Are You Considering Breast Augmentation Surgery?

There Are Important Things You Should KNOW & DO Before Your Surgery!

By Lane F. Smith, M.D.

F.A.A.C.S., F.A.O.H.N.S., F.A.B.F.P.R.S.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING BREAST AUGMENTATION? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Did you know that Breast Augmentation Surgery is the most popular plastic surgical procedure today, surpassing Liposuction, Nose Reshaping, and Eye Lid surgery? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, of the more than completed 1.8 million cosmetic surgery operations in 2018, 313,735 were breast augmentation procedures, up 4% from 2017.

There are many reasons why this procedure is so popular, and the following is a brief presentation on what you SHOULD do before your surgery.

This blog aims to provide more information to guide you through the entire process, so you achieve the best possible outcome.

UNDERSTANDING BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY! 

Also called Augmentation Mammaplasty, or Breast Implant Surgery, Breast Augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to adjust the size and shape of a woman’s breast using breast implants or fat transfer (known as Natural Breast Augmentation).

Breast Augmentation is the most common cosmetic procedure Dr. Lane Smith performs and is generally associated with one of the highest satisfaction rates of all cosmetic surgery procedures!

WHY IS BREAST AUGMENTATION SO POPULAR?

Women’s breasts have been a symbol of beauty and femininity. Because of the societal importance placed on this part of their anatomy, for those who have not developed breasts or for those women who are not pleased with the shape of their breasts, often their self-esteem can suffer.

Occasionally, we also see patients who develop one breast more significantly than the other, which can be a source of psychological trauma. The feeling of being “deformed” or “abnormal” is tragic.

It is nice to know that breast augmentation surgery is an attractive option for those wanting more extensive or symmetrical breasts.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS?

Below, we identify several things that any patient SHOULD do before scheduling a consultation with a surgeon. Once you have completed these areas satisfactorily, you should schedule a consultation to meet the surgeon in person. Having a good feeling and relationship with the surgeon who will eventually perform your breast augmentation surgery is also essential. You will find out more about this during your consultation.

  • DO YOUR RESEARCH

The patients must research before deciding on a surgeon and proceeding with the procedure. Before you schedule a consultation, however, there are some things patients should always explore and consider; visit the surgeon’s website for critical information, including their bio and board certifications, before & after images, and reviews.

  • CHECK FOR BOARD CERTIFICATIONS

As part of the “things to do before surgery,” one of the most critical is researching the board certification(s) of any surgeon you are considering.

Take the time to learn more about the importance of being Board Certified, and only consider a plastic surgeon with certifications in plastic surgery.

You may have read reports recently in the news of tragic outcomes, including death, following surgeries that non-board-certified physicians performed. The doctors had not completed their surgical residencies in several cases. They did not qualify to become Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or other boards, such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Though patients may experience complications, which can happen with any surgery, your decision to only use a board-certified plastic surgeon with the advanced training they need to complete to become certified helps ensure the most favorable outcome and results.

Dr. Lane Smith currently holds four separate board certifications in the fields of plastic, cosmetic, head and neck, and facial surgery:

  • Board Certifications
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery 2003-Current
  • American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 1994-Current
  • American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1995 -Current
  • American Board of Cosmetic Surgery 2004 Current
  • MAKE SURE TO VIEW THE SURGEON’S BEFORE & AFTER IMAGES

Doing your research BEFORE selecting a plastic surgeon is essential. Part of this process must include reviewing before and after images. You want to be able to see results, not just listen to what a surgeon may be telling you. When a plastic surgeon makes viewing their work easy for you and recommends you do so before making your decision, you can feel comfortable that they are confident, experienced, and produce great work.

We promote our Before and After images on our website, featuring well over 6,400 images, by procedure type, with consistent angles for a proper review. We recommend patients come to our office that they do a thorough review of the thousands of before images we have on our website.

One note, when reviewing before and after images on a website, look for consistency in the angles and lighting, and visual clues that demonstrate that the model is the same person in both the before and after images. Sometimes a tattoo or distinctive body feature will help in this area.

  • CHECK OUT THE REVIEWS!

Viewing the before and after images of breast augmentation procedures is integral to your selection process for the right surgeon. Listening to what patients say about their experience is an essential pre-surgical step. But it is important to remember that you will want to read what patients say about their experience.

Many surgeons, like other business owners, typically prefer to avoid easily sharing testimonials, making them difficult to find on their websites (if they even link to them). It is understandable because everyone knows and understands that these days competitors can try to hurt others’ businesses through false reviews from fake accounts they have set up.

In addition, sometimes someone has a bad experience. It is just reality. For every ten or so great experiences a patient or a client has with a business or medical practice, one or two people share their experience. But you can bet when someone has a bad meal or experience with their service, you know they will post a bad review.

In the medical community, occasionally, things happen, and healthcare providers may not meet expectations. At Smith Plastic Surgery, our number one priority is our patient’s health and meeting their expectations. We discuss these during consultations, so everyone is on the same page. We openly share our reviews and testimonials using Real Patient Ratings. This system verifies the review’s authenticity, so you know it is a patient doing it.

We welcome your inquiries and invite you to learn more about reviewing our website and contacting us directly to schedule your consultation.

Lane F. Smith, M.D. 

F.A.A.C.S., F.A.O.H.N.S., F.A.B.F.P.R.S. 

Smith Plastic Surgery

https://www.smithsurgery.com/