Breast Augmentation Surgery: How To Choose The Right Doctor?
Breat augmentation surgery (also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast enhancement surgery, breast enlargement surgery, and occasionally, “boob job”) involves the use of breast implants to create fuller breasts. The implants can also be used to restore volume after pregnancy or weightloss. Choosing the right doctor is critical to having a successful procedure. Here are some things you should be aware of…
Planning: A successful and safe procedure depends on you being very open with your doctor. Discuss your expectations, desires, any medical conditions you may have, your medical history, drug allergies, prescriptions you take, family history of breast cancer, etc.
Your doctor may then give you an exam, take measurements, photographs, and discuss your options. They will talk to you about the two types of breast implants(saline and silicone) and which may be right for you. You’ll know exactly what you should expect from your breast augmentation surgery. Before surgery, you may have some additional lab tests done as well.
The breast augmentation surgery itself is a pretty straight forward process. First, you’ll be administered the anethesia. Then, your doctor will make a small incision and insert the implant. Then, the incision will be closed.
You’ll be sore following the procedure. Soon afterwards, the swelling goes away and over time the small incision mark will start to fade.
Now, this sounds like a nice, smooth process, right? Well, it should be…but there are some “doctors” in this world that have no business putting a knife in a porterhouse steak, much less a woman!
Risks of breast augmentation surgery include bad scarring, excessive bleeding, infections, changes in nipple sensation that may or may NOT go away, implant leakage, blood clots, cardiac complications, and many other bad scenarios.
You want to make sure you spend some time searching for the right doctor. I recommend you interview several board certified doctors. Ask for references. View before and after photos. Heck, I’d even call their medical school professors and ask what kinds of grades they received in school! Spend time doing your due diligence before deciding on a doctor.
The Cosmetic Surgery Referral Network (CSRN) is a FREE service for finding breast augmentation surgery plastic surgeons in your local area.
Until next time!
Heather
heather at womenshealthquestions.org
