Finding a Surgeon for Breast Augmentation – Breast augmentation (otherwise known as a mammoplasty) is a major procedure, so it’s important to find a qualified surgeon who you feel comfortable with. While it is known to improve confidence levels and overall psychosocial well-being, any form of body-altering surgery is a major decision, so it’s important to consider the risks involved and your reasons for wanting the procedure done in the first place.
Breast cancer patients, those who struggle with health issues associated with having larger breasts and trans women are all potential candidates, but many also choose it to improve their self-confidence. The psychological effects of breast augmentation can be significant, so it’s also important to find a surgeon who takes your mental and emotional health needs into consideration.
The Risks of Unqualified Surgeons
Deciding where to go to get the procedure done can be an important factor, especially if you are unable to find a surgeon locally. Amongst the top cities for breast augmentation Miami tops the list, with 18 plastic surgeons for every 100,000 people above the age of 18 in the city, with Atlanta coming a close second, followed by Dallas, Texas.
The number of surgeons per capita doesn’t necessarily mean they are all fit to do the job. For some patients, cosmetic surgery can be life-altering. If the surgeon is underqualified, you could risk unnatural results and even serious health complications.
Checking for Credibility
Before moving forward with any cosmetic procedure, it’s vital to check that your surgeon is board-certified by the ABCS (American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons). In addition to their level of experience, you may also wish to ask about the anesthetist’s qualifications. Anesthetists should be either Board Certified Anesthesiologist or a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. You can also ask about the level of operating facility accreditation provided by the local state medical board.
Questions to Ask
In addition to asking whether they are board-certified by the ABCS, other questions you may wish to ask your surgeon include:
- The number of times they have performed this kind of procedure
- How many years of experience they have in carrying out breast augmentation
- What kind of training they have received
- What kind of aesthetic appeals to them (it’s important to note that what they consider attractive might not necessarily be the same idea as your own)
- What your anesthesia options are (most commonly this is general anesthetic)
- Whether you can see a list of clearly-stated fees (also check whether the quote is all-inclusive)
You can also ask to see before and after photos, particularly patients with a similar torso and breast shape to your own. Consider bringing a selfie with you for comparison. If you see a high number of patients with torsos and breasts that look like yours, it may be helpful to know that the surgeon has experience in working with people of a similar body type to you.
It’s also important to check whether you have a good rapport with your surgeon as well as their support team: procedures of this nature involve dealing with sensitive information and being put under anesthetic, so it’s important to have complete trust in them. Ultimately, breast augmentation is a major decision, so it’s important to find a qualified, experienced surgeon who you can trust.
