augmentation results.
Who is the best cosmetic surgeon for breast enhancement?
The best breast augmentation cosmetic surgeon is someone who is experienced and has the proper surgical training and reputation to prove their talents. Having a surgeon that can also perform a tummy tuck, liposuction, labiaplasty, or a facial rejuvenation could help also if you would like to combine procedures or have a full mommy makeover performed.
How do I choose a breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is purely an aesthetic surgery designed to enhance your appearance. Your plastic surgeon, Dr. Rice, will be able to recommend the most suitable augmentation for your goals, needs, and body type.
Book a Breast Augmentation Consultation Today
Breast augmentation isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. That’s why it’s essential to find the right surgeon who will have your best interests in mind from the initial consultation the follow-up visit.
Dr. Dahlia Rice is a plastic surgeon certified by the board of plastic surgeons with an excellent reputation regarding breast augmentation and other procedures designed to enhance the breasts. Contact our caring and professional team at DMS Aesthetics Chicago to schedule your consultation today!