Breast Implants

General Guidelines

When you decide that breast augmentation is the right choice for you, then consider these general guidelines throughout the process:

It's important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon from the American Board of Plastic Surgery with extensive experience in all of the breast-related procedures. Using a board-certified plastic surgeon does not always guarantee the best results; however, board certification does require specific and rigorous surgical education and training.

* Review the doctor's credentials, education, training, type of certification held:

* Ask the number of times that the treatment has been performed in the practice.

* Ask the doctor if he or she has privileges at a hospital. In order to obtain such privileges, the doctor would be required to go through a skill-level peer review process.

* View before-and-after photos of patients with similar conditions receiving alternative surgical options.

Plan Your Surgery - be certain your surgeon explains to you the expectations, risks, and the benefits of each plastic surgery option. Discuss where the incision will be made and how the implant will be inserted, the type of anesthesia to be used, the facility where the surgery will be performed, and all of the costs involved.

Prepare For Your Surgery - your surgeon will provide instructions covering your dos and don'ts prior to surgery. Take these guidelines very seriously.

Following Your Surgery - naturally, you're going to feel sore and tired for a few days. But, you should be up and about within 24 to 48 hours. Stitches will come out in 7 to 10 days, but expect swelling to continue for an additional four weeks, or so.

Returning to Work - depends on work activities, but with your doctor's approval, you should be back in the office in a couple of days.

Follow-up exam - learn and practice self-examination techniques, but be sure to see your physician for your post surgery follow-up evaluation.

Improving your shape with plastic surgery can improve your self-confidence and change the way you are perceived by others. But remember, you are still going to be you. You should certainly hope for the best, but be prepared for results that may not completely meet all of your expectations. And, be prepared for reactions from some folks that may not share your enthusiasm for augmentation. But in the end, if you're satisfied with the results, then the procedure should certainly be considered a success. And after all, if you feel better about yourself as a result, then the thoughts of others really won't matter much.