Getting a breast augmentation is an intensely personal decision. Every woman has different reasons for seeking a breast enhancement. For example, one woman may have always felt dissatisfied with her underdeveloped or asymmetrical breasts, while another may be looking for ways to regain her pre-pregnancy bustline.
Whatever your reasons are for wanting to get this surgery, you will be excited to learn breast improvement has one of the highest satisfaction rates among cosmetic procedures – an incredible 98 percent, * according to survey results published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
As you embark on your breast enhancement journey, it’s important to select a plastic surgeon who helps you achieve a sense of femininity and regain your self-confidence. Apart from choosing a qualified doctor to perform your surgery, you also need to make a series of other decisions, including the size, shape and material of your implant, as well as the placement of your incisions and implants. With careful consideration and thoughtful planning, a breast augmentation could be a truly life-changing decision.
How to Choose a Qualified Surgeon
The foremost indicator of a breast surgeon’s skill and experience is board certification from an organization such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. ** Earning board certification involves not only completing a series of challenging written and oral examinations, but also adhering to stringent standards of medical ethics and patient safety.
Another thing you should do as you’re trying to select the best person to perform your breast surgery is to ask the doctor to show you before-and-after photos of their previous breast enhancement patients. A surgeon who consistently produces outstanding results should have no hesitation about showing off their work.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possible breast surgeons, schedule in-person consultations with each of them, and bring a list of questions to ask. These meetings aren’t just your opportunity to interview your doctor about their qualifications and years of experience, but also a time that allows you to feel out the doctor’s personality and professionalism. If the doctor and their staff are friendly, responsive, honest and put you at ease, you can establish a good working relationship. Developing a “comfort zone” is dependent upon honest communication between you and your surgeon. After all, your doctor will be doing the surgery, not his staff. The more time your surgeon provides you to address your concerns before and after your surgery vs. his staff is very important.
What Implant Size and Material Are Best for You?
After selecting the doctor to perform your breast surgery, your next step is to work with your surgeon to determine the size and shape of your implants, as well as which implant material will help you accomplish your desired results.
Though the ultimate decision is up to you, your doctor’s frank advice and years of experience will be invaluable in making these important decisions. The best breast surgeons will be honest with you about what you can realistically expect to achieve with breast implants surgery, based on factors such as your body type, your “vision” of your desired size, age, the elasticity of your skin and how you carry yourself.
Your two options for implant material are silicone and saline, and which one you choose comes down to personal preference. However, there are some pros and cons of both materials to be aware of.
Because silicone is a softer, more viscous gel, many women believe it looks and feels more natural than saline. Silicone gel implants come pre-filled, which means they require slightly larger incisions than saline implants. In comparison, saline implants get filled after being placed within the breast pocket and are easier to insert under the arm depending on the size of the implant. In this case, the is no incision on your breast.
Silicone implants also involve more of a potential health risk in the rare event that they rupture. The FDA recommends *** women with silicone implants get an MRI screening three years after they receive a new implant, and every two years after that, to help detect a rupture.
Implant rupture with saline implants is harmless, as your body will absorb the saline fluid right away.
Placing Your Incisions and Implants
You and your doctor will also have to decide where to make your breast implant incisions, as well as where to place the implants in your chest.
You have three options for your breast implant incisions: under your arms, around your nipples or in the creases under your breasts. All three of these locations will keep your scarring as minimal and discreet as possible, so the ultimate decision as to where to place the incisions will largely depend on your personal preference, as well as your anatomy.
Precise positioning of the implant is essential to producing breasts with a natural-looking shape and contour. Breast augmentation placement is one of the most important factors influencing the overall results. You and your doctor will need to decide together whether it’s best for you to have your implants positioned on top of your chest muscles, or under them. The amount of natural breast tissue you already have is one factor in this decision-making process, as is your expected recovery time.
Discover Your Ideal Breast Implants
If you are looking for a talented and board-certified breast surgeon with years of experience providing safe and natural-looking surgical outcomes, contact Dr. Michael Kulick to schedule a confidential consultation. Over his two decades of surgical practice in the heart of San Francisco, Dr. Kulick has built a reputation as one of the most sought-after breast specialists in the Bay Area.
* Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, May 2013
** Source: American Board of Plastic Surgery
*** Source: fda.gov
Dr. Michael Kulick, MD is a leading board certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. During an initial consultation, he’ll examine your individual anatomy, discuss all your options, and create a unique treatment plan along with any other necessary procedures. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plastic surgery and are looking for a qualified cosmetic surgeon, use this online form to request a consultation with Dr. Kulick or call 415-956-2550.
