What to Expect at a Breast Augmentation Consultation
Are you considering a breast augmentation? It can be a life-changing step, but there are a lot of factors to take into account while making your decision. You have to be discerning about the plastic surgeon you choose, the timing of your procedure, and the type of procedure that is best for you. Most importantly, you have to be sure that it’s the right choice for you.
The decision will start with research, but it doesn’t end there. You’ll learn a lot from a personal consultation with a cosmetic surgeon that you might not be able to learn simply by perusing patient testimonials or reading up on the breast augmentation process.
You want to come prepared with the right questions for your breast augmentation consultation, and you want to treat the consultation as you would treat any important interview—with a game plan, with optimism, and also with plenty of critical thought. You’ll know you’ve chosen the right plastic surgeon when they work closely with you to help you make the right decision.
What to Expect Before Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
The consultation process can vary from one surgeon to the next. Certain conventions are pretty common, though:
- Most surgeons will offer a free breast augmentation consultation, so it costs nothing to learn your options.
What to Bring to Your Free Breast Augmentation Consultation
The representative who schedules your breast augmentation consultation will provide you with a list of items you’ll need for your consultation. In most cases, you’ll need to gather the following:
- A list of any current medications that you’re taking
- Copies of any relevant medical records
- A list of questions for your breast augmentation consultation
- Payment for the consultation fee.
In addition, if you have any photographs that illustrate the kind of result you’re hoping to achieve, this can be helpful for the surgeon as well. They can be before-and-after photos from the surgeon’s own website, before-and-after photos from another website, or any images that illustrate what you have in mind.
We commonly recommend the Natrelle 3D Breast Visualizer for prospective patients. Using this simple mobile app (compatible with Apple and Android devices), you can upload your own photos and experiment with different breast sizes. Seeing different options can help you determine what might work best for you, and it can also raise different questions to ask during your breast augmentation consultation. You can also present these images to the medical team at your consultation to give them a better idea of your desired results.
What to Expect at Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
At the consultation itself, the cosmetic surgeon or a skilled Patient Care Coordinator will take some time to get to know you.
- They’ll conduct a basic health evaluation and possibly take photographs.
- They’ll ask about your general health, medical history, and family history (primarily to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure).
- They’ll ask about your history of smoking, alcohol use, or drug use to determine if there are any substance issues that might impact the healing process.
- They’ll take some time to learn about your goals and desired results.
- They’ll go over the benefits and risks, and they’ll make suggestions or recommendations based on your goals; they’ll usually show you before-and-after photos for context.
- They’ll break down the costs, as well as any patient financing options for which you may be eligible (as insurance often doesn’t cover breast augmentation procedures).
- They’ll take time to answer any questions you may have — you should absolutely come prepared with questions at your breast augmentation consultation.
- They’ll give you a complete breakdown of how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect.
The consultation itself can last anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour depending on the number of questions you have and whether or not you decide to go ahead with the procedure (in which case the team will need to make additional preparations like taking photographs).
Questions to Ask at Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
You’ll want to consider asking the following questions at your breast augmentation consultation to learn what to expect:
- Are you board-certified?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of your work? Patient testimonials?
- Will the breast augmentation procedure be performed at an accredited medical facility?
- How many breast augmentation procedures do you perform each year?
- Am I a good candidate for the breast augmentation procedure?
- How much will the procedure cost, and what are my options for paying for it?
- Are your breast implants covered by a warranty? And for how long?
- Do you charge extra for post-op care?
- What shape and size would you recommend for me?
- What incision type do you use? Will there be scarring?
- What types of breast implants do you offer and what would you recommend?
- What types of medications/substances will I need to stop consuming before my surgery? For how long?
- Will I need to make any dietary changes before my breast augmentation surgery?
- What can I expect during the procedure?
- What type of anesthesia is used, and what should I know to prepare for it?
- How long is the recovery period, and what can I expect?
- What types of aftercare steps will I need to follow?
- What types of risks, side effects, and complications may occur?
- What kind of outcome can I expect when the surgery is complete?
- Are the effects permanent? How will my breasts change over time?
- Will I get stretch marks as a result of surgery? How can I prevent this?
- Would I be able to reverse the effects of the breast augmentation in the future if I choose?
You might also have questions based on your own unique situation. For example, if you’re planning to start a family, you might have questions about how your procedure would affect breastfeeding (most breast augmentation patients have no trouble breastfeeding).
Red Flags to Watch Out For in a Breast Augmentation Consultation
Your breast augmentation consultation is extremely important. It’s your chance to get to know the surgeon and determine whether they’re the right person to perform this procedure and give you the results you’ve been dreaming about. When asking questions at your breast augmentation consultation, you want to pay very close attention to the surgeon’s responses and attitudes and watch out for red flags like the following:
- The plastic surgeon uses intimidating, high-pressure sales tactics to try and win your business.
- He or she sets unrealistic expectations, like saying that the procedure is risk-free or has zero side effects.
- He or she is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- The cosmetic surgeon is evasive about questions regarding their board certification, history, complication rate, number of procedures performed, or other merit-based subjects.
- He or she rushes you through the consultation or doesn’t take the time to learn your health history.
- The cosmetic surgeon doesn’t have before-and-after photos available.
- He or she doesn’t ask a lot of questions during your breast augmentation consultation or seems interested in getting to know your personal needs or goals.
- He or she quotes you a suspiciously low price for the procedure (there’s always a catch, either in the form of deceptive hidden fees or inferior treatment).
- The plastic surgeon seems unprofessional or simply makes you uncomfortable. It’s always good to follow your intuition in these cases.
- He or she tries to forgo the face-to-face consultation altogether and instead just has you fill out a form with no follow-up.
There are also a few important red flags to note outside of the consultation, when you’re doing your own independent research. These red flags include the following:
- The plastic surgeon hasn’t been in business for very long, or moves around a lot.
- He or she has a high percentage of negative plastic surgery reviews on sites like Healthgrades and Yelp.
- His or her website says little about breast augmentation and emphasizes other specialties.
- The cosmetic surgeon is difficult to research online; they’re rarely, if ever, mentioned outside of their own website.
If you notice any of these red flags, make sure to ask questions about them during your breast augmentation consultation and determine if the plastic surgeon can overcome these concerns (in some cases, there are valid explanations). If the cosmetic surgeon is unable to overcome these concerns, it’s best to look for someone else.
In most cases, the consultation is a productive experience for both the patient and plastic surgeon. However, when you’re able to spot a potentially problematic plastic surgery experience, you’re in a better position to make an informed decision.
What to Expect After Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Once the consultation is over, you don’t have to commit to the procedure right then and there. It’s usually better that you sleep on it and consider your decision. Your plastic surgeon should be happy to provide you with the information and documents you need without pressuring you to commit on the spot. If you think of other questions after your breast augmentation consultation, don’t hesitate to get back in touch to ask for answers.
Once you’ve decided, you can touch base with the cosmetic surgeon to schedule your surgery (or they’ll schedule a time to reconnect with you and see what you’ve decided). If you decline the procedure or decide to wait, the plastic surgeon will generally thank you and encourage you to reach out if you ever change your mind.
If you’re ready to move forward, the team at the surgical center will work with you to determine a time that’s convenient for both the cosmetic surgeon and you. Then they’ll provide you with any additional preparation information that wasn’t covered during the consultation.
Make the Decision That’s Right for You
The consultation is a critically important part of planning for plastic surgery. You want to come prepared with plenty of questions to your breast augmentation consultation, and you want to ensure that you’re making the right choice for you. By sitting down with the cosmetic surgeon, getting to know them, and learning what you can expect, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
