In 2017, approximately 500,000 cosmetic surgery procedures were completed in Australia. 20,000 of those were boob jobs. These numbers will only continue to increase, as more and more people find value in investing in their appearance.
And if you’re like many women, you’ve probably wondered, “What would I look like with a perkier pair?” or something similar.
If you’ve been thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery, it’s vitally important to be cautious when deciding on a breast surgeon to perform the procedure.
Before working with anyone, it’s encouraged to meet with surgeon or surgeons you’re considering in person. You’ll also want to look into their background and confirm that they do, indeed, have experience in performing the procedure you’re after.
To make it easier for you to select a skilled surgeon, we’ve rounded up some insider tips. Here’s what we would advise:
And no, posting that you’re looking for a cosmetic surgeon on Facebook doesn’t count. Neither does simply typing “breast surgeon near me” into Google.
If someone in your social circle, such as a close friend or family member, has had cosmetic work done, they would be a great person to ask about the process, at the very least. They will be able to give you an in-depth account of their experience – both with the surgeon and throughout the entire process, which will help you decide if it’s truly the right one for you.
If you don’t know anyone who has experience with cosmetic surgery, you can ask around to see if anyone you know knows someone who has and ask them to provide some insight, too.
No matter what service or product you’re after, reading online reviews can make the decision-making process go a whole lot more smoothly.
Trustworthy cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgery offices won’t make you go to Google to do your research. Instead, they will promote testimonials and before-and-after stories on their website, making it easy for you to see what people have to say.
Of course, it’s wise to check out other trusted review sites to get a full picture, but customer testimonials are always a good place to start.
While reviews can certainly prove to be helpful resources, they may not always provide the most accurate information. Negative reviews may be written by patients solely with the purpose of getting revenge rather than providing helpful experiences and knowledge.
Another aspect to be somewhat sceptical of are photos of before and after procedures. They are helpful to a degree, but it’s important to bear in mind that not all surgeons are going to provide an honest picture of their work.
In before and after photos especially, lighting, shadows, and any makeup should be the same – regardless of which photo you’re looking at.
You’ll also want to consider surgeons or practices who advertise to an excessive degree.
If you find yourself running into the same ads on a constant basis, it might not be a very good sign. Providing patients with high-quality care should be the first priority, not gaining a huge social media following or simply driving more traffic online.
Additionally, the work and consistent, satisfied clients should speak for itself, instead of the advertising. Of course, some advertising is important, but if you feel like you can’t escape the online presence of a specific surgeon, that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Doing your online research is important, but what’s even more important is checking the qualifications of each surgeon or practice you’re considering working with.
After you’ve checked out everyone’s qualifications, you’ll also want to confirm that each candidate has relevant experience in the exact procedure you’re looking to invest in.
If you need a surgeon who performs breast implants and can help you choose the perfect size for your body, you’ll want to ensure that they have been trained in that area and don’t actually specialize as a gynaecologist – for example.
Skipping this step can spell disaster because you could end up working with someone who is still early on in their career and is incapable of providing the high level of care you need.
Do yourself a favour – don’t skip it!
Think about how you would prepare for a job interview and prepare similarly. Research the organization and its staff, and come to the consultation with any questions or concerns you have so you can ask them face-to-face and get direct responses.
At each consultation, you should be sure to clearly communicate exactly what you’re looking for. And by the consultation’s end, you should feel confident that you and the surgeon are on the same page regarding your wants and needs.
Finally, it never hurts to review pricing during the consultation process, either.
There may be separate fees for the surgeon or the anesthesiologist in addition to fees for the operating room or facility itself. To make sure you’re not kept in the dark, always ask about any fees in addition to those for the actual procedure.
You may be able to finance the procedure, but higher costs are often indicative of higher quality work, so pricing is not something you want to skimp on.
Everyone is different of course, but the 6 tips we’ve provided here can help you find the right breast surgeon for your needs regardless of what they are.
If you’re looking to have breast augmentation surgery in Sydney, we can help!
Contact us today to learn more!
Dr Joseph Rizk became Australasia’s plastic surgeon of the year by making sure that each patient is heard, respected, and treated well. His patient-first approach provides you with the accurate medical information you need to make informed decisions about your course of treatment. At the same time, he offers his decades of knowledge and experience to help you along your path.
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Dr Rizk recommends that you seek out a second opinion from another qualified healthcare provider before undertaking any cosmetic procedure. In accordance with the National Law and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines, any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, so a second opinion is advised.