Everything to know about your surgical consultation

The surgical consultation for patients considering a breast procedure is one of the most important parts of the entire patient journey, where the patient’s aspirations and expectations will be carefully evaluated by the surgeon and where it can be ascertained whether or not these expectations can be actually met. 

This is also the fundamental occasion during which we can get to know each other in order to establish a professional relationship based on reciprocal/mutual trust, which is invaluable for a successful surgical outcome. 

An evaluation error made at this stage, either on the part of the surgeon, who might not succeed in being correctly understood, or on the part of the patient – that might not know what to ask for – could easily jeopardise the achievement of a fully satisfactory result. 

This is why it is of fundamental importance for the consultation to be as accurate and thorough as possible, in order to answer any question,  clarify any doubts and to dissipate fears and uncertainties/doubts that inevitably accompany whoever is considering something as significant as a surgical procedure. 

After having gathered/recorded clinical information regarding the patient’s general health (medical history) we carry out a surgical assessment, that is a clinical examination of the patient’s chest and breasts. This allows us to accurately record surgical measurements and allows us to evaluate the anatomical features of the patient’s chest wall and also to detect any possible existing asymmetries. 

Simulation with breast sizers

The patient will wear a special seamless bra that will allow for the insertion of specific breast sizers that are progressively larger in volume. This will allow both the surgeon and the patient to have a very clear and immediate visual perception of the desired size outcome and will allow to select the most appropriate implants. 

In the past, when this was not an option, one would exclusively rely on the generic indications provided by the patient and on the personal taste of the surgeon that would select what he/she deemed to be the “most appropriate” prostheses. However this obsolete practice 

would inevitably lead to breasts that were either too large or too small, with the patient not being able to do much about it, other than accept the decision made on her behalf by the surgeon.

Nowadays simulation with implant testers and breast sizers allows us to avoid unwanted surprises, giving patients full awareness and anticipation  of the size result they will achieve. Patients themselves will be able to appreciate their entire body-silhouette in a large mirror and evaluate the proportions of the new breasts with the rest of the body. 

However, not all the patients’ requests can be technically satisfied. 

Not all sizers that can be easily fitted in the sizing bra can actually be inserted unto the patient’s chest. If the patient has an extremely small chest and a narrow frame, it might not be possible to satisfy the request of achieving very large breasts. This is where the sizers are crucial in order to show the patient what is the largest implant than can be safely inserted, without incurring in unnecessary risks.  

Once the appropriate range of sizes has been selected, we will then have a look at some “before” and “after” photographs of patients with similar body frames and who have had the same or similar implant size. 

It is paramount that the surgeon’s repertoire/portfolio of clinical cases is as wide as possible, in order to select the most relevant and appropriate cases and in order to give a realistic idea of what the final outcome could be.  

Normally we offer 2 surgical consultations. The first, of the duration of approximately 30 minutes, will allow to discuss patient’s expectations, try on breast sizers, explain the details of the actual surgical procedure and also cover possible associated risks and complications. 

During the second consultation (which has a duration of approximately 45 minute) we will cover specific topics into further detail, we will answer patient’s questions and clarify their doubts. On this occasion,  blood tests and GP/medical letters will be reviewed,  breast sizers will be tried on again in order to finalize the surgical plan or to make minor adjustments. 

Duration of the consultation – 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Suggested clothing: in order to better assess the breast sizers in the mirror, it is advisable to wear fitted/elasticated tops and trousers  that won’t hide the body’s silhouette, in order to better evaluate the proportions between the breasts and the rest of the body.    

Everything you need to know about your surgical consultation

The surgical consultation for patients considering a breast procedure is one of the most important parts of the entire patient journey, where the patient’s aspirations and expectations will be carefully evaluated by the surgeon and where it can be ascertained whether or not these expectations can be actually met.

This is also the fundamental occasion during which we can get to know each other in order to establish a professional relationship based on reciprocal/mutual trust, which is invaluable for a successful surgical outcome.

An evaluation error made at this stage, either on the part of the surgeon, who might not succeed in being correctly understood, or on the part of the patient – that might not know what to ask for – could easily jeopardise the achievement of a fully satisfactory result.

This is why it is of fundamental importance for the consultation to be as accurate and thorough as possible, in order to answer any question,  clarify any doubts and to dissipate fears and uncertainties/doubts that inevitably accompany whoever is considering something as significant as a surgical procedure.

After having gathered/recorded clinical information regarding the patient’s general health (medical history) we carry out a surgical assessment, that is a clinical examination of the patient’s chest and breasts. This allows us to accurately record surgical measurements and allows us to evaluate the anatomical features of the patient’s chest wall and also to detect any possible existing asymmetries.

Simulation with breast sizers

The patient will wear a special seamless bra that will allow for the insertion of specific breast sizers that are progressively larger in volume. This will allow both the surgeon and the patient to have a very clear and immediate visual perception of the desired size outcome and will allow to select the most appropriate implants.

In the past, when this was not an option, one would exclusively rely on the generic indications provided by the patient and on the personal taste of the surgeon that would select what he/she deemed to be the “most appropriate” prostheses. However this obsolete practice

would inevitably lead to breasts that were either too large or too small, with the patient not being able to do much about it, other than accept the decision made on her behalf by the surgeon.

Nowadays simulation with implant testers and breast sizers allows us to avoid unwanted surprises, giving patients full awareness and anticipation  of the size result they will achieve. Patients themselves will be able to appreciate their entire body-silhouette in a large mirror and evaluate the proportions of the new breasts with the rest of the body.

However, not all the patients’ requests can be technically satisfied.

Not all sizers that can be easily fitted in the sizing bra can actually be inserted unto the patient’s chest. If the patient has an extremely small chest and a narrow frame, it might not be possible to satisfy the request of achieving very large breasts. This is where the sizers are crucial in order to show the patient what is the largest implant than can be safely inserted, without incurring in unnecessary risks. 

Once the appropriate range of sizes has been selected, we will then have a look at some “before” and “after” photographs of patients with similar body frames and who have had the same or similar implant size.

It is paramount that the surgeon’s repertoire/portfolio of clinical cases is as wide as possible, in order to select the most relevant and appropriate cases and in order to give a realistic idea of what the final outcome could be. 

Normally we offer 2 surgical consultations. The first, of the duration of approximately 30 minutes, will allow to discuss patient’s expectations, try on breast sizers, explain the details of the actual surgical procedure and also cover possible associated risks and complications.

During the second consultation (which has a duration of approximately 45 minute) we will cover specific topics into further detail, we will answer patient’s questions and clarify their doubts. On this occasion,  blood tests and GP/medical letters will be reviewed,  breast sizers will be tried on again in order to finalize the surgical plan or to make minor adjustments.

Duration of the consultation – 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Suggested clothing: in order to better assess the breast sizers in the mirror, it is advisable to wear fitted/elasticated tops and trousers  that won’t hide the body’s silhouette, in order to better evaluate the proportions between the breasts and the rest of the body.