What can you do to prepare for a breast augmentation consultation?

Thousands of patients every year decide they want a breast augmentation, so they book an appointment – then wonder what happens next when it comes to plastic surgery. After patients have found the right plastic surgeon and scheduled a consultation, they're often unsure about what to expect.

Breast augmentation is still one of the most in-demand plastic surgeries worldwide. This surgery can be highly transformative for patients and has a high satisfaction rate because it offers many benefits, such as boosting confidence, increasing the available clothing options, helping clothes to fit in a more flattering way, adding volume to the breasts to increase their size or symmetry and making overall body proportions look more balanced.

Having a consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is vital before any type of plastic surgery, and breast augmentation is no exception. As part of your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health – including any pre-existing medical conditions or risk factors – examine and take detailed measurements of your breasts, take photos, discuss your options and tell you about the likely outcomes.

Remember, it's normal to be anxious about having the procedure, with patients varying in their feelings from being excited to see results to experiencing preoperative stress.

If you're talking to a professional soon about breast augmentation, here's what you and your surgeon should discuss in order to get the most out of your consultation.

Be prepared to discuss several important factors

During your consultation, you're going to talk about the following:

• Why you want a breast augmentation
• Your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions and drug allergies
• Previous medical treatments
• Current medications
• Vitamins and herbal supplements
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Your family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Also, be sure to tell your surgeon about any fears or anxieties you are having about the procedure.

Prepare as much as possible

Do as much research as possible when selecting a plastic surgeon because your body and health depend on finding the best provider possible. Take as many hours as you need to research the procedure itself and think about the concerns or questions you have about breast augmentation. Choose a surgeon who is board-certified, reliable and has a good reputation in the industry.

Be clear about what you want

Patients often know that they want to look different but are unsure of what they specifically want to change. The mirror test can help you know what you would like to improve about your appearance. This involves standing in front of a mirror for 10 to 15 minutes and closely examining yourself.

Ask yourself what you like, what you dislike and what you wish to change about what you see. You can jot down notes and take them with you to your initial consultation. The surgeon can provide feedback and answers right away.

It can also help to search the internet for photos of what you consider to be the ideal look and take them with you to show the surgeon during your consultation.

Ask any and all questions you have

Your consultation presents the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have for the surgeon. You can put together a checklist of specific questions to ask during your visit to make things easier. Having a list of questions will help you to get all the information you need to feel comfortable with the next step.

Also, taking notes can help to make you feel less stressed, and you'll have them available to look at later for reference in case you were to forget any of the details. Some of the most important questions patients can ask include the following:

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform the procedure?

Most importantly, be sure that you are finding the right plastic surgeon for you – one who is experienced, board certified and understands your goals.