Choosing the right surgeon is one of your most important responsibilities as a breast implant patient. Breastimplantanswers.com provides a locator to help you find a qualified surgeon in your area. In addition, the site offers a list of important questions to take with you to your first consultation to ensure you receive all of the information necessary to make an informed decision.
When searching for a surgeon, look for one who will listen to you and understands your goals and expectations. Only then will you get the result that you are looking for. Also, make sure that preoperative planning is a part of the surgical routine. Ask to see before and after photos of other breast implantation surgeries the surgeon has performed, and confirm that your surgeon is board-certified. Don't be shy about asking questions or asking for information about a surgeon's qualifications and experience! Any good surgeon should be happy to provide this information to you. Also, don't hesitate to seek a qualified second opinion if you are not completely comfortable with the information you receive.
This locator can help you find qualified breast implant surgeons in your area. The surgeons included in the locator have all completed an FDA-required physician certification process.
What should you ask when you visit a breast implant surgeon for the first time? Here are some important questions that will help guide your discussion with a surgeon and help you evaluate if he or she would be the right surgeon for you:
- Are my expectations for breast implant surgery realistic?
- How do I decide what implant option is right for me?
- What are the benefits and risks of each implant option?
- Will certain health issues or medications impact my ability to have breast implants or breast implantation surgery?
- What are my options for breast implant(s) placement and incision site?
- What do I need to do to prepare for breast implant(s) surgery?
- Should I have a baseline mammogram prior to surgery?
- How long will the surgery take?
- What should I expect after surgery? Will I be in pain? Is there anything special I need to do or look for after surgery?
- What are the most common complications associated with breast implant surgery?
- Are there any activities I should avoid immediately after surgery? How long will I need to avoid them?
- What information should I review prior to my surgery?
- How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
- What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site, and placement site is recommended for me?
- Will breast implant surgery affect my ability to breast-feed?
- Will breast implants interfere with mammograms?
- How can I expect my implanted breast(s) to look over time?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
- What alternate procedures or products are available if I choose not to have breast implants?
- Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure, and what results are reasonable for me?
- How many breast implant surgeries do you perform each year?
- How many years have you been performing breast implant surgeries?
- Are you board-certified? If so, which board?
- Can I speak with a few of your patients who have undergone a similar surgery?
- Will my health insurance cover this surgery?
- What costs can I expect?
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This Website last modified October 25, 2007.
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