How do you pick the right breast size? Especially knowing that the number one reason for undergoing a breast augmentation more than once is dissatisfaction with your final results. (Didn’t know that? Now you do!)

Photos courtesy Dr. Walter Tom.

Depending on your doctor’s preference, as well as what you’re comfortable with, the right size can be determined by something as simple as a tape measure (and a lot of trust in your doctor!), rice bags or sample implants that you “try on” inside of a bra, or high-tech 3-D imaging systems that will let you “see” what different sizes will look like — all before undergoing surgery.

But if you’re the type who wants to see what she’s REALLY buying before taking it home, some doctors are taking it one step further, offering you the chance to see your breast size during surgery.

Seriously.

How? By performing the procedure under local anesthesia, which lets you remain comfortable and conscious during the procedure.

According to one of our AACS surgeons, Dr. Walter Tom in Santa Rosa, Calif., not only can you sit up and provide input on the final size of your saline implants, but using this minimally invasive process you also avoid the risks of traditional general anesthesia. This approach works so well for Dr. Tom, in fact, he says that he uses it exclusively.

As for his patients? Let’s just call them savvy and satisfied.

~Eliza