What to Consider Before You Get a Breast Augmentation

Roughly 300,000 breast augmentation surgeries are performed each year in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, making it the second-most popular cosmetic surgery (after liposuction). Choosing an experienced provider is one of the most important decisions you need to make, but there are other considerations, too.

As a leading cosmetic surgeon in San Diego, California, Rishi Jindal, MD,  is a trusted provider of state-of-the-art breast augmentation surgery for patients at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery using a custom approach for beautiful results. In this post, he reviews seven factors you should consider if you’re wondering if breast augmentation is right for you.

1. Your reasons

Breast augmentation causes a significant physical change, but there are emotional impacts, too. You should never have breast augmentation surgery (or any type of cosmetic surgery) based on what someone else wants. Before having surgery, be sure your choice is based on your wants and needs so you can enjoy the highest level of satisfaction in the end results.

It’s also important to communicate your goals to our team: Are you choosing to have surgery to restore volume loss following pregnancy or weight loss? Are you unhappy with the size of your breasts? Does one breast appear smaller than the other? Being open about your reasons helps us design a plan just for you.

2. Your health

As a skilled breast augmentation surgeon, Dr. Jindal is committed to the health and welfare of every patient. Before your surgery, he conducts a comprehensive exam to ensure you’re in good health, including a review of your medical records.

During your evaluation, be ready to discuss existing health conditions, including allergies, as well as any medications or supplements you’re taking. Depending on your medical history, Dr. Jindal may order lab tests or diagnostic imaging, too.

3. The size of your implants

When it comes to implant selection, size is usually the first thing that comes to mind. While you might think “bigger is better,” you should select implants based on your anatomy — specifically, the size of your frame, your height, your overall figure, and even the elasticity of your skin. 

Overly large implants may get in the way of a very active lifestyle or make it harder or less enjoyable to participate in certain sports. Large implants can also lead to shoulder, neck, and back pain.

4. Your implant preferences

In addition to size, you should learn about the differences between saline and silicone implants. And don’t forget about the shape: Do you want round implants, or would you prefer them to be teardrop-shaped? 

You also need to decide between smooth or textured implants. Our team is with you every step of the way with recommendations based on your anatomy, personal preferences, and other factors.

5. Your plans to breastfeed

Yes, you can still nurse your child if you have breast implants, but breastfeeding could have an impact on incision location. Some implants can be placed via an incision around the nipple. But if you want to breastfeed in the future, you probably need to have the incision made in the fold under your breast to prevent scar tissue from getting in the way.

6. Your recovery expectations

It’d be great if you could leave your surgery and don a bikini the next day. But like any surgery, breast augmentation requires some recovery time, and sticking to your recovery schedule is imperative to avoid complications.

You can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort after your surgery, and you may have drains in place initially, too. Have someone on hand to run errands and assist with daily tasks during the initial stages of healing, and don’t skip any follow-up visits. 

7. Your long-term expectations

Breast implants are durable, but they’re not designed to last forever, and that means that at some point, they’re going to need to be replaced. Or maybe your goals change, and you decide you want to replace your implants with a different size or shape or remove them entirely. In any case, when you get breast implants, you need to be prepared for future breast surgeries.

Breast augmentation offers lots of benefits, but to truly enjoy your results, it’s important to consider all these factors ahead of time. To learn more about breast augmentation surgery, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Jindal and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, today.