8 Questions to Ask Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon

Medically reviewed by Dr. Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon (ABPS) | 20+ Years Experience | Last Updated: May 2026

If you’re considering breast augmentation in New York City, the consultation is where most of the real decisions get made, not the OR. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes an 18-question canonical list every prospective BA patient should walk in with. We’ve distilled the eight questions that matter most, expanded each with what a strong answer sounds like and what should make you walk out, and added two NYC-specific questions about state surgical privileges and facility accreditation that the national lists tend to miss.

This is a consultation prep guide, not a procedure overview. If you want background on implant types, recovery, or capsule care first, see breast augmentation surgeon at Allure Plastic Surgery.

1. What Are Your Plastic Surgery Credentials?

Why this question matters: “Board certified” is not regulated language. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only ABMS-recognized board for plastic surgery in the United States. Other boards exist, including the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), but they have different training requirements and are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

What a strong answer sounds like: “I’m certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I completed an integrated plastic surgery residency (or general surgery plus a plastic surgery fellowship), and I maintain certification through ongoing exams and continuing education.” A surgeon should also volunteer their state license number and offer to let you verify it.

Red flags: Vague phrasing like “board-certified surgeon” without naming the board. A surgeon who pivots to “I have years of experience” instead of answering directly. A practice that uses “double board-certified” without specifying which two boards.

You can verify any U.S. plastic surgeon’s certification at abplasticsurgery.org before your consultation.

2. How Many Breast Augmentations Have You Performed, and How Often?

Why this question matters: Volume correlates with pattern recognition. A surgeon performing 10+ BAs per month sees the unusual presentations, the asymmetries, the implant pocket bleeds, the early capsular contractures, and develops protocols for each. A surgeon doing one BA every other month is more likely to default to a single technique regardless of fit.

What a strong answer sounds like: “I perform roughly X breast augmentations per month. Breast surgery makes up about Y% of my practice. I’ve done over Z over my career.” Specific numbers, with proportion-of-practice context.

Red flags: “Many.” “Hundreds.” Refusing to give numbers. A self-described “BA specialist” who can’t quantify weekly or monthly volume.

3. Where Will My Surgery Be Performed, and Is the Facility Accredited?

Why this question matters: Office-based surgical facilities in the U.S. are not federally regulated for safety. Voluntary accreditation through AAAASF, AAAHC, or The Joint Commission is the patient-safety baseline. Accredited facilities meet specific standards for anesthesia equipment, sterilization, recovery monitoring, and emergency transfer protocols. New York State also requires office-based surgery accreditation under Public Health Law 230-d.

What a strong answer sounds like: “Your surgery will be at [named facility]. It’s accredited by [AAAASF / AAAHC / The Joint Commission], and I have hospital privileges at [named hospital] for any case requiring inpatient management.”

Red flags: “We don’t really need accreditation for cosmetic surgery.” Hesitation when asked the facility’s name. No backup hospital privileges (means no fallback if a complication requires inpatient care).

4. Which Implant Types and Incisions Do You Recommend for Me, and Why?

Why this question matters: Implant choice is not a menu pick. Saline, silicone, highly cohesive (gummy bear), and SRF each have anatomical use cases. Inframammary fold, periareolar, and transaxillary incisions each have trade-offs. The right combo depends on your tissue thickness, breast footprint, nipple position, scar tendency, and aesthetic goals.

What a strong answer sounds like: “Based on your measurements and goals, I’d recommend [specific implant] through a [specific incision] because [tissue, anatomy, and goal-specific reasoning].” A real plan tied to your body.

Red flags: “We mostly use [single implant brand or type] for everyone.” A recommendation made before you’ve been examined. No discussion of alternatives.

Background reading on the most-asked implant choice: see our saline vs silicone implant comparison and anatomical vs round implant trade-offs.

5. What Are the Specific Risks for My Anatomy and Implant Choice?

Why this question matters: “Risks” should not be a generic list. The actual risk profile depends on your implant type, placement (subglandular vs submuscular), and surface texture.

• Capsular contracture: Lifetime risk runs roughly 12 to 18% for subglandular placement and 4 to 8% for submuscular, per ASPS-cited literature.
• BIA-ALCL: Strongly associated with macrotextured implants. Specific textured implant lines were withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2019 by the FDA. Smooth-surface implants carry very low risk.
• Re-operation: FDA core-study data show 10 to 20% of BA patients undergo at least one revision within 10 years (rupture, contracture, size change, lift add-on).
• Sensation change: Temporary nipple-area numbness is common; permanent change occurs in roughly 5 to 15% depending on incision and implant size.

What a strong answer sounds like: Specific numbers, tied to YOUR planned implant and placement, plus this surgeon’s own complication rate (they should know it).

Red flags: “Complications are very rare, you’ll be fine.” Refusal to share their own revision rate. No mention of BIA-ALCL screening discussion.

For deeper context on capsular contracture and the role of post-op massage protocols: capsular contracture and massage protocols.

6. What Does Recovery Look Like, Specifically?

Why this question matters: Generic “you’ll feel better in a week” guidance is the most common reason BA patients overdo it during recovery and trigger complications. Real recovery depends heavily on whether your implants are placed over the muscle (subglandular) or under it (submuscular).

What a strong answer sounds like:

• Days 0 to 7: Most restrictive. Limited arm movement, prescription pain control tapered to OTC, surgical bra worn continuously.
• Weeks 2 to 6: Return to desk work usually around day 5 to 10; light cardio (walking, stationary bike) at 2 to 3 weeks; no chest exercise.
• Months 2 to 6: Submuscular implants need extended chest-exercise restrictions; bench press, chest fly, push-up work typically delayed to 8 to 12 weeks minimum.

Red flags: “You’ll be back to the gym in two weeks” with no muscle-placement caveat. No written post-op instructions provided.

Detailed recovery timeline including chest-exercise modifications: return-to-exercise timeline after BA.

7. Can I See Before-and-After Photos of Patients With Anatomy Like Mine?

Why this question matters: Generic gallery photos do not predict your result. The patient who matters is the one who started with similar tissue thickness, breast footprint, body frame, and nipple position to yours. A single photo of one patient who roughly matches you is more useful than 50 photos of patients who don’t.

What a strong answer sounds like: “Let me pull up cases with your starting anatomy. Here are three patients who had similar [measurements / starting cup / tissue thickness] and chose [a similar goal].” The surgeon should be able to do this in real time at the consultation.

Red flags: The same handful of “best result” photos shown to every consultation. Refusal to show cases that match your anatomy. Photos sourced from manufacturer marketing rather than the surgeon’s own patients.

For visual reference on what implants tend to look like at different sizes and tissue thicknesses: what breast implants look like.

8. What Happens If I’m Unhappy With the Result?

Why this question matters: Revision policy varies dramatically between practices and is the single biggest financial unknown of breast augmentation. You want this in writing before you book surgery.

What a strong answer sounds like: Clear policy on each of:

• Surgeon-fee revision window: Some practices waive their surgeon fee for revisions within 6 to 12 months.
• Capsular contracture handling: Whether the surgeon fee is waived if contracture develops within a defined window.
• Implant warranty: Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra each offer manufacturer warranty programs covering implant replacement and partial OR fees for rupture or contracture (terms vary by program and timing).
• Anesthesia + facility fees: Almost always your responsibility on revision regardless of policy.

Red flags: “We don’t really get unhappy patients.” No written revision policy. Surgeon won’t quote a revision-fee structure before you sign for the primary procedure.

Bonus: NYC-Specific Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

The two questions below are NYC-specific and rarely appear on national consultation checklists. They matter because the New York metro has a high concentration of out-of-state and untrained “cosmetic” providers, and Manhattan’s geography affects post-op logistics in ways most national guides don’t address.

Q9. Do You Hold New York State Surgical Privileges, and at Which Hospital?

New York State surgical privileges require credential review by a NY hospital or licensed surgical facility. They are a meaningful safety check beyond board certification because they require peer-reviewed verification of training and outcomes. You can verify any NY-licensed physician at the NY State Office of the Professions directory.

A strong answer names the hospital and confirms current (not lapsed) privileges. The surgeon should also be able to explain what happens if a complication requires hospital admission.

Q10. How Accessible Are You for Follow-Up If I’m Manhattan-Based?

BA recovery typically requires 3 to 5 in-person follow-ups in the first 6 weeks. Manhattan-based patients should ask about office hours that accommodate weekday work, post-op visit scheduling flexibility, parking or subway accessibility for the office, and how the surgeon handles after-hours concerns during the first two weeks.

Tri-state area patients (NJ, CT, Long Island) should also ask whether the surgeon offers virtual follow-ups for the routine 4-week and 6-week checks.

Bringing It All Together

If a surgeon answers all 10 of these questions clearly, with specific numbers and named facilities, and shows you cases with your starting anatomy, you have the basis for an informed decision. The consultation is a two-way evaluation. You’re hiring a surgeon, and a good one is hiring a patient who’s going to follow recovery instructions and has realistic expectations.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and one of the most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons in NYC, contact Allure Plastic Surgery directly. Bring this list. Take notes. Compare answers across consultations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my breast augmentation consultation last?

A thorough consultation typically runs 45 to 75 minutes. That includes a medical history review, examination with measurements, discussion of implant options with sizers, photo review, and time for your questions. A 15-minute “consultation” that’s mostly sales is a red flag.

Should I get a second opinion before scheduling breast augmentation?

Yes, especially if the first surgeon recommends a single specific implant size or technique without explaining alternatives. Second opinions are standard practice and surgeons expect them. Two consultations cost time, not the procedure.

What if my surgeon won’t answer some of these questions?

That is your answer. Any board-certified plastic surgeon comfortable with their training, volume, facility, and outcomes will answer these questions directly. Vague or evasive responses to specific questions are a reason to look elsewhere.

How much does a breast augmentation consultation cost in NYC?

NYC consultation fees range from free to $200 to $300, with the fee typically applied toward your procedure if you book. Allure Plastic Surgery offers complimentary breast augmentation consultations. The fee structure is not a quality signal; surgeon volume, credentials, and facility accreditation are.

Are virtual breast augmentation consultations as good as in-person?

Virtual consultations are useful for an initial screening, especially if you’re traveling in. They are not a substitute for the in-person physical exam, which is required to recommend a specific implant size, profile, and incision. Plan on at least one in-person visit before booking surgery.

How long before surgery should I book my consultation?

Most NYC plastic surgeons book primary breast augmentation 4 to 8 weeks out from the consultation. That gives you time to review options, get a second opinion if you want one, complete pre-op clearances, arrange recovery time off, and stop any blood-thinning medications or supplements per your surgeon’s instructions.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for personalized recommendations.