Breast Enlargement,
3. The Art Of Breast Augmentation
Communication is one of the keys to a successful breast augm entation because the outcome is not only the surgeon's choice but most importantly the patient's. To achieve the patient's desired result the communication must be a two way street. The patient m ust be comfortable enough to share with the surgeon her desires and the surgeon m ust be receptive to listen and understand these. He m ust also be able to explain the procedures thoroughly to the patient, and to answer her questions, understanding that the aim of breast augm entation is to produce natural, beautiful breasts, not merely larger breasts. There are a number of issues that the surgeon and patient need to discuss. In particular, the discussion needs to include the patient's desired breast shape, breast size, nipple position, degree of upper pole fullness, and cleavage. Patients often have difficulty conceptualising and expressing these ideas particularly at a consultation when they are nervous. It is, therefore, up to the surgeon to facilitate the com m unication of these ideas by taking the tim e, showing photographs and drawing diagram s so that the patient's desires can be fully understood. The surgeon must also inform the patient when, due to their existing breast characteristics, their desires are not achievable so that they can adjust their expectations to a realistic outcom e. Based on the consultation and the patient's body type, the surgeon should choose the im plant shape and size, and plan an operation eg. pre muscular, sub muscular, dual pocket, etc., tailor made to achieve the patient's desires. The surgeon m ust then com m unicate this to the patient. It is during the consultation that the patient gains confidence in her chosen surgeon. She should not proceed if open lines of com m unication and rapport have not been built, or if she does not have confidence in the technical or artistic ability of her surgeon to achieve her desires. The choice of surgeon is, therefore, of paramount importance. Dr Rastogi recommends the following points in helping to choose your surgeon:
´ Visit at least 3 surgeons before making your decision ´ Listen to the surgeon during the consultation and assess whether they have understood your desires and whether they discuss concepts such as individual treatment, body balance and aesthetically pleasing outcomes rather than just bigger breasts.
´ Ask about the surgeon's training in breast augmentation and how m any breast augmentations they have perform ed. ´ Ask to see several before and after photographs. This is the best indication of the surgeon's artistic ability. ´ Check the surgeon's reputation and ask to speak to previous patients.
Who Seeks Breast Augmentation ?
There are four major groups of wom en who seek breast augmentation and the surgeon needs to customise the treatment for each individual patient.
- Women with small breasts who aspire to have larger breasts
- Women who have had babies and as a result their breasts have become smaller and empty
- Women whose breasts have sagged through weight loss or time
- Women who are unhappy with the shape of their breasts
'>Sydney cosmetic surgeon DR ANOOP RASTOGI explains to Tara Casey that a beautiful breast augmentation result requires the surgeon to have an artistic approach and to be able to communicate openly .
Finding the right breast augmentation surgeon is vital in achieving the right result. The patient must have confidence in the surgeon's technical and art i s t i c abilities and also feel able to openly communicate with the surgeon .
Communication is one of the keys to a successful breast augm entation because the outcome is not only the surgeon's choice but most importantly the patient's. To achieve the patient's desired result the communication must be a two way street. The patient m ust be comfortable enough to share with the surgeon her desires and the surgeon m ust be receptive to listen and understand these. He m ust also be able to explain the procedures thoroughly to the patient, and to answer her questions, understanding that the aim of breast augm entation is to produce natural, beautiful breasts, not merely larger breasts. There are a number of issues that the surgeon and patient need to discuss. In particular, the discussion needs to include the patient's desired breast shape, breast size, nipple position, degree of upper pole fullness, and cleavage. Patients often have difficulty conceptualising and expressing these ideas particularly at a consultation when they are nervous. It is, therefore, up to the surgeon to facilitate the com m unication of these ideas by taking the tim e, showing photographs and drawing diagram s so that the patient's desires can be fully understood. The surgeon must also inform the patient when, due to their existing breast characteristics, their desires are not achievable so that they can adjust their expectations to a realistic outcom e. Based on the consultation and the patient's body type, the surgeon should choose the im plant shape and size, and plan an operation eg. pre muscular, sub muscular, dual pocket, etc., tailor made to achieve the patient's desires. The surgeon m ust then com m unicate this to the patient. It is during the consultation that the patient gains confidence in her chosen surgeon. She should not proceed if open lines of com m unication and rapport have not been built, or if she does not have confidence in the technical or artistic ability of her surgeon to achieve her desires. The choice of surgeon is, therefore, of paramount importance. Dr Rastogi recommends the following points in helping to choose your surgeon:
´ Visit at least 3 surgeons before making your decision ´ Listen to the surgeon during the consultation and assess whether they have understood your desires and whether they discuss concepts such as individual treatment, body balance and aesthetically pleasing outcomes rather than just bigger breasts.
´ Ask about the surgeon's training in breast augmentation and how m any breast augmentations they have perform ed. ´ Ask to see several before and after photographs. This is the best indication of the surgeon's artistic ability. ´ Check the surgeon's reputation and ask to speak to previous patients.
Who Seeks Breast Augmentation ?
There are four major groups of wom en who seek breast augmentation and the surgeon needs to customise the treatment for each individual patient.
- Women with small breasts who aspire to have larger breasts
- Women who have had babies and as a result their breasts have become smaller and empty
- Women whose breasts have sagged through weight loss or time
- Women who are unhappy with the shape of their breasts