Chicago surgeons say breast augmentation consultations should focus on risk, credentials and recovery

Two board-certified Chicago plastic surgeons are urging breast augmentation patients to use the consultation to ask detailed questions before surgery. Their advice centers on anatomy, implant placement, facility accreditation, informed consent and long-term follow-up.

Why it matters: - A breast augmentation consultation can determine whether a patient understands the tradeoffs before surgery. - Dr. Brian Braithwaite and Dr. Lorri Cobbins say better questions up front can reduce uncertainty later and support more informed decisions. - The guidance comes as patients weigh cosmetic goals against recovery, future imaging, and long-term implant monitoring.

What happened: - Dr. Brian Braithwaite and Dr. Lorri Cobbins, board-certified plastic surgeons in Chicago, outlined what patients should ask during a breast augmentation consultation. - Braithwaite said patients should ask about incision location, implant placement above or below the muscle, and how those choices may affect recovery and mammograms. - Cobbins said patients should ask about a surgeon’s credentials, the surgical setting, facility accreditation, and what happens if a complication occurs. - Cobbins said board certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a baseline indicator. - Cobbins also said patients should ask how many of these procedures a surgeon performs each year. - The surgeons said patients should discuss realistic expectations for implant lifespan and the possibility of future monitoring or replacement.

The details: - Braithwaite said a consultation should cover anatomy, health history and what is realistic for each patient’s body. - Braithwaite said experienced surgeons should be willing to spend extra time answering questions before surgery. - Cobbins said patients should feel comfortable asking where the procedure will take place. - Cobbins said patients should ask whether the facility is accredited. - Cobbins said patients should ask what happens if a complication arises. - The surgeons said informed consent should include a discussion of risks such as capsular contracture and changes in nipple sensation. - The surgeons also said patients should understand the rare but documented association between certain textured implants and BIA-ALCL, a form of lymphoma. - Cobbins said patients deserve a clear picture of recovery, risk and long-term care, not only the best-case outcome. - The release said both surgeons are available for interview upon request. - More information is available at the institute’s website and its Facebook page. - The original source is available here.

Between the lines: - The message is less about choosing an implant size and more about screening the surgeon, the facility and the long-term risks. - The emphasis on accreditation, volume and informed consent suggests patients are being pushed to treat cosmetic surgery like any other procedure with measurable safety questions. - The warning about textured implants reflects a broader focus on long-term device risk, not just short-term cosmetic results.

What's next: - Patients considering breast augmentation are being encouraged to use the consultation to compare surgeons and clarify expectations before moving forward. - Future care may involve follow-up monitoring, and in some cases replacement, rather than assuming implants will last a lifetime. - The surgeons’ availability for interviews suggests they may continue to promote consultation-focused education for prospective patients.