Is Too Much Breast Augmentation Research Possible?

For many patients, 1 of the most exciting parts of a breast augmentation is doing research about the procedure and imagining possible outcomes. It’s like the anticipation you feel when planning a trip. Many of my breast augmentation patients in Toronto spend hours online, asking questions and learning all they can about breast implants and the procedure itself. But like most journeys, some of the best parts are unexpected.

I encourage patients to have an open mind when they come in for a consultation to discuss breast augmentation, especially when we talk about breast implants. That’s because we need to consider a number of factors when choosing implants to produce results that match the patient’s aesthetic goals.

Do Spend Your Time Researching …

It’s certainly worthwhile to research the procedure and get a level of comfort and confidence going into your consultation. Reading about breast augmentation often spurs questions that you may not have otherwise thought about. Some of the things you can do to prepare for a consultation include:

Find a Royal College or board-certified plastic surgeon. Surgeons who aren’t Royal College-certified in Canada haven’t completed the extensive training specifically in plastic surgery that’s required to earn the certification. General surgeons can perform cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, but they don’t have the years of experience as someone who is Royal College-certified.

Look at before-and-after photos. Photos of plastic surgeons’ actual patients can provide a good sense of the types of results the doctor considers aesthetically pleasing. It’s helpful to find women with bodies similar to yours. One of the misconceptions patients occasionally have is that breast augmentation can change the entire body, rather than just the breasts.

Think about your cosmetic goals. The current trend among many patients is to get results that look natural and produce modest size increases. But you may want to focus on creating cleavage and upper pole fullness, which is something to communicate to your plastic surgeon. Many women bring “wish pictures” to their consultations to show how they’d like their breasts to look. Be aware however, that pictures of other women’s breasts may not be realistic in your specific case.

Don’t Worry Too Much About …

My primary job as a plastic surgeon is to use my expertise to help you select breast implants that will best suit your goals. Factors such as your body’s frame, the amount of breast tissue you currently have, the quality of your breast skin, and your lifestyle all need to be considered when choosing implants.

That’s why I recommend that patients don’t spend too much time focusing on the specific size and type of implant or whether they want them inserted above or behind the pectoral muscles. Some patients decide they really like the results of a friend’s augmentation and say they want the same implants. But every patient’s body is unique, and the size and type of a friend’s implants may not be right for you. It’s important to trust your surgeon’s judgment and be confident that he or she understands your cosmetic goals.

I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about breast augmentation during a consultation. You can contact us using the online form or call us at either (416) 925-7337 (Toronto) or (905) 743-9888 (Oshawa) to schedule an appointment.