One of the most popular Philadelphia plastic surgery procedures performed today is breast augmentation using implants to create fuller breasts. It has been noted that over 300,000 of these procedures are performed annually.

Once you've made the decision that you would like to have the surgery done, the first step is a consultation with a plastic surgeon where you will ask hard questions and learn a lot about both the procedure and the doctor. Commonly addressed questions include what's involved with the surgery, time of recovery, possible complications and the lifespan of the implants.

This also includes the different types of breast implants, placement in relation to the chest bone and various types of incisions. Plastic surgeons can also help patients figure out a desired size using sizers put inside a bra. This enables the patient to envision what they will look like after a procedure.

A good plastic surgeon will be very thorough answering questions about downtime after the procedure including how much time is needed to take off from work as well as what to expect after the surgery.

An important question to ask at the consultation is the doctors qualifications. Make sure you find out if the doctor is board certified, exactly where the surgery will be performed and make sure the surgery center is fully accredited as well.

Write down a list of questions before going to the consultation. A good doctor will likely answer most of them before you even ask.

Also, make sure you set realistic expectations for yourself, meaning, can your goals be achieved through the surgery. This comes down to ones psychological makeup including body image.

Some patients may need both a breast lift as well as breast augmentation to achieve desired results, so expectations regarding scarring, recovery and cost may differ for a patient who comes in for just a breast augmentation procedure but needs both.

Explore the different types of implants, saline versus silicon and know your options. Some individuals will get a good result using either type but it's not that simple. Silicone implants for instance are more expensive and require a longer incision. In addition, with silicone, ruptures are more difficult to detect and the volume cannot be varied, as is the case with saline.

Be an active participant in the entire process including the surgery preparation and understand you should generally be in good health to consider the procedure.

Make sure you give yourself ample recovery time if you are planning a life event such as a vacation or a wedding. Considering this is an elective procedure, finding the appropriate timing is crucial.

Most doctors will do the surgery as an outpatient procedure and patients will go home same day. Generally, patients are administered a general anesthetic and are put to sleep during the surgery.

Rarely do procedures take less than 30-40 minutes or more than an hour and a half. Ask your doctor the approximate time frame for completion from start to finish so you know what to expect. This may also depend on the doctor.

While there are risks involved with the surgery, they are relatively low. The most common complication is bleeding around the implant, which may occur in approx. 1-2% of patients.

Try and have someone close by such as a spouse or family member the day of and after the procedure. They can assist in managing the medications you have been prescribed so you don't have to worry about it.

Average time to get back to work is about a week although it may take a little sooner or longer depending on the individual. This doesn't mean you will be 100%. Your doctor may even restrict you from lifting heavy stuff for a couple of weeks (defined as anything over 20 lbs).

Use common sense. If it hurts, don't do it. If you have any questions that arise during recovery, call the doctor. The surgeon will also schedule some postoperative check ups to evaluate your progress. This is also a good time to address any questions or concerns.

Most patients go back as early as a week followed by visits in a month or two and then six months in the first year. Three or four visits in the course of a year are not uncommon.

The reason this is such a popular procedure is because of its effectiveness. The decision to undergo a breast augmentation is highly personal. Don't do it to fill someone else's expectations if they do not align with your own.

Make an educated decision and understand the risks and safety issues. If you do your due diligence and make an informed decision, chances are you will be highly pleased with the result.