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Preparing for Your Breast Augmentation Consultation With A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

You’ve collected breast surgeon names, you’ve trawled through the internet gathering information on different doctors you’ve even checked surgeon credentials in advance, but at some point, you actually have to meet with a surgeon. Your first meeting with a plastic surgeon is called a consultation and it is your chance to meet the person who will be operating on you, discuss what you want out of breast augmentation, and get an idea of whether that person can help you achieve your goals.

You may have one consultation with a breast surgeon and feel that you have found the right person or you may have several before you decide who is right for you. But you need to ask questions and listen to the answers. A consultation is your chance to check out the surgeon and the office staff. It is a good idea to go to consultations with a few surgeons, so that you can get several opinions.

The price of the breast augmentation consultation does not necessarily reflect on the skill of the surgeon. Prices vary from free to $500. Find out beforehand what the cost of the consultation is so that there are no surprises. An average breast augmentation consultation can last from 15 or 20 minutes to more than 2 hours. The breast surgeon should answer all of your questions and should ask you questions.

Some services offer a free consultation or refund the cost of the consultation if you book a surgery with that surgeon. Don't feel pressured into having surgery because of this.

In this section, we provide lists and links to printer-friendly lists of information that you may find helpful in preparing for your consultation and for interviewing the surgeon. You can print them out and take them with you or use them to create your own customized list.

Before Your Breast Implants Consultation

Before your consultation, you should gather as many names of plastic and cosmetic surgeons as you can. Gather as much information about these surgeons in advance and narrow your list down to the ones you want to meet in person.

Having a plastic surgeon in your area —someone you don’t have to travel to see—is ideal, but it is not always possible. Good plastic surgeons are available in most parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean one is right next door, either. If you want to meet with a surgeon in another part of your state or another part of the country, don't be afraid to travel. You need to find the surgeon who is right for you.

If you are not sure what you should be looking for in a surgeon, check out our section, Finding A Great Breast Augmentation Surgeon for more information.

Don't get discouraged if you don't find a plastic surgeon you are comfortable with right at first. You don’t need to rush into this. If you look long enough, you will find a surgeon (or even a few) who is worthy of operating on you. This is surgery, so take your time.

Research breast augmentation as much as you can. There is a vast amount of information available on the Internet, as well as books and magazine articles you can buy or check out of the library and pamphlets you can get from surgeon’s offices.
Check out all your options. Find out about the many insertion and placement techniques and breast implant types.
Speak to others who have undergone breast augmentation on our Support Forum at: http://talk.breastimplants4you.com/forum
Don't be afraid to ask around. Ask your friends, ask around your salon or gym, and ask nurses or doctors you may know about best local plastic surgeons and who they would recommend. You're just collecting names at this point, so any suggestions are welcome. You may not choose any of these for any number of reasons, but it's a start.
Compile a list of possible plastic surgeons and begin checking them out for disciplinary actions. Run their names through internet search engines like Google and Yahoo.
Find out if anyone on your list has been disciplined by contacting the state medical board.
Check on board certification with the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Check on whether the doctor's malpractice insurance has ever been cancelled. Some state medical boards will say if a doctor has had insurance cancelled or you can contact the state’s insurance department. However, most doctors can get malpractice insurance no matter how bad their record is. Some states allow a surgeon not to carry insurance, but require them to put up a bond, usually at the maximum amount for a malpractice reward for the state.
Check on memberships in professional associations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and state medical associations.
Talk with your spouse or significant about your desire for breast augmentation and your wishes and concerns. They may have their own concerns you have not considered.
If you see breast implants before-and-after photos of patients (on the web, at the surgeon’s offices, etc.) realize that they can be retouched digitally or "airbrushed." Do not rely only on them in making a decision.
Look through magazines, old photos or other sources to help you decide what you do and do not want to look like.
Compile a list of all medications you take, if any, to bring with you to the surgeon. The list should include the brand name or generic name of the drug and the dosage you take, and should include all vitamin or other dietary supplements and herbal products as well.
Write up your medical history. This should include any diseases or conditions your have ever had, any allergies you have, whether you have been hospitalized and why, and whether you have ever had surgery or anesthesia. It should also include information about any medications to which you have had bad reactions. Your doctor will probably ask you a series of questions about your health and medical history, but this can help you with dates for hospitalizations or illnesses.
Buy a bra (or a few) in the size you want to be after your breast augmentation. You can find out more about choosing what size you might want at our page on Implant Sizes
Wear this bra (filled with socks or bags of uncooked rice, water, or birdseed) under a T-shirt to see what it feels like to have breasts this size. Try on clothing with this bra to see how you look. Remember, the real breast implants will weigh more than socks.
Think about how having larger breasts will affect the sports or hobbies you like to do. If you are a ballerina or gymnast, DDD breasts may not fit your lifestyle.
Be wary of any doctor who fails to listen to your concerns or fails to bring the risks and complications of breast augmentation to your attention. This is not changing a tire. You are changing your body.
Be wary if the surgeon starts pointing things you did not come in fix. You may want larger breasts, but you may not need to hear you should get a nose job. The doctor should be there to make you happy, not make extra money by preying upon your insecurities. On the other hand, some surgeons are harshly honest and will tell you about some other procedure he or she thinks will make you happier, such as if you have overly large areolae or nipples, or if you need a breast lift.
Don't be intimidated.
Trust your instincts. If you have a bad feeling about someone or something, there very well may be a reason. It may only be a clash of your personality with the surgeon’s, but that in itself is enough that you should keep looking.

What to Bring to Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Bring a list of questions you have for the surgeon
Bring list of the medications you take, including herbal products and vitamins and minerals.
Bring some breast implant photos to give a visual idea to the surgeon about the results you desire. Bring in pictures of how you don’t want to look, too.
Bring a spouse, a family member, or a friend for support
Bring bathing suits, bras, or tops to help your surgeon get an idea of what you want.

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

I am not suggesting that you have to ask your surgeon each and every single question on these lists. These lists are provided to give you a general idea of what you should ask or what your surgeon should discuss with you. Many of these questions may be answered by the surgeon before you get a chance to ask them. These lists are more like cue cards. You can use a highlighter to mark the questions you especially want to ask at your consultation.

If you can think of any other questions or need any information that this list does not address, don't hesitate to ask your surgeon.

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Questions For Your Surgeon

General Questions About Your Plastic Surgeon

What made you decide to become a cosmetic plastic surgeon?
How long have you been practicing as a cosmetic plastic surgeon?
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Are you certified by any other medical specialty board?
If not, why not?
Have you ever been disciplined by the state medical board?
Have you been involved in any medical malpractice suits? If so, how many?
How long have you been performing breast augmentation?
How many breast augmentation surgeries do you perform per month?
Have you performed a breast augmentation on anyone of your staff? May I speak to her?
How many revisions of your own work, on average, do you perform?
Have you or would you be willing to perform this procedure on a loved one or family member?

Breast Implant Concerns and Questions

What breast implant manufacturer and implant type do you prefer and why?
Which do you prefer, silicone or saline, and why?
I have heard that anatomical implants and round implants produce about the same results if placed under the muscle. Is this true?
If I choose to have implants that are smaller than 240 cc or larger than 800 cc, can you accommodate that?
Which do you prefer, smooth implants or textured implants? Why?
Can you explain the warranties on breast implants to me. If an implant ruptures while under warranty, what fees will I have to pay? Can I have that in writing?
I have heard that saline implants can be "overfilled" to help reduce the incidence of rupturing. Is this true and do you make a practice of overfilling?
Do you overfill saline implants to help prevent rippling or wrinkling of the implant? By how much?
What breast size would you recommend for my body frame and how did you come to that recommendation?
What size implant do you think I'll need to achieve this size?
Will I be able to breastfeed after I have implants put in? What about if I have a combination of implants and a breast lift?

Breast Augmentation Surgical Techniques

Do you think I need a breast lift? If so, what kind will I need?
Will you have to lower my natural crease?
Which breast implant incision placement do you prefer or recommend for me?
Do you perform transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) If not, why not?
How large are your incisions usually?
If I need a breast lift with my augmentation will you use the lift incisions to insert my implants?
Do you prefer to place breast implants under or over the muscle?
What about full submuscular implant placement. Do you offer this?
If you do offer full submuscular placement, what incision do you use?

Breast Augmentation Risks, Contraindications, and Complications

What are the possible risks and complications for breast augmentation and breast implants?
Are there any unforeseen problems associated with breast implants that I should be aware of?
How could I tell if I have had an implant rupture?
How often does bottoming out occur in your practice and have you been successful in correcting it? If this occurs, will the corrective surgery expenses be covered by you?
How often does capsular contracture happen in your experience? What can be done if it does happen?
If I get capsular contracture, and need revision surgery, how much extra cost will there be to correct this?
Will it be difficult to detect breast cancer or have mammograms once I get breast implants?
What about the complications in implant placement, such as symmastia? Do you disrupt the natural cleavage or dissect the tissue over the sternum to create a closer cleavage? If I get symmastia, can you correct it? And will the revision expenses covered by you?

Breast Augmentation Surgery Preparation

Must I keep to a special diet before surgery? If so, starting at how many days before surgery?
(If applicable) I smoke. How long in advance of the surgery should I quit?
Do I have to buy special postoperative supplies such as bandaging, antiseptic soaps, ice packs, antibiotic creams, or surgical bras?
Do you suggest I take any vitamins and supplements, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, or Coenzyme Q-10 before the surgery?
I have heard Arnica montana helps with the swelling and bruising if taken before and after my surgery. Do you recommend it? What about the topical arnica gels?
Do you recommend bromelain tablets for healing?
What pain medications do you normally prescribe?
I take (birth control, diet pills, antidepressants, etc.; whatever applies). Will I have any adverse reactions from the prescribed medications or anesthesia?
Will I need to use cold compresses or ice packs to reduce pain and swelling after surgery? How long, and how often, must they be used?

Surgical Procedure and Other Surgery Questions

Must I buy and bring with me to the surgery any special bras? If so, where is the best place to purchase these bras and what brands or models do you recommend?
Do you have hospital privileges should I choose to undergo my procedure in a hospital?
If not, why don’t you have hospital privileges?
What hospital will I be taken to if a problem develops during surgery?
Is the surgery center accredited? If so, by what organization?
Is there good access at the surgery center for an ambulance?
If the surgery will be done in your own surgical facility, is it accredited and by what organization?
How is a medical emergency handled?
Does the facility have the medications and equipment ready at hand to handle a life-threatening emergency? (This is often called a crash cart.)
What type of anesthesia will you use?
Who will administer anesthesia? What is their certification for administering anesthesia?
What do you do to reduce the chance of nausea associated with general anesthesia?
What kind of monitoring will you or the anesthesiologist or anesthetist do while I am in surgery?

Breast Augmentation Recovery Questions

What kind of monitoring will there be in the recovery room?
Who will be staffing the recovery room; a doctor, a registered nurse, a physician’s assistant, a licensed practical nurse? Does anyone on staff in the recovery room have training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or advanced cardiovascular life support?
Will this person have other duties during my recovery that would take him or her out of the room?
Will there be a lot of swelling and bruising?
Will there be much pain?
What suggestions do you have for me to ease discomfort and pain?
After I go home, if I need anything after hours, how will I be able to get in touch with you or your staff?
If I have an emergency the night after surgery, what should I do?
If such an emergency arises, and I go to the hospital, will you be the attending physician?
What are your policies on postoperative office visits or care? Is that part of the surgical fee?
When will my sutures (stitches) be removed?
How long will it take for my implants to settle?
Can I go braless after my breast augmentation?
Will I lose any sensation in my nipples or breasts postoperatively?
What should I do to reduce the risk of capsular contracture?
Do you recommend "compression exercises"?
Will I have visible scaring? If so, how bad will it be?
What do you recommend for reducing scars?
How long do you recommend that I take off from work, school, etc. to heal properly?
How long until I will be able to walk, exercise, run or participate in my usual activities or sports?
Do I need to keep to a special diet postoperatively?
Do you recommend I take any special vitamins or supplements after surgery?

Breast Augmentation Surgery Results

Do you believe my expectations can be met?
If my results are not what I wanted, what is your policy on a revision?
What would you do if I have any complications after breast augmentation?

Request for Information

Do you have a video available of breast augmentation that I may watch?
May I view your breast augmentation before-and-after photos? Do you have sequential sets?
May I speak with some patients who have had breast augmentation performed by you?

Financial Issues

Are there any costs that I should know about, such as for lab work, use of the surgical center, postoperative check-ups, additional medications?
Is there anything that is not covered in the surgical fee?
Do your require a deposit to hold my surgery date? If so, how much?
Do you offer breast augmentation surgery financing ?
Do you expect full payment up front?
Do you take credit cards?
May I pay in increments?
If I change my mind and back out, will my money be refunded?

Miscellaneous

How far in advance is it necessary to schedule a surgery date?
I want have the surgery done on or by a certain date. Would this be possible?