What questions should I ask before making the decision to have breast augmentation surgery?
If you have been considering having breast augmentation surgery, you’re certainly not alone. More popular even than liposuction and rhinoplasty, surgery to increase breast size tops the list of most requested cosmetic surgery procedures. Just in the U.S., alone, there are over 300 thousand breast augmentations done every year.
Sometimes referred to as breast implant surgery or augmentation mammoplasty, breast augmentation is exactly what it sounds like; making the breast larger in size. Whether the procedure is the right choice for you, however, is not quite that simple.
Why do some people want to increase your breast size?
There are a lot of good reasons for considering changes to your body, but there are also those that are not so good. There have always been psychological and emotional triggers leading to poor choices, but in today’s world where we are subjected to a constant barrage from social media, it’s even easier to make rash decisions. Seeing an ex on Instagram or Facebook looking way happier than you feel he has any right to be, is no more a good reason to increase the size of your breasts than it is to change the shape of your nose. In fact, any reason that doesn’t start and stop with you is probably not a good one.
When it comes to breast augmentation, there are valid reasons for considering it. Some of the more common reasons that have proven to actually increase the quality of life for women who have had this procedure include:
- Increasing the size of breasts that were believed to be too small to fit the body frame
- Adjusting the size of one breast that is smaller than the other to provide a more natural and balanced appearance
- Post-pregnancy adjustment to restore breasts to the size they were prior to giving birth
- Improving self-confidence, which often follows the correction of what was viewed as a deficiency or something that inspired feelings of “less than”
Are you a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Once you determine that you understand your motivations for wanting breast augmentation surgery and make the decision to take the next step, there are some other factors to take into consideration. Some of these are:
- You should be in good physical health
- While you can have a breast augmentation procedure before or after, you should not currently be pregnant or breastfeeding
- You will need to be 18 or older if your surgery will include saline implants; 22 or older if choosing silicone implants
- Be aware of possible risks and complications of the procedure, as well as have realistic expectations
This last caution about awareness of risks, complications, and unrealistic expectations brings us to the most important step in this process. That is how crucial it is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is not only highly skilled but also has years of experience performing breast augmentation surgeries. During your initial consultation, you should feel comfortable asking questions and learning exactly what to expect. Your surgeon will be able to help you make the decision that is right for you and ensure that your procedure is as safe and successful as possible.
Dr. Brian D. Cohen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic/reconstructive plastic surgery and has had years of experience performing a wide array of cosmetic surgery procedures, specializing in procedures of the face, eyes, nose, breast, and body and is known for his exemplary and compassionate care by his patients. Knowing that Dr. Cohen has been selected by his peers in Super Doctors for 8 years in a row in 2020 gives you the confidence that he is highly respected for his performance in his specialty.
Information on locations and office hours for Cohen Plastic Surgery can be found by clicking here.