Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Breast Augmentation 

Pre-operative consultation lays down the broad framework for a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as breast augmentation. The patient should be prepared to engage actively during the consultation phase because breast augmentation is a customizable procedure, and the patient’s inputs will help the surgeon to tailor the procedure according to her unique needs.

The surgeon will also utilize the consultation opportunity to clear any concerns and doubts that the patient may have about the breast augmentation procedure as well as the surgeon’s practice.

This will help ensure that the patient makes a well-considered decision about the surgery. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom provides breast augmentation to patients in Chicago, IL, and surrounding communities across the horizon.

Determining Candidacy

The surgeon will examine the patient’s overall health condition during the consultation, and will go through her past medical records to assess her fitness for breast augmentation surgery and general anesthesia. They will also assess the patient’s skin type and elasticity of the skin in the breast area and evaluate the overall breast anatomy for an appropriate surgical plan.

Key Decisions

At the time of consultation for breast augmentation plastic surgery, some important decisions will have to be made with respect to the selection of silicone or saline implants, the size of implants, the choice of surgical technique, the location of incisions and placement position of implants, and whether the procedure should be performed as a standalone surgery or in combination with breast lift.

Choice of Breast Implants

Which type of implants are chosen, will have an impact on the final outcome of the breast augmentation surgery. During the consultation, the surgeon will explain the pros and cons of saline, silicone and ultra cohesive silicone implants, the appropriate size options, shapes and profiles, and will help the patient make the best choices.

Placement of Implants

The implants may be placed in front of the pectoral muscle, or subglandularly, or below the pectoral muscle, or submuscularly. The advantages and limitations of both placement options will be discussed with the patient to help her make the right decision in consonance with her breast anatomy and her personal cosmetic goals.

Location of Incisions

In case of breast implant surgery, the incisions may be placed below the breast crease, in the underarms, along the lower half of the areola border, or in exceptional cases, in the navel area. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL, and nearby areas for breast augmentation surgery.

Developing Expectations

Experienced surgeons will make an effort to ensure that the patient has a clear understanding of what breast augmentation surgery can or cannot do for her. They may present breast implant before and after pictures during the consultation to help her form reasonable expectations from the procedure.

Pre-operative Instructions

If the patient is a smoker, the surgeon will instruct her to avoid smoking for a specified period of time before the surgery. Some of the ongoing prescription and non-prescription drugs that the patient may be currently using may also have to be rescheduled in consultation with her physician.

For more information on procedures and treatments by Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Jacob Bloom, MD please call 312.549.8691 or contact us here.