Veena Sidhu lists four must-dos that can help you achieve the best (and safest) outcome for your breast augmentation surgery.

According to the recent 2007 statistics published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the top surgical procedure for women in 2007 was breast augmentation.

With the number of women opting for breast augmentation gradually increasing on a yearly basis in countries such as the United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, and even Asian countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, it is important that those who are considering the procedure plan their surgery well to assure a safe outcome with desirable results.
Brazilian plastic surgeon practising in Singapore, Dr. Marco Faria Correa, says, "If you are thinking of having breast augmentation, there are a few things you have to be aware of and understand about the procedure. You have to do the right thing and not commit common mistakes that may ruin your chances of a good outcome."

He adds, "It’s important to know that your first chance is your best chance. If you get it wrong the first time, your second surgery to fix the ‘problem’ will not be able to achieve the best possible look that could have been achieved if done correctly the first time around."

So how does one go about planning breast augmentation surgery? Here, we list four tips to help you out.
BeforeAfter: A 27-year-old patient who went from a size 32A to a 34B.
Implant was inserted via the armpit and placed above muscle

Choose The Right Doctor

This is by far the most important factor. Cosmetic surgical procedures bear risks and hence, it is crucial that you have your procedure performed by a plastic surgeon – and no one else.

Not all plastic surgeons may boast breast augmentation as their specialty; therefore, it is important you do your research beforehand. Which doctor is popular for doing a good job? Are you happy with their collection of before and after pictures?

"There are many ways to find a good plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation. You can get this information through friends and word of mouth of individuals that are happy with their results. You can also talk to other patients that you see in waiting rooms of clinics as you wait for your consultation. Ask the other patients if they are happy with their doctor and his or her work," advises Dr. Marco.

Plastic surgery is not cheap, and the number of women scouting a ‘good’ deal has led them to quack doctors who leave them scarred, disfigured, and sometimes dead.
"Do not be fooled by nice advertisements promising great things," cautions Dr. Marco. He explains that it is important to always check out the doctor’s qualifications beforehand and ensure that the doctor who will perform your procedure is indeed a plastic surgeon and nothing less.

To verify this, check with your local medical council – most have websites that list plastic surgeons in the country. Also do not be fooled by advertisements and promotions placed by beauty salons that state they have a doctor in town "for one week only" who can perform your procedure well, and of course, cheaper than the usual cost of a breast augmentation procedure.

"When you are doing something for beauty, you have to be safe and precise. You cannot just go to anyone because you are trying to save a few thousand dollars. The right thing to do is to find the right surgeon. If you can’t afford the procedure, negotiate with your plastic surgeon – they might just lower the price," says Dr. Marco.

According to Dr. Marco, if you find a plastic surgeon or a ‘doctor’ who is much cheaper than everyone else, then you should be a little suspicious. He explains that cosmetic surgery procedures are expensive because the cost depends on several factors, such as the doctor’s qualifications and expertise, hospital facilities, surgical equipment, and brand of implant (different brands have different prices), to name a few.

Have Your Surgery In The Right Facility

If you are considering surgery, it is important that you make sure your procedure is performed under the right settings. Most individuals seem to think that if a doctor is performing their procedure, their life is in safe hands. For this reason, many do not have a problem allowing a doctor to perform their surgery in beauty salons, and some even in hotel rooms and in their own home. Most of these individuals are left with disastrous outcomes from the procedure, which can include infection, disfigurement and even death.

"The best facility in which to have surgery is either in a hospital or a day surgery centre," advises Dr. Marco. "It is crucial that the procedure is performed in a clean, sterile and well-equipped medical facility operating theatre."

Surgery is not to be taken lightly, and it is important that settings are right so as to avoid infection, as well as to be in an environment where your doctor has all the equipment he needs to save your life in case of an emergency.

"Even though breast augmentation can be a quick procedure to perform, it is still crucial that you realise that it is a real surgical procedure," cautions Dr. Marco. Some clinics are also well-equipped to carry out surgical procedures, so do check if the clinic has a licence which allows your surgery to be performed there. While some plastic surgeons’ clinics have a surgical room for performing surgical procedures, some have hospital rights and will perform the surgery there instead.
BeforeAfter: A 32-year-old patient who went from a size 30AA to a 32B.
Implant was inserted via the armpit and placed behind the muscles.

Have Your Pre-Op Check-Up

This is another important factor that is often overlooked and disregarded by many patients. As they do not realise that surgery bears serious risks, many omit certain health information from their doctors, and even ‘cheat’ when told not to do something before surgery.

Surgery is not a matter to be taken lightly, so it is important that the patient is in the best of health and abides by the pre-operation regulations (such as to avoid excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medications and supplements), if they are thinking of having surgery.

The real risk of surgery, however, is the risk that is associated with the administration of general anaesthesia. For this reason, a thorough medical evaluation of one’s health is highly crucial.
"Before we perform surgery on a patient, we have to ensure that they are in the best of health. For patients that are to have breast augmentation, we will conduct a mammogram (if the patient is over the age of 30) or an ultrasound of the breast, and also perform a heart, blood and urine test," says Dr. Marco.

The risks of anaesthesia include heart attack, stroke, brain damage, blood clots, temporary paralysis, obstruction of the airway, and death. A thorough medical check-up will help minimise these risks.

The recent case of rapper Kanye West’s mother, Donda West, who died after undergoing a tummy tuck and breast reduction despite warnings from her first doctor that she was not in the best of health for surgery, should serve as a warning.

Health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, anaemia, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can increase your risks during surgery, so you must discuss these issues with your surgeon beforehand.

Plan Your Procedure

The final important step to help you achieve the best results for your augmentation is to plan your procedure well. Do your research, and never be afraid to ask your plastic surgeon any questions you may have. If possible, try to find and speak to other patients that have had the procedure. A personal insight can be very helpful. Ask your plastic surgeon if they can suggest patients to speak to, or search the Internet for websites or blogs that can help.

As for what you need to discuss with your surgeon, there are several key issues to take into consideration when planning your breast augmentation procedure. Depending on the way the procedure is performed and the type of implant used, the way your new breasts will look can be very different. A few questions you might want to consider are:

1. What type of implants (saline or silicone) will your plastic surgeon use?
2. What is the best implant shape and size for you?
3. Where will the implant be placed (below or above the muscle)?
4. How will the implant be inserted?
5. Are there any risks and side effects for the different methods?

"It is important that you do your research well, and discuss certain facts with your doctor, such as implant type and shape, location of the implant, incision scar, and of course, the risks," says Dr. Marco.

He goes on to add, "Usually we tailor the surgery to each patient according to their body and skin condition, current breast size, and the personality of the individual as well."
According to Dr. Marco, it is also important to discuss the quality of the implant to be used. "There are different brands – these carry different kinds of implants with different prices. Do not think of saving money by choosing a low quality implant."

The Final Say

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that things can still go wrong no matter how much planning and how many safety precautions are taken (due to unforeseen circumstances). Therefore, while you try to take every care to ensure the best and safest results for your procedure, do also monitor what you are feeling or experiencing after your surgery – if you feel that something is not right, do not hesitate to see your surgeon or go to a hospital.

Having said that, with careful planning and adherence to aftercare protocol, odds are you will be happy with the results, and will probably be recommending the procedure to others!