If you decide to open up to others about your decision to get breast augmentation, you are likely to be inundated with information and personal anecdotes. Suddenly, every friend, coworker or acquaintance with implants is eager to share their experiences with you and give you advice as you prepare for your procedure.
Although this advice is certainly well-meaning, you may start to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of your goals. It is prudent to do some introspection before breast augmentation to ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared for the surgery.
Dr. Charles S. Lee of Enhance® Medical Center suggests asking yourself some essential questions before breast augmentation so you can move forward with confidence.
What are my motivations?
Spend time reflecting on what drives you to pursue breast augmentation. Have you always been flat-chested and dreamed of a more voluptuous figure? Did you lose breast fullness and shape after pregnancy or nursing, and want to reclaim your pre-baby bustline? If your motivation is to feel beautiful and confident after surgery, you are on the right path. (On the other hand, if your goal is to please someone else or fit in with a crowd, you may not be ready for surgery.)
What do I hope to achieve? Are my goals realistic?
Drill down on your specific surgical goals and ask yourself whether they seem realistic. What kind of breast appearance and proportions are you hoping for? What breast shape and size appeals to you, and is your desired size suitable for your natural body frame? Are you hoping for a modest boost in size or a more dramatic transformation? Be prepared to explain your goals and desires to your plastic surgeon, who can confirm whether your goals are reasonable, during consultation.
Do I understand the risks?
Any surgical procedure comes with risks. As an informed patient, it is critical that you understand and accept that something could go wrong. You should also know that the best way to minimize the risk of complications is to select a board-certified plastic surgeon with plenty of experience in your chosen procedure. Dr. Lee is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the “gold standard” of plastic surgery boards. Your plastic surgeon can explain what he or she does to mitigate some of the risks and help you further prepare for possible complications.
Am I prepared for recovery?
As you plan for breast augmentation, be prepared for a recovery period. Most patients need to request one to two weeks off from their jobs and take three to four weeks off from activities that require running, jumping or bouncing. Rushing back to work or physical activities could set your recovery back. Take a good look at your schedule and ask yourself if you can take the necessary time off to recuperate from surgery.
Dr. Lee and the team at Enhance® Medical Center are here to provide accurate information about breast augmentation and guide you to make vital decisions about your care. To request a breast augmentation consultation with our team, please contact us today.
