Questions To Ask Your Surgeon About Breast Augmentation
When investigating options for breast augmentation and implant surgery, it’s important to be an active participant in the process.
This means asking questions.
It is not rude or disrespectful to ask questions of a surgeon when your life and well-being are at stake. Smart questions tell the surgeon that you have performed research on the procedure and are actively engaged. It’s important to develop a good rapport and trust with a surgeon. Use these questions to gain insight on not just a surgeon’s experience and qualifications, but to gauge his or her demeanor.
if possible, you should speak to as many surgeons as possible. Here is a list of some questions that you should ask all breast augmentation surgeons to ensure the your needs are met and all expectations are laid out before the surgery. After visiting each surgeon, you should verify as much information as possible through referral and certification entities.
Questions About the Surgeon’s Capabilities and Certifications
• Does the surgeon hold a certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Board certification has become the “gold standard” for plastic surgeons in the United States. It is voluntary, so not all surgeons carry this certification. Surgeons must successfully complete five years of specialized surgical training, including a residency in plastic surgery, and then pass a rigorous series of oral and written exams in order to receive this certification. This can be verified by contacting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
• How many years of experience does the surgeon have in breast augmentation and how many procedures has the surgeon performed?
• What percentage of the surgeon’s practice is specifically breast augmentation?
Some surgeons split their practice up between several specialties. The patient should feel confident that the surgeon is highly experienced and can perform the surgery.
• Does the surgeon have hospital privileges, and if so, with which hospitals?
Having the surgery in a hospital instead of the surgeon’s office-based surgical suite ensures that the patient has timely access to medical intervention and skilled personnel if an issue arises.
Questions About the Surgeon’s Work with Breast Implants And Augmentations
• Does the surgeon have before and after photos?
Before and after photos offer no guarantee, but will give the patient a good idea of what outcome to expect.
• Does the surgeon carry malpractice insurance? If so, what type(s)?
In some states, there may be conditions where a surgeon is not required to carry malpractice insurance.
• Has the surgeon ever received a reprimand or other disciplinary action?
Any disciplinary actions should be taken into account when choosing a breast augmentation surgeon.
• Does the surgeon have past patients who are willing to speak about their experiences?
The patient can gain a lot of insight when speaking to past breast augmentation patients.
Questions About the Breast Augmentation or Implant Surgery
• What type and size of implant does the surgeon recommend and why?
The surgeon should recommend implants based on the individual’s natural shape of the breast, the size of the patient’s body frame and other factors. It’s best to consult with a surgeon who will weigh all options for his or her patients on an individual basis.
• What is the expected recovery time?
• What is required from the patient to ensure the best possible outcome?
• What are the patient’s options if dissatisfied with the surgery’s outcome?
• What is the warranty for the breast implants and what happens if one of them ruptures or leaks?
• Will the implant impede breast cancer detection via mammogram?
Questions About Possible Breast Augmentation And Implant Complications
• What are the potential risks and complications?
• What types of complications (infection, capsular contracture, etc.) have the surgeon encountered and what is the rate of complications?
• What is the surgeon’s re-operation rate and what type of re-operation is the most common?
The number of re-operations the surgeon has had to perform may give indication of a lack of experience.
You have a responsibility to learn as much as possible before choosing a breast augmentation surgeon. There are many excellent surgeons from which to choose, so if you feel uncomfortable with one surgeon, there is nothing wrong with going on to the next one. You should feel completely comfortable with the surgeon and he or she should answer your questions willingly and thoroughly.
Remember, any surgery carries some element of risk, so it’s critical you are 100% confident in your surgeon before you proceed. Don’t feel like you need to proceed with anyone you either have doubts about, or don’t feel completely at ease with.
