Dr. Robert Whitfield explains what informed consent means for aesthetic procedures. Even minimally invasive treatments carry risks like skin changes, scarring, and swelling. Healing takes time: breast shape evolves over a year as swelling subsides, fat grafts stabilize, and collagen remodels over 6-12 months.
And obviously, the final decisions are made after addressing all the concerns and getting informed consent. Minimally invasive doesn't mean there's no risk. Obviously, energy-based treatments can involve, you know, some changes in the skin. They can result in some contour problems and swelling and scarring like anything. And surgery brings its Own risks, of course, include bleeding, infection, scarring, delayed healing, fluid collections, changes in sensation and symmetry. And there's anesthesia-related concerns, of course. And the purpose of discussing the risks is not to frighten anybody, it's just to better explain them so they can make their best informed decision. Healing also changes what we can judge and when breast shape evolves as swelling decreases, tissues settle, scars mature over a year. And then over that same year, the fat, if we transferred it, will stabilize. And facial swelling from any procedure can be temporary and make contours look irregular, but collagen remodeling is really a 6 to 9 to 12 month process. It doesn't happen in a day or week. If you're considering an explant, a lift, a fat transfer, or natural breast augmentation, ask your surgeon to explain what each part of the plan is intended to do. Ask what it can and cannot do.
