Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Breast augmentation (or augmentation mammaplasty) is a form of plastic surgery designed to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. This type of surgery can also correct discrepancies between breasts in terms of size and shape, and improve firmness. Women use breast augmentation surgery to enhance genetically small or asymmetrical breasts, or to improve a decrease in breast size or firmness as a result of pregnancy, breast feeding, aging, or significant weight loss.


Breast augmentation can be performed in a surgeon’s office, in a surgical center, or in a hospital using local anesthesia (numbing the area) or general anesthesia (you are asleep). This procedure usually lasts one to three hours.

To begin the procedure, an incision is made under the breast, around the nipple, in the arm pit, or in the navel area. The plastic surgeon will then use a special tool to create a space for the breast implant. Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes in a range of materials. The type of incision and location of the implant that is best for you depend on your body frame, the size and shape of your implant, your current amount of breast tissue and the desired location for the scar.

The best candidates for breast enlargement are women over the age of 18 who are physically and mentally healthy and are interested in enhancing the size and shape of their breasts. Candidates must be comfortable with some permanent scarring and understand that augmentation procedures are not permanent (gravity and aging will cause drooping and sagging across time).

You are not a good candidate for breast augmentation if you plan to get pregnant or lose excessive amounts of weight in the future, as both situations tend to cause loosening of the skin and ligaments that support the breasts. In addition, if you already have very heavy, full or droopy breasts, you may need a mastopexy (breast lift) in combination with your breast augmentation surgery. Finally, women who desire a cup size increase that is not proportional to their body frame may be disappointed by the long term results of a breast augmentation surgery.


Typically, the best and safest breast augmentation surgeries are performed by plastic surgeons that have completed years of specialized training in these procedures. Plastic surgeons should be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. “Board certification” means that a doctor has passed additional rigorous oral and written examinations related to a particular medical specialty.

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