Is Breast Augmentation Right For You?
Did you know that the number one plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States today is breast augmentation? It’s true. More women have gotten breast implants than any other plastic surgery procedure to date. The reasons why women choose this type of surgery are varied, but the most popular reasons are to improve breast size and shape, correct a deformity and to have reconstruction after a mastectomy due to cancer. Are implants right for you? Let’s take a look.
The two options available today for breast augmentation surgery are silicon gel-filled and saline-filled implants, and they each have advantages. Silicone provides a more natural look and feel, while saline provides flexibility, thus allowing the size of the breast implant to be increased or decreased, to create a more uniform look.
The trans-umbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) procedure is one of the most popular options for breast enhancement today. An incision is made in the belly button of the patient during this procedure. With many of the other available breast enhancement surgery options, the incision is made in the armpit or bust.
The TUBA procedure is unique. Once your cosmetic surgeon makes the incision in your belly button, he or she will then tunnel up to the chest area. The surgeon feeds a deflated saline implant through the tunneled section. Once the breast implant is in position, and it can be placed either in front of or behind the muscle, it is inflated with saline solution.
After the TUBA procedure, care should include wearing a sports bra that provides extra support. You will more than likely be on light duty for a few weeks following your procedure, as strenuous physical activities can cause problems until you fully recover.
Of course, the most important part of the decision-making process when undergoing any kind of reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery is finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. To locate a plastic surgeon in your area who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can go online at www.plasticsurgery.org.
After you locate a doctor in your area that is certified to perform cosmetic plastic surgery, the next step is to schedule a consultation appointment with him or her to determine whether you are a good candidate for breast enhancement surgery. A good plastic surgeon will spend time with you to evaluate both your mental and physical health and give you their unbiased opinion on whether augmentation breast implants is the right choice for you. You need to know all the benefits and risks of the surgery as well as what type of post-operative care you will need.
Some advantages of the trans-umbilical breast augmentation method are that it has the lowest complication rate, the most rapid recovery time and the least post-operative discomfort, and it leaves a mostly inconspicuous scar as compared to other breast surgery procedures. One disadvantage is that there is an increased risk of puncturing the implant during surgical placement, resulting in leakage and increased surgery time.
Finding A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Finding a good plastic surgeon that you have total confidence in can be tough. The most important question you will want to ask is whether he or she is a board certified plastic surgeon. Why does it matter? Plastic surgery is an elective surgical enhancement that is serious and irreversible so confidence in the abilities of your surgeon is paramount. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has a listing of all board certified surgeons in your area to help you get all the facts. It is your job to arm yourself with knowledge in order to receive the most satisfying outcome.
The ASPS has stringent requirements for a doctor to become a board certified plastic surgeon. The bare minimum education requirements include graduating from an accredited medical school and completing five or more years in a residency program. Those five years must include at least three years of general surgery experience at an accredited program and two years of plastic surgery experience in a residency program. In addition, he or she must successfully pass comprehensive oral and written exams and be actively practicing cosmetic plastic surgery.
The ASPS is the only board dedicated to overseeing regulations in the field and so doctors who hold this certification are the only ones allowed to perform any type of plastic surgery procedure or treatment. The ASPS is a helpful tool for those seeking cosmetic plastic surgery because they can rest assured that the doctor they have chosen underwent extensive residency, training and work experience. Make sure you choose a doctor that is board certified in the area that you want improved. For instance, you would want to get liposuction from a doctor who is board certified in plastic surgery instead of a facial plastic surgeon since that surgeon doesn’t specialize in the procedure you want.
To find out if your physician is board certified, a patient can visit the ASPS Web site at www.plasticsurgery.org to verify a specific medical specialty. This gives you the chance to learn if a certain doctor you are interested in has completed the required training and is working toward certification.
Choosing a board certified plastic surgeon may be the most important factor in your decision to have cosmetic surgery. Do take into consideration personal qualities like the surgeon’s sincerity, patience and communication skills since these should also have great influence on your decision. Remember that just because a doctor has acquired board certification does not automatically mean that he or she is compatible with your needs. At least by doing a background check, you can feel more secure in your decision.