Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Does Surgery Technique Make a Big Difference in a Breast Augmentation?

I will be having a breast augmentation in one month and I'm still debating on which certified and well qualified doctor to go to. Looking at both of their before and after pictures, one doctor's pictures looks very "natural" looking - a little better than the other doctor but he's farther away from me. Is there a big difference between a doctor's technique in his/her surgery to make the implants look more natural? For example the placement or the opening for the implant makes a big diffence in the surgeons' surgery technique to make them more natural looking?

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by natural in Colorado

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (0)

Travel for the best

The photos are telling you what to do. They reflect what each surgeon believes to be their best work. Yes - there are no 2 surgeons who are the same and neither are their results. Differences in talent, training, experience, patient management, personality, staff quality, and medical and aesthetic judgement separate one from another. ALWAYS go to the one whom you believe will give you the result you are looking for, regardless of location or price. Good luck!

Heck Yes!

Every doctor meets minimum standards of excellence to achieve Board Certification in plastic surgery. Beyond that, each doctor over the years develops his own way to do things, and his results will be slightly different from another doctors. Both may be excellent, but you should judge which you like better. Here is the thing.You like both doctors, that is great. Take a look at the results, and look for trends. If you like one more than the other, it is worth the drive, as you want to be... more

It makes a huge difference.

Hi! Results vary a lot from one surgeon to another. There are differences in talent, time and attention spent examining you and understanding what you want, having a good eye, making a good plan, caring, and not quitting in the operating room until the best possible result has been obtained. Here's just one example: Before the end of the operation, I sit the patient up (you are still asleep, of course) and put in disposable implant SIZERS to decide what implants will give you the... more

Doctor selection for breast augmentation

Find the best doctor to get the best results. Do not settle for someone just because they are closer to you. It is important to find a good surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Technique & philosophy can make a big difference.

Hello, Plastic surgery varies with the doctors who perform it without a doubt. We all have different philosophies as to what makes a difference. Some surgeons try to put three operations into the time others put in one. Often they are much cheaper and their results show it. Some of the really cheap doctors were not even trained as plastic surgeons. They are "re-invented" general surgeons or gynecologists who never took plastic surgery residency training. Technique and practice... more

Natural-looking Breast Augmentation

Surgical technique is not the same from surgeon to surgeon. Breast implant placement and size will determine whether or not a result looks natural. The issue of ‘over’ or ‘under’ the pectoralis major muscle receives a great deal of attention, even more important than implant position relative to this muscle is implant position vertically and horizontally on the chest wall. In many patients, the inframammary fold needs to be lowered in order to allow the implant to... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

The surgeon you chose makes a big difference; more than other factors

Natural: We're glad to see that you have done research to evaluate the two surgeons you mentioned. Hopefully both are board-certified plastic surgeons. You sound like you like the results of one more than the other. That seems like a good reason to pick him or her, if all other factors are equal. Two or more surgeons, using the same implant, same incision, same plane of dissection, same anesthesia, and same pre- and post-op care routines will obtain different results for their patients.... more

Technique, experience, and results

Hello, The most important decision is your choice of doctors. Your surgeon should be certifiied by The American Board of Surgery. You should see as many before and after photos as possible and trust your instincts as you see these photos. Do not be persuaded by "scarless" claims or gimmicks. In the end the vast majority of patients have a great scar and what they have concerns about are hardness, placement, and symmetry. Technique is important in that the surgery should be... more

Choosing the right surgeon should not be based on pictures alone

To pick your plastic surgeon you should rely on your instinct as well as objective criteria. Pictures can be important. Speaking with a couple of his/her patients can also be very useful. Ultimately technique can be important but not the only criteria. And the question becomes, " How does a lay person evaluate technique differences?" That may not be possible.Board certification, pictures, personal chemistry with the surgeon and his staff, reputation of the doctor, and Board... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast surgery technique makes a big difference

Dear Natural, Your choice of doctor makes all the difference in the world. Plastic surgery is not a product. It is a service. With a product like for example buying a car, once you know the model and options, you can shop around for the best deal. With a service like for example a massage, you will have a different experience at every turn. We often have patients that are referred to us from around the country who selected their surgeon poorly and achieved unfavorable results. They are now... more

The surgeon (technique) is very important.

Plastic surgery is an art as well as a science. There are certain methods or techniques in which to perform the procedures. And, there are basic principles which all surgeons (hopefully) follow. However, the outcome is extremely dependent on the skill and talent of the surgeon. Just as different hairstylists or chefs are unquestionably better than others, different surgeons are undoubtedly better than others. My best advice is go with your instinct. Good luck with your surgery. more

What makes a great breast augmentation surgeon

Breast augmentation is technique-driven and a lot can be said about the timing of surgery, planning of surgery, pre and post operative care, and technique. Atraumatic technique, incision planning, sterility, delicate dissection, and meticulous attention to detail and hemostasis can radically effect postoperative results. Make sure you go to a board certified plastic surgeon who will take the time to listen to all elements of your surgical needs. Being a meticulous surgeon always pays off.... more

Photos can be deceiving

I would not go on photos alone. While the conventional wisdom is to look at photos, they can lead you to false conclusions. The end result of the breast augmentation is a combination of what you have to begin with, what the patient desires, what aesthetic sense the surgeon possesses, whether this aesthetic sense dominates the patient's goals, and the technique. Technique, while important, is not as important as how the surgery is designed. Natural appearance in a given breast is more related... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Yes it does make a difference

As doctor Rand answered your question,It depends on your surgeon. The incision ,type of implant,position of implant are tools and technique in your surgeons hand. The result mainly depends on your breast tissue and your surgeon skills.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Size of implant for breast augmentation surgery

There are many different methods to make a result appear more natural. However, what you may percieve as natural may not be the same as another individual's opinion. Therefore, I rely heavily on patient input, photos, sizers and then offer my advice to achieve a patient's goals. The most important thing here is communication between you and the surgeon. Don't simply rely on the photos. Obtain consults from both and then take this into consideration. Having said that, there clearly are... more