Breast Augmentation Goals

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:

1. “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.
2. “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.
3. “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.
4. “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.