Before any particular surgery is performed, a consultation is very important. Consultations are meant to help the patient and the surgeon understand each other. The patient gets to learn more about the surgeon, his successes, faculty, and everything that the surgery involves, whereas the surgeon gets to know about the patient’s medical background, aesthetic goals, and expectations. Before going in for your consultation, you should be properly prepared with an inquisitive mindset and thorough questions. Here are tips to help you prepare for your breast implant surgery consultation.
Research about the surgery from your own perspective
Personal research is important as it gives you a starting point about your procedure. You are able to understand the basics of the surgery, successes, risks, and possible complications that may arise. Since you would be familiar with the surgical procedure, the surgeon would have an easier time explaining all about the surgery.
Learn the basics of Breast Implants
Breast implants are the tools used to enhance breast size. They exist in two types: saline and silicone. Learning about their basics means finding out about their advantages and disadvantages at all angles. As much as silicone breast implants are more popular among patients, saline breast implants serve a similar purpose. Silicone implants resemble natural breast tissues, and saline breast implants are filled after insertion in the breast pockets.
Write down all the questions you would want answers to
Writing the questions you’d want answers to is a tactic that helps greatly. This way, you will be able to easily identify any important, and minute detail that’s missing. These questions should major on the details about the surgery, about the surgeon, about recovery, the surgical procedure expectations, and the expectations after surgery. For assistance, here are some questions to guide you.
- Am I an eligible candidate?
- How safe is the procedure?
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons?
- How experienced are you? / How many breast augmentation procedures have you performed?
- Can I see the before and after photos of your previous patients?
- Is your facility licensed?
- What is the worst that could happen during surgery?
- What are the risks involved during and after surgery?
- How do you minimize the chances of risks?
- What happens during surgery?
- How long does recovery take?
- What happens if I don’t feel the need for breast implants?
- Are there alternatives to breast implants?
Bring along some of your top clothing
An important requirement during a consultation is to try on different sizes of breast implants. This makes it easier for the surgeon to decide on the best shape, and size of breast implants that would help you to achieve your desired goals. When you bring along some of the tops you wear, you will be able to identify the size that you feel most comfortable in. This way, you will have an easier time shopping for your post-surgery garments.
Go through your Medical History
Remember that breast augmentation surgery requires you to be in good overall health. A medical history entails past medical conditions you may have suffered from such as diabetes, or heart conditions. It is meant to assist the surgeon understand and evaluate your health effectively to avoid any surgical complications. Before surgery, the surgeon will conduct some general body tests, as well as blood tests to reassure that the procedure would go smoothly as expected. Your surgeon should be aware of certain conditions which include, if you are a smoker, an alcoholic, you take vitamins and supplements, among many others. Always keep your surgeon updated with whatever condition you are in.
Plan your Financing
Breast augmentation surgery is quite expensive. During your consultation, your surgeon will review the cost of the surgery, as well as your financing options. As a patient willing to undergo this surgery, you should have an idea of how you would pay for it. Have in mind that medical insurances rarely cover the cost. An individual could either make full payment for the surgery at once using cash, or a credit card, you could borrow a loan from a bank, or from a relative, or you could sign up for medical financing.
Conclusion
As much as a person wants to have their breasts enhanced, they should learn all there is about breast augmentation procedures. Ensure that you go into surgery having the above details figured out to enable easier understanding.