Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is an aesthetic option for healthy people who are not pregnant, or breastfeeding and do not have abnormal findings on a mammogram. 

The benefits of breast augmentation include: 

• Improved appearance of your breasts following changes due to pregnancy or significant weight loss. 
• Added fullness and volume to increase the size of small breasts. 
• Lifting sagging, drooping breasts that have lost their curves. 
• Making uneven breasts more symmetrical. 
• The creation of a feminine chest in people pursuing gender-affirming surgery. 

Breast augmentation may be combined with breast reconstruction after mastectomy. It may also be performed with other cosmetic procedures as part of a “mommy makeover.”

As with all surgeries, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, and pain, and risks associated with general anesthesia. In addition, breast augmentation carries the following risks: 

• Changes in nipple placement and skin sensation Implants may make it more difficult to view mammography results. Breast implant-related illnesses and related conditions. 
• Breast implants can harden, leak, or rupture. Regular screening is recommended to catch and treat these concerns early. 
• Breast surgery may inhibit your ability to breastfeed. Breast implants don’t last forever and require regular checkups for their maintenance. 
• You may need to have your implants replaced or removed at some point in your lifetime. Fat transfer may cause noncancerous cysts or calcifications to form. 
• Poor scarring and/or formation of scar tissue that develops around the implant can change breast shape and make them uncomfortable. 
• You may need revision surgery or want breast implants removed.

What to Expect at Your First Consultation When meeting for the first time, your plastic surgeon will discuss your reasons for pursuing breast augmentation, your desired outcome, and the expected results. We take time to understand your breast anatomy, skin elasticity, and body type. We conduct a thorough medical history, including your family history, general health status, previous operations, and any medications you may be taking. We examine your breasts and take measurements of their size, shape, the placement of your nipples and areolas. Photographs will be taken for your medical record. 

Personalized Treatment Recommendations
We complete the consultation with a personalized treatment recommendation that addresses your goals, minimizes scarring, hastens recovery time, and does not interfere with routine breast imaging such as mammography. We also discuss the potential risks, complications, and recovery. We may ask you to return before surgery for a sizing visit. 

Breast Augmentation Cost
Breast augmentation is an elective, cosmetic procedure for healthy people that is not covered by insurance. The cost depends on how many and which procedures you need to achieve your goals. Our financial counselor will help you understand your financial responsibility. 

Pre-Surgical Testing
To ensure you are in optimal health for surgery, blood work will test your liver and kidney function and will determine if you have any infection, blood disorder, or anemia, that may have gone previously undetected. A mammogram may be recommended to detect underlying breast abnormalities.

Breast Augmentation Is Typically an Outpatient Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery takes about two to three hours, depending on the procedure. It is usually performed in one of the modern surgical suites at our accredited outpatient surgical centers. General anesthesia will be administered by our board-certified anesthesia team. 

Breast Augmentation Recovery 
You will need at least three days of rest following the procedure. You can return to work in about one week, but it will take several weeks, perhaps up to one month for the swelling and soreness to subside. As your body heals, it is common to feel tightness in your chest. It is also common to experience changes in sensation in your breasts and nipples immediately following surgery. 

A supportive, post-surgical bra will help your breasts maintain position during recovery. 

You should be able to return to all normal activities, including exercise and heavy lifting, about four weeks after surgery.