Are you considering Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Curvy (Credit: markjsebastian)

Evaluation of these patients includes looking at the texture of their skin, to see if there are stretch marks, noting significant underlying damage to the skin's ability to tighten . In addition, it's important to look at the shape of the breast, the areolar size, the asymmetry of the breasts, and the age of the patient.
 
1. The truth about implants. Contrary to what you may think, the majority of plastic surgeons would choose silicone over saline for patients. This prevailing opinion is agreed upon by 9 out of 10 plastic surgeons.
 
As the size of the implant increases, it becomes more difficult to disguise it. Women are selecting larger implants than ever before and they need to know that their body can only camouflage a certain size implant before it becomes obviously "un-real". My consultation with every patient includes a discussion that specifically compares their body and breast type with the implant size that they choose.
 
2. "What happens to my breasts with age?" Breast tissues age just like other tissues of the body. The skin stretches out, the fibers that hold the internal tissues together weaken, the milk-producing gland tissue enlarges and shrinks with each menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and the fatty tissue varies with weight changes.
 
Insertion of a small or moderate breast implant behind these tissues will be accommodated well and will improve the shape of the breast in most cases; however, larger implants are also heavier, and they will produce a greater degree of stretch to the tissue, thereby causing it to weaken over time.
 
Brassiere sizing is not constant. Although the brassiere manufacturers set up a standard sizing system, they do not adhere to it. A 34C bra bought from Victoria's Secret is much smaller than a 34C bought from Target.
 
3. "Is the surgeon peer reviewed?" Peer reviewed means that the surgeon has privileges to do breast augmentation at a hospital or surgical center where other surgeons also operate at. To obtain those privileges, the surgeon must submit an application that is reviewed by other qualified surgeons. These other surgeons have been selected to give privileges only to new surgeons that perform skilled surgery.
 
A board certified plastic surgeon can only be certified in America by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Other boards exist that certify dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, gynecologists etc. They are not truly plastic surgeons although they may perform plastic surgical procedures and may call themselves plastic surgeons.
 
"Should a non-plastic surgeon do my surgery?" If you decide to work with a non plastic surgeon, you should check up on the surgeon's qualifications.
 
4. "Who puts me to sleep?" There are several methods used for administering anesthesia. If an anesthetist is supervised by an anesthesiologist (M.D.) on the premises, you have nothing to worry about. If the anesthetist is supervised by the surgeon or by an anesthesiologist that is not physically present, you should think twice about surgery performed in that location.
 
You want your surgeon to focus on your surgery and not to be distracted by the responsibility of the anesthesia. Some rural hospitals allow anesthetists to provide anesthesia without supervision.

Anesthesia is a drug induced mental state that allows surgeons to work without you experiencing pain. These drugs can and often have other effects. Some drugs may cause postoperative nausea and vomiting. Usually this will resolve in a day or two, although occasionally patients say that they remain mildly affected for up to two weeks after surgery.
 
5. "Why do prices vary?" The cost of the surgery is a combination of three charges. The first of the charges is the surgeon's fee. The surgeon's fee will include the operation and all of the office appointments. Do not underestimate the office appointments.
 
Most surgeons will allow you to return annually at no charge to check up on your implants and to examine your breast tissue. Take advantage of this benefit. If you go out of town for your surgery, you are giving up that benefit. The surgeon's fee will also include the price of the implants. Some surgeons include medications while others ask you to fill a prescription. This can amount to $100-200.
 
The second charge is the operating room fee. Surgeons that use a surgical center or a hospital will tell you that fee, and you will usually pay it directly to the facility. Surgeons that use their office for the surgery will not usually describe this fee specifically; it will be part of the "inclusive fee".
 
6. "Do I want to buy the extended warranty?" Did you know that all of the implant manufacturers have a warranty for their implants and that they sell an extended warranty for an additional fee? As I have said above, no medical devices including breast implants last forever. Breast implant manufacturers offer a very generous warranty.
 
They realize that their product is chosen as a lifestyle luxury. You will not see this type of warranty from any other type of medical device manufacturer. The breast implant manufacturers will replace the implants, if anything goes wrong with them, for your entire lifetime.
 
In addition, for several years after implantation they will also reimburse some of your expenses for the other costs of the second surgery.
 
7. "Do I like the surgeon?" Answer this question immediately after your consultation. You may have gone to the consultation because of a recommendation by a friend. Do not let that influence you. You should feel comfortable with the surgeon. You need to be able to openly discuss exactly what you want. You need to feel that you can ask as many questions as you desire. You should not feel as if you are on an assembly line or that the surgeon is too busy to give you adequate time and consideration.