In any cosmetic surgery consultation, one of the most important things
to establish from the very onset are the patient’s wishes and goals.
In Breast Augmentation, this means that the surgeon must understand and
determine the kind of result the patient is hoping for, in terms of breast
shape and size. After surgical goals have been established, it then becomes
easier for both surgeon and patient to work through the type and size of
implant, pocket placement, and surgical technique to be applied in order to
achieve the best result.
To make it easier in my consultations, I like to think of the goal (or
final result) from breast augmentation as broken into four categories. Most
patients will fall into one of these goals:
- “You’ve
got breasts”
This is a small and subtle increase in size. You do not want anyone to know that you have had breast augmentation, and people around you may not notice the change. - “Nice
breasts”
This is a natural result, with a gentle slopping upper pole, and a round lower pole. There is often little hint to others that your breasts have been surgically enhanced. - “Are
they real?”
The breasts are large, but may still be accepted as just falling within what nature can endow. There is fullness and roundness in the upper pole and sides. - “They
are not real”
Size rules here – as big as can be done – the breasts are disproportionally large compared to your body. Patients in this category wish to have the “fake” look.
Remember, for each patient, there is a safe range of implant shapes and
sizes that can be used to augment the breasts. Once you venture beyond this
safe range, the risks of future complications such as displacement and capsular
contracture dramatically increases. The final result gained from breast
augmentation is a very subjective matter. The eventual size of implant used is
often chosen by the patient; however, it is the surgeon’s role to guide the
patient in making this decision based on the patients wishes and their breast
anatomy.
