Breast augmentation is surgery and there are risks associated with it. Once you understand what to expect with this procedure and have weighed the benefits against the risks, you will be able to make an informed decision about your body.

Choosing Your Breast Implant Size

Perhaps the biggest decision and most asked question by patients interested in breast augmentation surgery is which size is ideal. A number of factors may influence this decision such as:

- Your overall frame and build. Petite women may not wish to go quite as large with their breast implants as very tall or largely built women. Matching your breast implants to your body type and size is essential for achieving the most natural look.

- Your final goal with regard to appearance. If you know what you'd like to look like after your breast augmentation, it can be helpful to bring pictures that detail that look to your breast augmentation consultation.

- What is healthy for you. While most of the time larger breast implants, even on petite women, pose no significant health risks, you should still ask your surgeon the range of sizes he or she thinks is appropriate for you.

Some breast augmentation surgeons will have a type of computer software that will allow you to see what you may look like with different sizes. You may also wish to try breast implant sizers during your consultation. These sizers are inserted into your bra so you can get an idea of the look and feel of different sizes on you.

Choosing Your Breast Implant Type

The great debate among breast augmentation patients is whether to choose silicone or saline breast implants. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but both are deemed safe by the FDA.

Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel and tend to feel more natural. The disadvantage is that if an implant ruptures, you may not notice immediately. While a rupture is typically not dangerous, the silicone will sit freely in your body until it is discovered and removed.

Saline breast implants are made of a silicone shell and then filled with saline upon insertion. They have a slightly less natural feel, but they do have the advantage of the body absorbing the saline harmlessly in the event of a deflation. If a saline breast implant does deflate, it is usually more noticeable early on so the patient can take steps to correct the problem sooner.

Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation Surgery

As with any surgery, breast augmentation does come with some risks of complication. These may include:

- Complications from anesthesia which could be life threatening

- Capsular contracture where scar tissue forms around the implant, causing an abnormal distortion and hardening of the breast. This may eventually lead to pain in the breasts.

- Displacement, deflation or rupture of the breast implants

- Infection and tissue death around the implant

- Change in or loss of sensation in the breast or nipple

- Difficulty with breastfeeding later

Breast implants may also interfere with mammography testing. Placing the implant below the muscle minimizes this complication, but even this method can hide approximately 10 percent of breast tissue.

Reasons for Having Breast Augmentation Surgery

Before your breast augmentation surgeon will agree to perform your surgery, he or she will want to make sure you aren't doing it for the wrong reasons. He may ask questions like why do you want the surgery and are you simply unhappy with your size. Are you doing this as part of a mommy makeover? Is this a reconstructive procedure following a mastectomy? You should never have any kind of cosmetic surgery because you feel pressured by society or by a loved one.

Finally, you should know what you can reasonably expect as a result of your breast augmentation. Have realistic goals and realize that there will be some pain and recovery time involved after the surgery. Be sure you ask your doctor any questions you may have and dispel all of your concerns before getting on the operating table.