One of the most common forms of plastic or cosmetic surgery is breast augmentation. However, just because this is something that many people choose to do doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come without its own set of risks. So if you’re thinking about having augmentation surgery, here are three things you should consider before you decide to get breast implants.
What Your Goals Are
There are many reasons why someone would decide to get breast implants. But depending on what your actual goals are for your breasts, getting implants may not actually be the best course of action for you.
According to Dr. Owen Reid, a contributor to PlasticSurgery.org, breast implants won’t do anything to help with issues of sagging breasts. In fact, by enlarging your breasts with implants, your breasts might sag even more than they already do, which could be the opposite of what you’re wanting to have happen. So before you undergo breast implant surgery, make sure getting implants will actually help you achieve the goals you have in mind for how you want your chest to look.
That Results Aren’t Guaranteed
Because every person’s body is different and will respond differently to surgery, there really can be more guarantee that the results of your breast implants will be what you want or what you thought they’d be like. However, talking with your surgeon before your surgery can help you prepare for this.
As part of this preparation, Dr. Debra Jaliman, a contributor to WebMD.com, recommends that you ask your surgeon what can be done if you don’t like the results of your surgery. This should be an outcome that your surgeon has at least considered and has a contingency plan in place for how to address issues with things like infection or an unsatisfactory result.
The Potential For Additional Future Surgeries
Even if everything with your initial breast implants goes great and you love the results you got, the CDC reminds us that breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. As you age, your body can change and make changes to your implants. Additionally, as your implants age, they may need to be replaced for safety reasons.
With this in mind, it’s wise to understand the potential for additional surgeries that you might need in the future, either for maintenance purposes or to address other issues as they may arise. Because of this, the CDC also advises that you come into the situation of getting breast implants just assuming that this won’t be your only surgery and that other subsequent surgeries will eventually take place.
If you’re thinking about getting breast implants, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you mentally prepare for this medical procedure.