Over the last several decades, breast augmentation surgery has left the city limits of Hollywood and become wildly popular all across America. The reasons are two-fold: first, the widespread use of saline implants rather than potentially toxic silicone ones has taken a lot of the "fear factor" out of the equation; and secondly, it is a procedure that is relatively affordable for middle-class patients. If you are contemplating having breast augmentation, here's what you can expect from start to finish.

Choosing a Surgeon

This particular step is vastly more important than concerns about whether you want to stick with a "C" cup or dare to go larger. After all, the quality of the surgeon you choose will determine not only how natural your breast augmentation looks but also whether your procedure itself is performed with the highest levels of safety in mind.

If you do not have a reliable referral to go on, you can visit the doctor's website and learn about his experience and credentials. Once you have a list of candidates, be sure to visit each one for a consultation: you want to choose someone whom you trust. Also insist on choosing a doctor who only performs surgery at an accredited outpatient surgical facility for your own protection and peace of mind.

The Preliminaries

Your surgeon will first perform a series of tests to ensure that you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. He will also show you a series of before and after photographs of other patients to help get a sense of what you're looking to improve. In many cases, a doctor will also use computer software to show you how your body will look post-surgery to help in your decision-making process. You can then decide together the size, shape and type of implant. You will schedule your appointment and then receive further instruction from staff before the big day.

Post-Surgery Recovery

Although a breast augmentation is outpatient surgery, remember that it is a serious procedure that requires the use of considerably invasive techniques (i.e. cutting skin and tissue to insert the implants). You will be sore and groggy and should plan on having someone else drive you home. The skin on your breasts will feel tight due to swelling and other factors, but will relax and/or stretch out over time.

You'll need to restrict physical activities for several weeks, and many surgeons prescribe wearing a bra with strict support 24 hours a day. You'll see your doctor one more time for a follow-up visit and additional care instructions for your new breasts, and then you are on your own!

As a wrap-up, remember to choose your surgeon wisely, be realistic in your expectations and goals as per your lifestyle, and expect to have restricted activity for a month or so afterwards.