Do you feel less confident and apprehensive about small-sized breasts and lack self-worth for not having the volume in them? Women who consider bust enhancement in Singapore do so because they have naturally smaller breasts and need to restore their breast shape and size after weight loss, breastfeeding, or pregnancy. Others want to look better in what they wear and do not wish to have saggy breasts.
Regardless of your intention, choosing the right plastic surgeon is the first essential entity for your procedure’s success. Doing so will give you a better surgical experience, achieve long-lasting results and minimize the risk of complications.
Here’s a guide to choosing the right breast surgeon in Singapore for breast augmentation surgery. But first, let’s discuss what breast augmentation procedure is and who should go for it?
What Is Breast Enhancement?
Also called augmentation mammoplasty or breast augmentation, breast enhancement surgery is used for cosmetic enlargement in several countries for over a century. It is one of the famous breast implant placement procedures. In this process, incisions are made either over the inframammary crease or on the skin bordering the areolas. An implant is placed below or above the pectoral muscle to add volume.
The surgeons place saline, silicon, or other alternative composite breast implants under the breast tissue or the chest muscle. They last for 7 to 12 years or more. In 2015, the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) recorded more than 270,000 breast implant procedures in the United States of America.
It takes approximately one and a half to 2 hours and is done in an outpatient surgical facility with a board-certified anesthesiologist under general anesthesia. A compression bra is placed at the surgical site for support after the procedure that the patient needs to wear for a minimum of four weeks. You must avoid strenuous physical activity during this time and might require off all the activities, including work, for a better recovery. The results are not permanent but last for about a decade, after which the implants should ideally be replaced.
Why Opt For Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is done for:
- Enlarging breasts, which are naturally smaller in size.
- Restoring the breast shape and size after weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Restoring symmetry for the asymmetrical breasts.
- Restoring breasts after surgery or breasts in general.
Plastic surgery is inclusive of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. The latter treatment is done as a part of breast cancer treatment, while the former is performed to improve aesthetics. Breast augmentation is covered under the cosmetic section.
Things You Should Consider When Choosing The Breast Enhancement Surgeon In Singapore
1. Do Market Research
When you are searching for your plastic surgeon, you should first prepare a list of surgeons that offer this service. Not all practitioners performing cosmetic surgery procedures are plastic. So, where should you start?
- Ask your friends –You can refer to your friends or acquaintances for recommendations, particularly someone who has undergone a similar procedure, or inquire if they know a reliable plastic surgeon. It is beneficial to get you some honest reviews and recommendations and save you time looking for the right surgeon.
- Ask your trusted physician –A doctor’s opinion is essential and since they are in the profession, your doctor might know of an experienced plastic surgeon who is good at what he does. Your doctor can refer you to a reputable specialist that does wonders for you. However, still do your homework and verify the credentials of the surgeon.
- Look for articles and publications –Reputable plastic surgeons get featured regularly in print and broadcast media. This shows their experience and serves as an acknowledgment of their expertise. You can cross-check their credibility if you find any ads or promotions offered by surgeons.
- Check out the surgeon’s previous work –You want to look at “before and after” pictures to determine if you are pleased with the outcomes other patients obtained. You can also figure out whether their aesthetic sense corresponds to yours. When inspecting these photos, select individuals who have a similar breast shape and torso to yours. This will give you a better idea of the results you will yield.
2. Board Certification
When you have decided to go for breast enhancement surgery, you must verify that your plastic surgeon is board certified. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) urges people to choose a certified surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In quite a few cases, surgeons claim to have other certifications, but those might not be board certifications for plastic surgeries. This has also been stated by a former president of ASPS, Dr. Peter B. Fodor, that surgeons may still portray themselves as board-certified even when they are not.
3. Experience
Board certification means your surgeon is experienced. According to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, board certification consists of a training period of at least five years in all aspects of surgery, including plastic surgery. Practitioners will showcase their achievements in their surgical expertise. However, you must validate and double-check if what your surgeon is claiming is true.
Unfortunately, it’s common for someone who is experienced in one field to deliver a treatment that is not entirely within their scope of expertise. And this is what you want to abstain from. So, request information from your doctor about the number of operations they have carried out with respect to your area of concern.
4. Consultation Thoroughness
Once you have done your homework about a plastic surgeon and feel they can be the right one for your case, book a consultation before finalizing your decision. It is the most critical step before bust enhancement in Singapore. Your consultation is the best opportunity to discuss everything with your surgeon, from your expectations to asking about their credentials.
A consultation is essential because the doctor takes your medical history, including details about any pre-existing conditions. You should inquire about the benefits and risks of breast augmentation surgery and clarify any confusions you have about your case.
Here are some questions that you should inquire about:
- Which one is better: silicone or saline implants?
- What training do you have? Are you certified?
- Will there be any scars? If so, will they be too obvious?
- How long will I be recovering?
- Realistically, how will this treatment meet my expectations?
- Have you had cases of complications and how did it go?
- Am I a good candidate for my desired breast surgery intervention? Why or why not?
- Will fat grafting be a better option for me?
- What type of anesthesia is required?
- Where will the manipulation take place?
- Is the facility accredited?
- What payment options are available?
- Is a down payment necessary?
- What is the final price?
Also Read: Complete Guide to Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Stick with a breast surgeon in Singapore who doesn’t pressure you. A seasoned and confident breast surgeon in Singapore will not feel like a tradesperson trying to sell you breast implants like an old pair of shoes. The breast surgeon will go into a lot of detail about breast implant manipulation, from what it entails to what risks are involved.
5. Online Reviews
Check reviews online but take them with a pinch of salt. You want to read a gazillion reviews on social media and other websites to get a feel for how other people’s procedures came out. There are plenty of patients documenting their journeys all the way from the consultation phase to a couple of months after surgery, so it won’t be difficult to put your hands on some.
At the same time, don’t believe everything you find on the Internet. It’s easy to cook up a fake story about a product or a person and it’s even easier to put it out for everyone to see. When digging through the piles of data, use your critical eye and analyse what is being said and whether it sounds plausible. Look for photos or any other materials that prove the reviewer’s words.
6. Word Of Mouth
One of the most reliable ways of selecting a plastic surgeon is word of mouth. This method is not artificially created and gives you the right information. There is a likelihood of fabrication in any before and after photos online. However, talking to an actual patient allows you to observe the results in real-time. You can also ask them any relevant questions about their experience. Most people will be willing to give you an honest reply. Back in the pre-internet era, word of mouth was the most reliable and common way of fetching information.
7. Recognition Of Cosmetic Care Facility
Generally, breast surgeons in Singapore perform breast enhancement surgeries in a hospital setting or their surgery center. According to the ASPS, patients should choose a recognized and accredited breast augmentation facility. A recognized cosmetic center fulfills several factors, including the following:
- Meets strict national standards for equipment – MOH-approved surgery centers
- Ensures operating room safety
- Employs professional staff and accredited plastic surgeons.
Reviewing the quality of services offered by the cosmetic clinic is important. This is because you would be in touch with the facility’s staff more than the surgeon itself. The plastic surgeon will only be there during the surgical procedure; the staff and the postop services will determine how quickly and comfortably you heal. While it is imperative to choose the right breast surgeon in Singapore, it is also essential to prefer a superior quality facility for a better experience.
8. Weigh The Quality With The Cost Of The Surgery
Like every other financial decision in life, the price of the procedure and its affordability is a factor that determines your final choice of breast surgeon in Singapore.
However, the cost should not be the definitive, decisive factor; instead, prioritize the surgeon’s credibility and expertise. In case you find bust enhancement in Singapore for a price lower than the average in the market, you should be extra cautious. There are many reasons to beware of low costs with regard to surgical treatments.
For one, the practitioner may be inexperienced and poorly equipped for the manipulation or using outdated implants and tools. Second, it could mean that the facility where operations are executed is non-compliant, which is definitely not something you want to experience.
If you are short of funds, you can always wait to save a few hundred bucks rather than compromising on the procedure for your body. On the contrary, don’t equate the higher price of a surgeon with his/her expertise. Do your homework and then analyze all the factors before making the final choice.
9. Know the Risks
If minimally invasive procedures are not 100% safe, then imagine the complications that could arise with a major surgery like breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, or breast reduction. Make sure you are fully acquainted with the potential dangers that your operation will carry. Take some time to ponder over it and don’t show up at the doctor’s door unless you are certain you want this.
Many women also have fears that breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery may lead to breast cancer. This is actually not true. Still, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Singapore. We would like to remind all women that early detection is of the utmost importance when it comes to breast cancer. Detecting breast cancers early could mean all the difference between requiring a partial mastectomy or total mastectomy, or even saving your life.
References:
1.Staughton M. How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon. CocoRuby. Oct, 2020. https://cocorubyplasticsurgery.com.au/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-plastic-surgeon/
2.Core G.How to Choose the Best Doctor for Breast Augmentation. Core Plastic Surgery. https://www.coreandassociates.com/how-to-choose-the-best-doctor-for-breast-augmentation/
3.Myers W. Finding the Right Surgeon for Breast Augmentation. Aug, 2019. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/breast-augmentation/finding-the-right-surgeon-for-breast-augmentation
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
