Breast augmentation is one of the most performed surgeries in Australia. It corrects breast sagging due to pregnancy, weight changes, and aging. This surgery is also performed to increase your breast size. To enhance your breast appearance, it makes use of implants inserted in a pocket in your breasts.

If you’re considering this procedure, you’ll face the challenge of finding the best plastic surgeon for breast augmentation. Aside from choosing the right implants that will best suit your body type and treatment goals, you need to look for a plastic surgeon specialised in breasts that can help you with your cosmetic needs. It may take you some time to come up with a decision because not all surgeons are equal. There are world-class plastic surgeons, but also several practitioners who have less experience. The big question is how can you find a plastic surgeon that will meet your expectations and needs without compromising safety and quality?

5 Questions to Ask a Plastic Surgeon

Expertise is everything when it comes to choosing the best plastic surgeon. When choosing the right surgeon for your breast surgery, there are a lot of things that you need to consider. During your consultation with your surgeon, make sure to ask the right questions. These include:

1.) What is your training as a plastic surgeon?

In Australia, surgeons are allowed to perform breast surgery as long as they have a basic medical degree. If the procedure is performed by an inexperienced surgeon, it can lead to a poor outcome and various complications. As a result, you may need another surgery to correct these problems. To ensure that your surgeon is competent and your safety will not be at risk, ask if he has:

Completed 7 years of additional training after obtaining his medical degree
The letters FRACS after his name to denote his fellowship in RACS (Royal Australasian College of Surgeon)

2.) Are you experienced in breast augmentation?

To know if your surgeon has any experience in this field, ask the following questions:

How many years have you been performing this procedure?
Several years of practice help surgeons improve their skills in their field of work. The more experience a surgeon has with breast surgeries, the better the results are likely to be. This allows the surgeon to recognize abnormal findings and treat them accordingly.
How many times have you performed this type of procedure?
Though your surgeon may present you with convincing documents, he may not have performed a lot of breast surgeries. If your surgeon does not have regular, ongoing experience performing this kind of procedure, it is best to find another surgeon. Choose a surgeon who performs a couple of breast augmentation in a week or month.

3.) Where do you perform the surgery and do you have hospital privileges?

Breast augmentation can be performed in different settings. It can be in a hospital, clinic, or surgeon’s office. For in-office procedures, make sure to check that your surgeon has hospital privileges to ensure your safety during the surgery. This allows surgeons to admit, treat, or perform a certain procedure in an accredited medical facility. A surgeon with these privileges has an advantage over other surgeons because they are only granted to competent surgeons.

For a surgeon to have hospital privileges, he must complete the application process of that hospital. This requires a lot of paperwork, time, and effort. Once granted, a surgeon can provide services to patients in that hospital. A surgeon with hospital privileges can admit patients with severe complications. This ensures that you receive high-quality care as you recover from the procedure.

4.) Do you have before-and-after photos?

Ask to see your surgeon’s before-and-after pictures for breast augmentation. This allows you to have a better understanding of how well your surgeon performs the procedure. Before-and-after photos are a set of pictures that your surgeon will show to you during your consultation. These pictures belong to a previous patient who had a successful surgery and is shown to new patients with her consent. The main purpose of these photos is to help educate patients about the procedure. Also, these images allow you to get an idea of what the surgery can or cannot achieve. With this visual tool, your surgeon can address all of your questions more easily and effectively. Most importantly, the number of photos of previous patients that your surgeon has can help you determine how competent he is in doing the procedure. Since they are photos of real patients, you can immediately notice any improvements made by the surgeon.

5.) What is the total cost of the procedure?

When choosing your breast surgeon, you should also consider the total cost of the procedure. While this should never be the determining factor, it can give you a hint on the skills of your surgeon. If the procedure is offered at a lower price, make sure to check your surgeon’s background. Sometimes, you get what you pay for that’s why it’s important to do your research first.

There are many reasons why the cost of breast augmentation may vary, including:

The location of the surgery: Most surgeons will perform the surgery in an office which helps reduce cost. Before your surgery, ask your surgeon if the place is accredited or not. Also, make sure that your surgeon has hospital privileges so that he can admit you to a hospital in case of complications.
The experience of your surgeon: Well-known breast surgeons tend to charge more than new surgeons. But it’s important not to assume that a surgeon who’s charging higher fees is better than the others.
The type of your breast implant: The type of implant that will be used for your surgery will depend on the amount of your breast tissue, your desired results, and the preference of your surgeon. This will all be discussed during your consultation. In general, silicone implants cost more than saline implants. You should also keep in mind that the prices of the different silicone implants also vary.

Do a Background Check

Make sure to check out the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) online to do a background check of your surgeon. You can use it to determine if your surgeon has a history of any professional misconduct or actions that were against the guidelines for health practitioners. This is a quick and accurate way to know if your surgeon is competent or not. If your surgeon has a pending case, he will not be allowed to practice.

Breast Augmentation with Dr Benjamin Norris

Dr. Benjamin Norris has trained for more than 20 years in Sydney and overseas to become a fully qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He specialises in cosmetic surgery and has vast experience in treating a wide range of breast conditions. His customised treatment plans are safe, effective, and will suit your lifestyle and treatment goals. Dr Norris brings an unsurpassed level of medical expertise and aesthetic excellence to his work, and patient satisfaction is on the top of his list of priorities.