Breast Augmentation Procedure

Learn How Breast Implant Procedures are Performed


The breast augmentation procedure enhances breast fullness and size. Although breast size and shape varies greatly among women and within an individual woman’s life span, breasts are ideally pert, firm, and somewhat full in shape (though not necessarily big). Breasts may be enlarged to any size, from subtle enhancement to very full enhancement.

Depending on the degree of sagging, breast augmentation surgery can fill the upper flat area of the breast creating a lift without a breast lift. The breast augmentation procedure also corrects any reduction in breast volume following pregnancy, balances a difference in breast size, and reconstructs the breast following breast surgery. The incisions made in breast augmentation surgery are strategically placed so that any scarring is inconspicuous.

In consultation, your surgeon will take into account your age, the size and shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin and whether an implant is advisable. A breast augmentation procedure can even be performed in conjunction with a breast lift if your breasts are sagging.

There are four different techniques for a breast implant incision:

  • Periareolar (incision in made around the nipple)
  • Transaxillary (incision is made in the armpit)
  • Inframammary ( incision is made in the crease where the breast meets the chest)
  • Transumbilical /TUBA (incision is made in the bellybutton

The placement of the incision will dictate what kind of scarring you may have, if any at all. Implants may even be placed above or below the pectoral muscles.


  • Subglandular (above pectoral muscle)
  • Partial submuscular (partially behind pectoral muscle)
  • Complete submuscular (completely behind pectoral muscle)

The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. Placing implants behind your chest muscle may reduce the potential for capsular contracture, which makes breasts hard. This placement may also interfere less with breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue. Placement behind the muscle however, may be more painful for a few days after surgery than placement directly under the breast tissue. Your surgeon will discuss which incision will be needed to give you the best possible result.

Before Breast Augmentation Procedure

  1. Do not take any medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the two weeks prior to your breast augmentation surgery.
  2. Eat a balanced nutrient-rich diet before and after surgery. A healthy diet will help speed your breast augmentation recovery time.
  3. The night before surgery, do not eat or drink after midnight unless instructed differently by your anesthesiologist.
  4. Make-up or contact lenses should not be worn during surgery.
  5. Arrange to have a friend or family member take you home after your surgery and stay with you that evening and for the next few days if possible.

The Procedure

There are various approaches to breast augmentation surgery. Your plastic surgeon will recommend an approach depending on your preferences, body shape and prior and future treatments. The following provides a very basic overview of how the procedure is performed.

Breast augmentation surgery typically takes one to two hours depending on the extent of the procedure. The procedure can be performed in a hospital or state accredited surgery center on an outpatient basis. Patients are given general anesthesia during this procedure.

  1. After the patient is anesthetized, the surgeon makes an incision specific to the technique discussed above.
  2. Working through the incision, the surgeon lifts the breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, whether directly behind the breast tissue or underneath the chest wall muscle.
  3. Implants are placed in the newly formed pocket.
  4. Stitches are used to close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Your breast may be sore for 2-6 weeks following surgery. Patients may experience a burning sensation in the nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades. Patients may also experience under-sensitivity, oversensitivity, or numbness in the nipples and breast skin. These symptoms usually fade as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally may be permanent.

Patients will be instructed to wear an elastic bandage (ace wrap) for the initial 24 hours. After your first shower, you may wear a sports bra. You will need to wear this for the next 3 weeks. After 3 weeks most women are able to wear a normal bra. Sutures are removed after 1-2 weeks, but the swelling in the breasts may take three to five weeks to resolve.

Breast skin may be very dry following surgery. You may apply a moisturizer several times a day, but be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

Most patients are back at work within one or two weeks after surgery, although rigorous activities should be avoided for at least a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. Also avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for a few weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once you breasts are no longer sore. Because you have undergone invasive surgery, you’ll probably have less energy for the first two weeks, but by the third week, you’ll look and feel much better.

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