A breast augmentation consultation is your chance to get clear, personal answers before you make any decisions. A little preparation goes a long way, helping you walk in with the right questions and leave with a real understanding of your options.
It is also a more common experience than most people realize. For perspective, according to ASPS, more than 306,000 breast augmentations were performed in the United States in 2024. Every one of them started with a first conversation a lot like the one you are preparing for.
At Artisan Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, we treat the consultation as the most important step, the point where a vague idea becomes a clear, personal plan. This article walks through how to prepare, what happens in the room, and the questions worth asking before you decide. By the end, you should feel less like you are auditioning and more like you are interviewing.
Key takeaways
- A consultation is a two-way evaluation. It is as much your chance to judge a surgeon’s experience, communication, and fit as it is theirs to assess your candidacy.
- Prepare ahead by gathering your medical history, saving reference photos of looks you like and want to avoid, and writing down your questions.
- Ask directly about board certification, how many breast augmentations the surgeon has performed, facility accreditation, and the policy on revisions.
- Implant fill, size, incision, and placement should all be matched to your anatomy and goals, and cost and financing are fair, expected topics to raise.
How should you prepare for your breast augmentation consultation?
A little preparation turns a nerve-wracking appointment into a productive one. You do not have to walk in as an expert. You just need your history, goals, and questions in order, so your surgeon can give you real answers instead of best guesses. Think of it as laying out your materials before the first sketch.
The prep itself breaks down into a few simple groups, and sorting them out beforehand pays off. It means the visit can be about you, rather than about you scrambling to remember dates and the names of your medications.
- Do a little homework on breast augmentation consultation in Atlanta and the surgery itself so the terms feel familiar, but leave the detailed decisions for the conversation.
- Gather your medical history, including past surgeries, current medications and supplements, allergies, and any family history of breast issues.
- Save a few reference photos of the look you are drawn to, plus a couple showing what you want to avoid. Images say what words sometimes cannot.
- Wear something easy to change out of, like a simple top and a non-padded bra, so the exam and sizing go smoothly.
One practical question worth settling early is whether there is a fee for the initial visit, since policies differ from each local cosmetic surgery practice. When you call to book with our team, it is perfectly fair to ask what the consultation involves and what to bring. Coming prepared is not about impressing anyone. It is the quickest route to advice that fits your body and your goals.
What actually happens during a breast augmentation consultation?
The visit is more of a two-way conversation than a test you pass or fail. Yes, your surgeon is assessing whether augmentation suits your anatomy and health. But it is equally your chance to size up their approach and decide whether you feel heard. Both of you are working out whether the fit is right.
At Artisan, Atlanta’s first woman-led plastic surgery practice, that two-way spirit runs through the whole appointment. Here is how a typical visit tends to unfold.
The conversation about your goals
Things usually open with a frank talk about why you are considering augmentation and what you hope to feel afterward. There are no wrong answers, and nothing you raise is too small to mention. This is where your reference photos earn their keep, giving your surgeon a clear picture of the result you have in mind.
The exam and measurements
Next comes a focused physical exam. Your surgeon checks measurements like breast width, nipple position, skin quality, and how much natural tissue you have, since all of it shapes what is possible. Clinical photos are often taken as well, and used only for planning and your medical record.
Trying on sizers and seeing your options
Many patients get to try on implant sizers, slipping different shapes into a bra to see how they sit and move. It is one of the most reassuring parts of the day, turning an abstract number into something you can picture on your own frame. Seeing the options in the mirror often brings a quiet moment of clarity.
Your care team and how long it takes
You will likely meet more than just your surgeon. A patient care coordinator usually helps with scheduling, paperwork, and the practical questions that come up once the medical part is done. Most first consultations run about an hour, so there is room to slow down and ask everything on your list. If you want to picture the whole thing first, you can schedule a consultation and bring that half-finished list with you.
What should you ask about your surgeon’s qualifications?
Start with credentials, since they are the foundation on which everything else rests. The single most important question is whether your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Certification through the ABPS reflects years of dedicated plastic surgery training and ongoing testing, not a weekend course.
From there, a few direct questions tell you a lot about experience and safety. Asking them is not rude. A confident surgeon welcomes them.
- How many breast augmentations have you performed, and may I see before-and-after photos of your own patients?
- Do you have hospital privileges for this procedure, and is your surgical facility accredited?
- Who administers the anesthesia, and what is your approach if a revision is ever needed?
At Artisan Plastic Surgery, our board-certified surgeons specialize in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and have performed thousands of breast augmentations between them. That depth matters, but so does the feeling in the room. You want a surgeon who answers plainly and never leaves you feeling rushed.
Dawn, a patient at our Johns Creek office who has trusted the same surgeon for years, described what that feels like:
“She has been my surgeon for over 20 years. She listened very carefully to my needs and desired outcome and does the best to her ability to give me the absolutely most natural looking breasts to help make me feel whole again.
What should you ask about implant selection and surgical technique?
This is where the artistry comes in, and where a good surgeon turns the decisions back to your anatomy rather than a catalog. The main choices are the implant fill, the size and shape, where the incision goes, and whether the implant sits above or below the muscle. None of these has a single right answer that fits everyone.
Implant fill is usually the first fork in the road. The FDA has approved both saline and silicone gel implants, each with a different feel, and a firmer silicone version is often called a gummy bear implant.
| Implant option | How it tends to feel and look | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Saline | Firmer, filled after placement | May show rippling with less tissue coverage |
| Silicone gel | Soft, closer to natural movement | The most popular fill for a natural feel |
| Cohesive gummy | Holds its shape more firmly | Keeps its form well during movement |
Sizing is its own conversation, and it is less about chasing a cup size than matching your frame. Your surgeon weighs your chest width, tissue, and goals to recommend a volume that looks balanced on you.
Incision placement and whether implants sit over or under the muscle follow the same logic, chosen for your body rather than a default. f sagging is part of the picture, your surgeon may also raise the option of surgery to lift and firm sagging breasts, since implants add volume but cannot lift the breast on their own.
Unsure which option fits you best? Talk it through with our team, since the right plan is always built around your anatomy and goals.
What should you ask about recovery, risks, and long-term results?
Recovery is gradual, and knowing the rhythm ahead of time makes it far less stressful. Most patients head home the same day and feel tightness and soreness at first, easing steadily over the following weeks. Asking your surgeon to walk you through the timeline helps you plan work, childcare, and rest realistically.
| Phase | Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Right after surgery | First 2 to 3 days | Tightness and soreness; rest with short walks |
| Early recovery | Days 5 to 7 | Many return to desk work; no heavy lifting |
| Building back | Weeks 2 to 6 | Soreness eases; hold off on strenuous exercise |
| Settling in | Weeks to months | Implants soften and settle into their final position |
On the safety side, ask candidly about risks so the picture feels informed rather than scary.
The FDA recognizes risks such as capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant, as well as implant rupture and the collection of symptoms some patients describe as breast implant illness. The vast majority of patients heal without any of these, and a good surgeon will explain how each one is monitored and managed.
A few long-term questions are worth raising, too. Ask how implants might affect future mammograms or breastfeeding, and what your options are for removal of breast implants in Atlanta if you ever decide to have them taken out. It is also worth knowing that implants do not automatically need replacing on a schedule. If nothing is bothering you, there is often no reason to change them.
Avery, a patient at our Northside office who felt at ease through the whole process, put it simply:
“Had the BESTTTT experience with my surgeon, she was so knowledgeable in breast augmentation and helped me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. They turned out excellent!”
What should you ask about cost and financing?
Cost deserves a clear, upfront conversation, and you should never feel awkward bringing it up. Ask what the total quote includes: whether the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility, and follow-up visits are all covered. Ask how a revision would be handled if one were ever needed. A transparent answer here is itself a good sign.
Pricing varies with your implant choice, the technique, and any procedures you combine. Many patients ask about combining it with abdominal surgery, so a personal number takes shape during your consultation. At Artisan, we would rather give you an honest, individual figure than a vague range that means little for your situation. Wanting clarity on cost is part of being a thoughtful decision-maker.
To keep things manageable, our team works with flexible financing options through Alphaeon Credit, Cherry, and CareCredit, so you can spread payments in a way that fits your budget. Money should shape the timing of your decision, not stand between you and good information.
Conclusion
Remember that half-finished list and the late-night nerves? A good breast augmentation consultation is built for exactly that person, the one who shows up with real questions and a little nervous energy. Nobody expects you to have it all worked out before you walk in.
When you feel ready, browse our before-and-after gallery and find photos that look like your own starting point. A visit in person fills in everything else, since being truly seen and heard is something no screen can give you.
Every patient who comes to Artisan Plastic Surgery deserves to feel respected, informed, and sure of a choice this personal, and that unhurried approach applies to more than implants. If your questions are about a different feature, like fixing ears that stick out, the same care applies.
So when you are ready to talk it through, reach out to our team or call (404) 851-1998. We will listen first.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to undress completely during a breast augmentation consultation?
You will remove your top and bra for the exam and measurements, but only for the part of the visit where it is needed. Everything is done privately and professionally. Wearing something easy to change out of makes it more comfortable.
Can you bring a partner, friend, or family member to the consultation?
In most cases, yes, and many patients find it helpful. A second set of ears catches details you might miss, and a supportive person can ease the nerves. Just let the office know when you schedule.
Is 3D imaging available to help you see possible results?
Some practices offer imaging tools, while many surgeons rely on implant sizers and before-and-after photos to help you visualize. Ask what your surgeon uses during the visit. Seeing options on your own frame, however it is done, is one of the most clarifying moments of the appointment.
Can you try on breast implant sizers during the appointment?
Often, yes. Trying sizers in a bra lets you feel different shapes and volumes on your body rather than guessing from a number. For many patients, it is one of the most reassuring and fun parts of the consultation.
How soon after the consultation can you schedule surgery?
That depends on your health clearance, the surgical calendar, and how ready you feel. There is no pressure to commit on the day of your visit. Taking time to sit with the plan is encouraged, not discouraged.
Are breast implants safe, or do they cause breast implant illness?
Modern implants are FDA-approved and among the most studied medical devices, and serious problems are uncommon for healthy patients. Some people report symptoms they group under breast implant illness, which your surgeon can discuss openly with you. Bring every worry to the consultation, since an honest answer beats a late-night search.
What is the difference between cup size and CCs?
Cup size is a bra label that varies widely by brand, while CCs are a precise measure of an implant’s volume. Surgeons plan in CCs because it is consistent and predictable. Your final look depends on how that volume interacts with your frame, not on a letter.
Can you have breast augmentation if you plan to have children later?
Many patients have augmentation before having children, and pregnancy afterward is generally possible. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast shape over time, which is worth discussing during planning. Your surgeon can help you weigh the timing against your goals.
What happens if you are unhappy with your results?
Ask about the revision policy directly before surgery, since reputable surgeons explain their process without hesitation. At Artisan Plastic Surgery, our team views follow-up care as part of the relationship, not an afterthought.
*Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. A consultation with a qualified board-certified surgeon is required to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs and any questions you may have about a medical condition or procedure.
