Working Together to Determine Breast Augmentation Candidacy

Dr. Craig Foster will evaluate a variety of factors to determine your breast augmentation candidacy during a consultation at his Manhattan, NY, office, taking your overall health, medical history, and personal goals into careful consideration. Dr. Foster is committed to working with you at your own pace to determine if breast augmentation is right for you.

Candidacy Factors

If you wish to enhance the size and shape of your bust line, and have decided to explore the possibility of breast augmentation, Dr. Foster will evaluate your candidacy based on your health and goals:

Personal Considerations

Breast augmentation is a highly customizable surgery. Patients can choose the type of implant, the specific placement of the implant, and the incision location, depending upon the look they want. Breast augmentation is an excellent solution for patients who desire aesthetic enhancements including more balanced proportions, improved symmetry, greater feelings of femininity and attractiveness, and restored breast volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss. Breast augmentation may boost your confidence and strengthen your self-image.

Health Considerations

Ideal candidates for breast augmentation are in good overall health and are non-smokers. If you have an autoimmune disorder or other health issue such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, you may be precluded from undergoing breast augmentation. Patients who smoke may become candidates if they can quit smoking for a period of time before and after surgery.

Patients should also be:

Willing to reduce or abstain from alcohol consumption for a period of time post-surgery
At or near their ideal weight prior to surgery
Confirmed cancer-free, especially if they have a family history of breast cancer or have had breast cancer
Not pregnant or breastfeeding

Age

The FDA has established age requirements for breast augmentation surgery. Patients who would like silicone implants must be 22 years of age or older. Patients as young as 18 may receive saline implants. Patients under 18 may qualify for breast augmentation surgery only to correct injuries or congenital deformities.

Customization of Breast Augmentation

Your breast augmentation surgery will be tailored to your individual needs. You can choose the shape, texture, and placement of your implants, as well as the location of your incisions to minimize scarring visibility.

Image of breast implants over versus under the muscle

Dr. Foster will help you determine which implant placement method will best meet your needs and goals.

Subglandular Placement

Subglandular implants are placed beneath the mammary gland, but above the pectoral muscle. The advantage of this placement is less pain and discomfort during and after surgery, and a shorter recovery period. It also produces more voluptuous results, so if you desire a dramatic enhancement in size and shape, this may be the right option for you. It allows for easier manipulation of the implant during the surgery and any post-surgery procedures, as implants typically need to be replaced after about 10 years. Subglandular implants can more easily create cleavage in women with wider set breasts.

This placement can interfere with mammograms and breast cancer detection, so it may not be ideal for patients with a family history of breast cancer.

Dr. Foster is committed to working with you at your own pace to assess which type of implant will best suit you, based upon your body type and personal reasons for choosing breast augmentation.

Subpectoral Placement

Subpectoral implants are placed beneath the pectoral muscle between the muscle and the chest wall. This placement is ideal for naturally small-breasted women. Subpectoral implants do not interfere with mammograms, so they may be a better choice for patients with a family history of breast cancer. This placement requires a longer recovery period due to the manipulation of the chest muscle involved in the procedure.

Chest muscle exercises can displace the implant, so subpectoral placement is not recommended for very active or athletic women.

Contact Us

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Foster to discuss your breast augmentation candidacy. If he determines this procedure is right for you, Dr. Foster will work with you to design a treatment plan that will effectively achieve your cosmetic goals.