Self-evaluation

Thinking about having your breasts done? Unfortunately, having a breast augmentation or reduction is not as easy as calling up a doctor and making an appointment. Women who undergo breast augmentation procedures often go through rigourous screening to make sure that they are healthy and have no medical conditions which can disqualify them from having the operation.

Having realistic expectations about the procedure is one important factor to determine before undergoing the procedure. Women often need to discuss their expectations with their surgeon before having the operation done. Surgeons say that the best candidates for breast augmentation, reconstructions or reductions are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection.

Aside from being emotionally fit and having the right set of expectations, surgeons also need to take into account the medical condition of the patient. Like any other form of surgery, the patient needs to be medically fit to undergo the operation. Factors like sensitivity to anesthesia and other drugs, blood clotting problems, as well as future intentions to breastfeed need to be taken into consideration.

Women who are no longer intending to breastfeed after the surgery are considered good candidates, since the surgery carries with it some risks of damage to the areola, nipples, nerves and blood vessels innervating the breast. This could lead to the woman's inability to breastfeed in the future.

Age may also be a factor. Saline implants may be done on women 18 years and above, while breast enhancement with silicone can be done on women 22 years old or older. Young teenage girls are often discouraged from having the surgery and often advised to wait until their breasts have reached their full development before they can request for the procedure.