How do I find a surgeon I can trust?
It’s important to consider the following when choosing your aesthetic plastic surgeon:
- Does the surgeon have the proper education, training, and certification?
- Does the surgeon have extensive experience with breast augmentation surgery?
- Do you like their results (see before and after photos)?
- What is your comfort level with him or her?
- Are they a member of The Aesthetic Society?
Learn More About How to Find an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Members of The Aesthetic Society have the education, experience, and certifications required to perform your aesthetic procedure, and many of our members specialize in breast augmentation and breast enhancement. Find a Surgeon Near You
After you find a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area with extensive experience with breast augmentations, you will need to set up your consultation.
What can I expect during a consultation?
Generally, because of the in-depth nature of the consultation, there is usually a cost associated with the initial visit.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate whether you are a good candidate for a breast augmentation and clarify what breast augmentation surgery can do for you. Be prepared to describe what changes you’d like so your surgeon can help you choose between implants or fat grafting.
Your surgeon will examine, measure, and photograph your breasts for your medical record and will consider:
- The current size and shape of your breasts
- The breast size and shape that you desire
- The quality and quantity of your breast tissue
- The quality of your skin
- The placement of your nipples and areolas
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your complete medical history, such as your:
- Previous surgeries
- Past and present medical conditions
- Allergies and current medications
- Medical treatments you have received
- Family history of breast cancer
- Current mammogram results
- Your history of smoking, steroid use, or other factors that may influence healing
Once your surgeon understands your goals and medical condition, your surgeon may recommend alternative and additional treatments (see related procedures).
- If your breasts are sagging, your surgeon may recommend a breast lift with your breast augmentation.
- If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before considering surgery.
- Let your surgeon know if you think you may want to become pregnant in the future. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast augmentation. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect pregnancy or your ability to breastfeed, but if you have questions about these matters, you should ask your aesthetic plastic surgeon.
What questions should I ask my aesthetic plastic surgeon about my breast augmentation?
It’s important that you take an active role in your surgery, so please use this list of questions as a starting point for your initial consultation.
- Am I a good candidate for a breast enhancement or enlargement?
- Are the results I am seeking reasonable and realistic?
- Do you recommend combining a breast lift with my breast augmentation?
- Do you recommend implants or fat transfer?
- What type of implants do you recommend for me?
- In my case, will the breast implants be placed on top of the pectoral muscle or under the pectoral muscle?
- How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
- How can I expect my breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breast-feeding?
- How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed in the future?
- Do you have before and after photos of breast augmentation procedures that I can see?
- How many breast augmentations have you performed?
- Where will you perform my breast augmentation, and how long will it take?
- Will I have any scars, and will they be visible?
- What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for me?
- What will be the costs associated with my breast augmentation?
- What will you expect of me to get the best results?
- What kind of recovery period can I expect, and when can I resume normal activities?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- What are my options if the outcome of my breast augmentation does not meet the goals we agreed on?
See Questions To Ask Your Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
What happens after the consultation?
Based on your goals, physical characteristics, and your surgeon’s training and experience, your aesthetic plastic surgeon will share recommendations and information with you, including:
- An approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure and combination of procedures
- The outcomes you can anticipate
- The financial investment required for the procedure
- Associated risks and complications
- Options for anesthesia and surgery location
- What you need to prepare for your surgery
- What you can expect to experience during and after surgery
- Before and after photos of cases similar to yours
- Computer imaging to show you the improvements you can expect
- Answers to any of your questions
Once you’ve done your research and completed your consultation, you should be able to make an educated decision on whether breast augmentation is right for you and whether a surgeon is a good fit. If you still aren’t sure how to proceed, you should feel empowered to ask follow-up questions or set up a consultation with a different surgeon. You can also ask one of our board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons a question using our Ask a Surgeon feature.