The Top 10 Breast Augmentation Problems, and How YOU Can Avoid Them!

1. Your reason for wanting Breast Surgery is the right one. The only person you must be having your Breast Augmentation operation is for YOU, and nobody else. It must not be for your boyfriend, husband or because of peer pressure. It is not anyone else who must live with the end results - it is YOU! 2. You have spent time choosing the Plastic Surgeon that understands YOUR needs. Do not choose the first surgeon you see (unless they have come highly personally recommended and you hit it off straight away). Research and meet more than one, even if there is a small consultation fee involved - better to spend a small amount up front than spend more money resolving any problems! Make sure they listen to everything you are saying, and are sympathetic to your needs and answer all your questions to your satisfaction. If you feel a good rapport with the surgeon, this is a good indication that they are in touch with you. Get to know what to look for, what credentials your surgeon has and verify them. 3. Your chosen surgeon has outlined what they will do in the case of problems. Your chosen surgeon may well be able to perform your surgery to your satisfaction, but what will they do if you do encounter unforeseen problems? Problems can happen, although rarely, so know that they are available on constant emergency call-out, and get a feeling for how they care about you post-operatively. The last thing you want is a "here today, gone tomorrow" type of surgeon. 4. You know what size implants are right for you. The general requirement is to "go bigger", but how big is bigger? There are several ways you can check just what final size will suit you: a. The rice test Fill plastic bags with dry rice, place the filled bags into the desired bra size, then try on your clothes. Walk around and generally get a feel for how it looks and feels for you. Try adding more or less rice until you are totally happy. You will need to weigh the rice, and convert this into CC or ML to get a direct representation of how it relates to implants. b. The water test Similar to the rice test, but place (warm!) water into plastic bags and perform the same tests. It is easier than the rice test as once you are happy with the size, the amount of water can be poured into a measuring container, and the CC or ML amount relates directly to the method of measuring implants. c. Implant sizers Your surgeon will have implant sizers in various sizes for you to try and get a feel for what you will look like. This is not as ideal as the rice or water tests, as unless you can take them home, you cannot try on a different selection of clothing and take your time to get used to the "new you". 5. You fully understand the type of implants that are right for you. a. Saline or silicone b. Textured or smooth c. Round or shaped What you need is to do your homework, talk to your surgeon, and decide on what is right for you to meet your own personal needs. Understand the implant manufacturers guarantee for their product. 6. You know what type of implant placement you need. There are really 2 type of things to consider here: a. Under the pectoral muscle or over it. b. High or low profile Again, do your homework by researching the Internet which is full of this type of information, and discuss with your surgeon, as each person has different needs. Be aware of the advantages and risks involved in your choice. 7. You know what type of incision that will be used. There are 4 main choices: a. Underneath the breast in the breast crease. b. An incision in the nipple. c. An incision in the armpit. d. An incision in the navel. Each has its advantages and risks, plus each surgeon has their own experience and choices. Understand what will be best for you, and balance this with the risks and your surgeon's experience with each type of incision. 8. You understand the risks, and are comfortable with them. All surgery involves risks, which there is no getting away from. These risks are minimal, but still exist. Understand the risks by researching them and talking to your surgeon. Give your surgeon all the information you possibly can about your own medical history, and that of your immediate family. You must be happy that the risks are so small that you are prepared to accept them, and that if anything does happen, your surgeon is fully equipped to deal with them. 9. Your partner understands what is involved. Although your Breast Augmentation is being done for reasons that satisfy your own personal needs, if you have a partner, then he will be involved in helping you through your recovery. Let him know what is involved, and what he can and cannot do, and the timeframes involved, i.e. resuming sex, how much and how hard any touch you will be able to bear and for how long, the fact that you will need to wear a support bra day and night for 6 weeks, etc. The last thing you want is a freaked-out partner when you are feeling less than your normal self. Six weeks can be a long wait, which may not be the case for you, but they must understand the full implications. 10. You know what will be required for your recovery post-operatively. If you want to recover from your operation in as relaxed and comfortable way as possible, then BE PREPARED! This means both mentally, and practically. Ensure you have a good support team around you to help with any children, household chores, transport, work, etc. Make sure where you will be recovering for the first few days will be equipped with everything you will need, not excluding any pain medication you may need (which should be recommended and/or provided by your surgeon, but check). Prepare yourself by having at least 2 good support bras in your new size, along with lose fitting clothing, preferably that does up at the front and does not require any arm lifting to put on/take off (any stretching will be out for at least a few days).