In 2021 alone, American plastic surgeons performed 365,000 breast augmentation surgeries.
And while this is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures, being unprepared can have serious consequences. These include the risk of infection or permanent structural damage caused by an inexperienced surgeon.
Thankfully, asking the right questions before your breast augmentation surgery can help you avoid these risks.
Keep reading for the 7 most vital questions to ask your surgeon when preparing for surgery!
1. How Many Breast Augmentations Do You Perform Every Year?
The first thing to consider when choosing a surgeon is how many surgeries they perform per year.
This will help you see how experienced the surgeon is with this specific surgery. Ideally, the surgeon will specialize in breast augmentations and have a low revision rate.
2. What Is the Rate of Complications?
No matter how safe a plastic surgery procedure is, there is always the risk of complications. Your surgeon should be honest with you about this from the start.
This question also helps when you’re choosing a plastic surgeon. If one surgeon has a much higher rate of complications than the others on your list, then this is a huge red flag.
3. Which Type of Implants Will You Be Using?
Breast implants are usually made of either silicone or saline. Saline implants are filled with saltwater. Silicone is a soft, gel-like substance.
Your surgeon will recommend one or the other based on your preferences and goals (learn more here).
4. Do I Need to Be Worried About Infection?
The chances of infection after breast augmentation surgery are very low.
However, it’s still important to ask your surgeon about their protocol for preventing and treating infection.
These include giving you clear post-surgery instructions and showing you how to keep your incisions clean. Your surgeon should also book several follow-up exams to make sure your wounds are healing properly.
5. How Long Is Recovery?
The usual recovery time from breast augmentation surgery is 4-6 weeks.
Factors like your activity level, the surgeon’s skill, and implant size/type all influence recovery time. Add more recovery time than you think you need so you can book enough time off work.
6. How Do I Know If an Implant Has Ruptured?
While ruptures are rare, your plastic surgeon should still be honest with you about what to look for.
These include symptoms like breast pain, swelling, and changes in size and/or shape.
7. How Long Do Implants Last?
Breast implants can last 10-20 years and will need replacement after that.
During your consultation, be sure to ask for an approximate time frame for your situation (including the type of implant). This will help you plan if you want to have another surgery in the future.
Prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery With These Questions
Asking your surgeon these questions before breast augmentation surgery is key to a smooth experience.
Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question. The more you ask, the more prepared you’ll be for your surgery!
And for even more helpful articles like this one, be sure to check out the rest of our site today!
