Breast augmentation with implants is the most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. By placing silicone or saline implants, surgeons can increase breast size, improve symmetry, and restore volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss. Modern techniques and implant technology make the procedure safer and more customizable than ever.
Types of Breast Implants
Patients can choose from several implant types, each with distinct characteristics:
- Saline implants: Filled with sterile saltwater after placement. Rupture is easily detected as the implant deflates. Tend to feel firmer than silicone.
- Silicone gel implants: Pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics natural breast tissue. Available in a range of profiles and sizes.
- Gummy bear implants (form-stable silicone): A highly cohesive silicone gel that maintains its shape even if the shell is compromised. Teardrop-shaped options provide a very natural contour.
Implant Placement Options
Surgeons can place implants either above or below the pectoral muscle. The right choice depends on your anatomy, implant size, and lifestyle:
- Submuscular (under the muscle): Provides more natural coverage, lower risk of visible rippling, and lower capsular contracture rates. Preferred for thinner patients.
- Subglandular (over the muscle): Shorter recovery, less discomfort, and no distortion during muscle flexion. Better for patients with adequate natural breast tissue.
Choosing the Right Size and Shape
Implant selection is highly personal. During your consultation, your surgeon will take measurements and use 3D imaging or sizers to help you visualize different outcomes. Rather than focusing on cup size, which is not standardized, surgeons describe implants in cc (cubic centimeters) of volume. Profile (low, moderate, high, or ultra-high) describes how far the implant projects from the chest wall relative to its base width.
Recovery and Long-Term Care
Initial recovery takes 5 to 7 days before returning to light activity, with full exercise resumption at 4 to 6 weeks. The implants will feel high and tight initially before settling into their final position over 3 to 6 months. Long-term, patients should perform monthly self-exams, get annual mammograms (with notification to technicians of implant presence), and follow FDA recommendations for periodic MRI screening if they have silicone implants.