Breast augmentation is a personal decision, and most women make the choice on their own, without the influence of family and friends, according to a survey by Dr. Jennifer Walden. Dr. Walden shares her findings about how women research information on breast augmentation, and important points prospective patients should consider.
New York plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Walden says most of her breast augmentation patients are women in their twenties, thirties and forties who want to change the size or symmetry of their breasts. She recently completed a survey of her patients that began two years ago. And out of 100 women, most of them sought an augmentation all on their own.
“It wasn’t because of a spouse or a significant other,” Walden says. “It wasn’t because a family member pressured them to. It was just because they wanted to make themselves look and feel as good on the outside as they did on the inside.”
Walden added that in the same survey, results showed that 66 percent of the women who wanted to know more about breast operations went online first. They found information through search engines, like Google, through a plastic surgeon’s website or through a breast augmentation portal. The other 34 percent got their information in person during a consultation with a surgeon.
However, Walden cautions that many doctors can look more credible online than they really are.
“Just because a surgeon pops up number one on Google doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best breast augmentation surgeon,” she says. “Patients have to do their due diligence. Just like doctors learn in training, patients need to educate themselves about credentials and board certification.”
Dr. Walden advises women to seek out surgeons who are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. From there, a prospective patient should look for a doctor who has extensive experience in breast augmentation procedures, and who has hospital privileges. After those criteria are met, it comes down to the doctor who makes the person feel most comfortable.
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