Breast augmentation procedures are becoming an extremely common plastic surgery procedure. Whereas there may still be some stigma around some other plastic surgery procedures, breast augmentations are fairly conventional. As a matter of fact, according to statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentations were the most requested plastic surgery procedure last year.
If you are considering having a breast enhancement procedure done Dr. Kole wants you to know that there are some things to be aware of:
- Breast implants are not permanent – It is important to understand that you may need to have your implants replaced as they are not lifetime devices. Some factors such as pregnancy or weight loss could require the replacement to be sooner than later.
- Not all plastic surgeons and board-certified – Know your doctor’s credentials. Find a doctor with great credentials and many 5 star Google reviews. The more training a doctor has in their field, the more they are made to be aware of what is new, what has changed, different techniques, and/or overall specialty knowledge.
- You can fill your boobs with fat from other body parts – A fat transfer is a procedure that allows a surgeon to take fat from elsewhere on your body and inject it into your breasts. If this is an option you are interested in exploring, discuss it with your doctor to see if you are a candidate.
- No jumping around after surgery – Recovery is critical to good results. Stay away from any vigorous bouncing, running, jumping or extreme cardio activities and give your breasts time to heal. There will need to be no exercise for at leasttwo weeks after surgery.
- Know your family history – Not every woman is a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, if you are a heavy smoker, if you are obese or if you have serious medical issues, you may be turned down for the procedure due to risks to your health and/or complications after surgery.
- Prep time and recovery time are both vital – Preparing your body for any surgery is very important. Some key tips are to rest before the surgery, stay off medication and drink lots of water before the surgery. Dr. Kole will advise you of all the pre-op instructions that will set you up for success. Good preparation will help your body relax and make surgery quicker, easier and safer. Once your surgery is done, know that you will need time to heal. Make sure you are able to take time off of work, limit your physical activity, and follow up with you doctor. Be sure to follow all post-op instructions to assure great results.
- Set realistic goals and expectations: Discuss what you are hoping to achieve with your surgeon. Dr. Kole spends ample time with his patients because he knows how important it is to understand each person’s unique desire. Listen to your surgeon; sometimes what you may hope to happen is not realistic. Understand what is possible for you both physically and emotionally. Going into surgery with realistic expectations is the key to loving your results long-term.
