When making the major decision to go ahead with breast surgery, there needs to be sufficient preparation; both physically and in terms of other details.
Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure but it is definitely not a routine operation. It involves several risks, such as the following:
- Bleeding;
- Infection;
- Adverse capsular contracture;
- Changes in feelings to the breast;
- Being able to feel or see implants under the skin;
- Implant failure; and
- Other reasons for re-operation
It is important to note that, although these things can happen during your breast augmentation with no one at fault, it does not necessarily mean that the surgeon did his job well.
Therefore, consideration needs to be given to whether the surgeon was negligent and whether the damage was picked up in a timely manner.
Even if the operation is completed with no complications, there is a risk that the outcome is not what you wanted or expected, and this can sometimes be related to the doctor’s negligence too.
Therefore, in order to ensure that the operation goes well, it is important to follow the below steps:
- Carefully choose and consider who the chosen plastic surgeon is. It is important to consider what licensing, training and insurance he/she has. An easy check can be done looking at the General Medical Council register.
- Ensure that a consultation takes place before the surgery and that your desired outcome has been clearly communicated with the surgeon.
- Ensure that the surgeon considers your previous medical history. It is important to provide the doctor with information later to both physical and psychological issues.
- It is important that all available options and associated risks with the treatment are discussed with you before the operation so that you could consider your options.
Breast augmentation is not considered an emergency or compulsory operation, meaning careful consideration of all the above steps is essential.
However, if you’re not happy with the advice following your consultation, it is good practice to seek a second opinion and/or take time to weigh up the proposed options.
