What Happens During The First Breast Augmentation Consultation
The consultation involves 3 phases: 1. Patient directed review of education materials on breast augmentation. 2. Patient education consultation (via phone or in-person) and completion of patient preference documents. 3. Consultation with plastic surgeon.
During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will evaluate your general health, and take measurements of your breasts. He will explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. Your plastic surgeon will describe alternatives and risks and limitations of each as well as review the recommended pre and post operative course with you.
You will have the opportunity to view pre and post op pictures, and discuss in detail what size you would like to be. The Dr will give you objective and scientific methods to determine the correct implant size and type for your breast tissues and body. At the end of the consultation, you will have pictures taken. These are for your medical record to assist the Dr to give you an optimal result.
The office manager will give you the total fee, which includes the fees of the surgeon, anesthesia and operating room. Financing is available as well. She will give written pre and post-op care and informed consent to review before signing and discuss your consultation appointment.
How is the surgery done? Some plastic surgeons prefer to do breast augmentation in the outpatient surgery center using a board certified anesthesiologist. Although there are cheaper methods and places to do this type of surgery, surgeons feel that patient safety is of utmost importance and this is best provided in this setting. Furthermore, this optimizes patient comfort and allows the surgeon to give you your best result.
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your chest size and shape. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest (breast fold) or around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the axilla (armpit). Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as small as possible.
Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue (using only precise dissection and no blunt dissection to minimize post-operative pain and edema) to make a pocket, either directly behind your breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples.
Some surgeons do not use drains for breast augmentation.
Article Source: Daily Digest Magazine
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