April is right around the corner and spring break marks the downhill momentum until we can officially welcome summer. For many of our patients that meet with double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman, deciding to undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure may not come as easily as choosing between paper and plastic at the grocery store. As you’re thinking ahead to that vacation you’ll spend, whether on a beach, hiking a national trail or crossing off items on your bucket list, now is actually the perfect time for you to think about a cosmetic procedure such as breast augmentation. Below we’ll break down the Five W’s that should be considered when sorting through catalogs of questions or concerns you may have when considering a breast augmentation.
Who? From high school/college graduation gifts to a mother of three wanting to restore her pre-baby body, breast augmentation is reserved for women of all ages. Candidates should however be at least 18 years old and physically and emotionally mature. Breast augmentation is ideal for anyone wishing to increase the size and volume of their breasts.
What? To achieve the fullness of your new breasts, implants are inserted into the breast cavity. Dr. Whiteman offers traditional saline and silicone as well as highly cohesive “gummy bear” gel implants to fit each patient’s unique build. There isn’t a “one size fits all” method to choosing breast implants and the sizing of your implants is completely customized for you. During consultation, cosmetic goals and desired look are taken into consideration as well as measurements of your body (height, rib cage size, weight and previous breast size for example) to help you get the most proportionate and natural-looking breasts. That’s the overall goal, right?
Where? Start by doing your research and doing it well; your health could depend on it. Rather than searching the internet for a surgeon that offers the best deal, study their credentials, look at their before and after results and read previous patient reviews to get a broader impression of the surgeon and their expertise. Consultations aren’t just the time to discuss the size of your new breasts, but the time when you should establish a relationship with your surgeon – one that makes you feel comfortable and in highly-capable hands. At the very least, Dr. Whiteman can’t stress enough the importance of choosing a board certified plastic surgeon to reduce any associated risks of surgery.
When? This is probably one of the most pondered questions for our breast augmentation patients. With busy work, school and personal schedules, planning for recovery time is important to consider. The truth is that breast augmentation downtime isn’t as consuming as you may think. There are certain considerations to keep in mind when determining your recovery time including your type of job and incisions; however, most of our patients are able to return to work within 48 hours. So when should you get your surgery? Now, while you have a break before summer starts blazing!
Why? According to the 2013 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) statistics, 15.1 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed. Out of those millions, over 290,000 were breast augmentations – securing its spot as the top procedure for the past six years. The motivation to enhance the breasts can range from a desire to fill out clothing, changes due to pregnancy and breastfeeding or as an overall confidence booster; in the end it should just be about you.
In addition to breast augmentation, Dr. Whiteman performs a variety of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures for the breasts and body. If you have any questions about a procedure or you’re interested in taking the next steps towards cosmetic surgery, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. You can also connect with Dr. Whiteman on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for news and updates about plastic surgery and health and wellness.