As many women are researching and beginning their initial conversations for a breast consultation, many questions come to mind. How much does it cost? What will your cosmetic surgeon cover during the consultation? How long is the surgery? The list goes on and on. Don’t fret, the team at Dr. Fischer’s office wants to help guide the way to the breasts you’ve always wanted. From your comprehensive consultation to your official surgery day, we want to help answer, "what to ask at a breast augmentation consultation" and all your questions because your comfort and safety are our priority, so here is what you need to know for your upcoming breast consultation.
What Your Cosmetic Surgeon Will Cover
Your breast consultation typically begins with a consultation about what your goals are and what you are hoping to achieve by undergoing this procedure. Dr. Fischer will talk through each step with you and will go over each of the options in order to understand your desired outcome. Pictures, examples, and lots of detail are key to helping not only Dr. Fischer understand your wants and needs, but also make sure that everyone is on the same page for what to expect and how to get there!
Next, you’ll go through a medical history, including questions concerning:
- Your current state of health
- Any medications you’re taking, including vitamins and supplements
- Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Drug allergies
- Prior surgeries and medical treatments
- Family medical history, specifically of breast cancer
- Previous results of any mammogram and biopsies
- Pre-existing conditions and other potential health risks
This will be followed by a physical examination of your breasts, including measurements and a general evaluation of the size and shape of your breasts, the placement of nipples and areolas, skin quality, and so on. At this point, you’ll discuss incision patterns, potential scarring, implant types, and other surgery details. Treatment recommendations will be offered next to best suit your body and your goals with an open discussion for anticipated outcomes and possible risks.
How Long Does a Breast Consultation Take?
You can generally expect your breast augmentation consultation to last up to an hour, with about 15-20 minutes devoted to discussing your goals and your medical history prior to surgery, with the remaining time allotted for examination and any questions you may have.
15 minutes will also be devoted to trying on “sizers” that are the same size and shape as an implant and fit into a sports bra so you can really see how this size will look on you! This is a great time to bring that sweater or blouse that you were hoping would look great on you after surgery!
What to Ask at a Breast Augmentation Consultation
Even if you’re excited about the prospect of cosmetic surgery, it’s totally normal to have questions and concerns about the surgical procedure and what to expect during and after treatment. Your breast consultation is the perfect opportunity to ask, so it’s important to come prepared with a list of questions and even take notes during your consultation.
What should you ask at a breast augmentation consultation? First and foremost, you want to make sure your surgeon has the right training and experience, so you should ask about degrees, licenses, and certifications, as well as specifics like years in practice and the number of surgeries like yours performed. It’s not a bad idea to ask if the surgical facility is accredited/licensed and if hospital privileges are in place. Do your research online too! Many plastic surgeons have all this information and more on their website.
Next, you’ll want to know more about the surgical procedure, including the products and techniques that will be used, expected outcomes, recovery time, how close the results might be to what you want, and whether there are risks you should know about. These topics will typically be covered by the surgeon, but don’t hesitate to ask if you have additional questions or concerns. It’s important that you have clear expectations so you can feel comfortable and confident moving forward.
In many cases, seeing before-and-after photos can help you get an idea of how different products and procedures will look and what you can expect when it comes to long-term results, and your doctor should have plenty of samples to show you.
When you choose a talented and experienced cosmetic surgeon, you have the best opportunity to improve your appearance and your confidence with breast augmentation surgery. Contact the qualified team at Beverly Fischer, MD and The Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery today.
