How Can You Be Sure You Chose the Right Breast Implant?
By Marc Feldman | Published on February 9, 2011 | 0 Comments
The best way to determine the appropriate implant size for a patient, Marc Feldman MD explains, is to get a thorough medical history and a complete physical exam. Height and weight are major factors in deciding the type of implant that will look most appropriate, as is the size of the patient’s chest. Some people have narrow chests, while others have wider chests, he says, and the same implant would look different on both. Of course, Dr. Feldman adds, it is also crucial to get an idea of the patient’s particular personality and expectations for what she hopes to look like afterward.
After preliminary discussions and a physical exam has been completed, Dr. Feldman says that he prefers to have the patient bring in the type of bra that she hopes to be wearing after her surgery has been completed. Then, he fills the bra with different sized implants and asks the patient to walk around for a little while with the different sizes to get a general idea of how they look and feel. Then, he explains, the patient is told to choose the implant size that she likes best.
However, Dr. Feldman refrains from stating his opinion too early; even though he knows what will look best, he does not want to sway the patient’s opinion. Rather, he wants to see if she chooses a size on her own that is similar to what he feels will be best. By allowing the patient to choose the size, he says, it gives more insight into her own thought process. In the end, if the patient and doctor have differing opinions, further discussions will take place to reassess the implant that will be used in surgery.
With any breast augmentation surgery, says Dr. Feldman, an experienced breast augmentation surgeon in Atlantic City, New Jersey, one consultation is never enough. Instead, he asks that his patients come in to the office at least twice, preferably three to four weeks apart. This is done because the staff at Feldman Plastic Surgery wants to be certain that patients are comfortable with their decisions and are proceeding with surgery for the right reasons. Although people often say that they have been thinking about breast implants for a while, Dr. Feldman explains, it may not be the entire truth. Patients need to give serious thought to this decision, he adds, and should only be doing this for themselves, not anybody else.
In addition to implant size, each patient must also make a final decision regarding incision placement. This choice, he explains, is not as critical as implant size, but there are risks and benefits associated with each option. Again, this decision has much to do with personal preference. For some people, Dr. Feldman says, nipple sensation is a major concern, so those patients will probably not choose the nipple incision method because some nerve loss could occur. Other patients, however, may not want scars to appear underneath their breasts. It varies from person to person, he says, but most of the time, the implant is inserted below the breast to ensure that the final product is not too high or too low.
Even if a patient has a good idea of how she wants her breasts to look, it is important to consult with a plastic surgeon to ensure that the process will performed in a manner that preserves her health while meeting her aesthetic expectations. When it comes to producing results, open communication is essential.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.