Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose a breast augmentation surgeon?
   When choosing a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation, make sure to get as much information as you can about the plastic surgeons in your area. Some of the things you’ll want to find out is whether or not they are board certified in plastic surgery and where they went to medical school. To find a board certified plastic surgeon near you, use our Plastic Surgeon Locator. Ask your friends, relatives, acquaintances, and your family physician for recommendations. Once you have come up with some names, meet with those cosmetic surgeons and conduct interviews.
   
   Before making a final decision, contact the facility where your breast augmentation procedure will be done and check your plastic surgeon’s credentials. Also, call your state and local medical boards to make sure the plastic surgeon of your choice has a current medical license, and to find out if there have been any complaints or malpractice suits 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 chance to ask questions about your breast implant surgery, so don’t be shy. Some questions to ask your plastic surgeon may include:
   
   
   • Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)?
   • How many breast augmentation procedures have you done?
   • Is breast augmentation right for me?
   • Where would I have my breast enlargement surgery? Will it be done at an accredited facility?
   • Does the facility where I’ll be having my breast augmentation surgery have monitoring devices and life-saving equipment in case of emergency?
   • Who would give me my anesthesia (ideally, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist) and what type of anesthesia will I be given?
   • What are my choices for breast implant types, shapes, and sizes?
   
   
3. What does board certification mean?
   In order to become board certified in plastic surgery, a doctor must first graduate from an accredited medical school and complete a plastic surgery residency program. After practicing as a plastic surgeon for at least two years, he or she is then eligible to take the board certification exam. Each candidate must pass both written and oral plastic surgery examinations. Board certification takes about 8 years after graduating from medical school. To find a board certified plastic surgeon for breast augmentation near you, use our Plastic Surgeon Locator.



4. Are there different types of board certifications?
   There are many types of board certification. You will want to choose a breast implant surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).



5. Where should I have my breast augmentation surgery?
   Breast enlargement surgery can be done in an office, at an ambulatory surgery center, in an outpatient surgery facility, or in a hospital. Wherever you are having your breast enhancement procedure, make sure the facility is accredited by a reputable accrediting organization. These may include 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 facility has been inspected by an accrediting organization to make sure it is meeting national patient safety standards. Organizations are periodically re-inspected and re-accredited to make sure they are continuing to provide quality patient care.



7. What is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
   The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is a medical specialty society for plastic surgeons. All members of the ASPS are board-certified plastic surgeons who perform plastic and reconstructive surgery. The ASPS requires its members to operate only in accredited facilities.



8. What is the most common breast implant incision type, and what are my options?
   The most common breast augmentation incision type is the inframammary incision (under the breast). This incision type is preferred by many plastic surgeons because it gives them easy access to the site where the breast implant will be placed, and is hides the breast augmentation scar.
   
   There are three other types of breast augmentation incisions:
   
   
   1. The periareolar incision (around the areola)
   2. The transaxillary incision (in the armpit)
   3. The transumbilical incision (in the navel)
   
   Talk to your doctor about which breast enlargement incision type is best for you.



9. What is the difference between submammary and submuscular breast implant placement?
   Submammary breast implant placement (also known as subglandular breast implant placement) is placement of the breast implant immediately beneath your breast tissue. Breast augmentation recovery is faster with this type of breast implant placement, but you may have more breast implant “ripples” or folds, and an increased possibility for capsular contracture. Submammary implant placement may also interfere with future mammogram results.
   
   Subglandular implant placement may be a good choice for women with a lot of breast tissue.
   
   Submuscular breast implant placement (also known as subpectoral breast implant placement) is placement of the breast implant behind the muscle in the chest. This is the preferred placement method for most plastic surgeons. Advantages to subpectoral implant placement may include a more natural appearance, less rippling, and less capsular contracture risk.



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



11. Are there age limits for breast augmentation?
    Most women have breast augmentation surgery when they’re between the ages of 19 and 34. Breast implants have only been approved by the FDA for women who are 18 and older, but there are no legal restrictions prohibiting women under the age of 18 from undergoing breast augmentation. If you are under 18, your body is still developing, and you may change your mind when you get a little older, so it might be a good idea to wait until you’re at least 18 to get breast implants.
    
    If you’re in good health, there’s no age limit for breast augmentation. In fact, many women in their 60s have had breast enhancement surgery. However, if you’re over 40, you will likely need to have a combination breast augmentation and breast lift procedure for best results.



12. Should I wait until after I’ve had children to have breast augmentation surgery?
    A lot of women have breast augmentation surgery before they have children. In most cases, women with breast implants can still breastfeed their children. You may notice some drooping after pregnancy, but breast augmentation sometimes helps to decrease normal sagging that happens during pregnancy. If you’re planning to have children in the near future, it’s probably a good idea to postpone breast augmentation until after childbirth.



13. Do I need to take antibiotics before and after breast augmentation surgery?
    You may be given antibiotics either before or after breast augmentation surgery to decrease your risk of infection.