Once you’ve made the decision to pursue breast augmentation, an augmentation consultation can seem both exciting and intimidating. Until this point, your desire to change your body and get breast implants has been entirely yours. It’s been a fantasy. A consultation makes the process seem more real.
You might get swept up in your excitement that your dream breasts are that much closer to reality, but you can’t afford to miss this opportunity to ask your cosmetic surgeon all the breast implant facts you need to know before you make your final decision. Of course you’ll discuss size, shape and what type of implant you’ll be getting, but there are questions that you need to raise outside of the implants themselves.
Is your surgeon board-certified? What about the risk associated with breast implants? And what if you’re unhappy with your results? These are all vital questions to have answered and your consultation is the ideal opportunity to ask. Knowing what to expect at your breast augmentation consultation if you arrive prepared with some questions to ask ahead of time.
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What Are Your Qualifications?
This should be the very first question you ask at your breast augmentation consultation and it’s certainly the most important. Knowing whether your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is vital. The answer should be yes and your surgeon should be able to explain to you what board certification means and why it’s so important. This is also your opportunity to ask about his or her training, continued education and specializations.
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Where Will My Breast Augmentation Be Performed?
Having your consultation in a beautiful, clean and tidy office might lead you to assume that the operating area will be just as pristine, but always verify. Not only do you want to make sure that the surgical center is up to snuff but you’ll also need information about your surgical facility as you’re planning the logistics of your breast augmentation.
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What Are the Risks Associated with Breast Implants?
Sure you’ve done all the research, but Dr. Google is no replacement for a cosmetic surgeon. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to explain not only the potential risks of getting breast implants, but also how those concerns can be mitigated and what protocol the cosmetic surgery practice follows if something doesn’t go according to plan.
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Am I a Good Candidate Physically for Breast Augmentation?
At your breast augmentation consultation, you can expect your surgeon to want to learn about you just as much as you’re learning about them. This is where you’ll assess whether you’re a good physical candidate for breast implants and what kind of expectations you can have for your results. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons says that to be a good candidate, you shouldn’t be pregnant or breastfeeding, your breasts should be fully formed and you should have realistic expectations.
Ask all the details you need to know about your breast augmentation surgery during your consultation and you’ll be well prepared for your surgery day and the recovery period after.
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How About Emotionally?
Not only is it important that you’re an excellent physical candidate, but you and your surgeon should discuss whether you’re emotionally ready for breast augmentation. Getting implants is not only a physical change, but can bring about emotional feelings as well. Make sure you’re up to the challenge.
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How Can I Expect My Results to Look over Time?
As your body changes over time, so will your breast implants. Situations like weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy and breastfeeding can all impact how your implants look and feel. You should expect to cover all of this in your consultation. Also, be sure to ask about your options for updates down the road. Talk to your surgeon about when you might expect to need to replace or revise your augmentation.
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What If I’m Not Happy with My Results?
This question is always a little uncomfortable, but you need to be able to discuss your results with your surgeon, for better or worse. You never want to assume you’ll be unhappy with the results of your augmentation but you need to know the protocol if you are. What will your surgeon and his or her practice be able to do for you if you don’t love the way you look?
Policies will vary from surgeon to surgeon and it’s important know what they are before your breast augmentation. This discussion can also be a good gauge of how comfortable you and your surgeon are able to be together. It’s important for you to have trust in the person performing your surgery.
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Can I See Before and After Pictures of Your Patients?
More than just a fun comparison, before and after pictures of your surgeon’s other patients can give you a better idea of his or her style and what to expect from your finished results. Now, every woman’s body is different and your breasts aren’t going to look exactly like anyone else’s, but you can still use these before and after photos as a barometer for your cosmetic surgeon’s breast augmentation skills.
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What Can I Do to Ensure I Get the Best Results?
Your surgery is just one part of the breast augmentation process. Oftentimes the hard work comes after the surgery with the recovery. In your breast augmentation consultation you should expect to talk to your surgeon about the things you need to do to make sure you’re prepared before, during and after your surgery. He or she might give you the rundown on post-surgical procedures, how you can prepare yourself ahead of time and general breast implant dos and don’ts.
At Hamilton Surgical Arts, our cosmetic surgeons have over 40 years of combined experience to help you find the treatment option that’s right for you. Both Dr. Lowery and Dr. Jackson are recognized leaders in the cosmetic surgery field, providing the highest quality care in the Indianapolis area.
