Each provider will have their own method for guiding patients through implant selection. There are three variables to determine the outcome of most breast augmentation procedures. In your case, there’s also a lift involved so that makes the procedure more complex. For standard breast augmentation, the outcome is going to be based on The patient’s candidacy, the selection of implants in regards to size type in shape, and the surgeons ability to place the implant in the correct, anatomic location. With mastopexy there are a number of other variables to take in the consideration, including incision patterns. I generally do not recommend patients schedule surgery based on virtual consultations. I highly recommend patients have in person, consultations whenever possible and schedule multiple consultations before selecting a provider. During each in person consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients, who had very similar body characteristics to your own. Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing only the best results of a providers career may be insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hand of each provider, what your results are likely to look like or how many of these procedures they’ve actually done. There is no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider. The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you are to find the better provider. The biggest mistake patients make is scheduling only one consultation, which basically eliminates the ability to find the better provider. Breast dog ation surgery has a fairly high revision rate, and when done in conjunction with a breast lift revision rates are even higher. Ask each provider what their most common indication for revision surgery is, what their revision rate is, and what their revision policy is. Each plastic surgeon will have their own way of guiding patients through implant selection. Providers should definitely listen to patients request during this process and failure to advocate Lee communicate the desired outcome is likely to lead to dissatisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. I recognize that some people may live in rural areas where they don’t have access to a lot of plastic surgeons. When traveling for elective surgical procedures, try to keep the distance to what you can do in a day driving. I highly recommend patients have in person, consultations and preferably schedule multiple consultations before selecting a provider. Being board-certified in plastic surgery with years of experience, and overall good reputation does not mean somebody’s mastered anyone single procedure. There isn’t much patience can do about their own candidacy for the procedure. What patients do have control over is provider selection and considering the importance and how few plastic surgeons have truly mastered any one single procedure my suggestion is that patients put all their efforts into provider selection. Never assume somebody has mastered an operation without confirmation. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD