Breast Implants: How Much Research Should You Do?

With almost limitless information available online about breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC, many of my patients come to me feeling overwhelmed. They’ve spent countless hours researching the exact size, shape, texture, and type of breast implant they want. They know every surgical technique and have pre-planned their incision locations. They even understand the pros and cons of implant placement, and have already decided if they want implants placed under or over the muscle.

While educating yourself about your options for breast augmentation is undoubtedly a good thing, sometimes, too much research can result in information overload. I usually recommend that my patients focus less on the details of their breast augmentation and more on the final result they want to achieve. When someone communicates how they want to look, I can craft the exact surgical plan to get them to where they want to be. Ultimately this saves patients the time and stress of researching every detail of their procedure and allows them to focus on what’s most important: their results.

If you are considering breast augmentation and find yourself getting too caught up in the weeds about implant types and surgical approaches, read my tips:

• Look at before-and-after galleries.

Before-and-after photos are a great way to see actual results from real breast augmentation patients. This can give you a realistic idea of what to expect. It can also help you understand your cosmetic preferences, such as the size and shape of breasts you like.

• Browse magazines, fashion publications, or Pinterest.

Looking through magazines or Pinterest can help you identify women whose breasts you’d want to emulate. You can bring these photos with you to your consultation to help your surgeon better understand the exact look you’re going for.

• Think about the types of clothes you want to wear and how you want them to look after surgery.

Many women with small breasts can’t wait to get into a 2-piece bathing suit after surgery. Others are just excited to wear their favorite tank-top with jeans. Consider the clothes you’d like to wear after surgery: bathing suits, exercise gear, lingerie, causal clothing, or work attire. This will help you pinpoint how you’d like to look in different styles.

• Identify any other aesthetic aspirations that are not overly specific.

Do you want more cleavage? Are you hoping to balance your body proportions? Are your breasts asymmetrical? Think about your overarching cosmetic goals and discuss them with your surgeon.

Ultimately, your surgeon should be the person to worry about the details of your procedure and develop a surgical plan that meets your needs. The best way you can prepare is to think about how you want to look and feel after your procedure. Make sure you communicate this vision clearly with your surgeon to ensure that you are on the same page when it comes to your cosmetic goals. In doing so, you will save yourself a lot of worry and help your surgeon better understand your wishes.

If you are ready to discuss your goals for breast augmentation, contact us today.