Essential Questions to Ask During Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

If you’ve decided you want to have breast augmentation surgery, you will first need to attend a consultation with a plastic surgeon. This consultation is your opportunity to discuss your hopes and expectations for the surgery, as well as for the surgeon to evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate, both mentally and physically, for the operation.

Your breast augmentation consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions before you make a final decision, and you should go prepared. To get you started, we’ve prepared a list of some of the most important questions.

1. Are You Certified and Qualified to Carry Out This Procedure?

Hopefully, you already know the answer to this question before you commit to a consultation, but if not, now’s the time to ask. Your surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Not only that, but he should be an experienced breast surgeon, rather than a general plastic surgeon or specialist in another area, such as dermatology.

2. What Size and Type Implant Do You Recommend?

With the internet as your guide, it’s easy to go into a breast augmentation consultation having already made a decision about the type and size of implants you want. However, your surgeon has performed hundreds of operations, and it is worth listening to her experience. She will listen to your objectives and recommend the best course of action to achieve the results you’re aiming for.

3. Can I See Before and After Photos From Previous Patients?

If you are speaking to an experienced surgeon, it is highly likely he will have before and after photos of previous patients for you to see. It is good to see these both to check the surgeon has performed similar operations and to see the results that he achieved. In particular, you should ask to see photos of surgeries that are similar to the one you will be having — both in implant type and size.

4. What Are the Risks for This Procedure?

During your breast augmentation consultation, it is likely your surgeon will brief you on the risks associated with the procedure you have chosen. However, if she doesn’t mention them (or just provides you with a leaflet), you should not hesitate to ask questions. Although the risks are low, they are not nonexistent, and you should make sure you understand them fully before committing. Your risk may also change depending on certain lifestyle choices — your surgeon can advise on changes you should make to achieve the best result.

5. What Is Your Policy Regarding Revision Surgery?

When a patient is not happy with the result from her breast augmentation surgery, a surgeon may offer revision surgery. Different surgeons have different policies regarding this surgery: Some may offer it inclusive with the price, while others may charge. Few surgeries carried out by a qualified professional will need revising, but in the event yours does, you should find out about the policy first.

6. How Many Additional Implant-Related Operations Can I Expect Over My Lifetime?

It is not unusual for breast augmentation patients to need additional operations across their lifetime. This is for a couple of reasons: First, implants slowly age and most will eventually need replacing. Second, as your body changes and ages, you may want to change your implants. Getting advice from your surgeon now can help you think about future costs.