Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation?
   The best way to find a reputable plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation surgery is through word of mouth. Ask your friends, relatives, and acquaintances who have had cosmetic surgery to recommend a good plastic surgeon. Interview cosmetic surgeons in your area. 

Before choosing a plastic surgeon, make sure he or she is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). To find a board certified plastic surgeon near you, use our Plastic Surgeon Locator.

Contact the facility where your breast enlargement surgery will be performed and check your surgeon’s credentials. Also contact your state medical board to make sure your plastic surgeon has a medical license, and to find out if any complaints or malpractice suits have been filed against him or her.

2. What should I ask my doctor at my initial breast augmentation consultation?
   Your breast augmentation pre-surgical consultation is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your breast enhancement surgery. Some potential questions to ask your plastic surgeon may include the following:

• Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)?
• How many breast enhancement procedures have you performed?
• Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?
• Where would my breast implant surgery be performed? Is the facility accredited?
• Who would administer the anesthesia (Ideally, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist)?
• Will there be monitoring devices and life-saving equipment on hand during my breast augmentation surgery?
• What types of breast implants do I have to choose from?

3. What does board certification mean?
   Before choosing a plastic surgeon, make sure he or she is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS has strict criteria for board certification. To become board certified in plastic surgery a doctor must graduate from an accredited medical school, and complete an approved residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He or she must also have been in practice for a minimum of two years before becoming eligible to sit for the exam, and pass both written and oral plastic surgery examinations. Board certification takes approximately 8 years after graduation from medical school. To find a board certified plastic surgeon near you, use our Plastic Surgeon Locator. 

4. Are there different types of board certifications?
   There are many types of board certification, but be sure that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Some surgeons may call themselves cosmetic surgeons, but they are really not plastic surgeons with appropriate credentials.

5. Where should my breast augmentation surgery be performed? Your breast enlargement surgery may be performed either in an office, an ambulatory surgery center, an outpatient surgery facility, or in the hospital. Make sure that the facility where your surgery is to be performed is accredited by a reputable accrediting organization such as the American Association for Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or The Joint Commission.

6. What does accreditation of a surgical facility mean? 
   Accreditation means that the organization has undergone rigorous inspection by an accrediting body to make sure that it meets certain patient safety standards. Organizations are periodically re-inspected and re-accredited to ensure that they continue to provide quality patient care.

7. What is the most common breast implant incision type, and what are my options?
   The most commonly used breast augmentation incision is the inframammary incision (under the breast). Many plastic surgeons prefer the inframammary incision because it allows them to easily control the placement of the breast implants, and the incision is usually not visible.
   
   There are three other types of breast implant incisions.

1. The periareolar incision is made around the areola. Some plastic surgeons feel that this incision type is more likely to alter sensation in the breasts. Some also feel that this type of incision may increase the breast implant’s exposure bacteria, leading to infection.


2. The transaxillary incision is made in the armpit. Some plastic surgeons feel that breast implants implants are more difficult to place using this type of incision.
   
   
3. The transumbilical incision is made in the belly button, or naval. This procedure is still somewhat controversial.
   

The type of incision you will have for your breast augmentation surgery will depend on your own anatomy and your plastic surgeon’s preferences. 

8. What is the difference between submammary and submuscular breast implant placement?
   Submammary breast implant placement (also known as subglandular breast implant placement) is a type of breast augmentation procedure where your plastic surgeon places your breast implant immediately beneath your breast tissue.


The results of this type of breast enhancement procedure may not look as natural as with submuscular placement, and may result in more breast implant "ripples" or folds. Some plastic surgeons believe that subglandular placement increases the possibility of capsular contracture, and may interfere with future mammogram results. Subglandular breast implant placement may be appropriate for women who have a large amount of breast tissue to cover the implant, or women who have droopy breasts and do not want to undergo a breast lift procedure.

Submuscular breast implant placement (also known as subpectoral breast implant placement) is a type of breast augmentation surgery where your plastic surgeon places your breast implant behind the muscle of the chest wall. Many board certified plastic surgeons prefer this method when feasible. Submuscular breast implant placement has many advantages, including a more natural appearance, less rippling, and possibly less risk of capsular contracture.

The decision of where to put the implant will depend on your individual goals for your breast augmentation surgery and your anatomy. Your plastic surgeon can discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each type of breast implant placement.

9. How long does breast augmentation surgery take?
   The breast augmentation procedure normally takes approximately 1-2 hours.

10. Are there age limits for breast augmentation?
    The average age for women to have breast augmentation surgery is between 19 and 34. The FDA has only approved breast implants for women ages 18 and older, but there are no legal restrictions to prohibit women under the age of 18 from having breast augmentation. However, it may be wise to wait until you are at least 18 years of age because your body is still developing and your priorities may change as you get older.
    
    As long as you are in good health, there is no age limit for breast augmentation, and many breast enhancement procedures have been performed on patients in their 60's. Older woman will likely require a combination breast augmentation and breast lift to achieve the desired results.

11. Should I wait until after I’ve had children to have breast enhancement surgery?
    A large percentage of women have breast augmentation surgery before they have children. In most cases, breast implants do not interfere with breast-feeding, particularly when the implants are placed under the muscle. Some drooping may occur after pregnancy, but breast augmentation may help to decrease normal sagging associated with pregnancy. If you are actively trying to get pregnant, it is best to wait until after pregnancy.

12. Do I need to take antibiotics before and after breast augmentation surgery?
    You will probably not need to take antibiotics before your breast augmentation procedure, but you may be given either IV or oral antibiotics after your procedure to reduce the risk of infection.

13. What is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons? 
    The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Its members are board-certified plastic surgeons who perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The ASPS requires its members to operate in accredited surgical facilities that have passed rigorous external review of equipment and staffing.

References

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org

Breast Augmentation Topics:
Breast Augmentation Information | Are you a Candidate? | Breast Augmentation Surgeon Choice | Pre-Surgical Consultation | Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos | Breast Augmentation Anesthesia Types | Breast Augmentation Procedure | Breast Augmentation Videos | Transumbilical Breast Augmentation | Breast Augmentation Surgery Recovery | Breast Augmentation Risks | Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction | Breast Augmentation FAQ | Board Certified Breast Augmentation Surgeons | Boob Jobs | Breast Augmentation Internet Directory | Breast Enlargement | Breast Reconstruction