by Dr David A. Lickstein

A woman’s breasts are a defining feature, and for many women, a source of pride and confidence. Not surprisingly, feelings of ongoing dissatisfaction with the appearance of one’s breasts can take an emotional toll over time. Breast augmentation, one of the most requested aesthetic procedures, offers a tried and true solution to this problem.

Determining if you’re a candidate for breast augmentation is an excellent first step towards making the types of changes that help you feel good about your body. Candidates for breast augmentation come from all walks of life with varied backgrounds as far as overall health status is concerned. Choosing the right doctor to perform your breast augmentation can be the make or break decision that determines whether you’ll be satisfied with the results.

Why Choose to Get Breast Augmentation?

Breast shapes and sizes vary from woman to woman in more ways than one. The effects of aging, genetics, and lifestyle changes can take away from the natural volume and contour of your breasts. If you’re unhappy with the shape or size of your breasts or want to restore perk and bounce, breast augmentation may well be the way to go.

A breast augmentation procedure can produce different effects, from enhancing the size of the breasts to filling and lifting sagging areas. Various options for augmentation include the following:

  • Type of implant used
  • Shape of the implant
  • Profile effects
  • Breast size

With this number of options to choose from, it’s all the more important to select a physician who has the experience and know-how to produce the look you want. The overall goal of breast augmentation works to enhance your natural proportions to create a profile that’s symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing. Since no two women have the same physique or physiological makeup, what works for one woman doesn’t necessarily satisfy the needs and desires of another.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Women who opt to get breast augmentation do so for different reasons and come from all walks of life. Whether your goals stem from dissatisfaction with your overall appearance, or the effects of aging or lifestyle changes, an augmentation procedure can restore your sense of self-confidence all the same. If you’re living with any one of the following situations, you’re likely a good candidate for breast augmentation:

  • Have naturally small breasts
  • Have uneven breasts
  • Notice post-pregnancy effects
  • Need reconstructive work done as a result of an injury or cancer treatment
  • Have breasts that have lost their size and suppleness due to aging

Factors to Consider When Choosing Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a complex and intricate procedure, so it’s important to consider your overall health status beforehand. A myriad of factors can affect the outcome of your surgery, the extent of your recovery and the overall result. Factors that can impact a breast augmentation procedure include:

  • Harmful habits, such as smoking and drinking
  • Any medications you’re currently taking
  • Bleeding and clotting tendencies
  • Infections

Dr David A. Lickstein practices at Lickstein Plastic Surgery, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.