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Questions to Ask Before Surgery

Though breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty, as it is technically called, has become a very commonplace surgical process today, there are a lot of doubts and questions in the minds of the general public. In this article we try to answer some of the most commonly encountered questions regarding breast augmentation.

1. What is Breast Augmentation? How Will I Benefit From It?

Breast augmentation is a prosthetic surgery in which external implants are implanted into the breasts. This is done in order to enhance the size and the quality of the breasts. It is the quickest and surest way of adding cup sizes to the breast.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not done just by women who want to increase their bust size. Breast augmentation can be done for the following reasons:-

The primary reason is of course to enlarge the breasts. This is done mostly by women who need to rely on their figure a lot. The list includes fashion models, Hollywood celebrities, music artists, erotic professionals, etc.
Another chief reason is to enhance the bust. There’s a difference between enlargement and enhancement. Enlarging is adding inches to the bust, while enhancing means to improve the firmness and shape of the breasts. Both enlargement and enhancement can be achieved by breast augmentation.
Elderly women may opt for breast augmentation in order to remove the sag from their breasts. Similarly, women can get their breasts augmented after a pregnancy.
Men who have trans-gendered, i.e. have undergone a gender assignment surgery to a female, also go in for breast augmentation.

Thus, you can get the above benefits by a breast augmentation surgery.

2. Am I Eligible for a Breast Augmentation?

Mostly, all women are safely eligible for breast augmentation. Yet, there are some risk factors to consider, like the ones given below:-

If you already have a good figure, then a breast augmentation will only help to spoil that. If an evening gown fits your hips as well as your breasts perfectly, that means your figure is proportionate. In such cases, breast augmentation will cause you to have a lopsided figure.
Large breasted women also sometimes opt for augmentation. They go in for the surgery to get a firmer bust. However, this will make their breasts all the more noticeable and putting-off.
If you have any family history of breast cancer, then augmentation mammoplasty (or any other chest surgery for that matter) is a big risk factor.
Breast augmentation is not advised for women who are heavy smokers and alcoholics.

3. What Precautions Must I Take Before the Surgery?

First and foremost, get all the information about the surgery. Ask your doctor whether there’d be any negative repercussions of the surgery considering your general body constitution. In particular, take the following precautions:-

You must totally avoid consumption of any harmful substances some weeks prior and some weeks after the surgery. This includes all kinds of smoke and alcohols.
Several medicines, like aspirin, will need to be stopped. Aspirin can cause bleeding of the adipose tissue.
You must also ask in advance what kind of bras you will be able to wear after the surgery.

4. What Kind of Implants Must I Opt For?

This is one decision that is the easiest to make. The best implants are saline filled implants, and they are the one you must go for. Silicone gel implants are no longer used as they have been branded potentially dangerous by the FDA.

Another thing about the implants is the shape. Opt for the teardrop shape with a good cohesion with the surface. The teardrop shape will complement the natural shape of your breasts. The cohesion will allow the implants to attach well to the pectoral muscle and the adipose tissue.

When discussing the implants, you must also ask where the incision will be made. The best place for the incision is just below the breasts, from where it will not be easily visible.

5. What Other General Questions Must I Ask?

You must get it clarified from your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially if they have hormonal contents in them. If you have any other illness, it is absolutely essential to know beforehand how your breast augmentation will interfere with that disease. Get the opinions of at least three doctors on this issue. It is very important; don’t neglect it.

If you are a working woman, or even otherwise, you’ll need to ask your doctor when you’ll be able to resume your work.

Breast augmentation is generally done as an outpatient operation; get this corroborated with the doctor. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home (as driving exerts the pectoral muscles), and also possibly for someone to do the household work for a few days.