The decision to get breast implants isn’t one to make lightly. You’ve probably spent a great deal of time going back and forth about whether you want the surgery. Now that you’ve decided to consult with a plastic surgeon, you’re one step closer to having breasts that you can feel confident and about.
Think of the consultation with a plastic surgeon as your chance to get all of your questions about breast augmentation answered. Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to jot down some questions and bring them with you, so that you don’t leave out anything important. To help you, Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery has put together six key questions to ask.
Which type of implant should I choose?
Just as no two pairs of breasts are alike, no two implants are really alike. You have a variety of options when it comes to implants. The biggest difference between implant types sits in the materials they are made out of.
Implants can be either filled with silicone or saline. The material inside the implant will have the biggest effect on how they look and feel. For example, silicone implants tend to feel a lot more natural and realistic than saline implants. Silicone implants are also less likely to create rippling on the skin.
While silicone does provide the more natural look, saline has its benefits, too. The biggest benefit of saline implants is that your surgeon can fill them after the implant is positioned in the breast. That means the surgeon makes a smaller incision and you have a smaller scar.
Material is just one consideration. You also want to think of the size and shape of your implants. Your surgeon will most likely give you a variety of tester implants, sometimes referred to as sizers, which you can wear inside of a bra. These will give you an idea of which implant size is right for you.
Will I have these implants forever?
The implants you choose today might not be the implants that meet your needs a decade from now. Implants aren’t designed to last a lifetime, and there are a number of reasons why you might decide to have an implant revision at some point in the future. Ask your surgeon for the full details regarding how long you can expect the implants to last.
A general rule of thumb to follow is to meet up with your surgeon again in a decade to check on the status of your implants. At that point, you might find that your implants are too big for your tastes or that you’d like to go bigger. Some women decide that they’re completely over implants after a decade or so and have theirs taken out and not replaced. However, while the implants will not last forever, they can safely last more than ten years.
How long have you been performing breast surgeries?
You want to get a sense of the surgeon’s experience with breast augmentation and implants. For this reason, be sure to ask how long he’s been performing the procedures. You will also want to get an idea of how often he performs breast surgeries, since that will give you a sense of how skilled and familiar he is with the surgery. Dr. Paul Vitenas, for example, performs more than 400 breast surgeries every year.
Where will the incision be made?
Just as there’s no one-size-fits-all implant, there’s no one-size-fits-all incision. There are generally three locations where the incision can be made: in the armpit, around the areola, and beneath the breast. Some incisions locations, such as beneath the breast, might be better than others for a variety of reasons. The best incision spot will depend on the patient and the type of implant used. Ask your surgeon to explain the incision locations to you and the reasons for choosing one location over another.
How long does the breast augmentation take and how long is the recovery?
It helps to know what to expect for the duration of surgery before going into the procedure. You will also need to understand what to expect for your recovery. Generally, you’ll feel the most discomfort the first few days after the procedure. Your surgeon will likely give you a list of instructions to help you minimize any discomfort and to help ease your recovery along. You’ll want to ask how long you’ll have to take off from work, what adjustments you’ll need to make to your wardrobe, and what activities you’ll want to avoid, and for how long, after surgery.
How risky is the surgery?
Even if you’re in the best of health, breast augmentation does have a few risks. Ask your surgeon about the potential risks and complications from surgery and what he does to minimize those risks. Also find out what you can do to make your surgery as safe as possible.
Houston’s Dr. Paul Vitenas has been rated a top doctor for seven years in a row by H Town Magazine. His practice has been singled out as one of the best in the country. If you’re in the Houston area, you can schedule an in-person consultation by calling (281) 484-0088. Anyone not from the area can consult with Dr. Vitenas online or via email; contact Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery for further instructions.