Things to Know About a Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. It is the most commonly performed procedure by Dr. Alton Ingram in Nashville TN. 

This is because breast augmentation has the highest patient satisfaction and the lowest complication rate of all common cosmetic procedures. Breast augmentation is not just about having larger breasts. This incredibly popular procedure doesn’t only add size. It also transforms the shape and quality of a woman’s chest.

Women may seek breast augmentation for many reasons. Breast augmentation can increase your breast size to balance your proportions, can restore your breast fullness after weight loss or pregnancy, can increase the symmetry of your chest, and can transform the way you dress and improve your self-confidence.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation includes many different breast enlargement procedures: breast implants, fat injections, breast lifts, and may other more specific techniques which can increase your symmetry and give you other overall cosmetic improvements.

For most people, breast augmentation is performed by inserting an implant behind the breast through an incision which can be as small as one inch. Your implants may be placed behind your breast gland or behind your pectoral muscle – this decision depends on the shape you want to achieve, the type of implant that you choose, how much breast tissue you already have, and how loose or tight your skin already is.

Why Might I Want Breast Implants?

You may undergo breast augmentation for variety of personal reasons. When you are ready seriously to think about breast augmentation surgery, you may want to consider the following issues

Physical Changes You May Seek:

• Enhancing your natural shape and contours
• Addressing a reduction of breast volume after your pregnancy or weight loss
• Increasing the symmetry of your breasts – in both size and shape

Practical Considerations:

• You may seek more proportionate breasts
• You may want to look shapelier in form-fitting clothing
• You may want to have more clothing options than you do now

Personal Choice:

• Breast augmentation may increase your self-confidence and self-esteem
• It may allow you more comfortably to express your femininity and sexuality
• Breast augmentation can help you get the curves you’ve always wanted

What Should I Do Before My Breast Augmentation Consultation?

Before your breast augmentation consultation, you should think about all of the above considerations and make sure that you are ready for breast augmentation. Once you know that it’s time, you probably will have done lots of internet research and even may have spoken about the surgery with some friends who have had the operation and even with some other surgeons.

Some of the most important things for you to think about before we speak in person and can focus just on you, your body, and your goals, are:

Think about Saline versus Silicone implants.

Silicone implants look and feel more like natural breasts – otherwise, nobody would ever use them!

But silicone implants are a bit more expensive than saline, some people have concerns about their safety, and some patients will actually have a better result (will be better able to achieve their specific cosmetic goals, given their body shape) with saline implants

Think about the shape you want to have after surgery.

• Do you want more fullness on the top of your breast, or do you want more of a “teardrop” shape?
• Do you have asymmetries that we will want to address together?
• How much cleavage do you want?

Talk to people who have had the operation and look at lots of photos.

• Let me know about your friends’ experience with the surgery, and think about what they say about the surgery’s pros and cons.
• Bring me two or three photos of breasts that look “perfect” to you.
• Bring me two or three photos of breasts that are smaller or larger than you want to be after your surgery.
• It seems strange, but these are even more important than the “perfect” photos – everyone knows what generally looks good, but only you know what may be a bit too much or too little fullness for you. Photographs are a great way to communicate what how you want to look.
• Make sure you are in your usual state of good health
  • If you have any underlying health issues – high blood pressure is way more common than people think, and on the day of surgery you’re going to be nervous – be sure to get in tip top shape by discussing your upcoming surgery with your primary physician.
    • Be at a healthy, stable weight. Crash diets won’t allow your body to heal as rapidly as it will when you are at your normal and stable weight.
    • Write down all of your questions so we can go over them together!

Then Schedule A Complimentary Consultation.

You will know when you’re ready to discuss having a breast augmentation, whether it be breast implants, a breast lift, or a breast reduction. Once you’re ready, come for a consultation, look at our new operating room, meet our team, and let’s talk about everything that’s on your mind and how we can help you achieve your goals.

We will discuss everything you need to know for us to come up with the best plan for you! Give our office a call at (615) 431-3710 to schedule today.