Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty or commonly referred to as a 'boob job', is a surgical procedure to restore breast volume after weight reduction or pregnancy. Breast augmentation improves natural breast asymmetry and gives a rounder and more youthful appearance. Breast augmentation typically involves the insertion of saline implants, silicone implants, or sometimes fat transfer behind the breast tissues. However, the main objective is to have a breast size proportionate to the other body parts. Breast implants used during breast augmentation surgery can improve breast size, shape, and volume but do not correct severely drooping breasts. In that case, a breast lift may also be required along with breast augmentation. Breast lift can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate surgery. Your plastic surgeon will recommend the better option. Women undergoing breast augmentation often report more positive self-image and enhanced self-esteem.

What is Breast Augmentation?
Types of Breast Augmentation
Why Breast Augmentation?
What Conditions Can Breast Augmentation Help?
Steps to getting your procedure
What is the Cost of the Procedure?
Why Should I Use Yes Doctor for This Procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors that perform Breast Augmentation procedures
Breast Augmentation

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is an elective cosmetic surgical procedure aimed to enlarge or bring symmetry to otherwise asymmetrical breasts. Women choose breast augmentation for many different reasons. Some patients simply are looking for a larger bust size to achieve a certain body self-image that they consider more feminine. Sometimes women feel that their breasts are out of proportion or uneven, with a noticeable difference in size. Tiny, tubular, or asymmetrical breasts are often a cause of self-consciousness. In many cases, they need a specific undergarment to solve the asymmetry problem. 

A few common goals of breast augmentation surgery are:

  • Restoring breast volume lost after childbirth and breastfeeding

  • More noticeable curves in a swimsuit or lingerie with added volume

  • Adding balance to complement their hips better

  • Enhancing a positive self-image

Proportionate, attractive, and shapely breasts—a symbol of youthfulness


Methods of breast augmentation

There are several methods of breast augmentation, including:

  1. Breast implants: For breast augmentation using breast implants, the surgeons work with the patient to find suitable implants for their specific needs. They can choose from the following types of breast implants:

  • Saline Implants

  • Silicone Gel Implants

  1. Fat transfer: Fat is taken from another part of the body using liposuction and is then injected into the breasts.

  2. Flap reconstruction: Tissue from the stomach, back, or other body parts is used to create a breast shape.

  3. Non-surgical augmentation: Non-invasive procedures such as Sculptra injections or HIFU ultrasound treatment can help to boost volume but are not as effective as surgical options.

It's important to note that breast augmentation is a surgical procedure with a complication risk. Therefore, you should consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to understand your best options. Ideal candidates for breast augmentation include women who want larger breasts, wish to correct asymmetrical breasts, or want a more curvy and aesthetically pleasing breast profile. There is no 'typical' breast augmentation patient. Therefore, each treatment is tailored specifically to the needs of women. Specialist cosmetic surgeons at Yes Doctor’s list of board-certified surgeons have performed thousands of breast augmentation procedures, typically more than a hundred each year. In a consultation, they'll take the time to understand your needs, talk you through the options, answer your questions, and ensure that you understand what surgery involves, including possible risks, complications, and follow-up care.


Breast implant procedure

The surgical procedure for implant placement may seem simple but in fact requires a great deal of mastery. Below are the main steps involved:

  1. Incision: incisions are made under the breast, along the border of the areola, or in the armpit (rarely, some surgeons perform augmentation through the belly button) to place the implants inside. Great care is practiced to ensure that the scars are minimal in size and as discreet as possible.

  2. Implant placement: Proper implant placement is necessary to get natural-looking results. Breast implants are placed under the chest tissues for a natural and balanced look. Depending on the technique, anatomy, and patient and surgeon preferences, implant can be placed under the breast tissue, muscle, or both. The choice of method mainly depends on the degree of enlargement required, the patient's body type, and the surgeon's recommendation. 

  3. Closing the incisions: After the implant placement, incisions are stitched and dressed. In most cases, this will be done with dissolvable sutures or sutures that are removed within the first two weeks.

  4. Postoperative care: To guard against unreal expectations of breast augmentation, candidates should know what breast augmentation cannot do. Breast augmentation surgery cannot correct Grade 3 Ptosis—severely drooping breasts. The patient may need a breast lift parallel to breast augmentation to treat severely sagging breasts. Moreover, implants do not last for a lifetime. The patient needs to replace the implants sometime in the future. The life span of breast implants usually varies from patient to patient and will depend on many factors that can not be predicted.


Breast implant complications

Generally, breast implants can last 10 to 20 years. However, replacement may be required along the way for cosmetic improvements, leakage, shape changes, volume changes, or correction of effects of pregnancy and weight fluctuation. Patients in their late teens or early 20s, when first undergoing augmentation, might need to get their implants replaced many times in their lifetime. 

Other complications can include capsular contracture, where the breast may become firmer and distorted in appearance due to thickening of the lining of tissue that forms around the implant on either or both sides. This can require revision surgery and can recur in some patients. There is also a phenomenon currently known as “breast implant illness,” where some patients have body symptoms that in some cases improve when their implants are removed and not replaced. Breast implant illness is an area of ongoing study and is not widely agreed upon.

Breast implants might also rupture if the patient sustains serious chest injuries, like airbag deployment or blunt trauma. Changes in the breast shape with pregnancy or weight changes may alter how the implant sits and may be a reason for revision surgery. Breast lifting is often combined with implants to correct such issues.

Types of Breast Augmentation

  • Which Breast Augmentation is Right for You?

    Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that can help enhance the size and shape of your breasts. Choosing the right type of breast augmentation depends on several factors, including your anatomy, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. Some standard options include silicone breast implants, which offer a natural feel and a variety of sizes, or saline breast implants, which are filled with a saltwater solution and are typically less expensive. Both silicone and saline implants are FDA approved and generally considered a safe option. However, it is essential to consider the risks and potential complications before deciding. 

    In addition to the size and shape of your breasts, you should also consider factors such as the incision placement and the type of implant pocket (over or under the muscle). You may also want to consider the benefits of breast augmentation, such as increased self-confidence, improved proportions, and a more youthful appearance.

    It is important to consult with a plastic surgeon who can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique needs and goals. The following is an overview of the standard breast augmentation methods:

  • Silicone implant

    Saline implants are filled with sterile saline water and are sometimes considered “safer” because even if the implant ruptures, salt water is absorbed by the breast tissues.

    Still, there is a third option, the Ideal Implant ®, a saline implant with two chambers, allowing it to feel softer than traditional saline devices. Ask your surgeon regarding options if you feel saline fill is the right choice for you.

  • Saline implant

    Saline implants are filled with sterile saline water and are sometimes considered “safer” because even if the implant ruptures, salt water is absorbed by the breast tissues. Many surgeons prefer silicone for reasons listed below, but there is a third option, the Ideal Implant ®, which is a saline implant that has two chambers, allowing it to feel softer than traditional saline devices. Ask your surgeon regarding options if you feel saline fill is the right choice for you.

  • Fat transfer

    Fat transfer breast augmentation typically involves removing fat from one body area and injecting it into the breasts. Liposuction involves the following steps: 

    Liposuction: Fat is removed from the chosen body area using liposuction. The fat is processed and purified to remove excess fluids or blood.

    Injection: The pure fat is injected into the breasts using tiny needles. The fat is typically injected in small amounts in multiple locations to ensure even distribution and to minimize the risk of complications.

    Recovery: After the procedure, the patient must wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and promote healing. There may be pain and discomfort in the areas where liposuction was performed and the breast, but this can be managed with pain-relieving medicines.

    Follow-up: The patient must follow up with the surgeon to monitor healing and the final result.

    It's important to note that fat transfer breast augmentation is not permanent, as the body may reabsorb some of the injected fat over time. It's also not recommended for significant augmentation. In most cases, it's used to add a small volume to the breast.

  • Structured implant

    An alternate technology is utilized to create the structured breast implant, making it distinct from saline or silicone gel implants. It is filled with saline, but the design is structured with an inner core of nested shells that support the upper pole and regulate fluid flow. Several features and advantages of saline and silicone gel implants are incorporated into this implant.

Why Breast Augmentation?

Still not sure about breast augmentation?

It is perfectly okay to want a fuller bosom. There is not always a physical deformity or unreasonable expectation behind the desire for a larger cup size. As a matter of fact, the most common reason a patient desires a breast augmentation is the desire for a more youthful look. 

Breast augmentation is an excellent choice if you have any of the following concerns:

  • Your breasts are asymmetric

  • You feel your body is disproportionate to your breasts

  • You think you don't look attractive or curvy

  • Your breasts are dropping due to childbirth, age, or pregnancy

  • Your apparel is too loose for your chest but fits your hips

  • You feel insecure or embarrassed about your natural breast appearance

  • You want to look more youthful

The benefits you may expect from breast augmentation include (but are not limited to):

  • Customizing Your Breasts
  • Preserving Breast Shape Over Time
  • Enjoying Freedom in Dressing
  • Boosting Self-Image and Personal Sense of Sensuality

What Conditions Can Breast Augmentation Help?

Women are the only mammals whose breasts start to grow at puberty and remain enlarged, regardless of pregnancy, and whose breasts maintain a fullness after pregnancy and nursing. Studies suggest that breast fullness can be interpreted as signaling good health and sexual allure. Breast implants are a good choice for you if: - You have a good understanding of the goals and expectations as well as the risks of the procedure. - You do not smoke currently or have chronic medical conditions or illnesses that may hinder healing. - You have optimism and practical goals for rejuvenating your breast and body image. Certain health conditions necessitate breast augmentation to restore a young-looking body's natural spark and beauty. Those health concerns include, but are not limited to

  • Breast cancer

    Women who have breast cancer sometimes undergo mastectomy (breast removal). In contrast, some women have breast cancer in their family history. They voluntarily remove their breasts to reduce the chances of cancer. For either reason, breast augmentation can restore your bust to your pre-mastectomy size and shape. However, one should remember that the breast implant doesn't give the same sensation as the breast it replaces. Also, the implant for breast cancer usually results in incisions and scars.

  • Trauma

    An ever-increasing number of people, not just those wishing to have a large bust, are opting for breast augmentation. This type of surgery can be beneficial if you have experienced an implant leak, hematoma, or a ball-shaped capsular contracture as a result of an injury.

  • Variations in breast development

    Women who have less breast tissue, asymmetric development, or a bottom-heavy body-to-breast ratio can enhance their appearance with breast augmentation procedures. Certain conditions like tuberous/tubular breast syndrome, breast agenesis, Poland syndrome and other congenital or genetically-determined factors may make breast augmentation reconstructive as much as a cosmetic procedure. For other patients, corrections in mild to moderate asymmetries and chest wall shapes can be achieved with implants and other cosmetic breast procedures. Board-certified plastic surgeons consult with patients to ensure they take into account all the necessary elements for achieving attractive, natural-looking results from breast augmentation for smaller breasts.

Steps to getting your procedure

Step 1

Research

Step 2

Matching with a doctor

Step 3

Getting financing

Step 4

Booking a consultation

What is the Cost of the Procedure?

Most health insurance plans don't cover cosmetic surgical procedures or related complications in their list of services. According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation surgery costs $4,516. This average cost, however, is only a portion of the entire cost – it does not include operating room facilities, anesthesia, or other related expenditures (for example, surgical bras, skin/scar care products, and sometimes the costs of the implant devices themselves may be separate line items). Moreover, a surgeon's fee for breast augmentation is usually based on the surgeon’s years of experience, the type of procedure, and the geographic location of the surgeon's office. Before deciding the budget for breast augmentation, the surgeon's experience and patient-doctor compatibility should be the top priority. Average surgical costs typically do not include the following: Hospital or surgical facility costs, Medical tests, Post-surgery apparel, Prescriptions for medicines, and Anesthesia provider fees. Accordingly, your total expense may be closer to $7000-9000, depending on the surgeon and market. The procedure may be subject to higher prices depending on special techniques or the type of implants used. The surgeon’s office will provide an itemized quotation at your initial consultation once you decide on the type of implant you want and the surgical plan is outlined to achieve your desired outcomes.

Why Should I Use Yes Doctor for This Procedure

Yes Doctor aims to enhance the patient journey in many ways. We act as a navigator to smooth the process of scheduling your consultation while removing barriers to paying for surgery.

By improving the patient financing and payment experience, providers also enjoy increased satisfaction and can offer prompt care. 

Our application procedure is simple and secure.

Using our BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) policy, clients can get access to services now but pay later in a series of interest-free installments. Interest as low as 0% makes the process pocket-friendly when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breast implants undergo thorough testing before use to demonstrate safety. Four companies currently manufacture FDA-approved implants in the USA: Mentor, Allergan, Sientra, and Ideal Implant. Another company, Establishment Labs, is approved in Europe and presently seeking FDA approval in the USA. Most people do not experience serious complications. All surgical procedures have risks, including infection, bleeding, poor scarring, wound healing issues, etc., but most patients experience none. Capsular contracture, leakage of the implants, or other body symptoms are relatively uncommon complications reported by patients. The key to safety is surgery with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon.
In many cases, yes! These scars are often very inconspicuous. The first thing to do is choose your surgeon wisely, who can perform the surgical procedure with minimal incisions by carefully planning the incision placement. Breast augmentation surgery leaves scars that often fade away in a few months to a year, but several products may help minimize the scar appearance and speed up the healing process. Scarring also depends on the patient's skin tone, elasticity, age, location of incisions, and technique of closure. Following your surgeon’s instructions regarding activities, bras wound care, and scar management is essential as you recover. Good nutrition, avoiding smoking, and specific vitamins and minerals (like Vitamin C and zinc) aid in healing.
the chance of typical breast cancer. Multiple studies have proved that breast implant or implant leakage does not contribute to breast cancer among women. However, certain textured silicone and polyurethane implants are reported to have the risk of immune system cancer (BIA-ALCL). The FDA noted in late 2022 the incidence of about 20 cases of cancer of the capsule tissue (BIA-SCC). These are not the same as breast cancer, and they are rare, but patients require preoperative education on these risks and the ongoing surveillance of breast implants. In the early 1990s, silicone implants were banned in the USA due to the public's concern for connective tissue disorders, autoimmune conditions, etc. Today, a “Boxed Warning” for implants is advised by the FDA, which states that some patients with breast implants may experience symptoms that may improve after implant removal. This phenomenon is currently known as “breast implant illness.” The relationship between implants and these symptoms is... Show more.
Usually, most mothers who have had breast augmentation surgery can produce milk, but not all of these mothers can make a rich milk supply for their infants. Breast augmentation surgery doesn't necessarily hinder breastfeeding; still, smooth nursing is not guaranteed. Breast augmentation surgery can affect the nerves and ducts inside the breast tissue, which may impact the sensations associated with the baby latching to the nipple. Incisions around the areola and surgical procedures that move the areolae and nipples are more likely to affect breastfeeding. Temporary nerve sensation reduction is familiar with breast lifting and some incisions around the areola in augmentation, while permanent numbness is relatively rare.