If you are weighing the benefits of getting a cosmetic procedure such as breast augmentation, it’s essential to be as informed as possible beforehand. After all, deciding to change anything about the way you look can have a long-lasting “ripple effect” that carries through to every aspect of your life, including your self-esteem, how you style your outfits and the way others view you.
As a specialist in breast augmentation procedures, Dallas-based cosmetic surgery specialist Dr. Fadi Constantine has answered many patient questions during his private consultations with women who are considering getting this highly personal surgery.
To help you understand the most essential details about breast augmentation, here’s our comprehensive breast augmentation FAQ.
Your Ultimate Guide to Breast Augmentation
Q: What qualities make someone a good candidate for a breast augmentation?
A: Overall, most adult women whose breasts have finished developing are good candidates for a breast augmentation surgery. However, certain conditions could increase your risk factors for the procedure. If you smoke, are obese or have a family history of breast cancer, breast augmentation may not be right for you. Dr. Constantine will evaluate you based on your medical history and any health concerns that could make you a less-than-ideal candidate for this surgery.
Q: How much does breast augmentation cost?
A: The total price tag is one of the most common questions people ask about getting a breast augmentation. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports breast implants cost, on average, $3,787.
However, one of the most important things to keep in mind about breast augmentation is that these costs will differ based on factors such as where you live, your choice of breast implant material and how long or difficult your surgery turns out to be, as well as fees for anesthesia, prescription painkillers, post-surgical garments and the time you spend at a surgical facility.
Q: Will my health insurance cover the cost of breast surgery?
A: Most insurance plans do not offer coverage for cosmetic procedures, which they deem as not medically necessary. Though it’s likely you will need to pay for the procedure without assistance from your health insurance, you should ask about any financing plans that would allow you to pay off the cost in installments, rather than having to pay the full balance up-front.
Q: Are breast implants permanent?
A: While breast implants are not designed to last forever, your results should be long-lasting. Many women who choose to get breast implants will eventually opt to get an additional breast augmentation at some point after their initial surgery to maintain their results.
Q: What should I know about planning for breast augmentation surgery?
A: Breast augmentation is a highly customizable procedure. You and Dr. Constantine have four key decisions to make together about breast augmentation:
● Size of the breast implant
● Type of breast implant material
● Whether to place the implants over your chest muscles, under your chest muscles or in a “dual-plane” placement, which provides the best of both worlds
● The location of your incisions
The three most common locations for the incisions are either under the arms, around the nipple area or beneath the breasts. These locations are designed to keep your incisions and the resulting scars as discreet and unnoticeable as possible.
Q: What’s the difference between silicone and saline breast implants?
A: Silicone is a softer and more viscous material than saline, which many patients say looks and feels more natural. The pros and cons of the two materials include factors such as incision size and health risk.
Silicone gel implants come pre-filled, which means they require larger incisions than saline implants. In comparison, saline implants get filled after being placed within the breast pocket.
Silicone implants also come with an increased health risk if they happen to rupture. The FDA recommends women with silicone implants get an MRI screening three years after they receive a new implant, and every two years thereafter, to help detect a rupture. Implant rupture with saline implants is harmless, as your body will absorb the saline fluid quickly.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Q: How long will it take me to recover post-breast augmentation surgery?
A: To achieve maximum satisfaction with your breast augmentation results, you must be mentally and physically prepared for both the operation and the recovery. The most successful breast augmentations depend on the patient’s willingness to rest and follow all post-operative instructions carefully. As you plan for breast augmentation surgery, remember you will need to take at least a week off from work.
If your job is strenuous or requires any heavy lifting, you will need a longer recovery time before going back to work after breast augmentation, as it is not recommended to lift anything for at least the first week after surgery. Also, if you have young children in your household, keep in mind you may need extra help from your spouse or another family member as you recover.
Q: When will I be able to resume my exercise routine?
A: A good general postoperative rule of thumb is that you can start doing light activities within two to three weeks after your surgery, and work up to longer and more difficult exercises as you feel comfortable.
Do not run, lift weights or do any high-impact cardio exercises for at least a month, as anything that causes your breasts to bounce could lead to your implants shifting out of position. However, you probably won’t feel like doing those things anyway in the first few weeks following your breast augmentation surgery. Keep in mind, your recovery time will be somewhat longer if you choose to have Dr. Constantine place your implants under your chest muscles.
Providing Beautiful Breast Augmentation Results to Dallas Patients
You can use this breast augmentation guide as a helpful starting point as you are researching and planning for breast augmentation surgery.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact our clinic today to book your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Constantine.
