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7 Things to Know Before Getting a Breast Augmentation

7 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Breast Augmentation

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1. Manage Your Expectations

Before you book a consultation with a plastic surgeon, it’s important to manage your expectations. Don’t go into the consultation with a set idea of what you want. Your plastic surgeon will take measurements of your body and recommend an appropriate implant size and incision location based on your unique needs.

Tissue-based planning involves measuring parts of your body, including your breast width, skin stretch, etc. Based on your measurements, Dr. Adams will be able to give you a range of recommended implants for your breast. He will also recommend the ideal incision location, which is in the inframammary fold.

The reason that the other incisions, like the areola or the armpit, are inferior to the inframammary incision is because there is a higher risk of infection or capsular contracture with other incision locations. Dr. Adams’ will also show you his high-quality scar therapy program to give your scars their best appearance.

Not everyone is built the same, so basing your expectations off of what you’ve seen work with someone else, may not be the best option for you. This is why it’s always important to talk with your doctor and get their expert opinions.

2. Be Prepared for Future Breast Revisions

While breast implants today are designed to last longer than previous generations, they are not meant to last a lifetime. There is still a chance that you may need to replace or revise your implants in the future.

The FDA recommends getting an MRI every other year to check the status of your implants. If you start to feel uncomfortable, or notice something that’s just not quite right, you should setup an appointment with your doctor to get things checked out.

Breast implants are designed to put up with normal everyday activities, but sometimes over exerting yourself, exercising too much (or the wrong way), or participating in extraneous physical activities can sometimes cause breast implants to leak or become dislodged from their normal state.

3. Knowing What to Expect from a Breast Augmentation

A common question that many women interested in breast augmentation want answered is: what will I look like after my procedure? Many offices will have women place implants in their bras or put rice in a bag and then place it in their bras to try to show them what their breasts are going to look like after their augmentation.

Instead of using rice bags or trying on different sizes of implants in a bra, opt for the Vectra 3D imaging system. It’s a more accurate way to predict what you will look like after the procedure. With 98% accuracy, you can see a 3D image of your body with different implant sizes and shapes.

After having a scan made of your chest, Dr. Adams can decide which implants will be the best fit for your body based on tissue-based planning. And since the Vectra 3D imaging system uses 3D scans of your actual body, you’ll be able to see 3D renderings of what you would actually look like with your breast implants.

4. Take a Break from Exercising

Recovery from Dr. Adams’ breast augmentation is very rapid and allows you to go back to work, pick up children under 3 years old, and even go shopping the day of your procedure. But you do need to be prepared for some restrictions, such as exercise limitations.

It’s important to take some time off from your exercise regimen for the recommended period of time after your procedure. For the first two weeks after surgery, avoid exercise that raises your heart rate above 100 beats per minute. After two weeks, you may begin cardio and after six weeks, you may begin chest-focused weightlifting.

You will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon where he will make sure things are healing as they should and they can give you a better estimate of how long you need to limit your exercise based on your healing.

5. Your Breasts Will Sit High in Your Chest Immediately After Surgery

When implants are first placed in surgery, they are put inside the chest. This causes the tissues to move to the upper part of the breast. Because of this, women may feel like their breast implants are very high up on their chest for the first couple of weeks after the procedure. It is completely normal to feel this way, as it takes about 6-8 weeks for the bottom part of the breast to fill out and the nipple to naturally tilt up.

6. Expect Changes in Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Surgery

It is very common to not feel any sensation in your nipples after your procedure. It is also completely normal for your nipples to be more sensitive after your procedure. When your breasts are augmented, the nerves that lead to the nipple are stretched around the implant, which in turn can cause hypo- or hypersensitive nipples.

This change in sensitivity of your nipples can be temporary but can also be long-lasting. If you have concerns about the sensitivity of your nipples before or after your surgery, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

7. Avoid Underwire Bras and Push-up Padding

After surgery, it’s important to avoid bras with underwire or push-up padding for the first 6 weeks. These types of bras can cause improper healing and may lead to other complications.

Breast augmentation surgery can be a life-changing procedure, but it’s important to understand the risks and limitations before going under the knife. Knowing these 7 things about breast augmentation will help you to ensure a successful and safe procedure. Remember to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

If you ever have any questions in regard to a breast augmentation with Dr. Adams, please call our office at 214-965-9885 or contact us online.

What to Expect and Ask at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

What to Expect and Ask at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

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Consultations are arguably the most important part of the entire breast augmentation process. Not only will you use the consultation to choose the right plastic surgeon for you; you will also use it to identify your goals for your breasts. This is why it’s so important to be fully prepared for your breast augmentation consultation.

If you’re not sure how to prepare for your consultation or you’re feeling nervous, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll help you understand what you can expect and which questions you should ask.

Take a look at the Plastic Surgery Channel video below to learn about online consultations from Dr. Adams. 

What Should Your Consultation Goals Be?

It can be scary going to go into a consultation with no expectations about what’s going to happen. But even worse than that, it can leave you unprepared. You want to make sure you have goals in mind while going into your consultation so that you use your time with the surgeon wisely. You should have two goals during your breast augmentation consultation:

  1. Making sure the plastic surgeon is qualified and that you feel comfortable around him/her.
  2. Identifying realistic goals for your breasts with your surgeon.

What to Expect at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, Dr. Adams and his specialized team will discuss your expectations and what changes can realistically be made to your breasts based on these expectations. You can also ask any questions you may have during this time.

Since Dr. Adams individualizes each one of his patient’s procedures, he will discuss the variables that may affect your surgery, including your age, the size and shape of your breasts, condition of your skin, and whether an implant is advisable.

Our patients’ favorite part of the consultation is typically the 3D breast imaging. During the first part of the consultation, you will receive a quick 3D scan to generate an image of your breast. From there, Dr. Adams will take very accurate measurements of your breasts. He will then create a 3D visual image of the expected surgery results so that you can see exactly what your breasts will look like after surgery.

While other plastic surgeons may use more imprecise methods, like stuffing, to show you what your implants may look like, Dr. Adams published a study in 2014 in The Aesthetic Surgery Journal that found that3D imaging is 98% accurate in showing final results during the consult. Patients love it.

How Do Online or Phone Consultations Work?

If you don’t live in Texas, an online or phone consultation can save you time and money. The goal of a remote consultation is a little different than a face-to-face consultation.

Remember, nothing can replace an in-person consultation. A virtual consultation is really just a preview, allowing you to make sure that the surgeon can do what you are looking for and that you feel comfortable with the surgeon. Once you confirm that the surgeon is qualified and can achieve your goals, you can book a face-to-face meeting for a more detailed discussion about the breast augmentation procedure.

Find out how to set up an online breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Adams here.

Questions to Ask

The best way to find out if a plastic surgeon has had extensive training in breast augmentation is to talk with them face-to-face. Remember, plastic surgery procedures are not regulated. You don’t have to be board certified in order to perform breast augmentations. That’s why it’s incredibly important to do your research and ask your plastic surgeon questions during your consultation. You should try to find a surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation for your surgery, like Dr. Adams.

Here are a few questions you should ask during your consultation:

  • Are you an active member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)?
  • Which boards are you certified by?
  • How long have you been performing breast augmentations?
  • How many years of training do you have?
  • Do you have the privileges to perform breast surgery at a hospital?
  • Do you specialize in breast augmentation?
  • What procedures are you known for?
  • Do you have any publications? If so, how many?
  • Do you get invited give lectures on breast augmentation?
  • How many breast augmentations have you performed?
  • Which type of implant do you recommend for my breasts?
  • Which incision site and placement site do you recommend for me?
  • What are the risks and complications?
  • How will my results look over time?
  • How long will my recovery take and what will I be expected to do to make sure I have a safe and speedy recovery?

We hope this list helps prepare you for your breast augmentation consultation. At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation specialist Dr. Adams offers in-depth consultations to ensure that all of your questions are addressed, goals are identified and that you and he are a good fit.

Top 5 Things to Know When Scheduling a Breast Augmentation Consultation

Top 5 Things to Know When Scheduling a Breast Augmentation Consultation

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  1. Do breast surgeons charge a consultation fee?

The initial thought of paying upfront to see a doctor might seem unnecessary. But when it comes to quality and care, a consultation fee is a good thing. If a breast augmentation doctor isn’t charging a consultation fee, there is a good chance that they are double booking appointment times to make up for people who “no show”. That means your appointment time is cut in half. Having a breast augmentation is too big of a decision to meet with the doctor for a rushed appointment.

Paying for a consultation usually guarantees that you have a set amount of time dedicated to just you and the doctor. This gives you enough time to ask all the questions you may have and make sure you and your breast surgeon are on the same page. A consultation fee usually assures you that the doctor values your time, so they want you to value theirs as well. Think twice before going to a doctor who has a “free” consultation.

Another reason a doctor might not charge a consultation fee is because their procedure costs are inflated. They know they can get you in the door to come see them with a free consultation, but they will make up for the lack of consultation fee by tacking it on to the final quote. Either way, you still pay the consultation in the end.

  1. Why is board certification so important?

Plastic surgery procedures are not regulated. You don’t have to be a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform plastic surgery. Be leery of the words “Cosmetic Surgeon”. Cosmetic surgeons are not plastic surgeons; Board-certified Plastic Surgeons have had many years of extensive surgical training. Cosmetic Surgeons are often doctors that have attended a weekend course on plastic surgery procedures, and many times have not had formal surgical training. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: How long have they have been practicing? Do they have privileges to perform plastic surgery at a hospital?

Hospitals only allow doctors to perform procedures they are qualified to perform. That is why some surgeons perform “awake” breast augmentation or procedures in their office or privately owned surgery center. Know who is operating on you.

You should also check out the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners website for any malpractice lawsuits and the credentials.

Ask what procedure the surgeon specializes in or what procedure they are known for. Other good questions would be:

  • Do they have any publications?
  • If so, how many publications?
  • Do they get invited to give lectures?
  • How many of these surgeries have they performed?

It’s always a good idea to go to a surgeon that is experienced in the procedure you are interested in.

  1. What method does the doctor use to select the breast implant size?

Selecting breast implant size with Vectra 3D ImagingSome plastic surgeons like the “stuffing the bra” approach. This is where they will have you put a bra on and stuff the implant in the bra to determine the best size for you.

There have been studies that this method of selecting an implant size is far from accurate. It does not give an accurate representation of what the implant will look like under your muscle and tissue, nor will it give you a good indication of what your breast results will look like in a bra or shirt.

Some surgeons give you a range of implant sizes that may work for you. The surgeons will order all of the sizes and put “Sizers” in and take them out based on their opinion of what the implant looks like inside of your breast pocket. The danger of this is skin stretching, trauma, and infection.

A recent study done by Dr. William P. Adams Jr. was published on the accuracy of 3D imaging. The study showed that this imaging technology is 98% accurate. Vectra is a 3D imaging system that allows you to see what you would look like with different size implants in real time. It allows you to see what you would look like nude as well as in a swimsuit top. It is now the top leading technology in breast augmentation surgery.

  1. Are you getting what you pay for?

If you are paying a consultation fee, make sure you are getting a generous amount of time to spend with the doctor, asking questions and getting as much info as you can. Getting a lot of information helps you make the best decision on whom to choose when having your procedure. Make sure to ask what is included in your consultation cost; it’s good to know what you’re paying for.

Before you leave your consultation, be sure to ask if your pre-op/post op visits are included in your surgery quote or if there will be extra charges for those appointments.

Make sure to ask what all is included in the surgery quote and what exactly you get for the total amount. You should also ask if there are any outside costs.

Some people are looking for the breast surgeon who is the least expensive. Sometimes getting the “best” price doesn’t always give you the “best” you. There is a reason a doctor may be significantly cheaper than another. The surgeon may be cutting corners in order to give you the price you are looking for. A breast augmentation surgery is a long term one. Don’t cut costs in the moment to be disappointed with your results in the future.

  1. When is the first available breast augmentation consultation appointment?

Breast Augmentation Consultation CalendarIf you have a certain date that you are looking to have a breast augmentation procedure done on, it’s important to know when the first available consultation date is.

Most offices are booking anywhere from 2-4 weeks out for their consultations and then 2-4 more weeks, from your consultation, to actually have the procedure done.

When calling, also ask when the next available surgery date is. This allows you to start planning the process and helps you work around your schedule. When planning surgery, also ask about recovery time. Discuss any special events or vacations you may have scheduled to make sure the recovery time doesn’t conflict with any of your plans.