Breast Augmentation
(Augmentation Mammaplasty)

This is an information document which has been prepared to help you better understand cosmetic breast augmentation and alternative treatments which might be available. It is important that you read this information carefully and completely, and for you to ask any questions which you might have that pertains to your particular case.

What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast Augmentation mammaplasty is a surgical procedure performed to enlarge the size of the breasts through use of adding either natural tissues or artificial implants filled with saline. Enlargement procedures are often done to enhance breast size that a woman feels is too small, restore contours lost after pregnancy, improve asymmetries, replace other breast implants for medical or cosmetic reasons, or as part of a reconstructive surgery.

What It Does: Uses saline-filled implants to increase the size and fullness of small, asymmetric or underdeveloped breasts

Best Candidates: Women with small or underdeveloped breasts desiring increase in size or fullness

Length Of Procedure: 1-1.5 hours

Recovery Time: Gradual reduction of swelling, firmness and tightness over 4-6 week period. Mild exercise restriction for 2 weeks

Back To Work: 4-7 days

The size, shape and position of the breasts will directly influence the approach, suggested treatment, and your final appearance. If the breasts are not the exactly the same size or shape before surgery, it is unlikely that they will be completely symmetrical after.

Cosmetic breast augmentation using silicone gel-filled implants are no longer available in the United States, and their uses are restricted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. There are some clinical study programs currently underway. Use of fluid-filled breast implants are available for both breast augmentation and reconstruction. The FDA is expected to review the safety of saline-filled breast implants. All breast implants are subject to device tracking according to federal law. The most common implants available are saline-filled. Use of alternative filler materials (various natural oils, etc.) and use of transfer of patient’s own fat (grafting without implant shell) have had extensive clinical testing in this country and Internationally.

Breast enlargement is most commonly accomplished by inserting a saline-filled implant either behind the breast tissue on the surface of the chest muscles, or under the muscles. Incisions are made in the lower half of the areola, in the crease under the breasts or in the underarm area to help keep scars minimally noticeable. Alternative approaches (e.g., abdomen), and the exact methods of inserting and placement of the breast implants will depend on your anatomy, your choice of scar location, and your surgeon’s recommendation.

Pre-surgical mammography is often recommended to establish a baseline of your existing breast tissues. Current medical studies do not demonstrate increased risk  of breast disease or breast cancer in women who have artificial implants for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Patients having breast augmentation (augmentation mammaplasty) surgery should be advised that having fluid-filled breast implants may lead to additional future surgery and possible replacement, as the implants cannot be expected last indefinitely.

View other surgical procedures

Alternatives to Cosmetic Breast Augmentation (By Implants)

Breast augmentation is a procedure which is optional for you, and you may choose no surgical treatment. Use of transfer of your own tissues from one area to another is considered an alternative treatment. This may be by using muscle flaps from the chest or abdominal wall, or by removal of fat cells from other areas with re-grafting into the fatty layer normally found under the glandular tissues. Also, use of external breast padding or prostheses with appropriate undergarments designed to enhance breast shape and appearance.