Breast Augmentation
Key Takeaways
Breast augmentation can increase breast size, improve shape, and enhance symmetry using implants, fat transfer, or a combination approach tailored to your goals.
Silicone, saline, Motiva, and fat transfer each have specific advantages, so understanding these options helps match your implant or technique to your body and lifestyle.
A detailed consultation, careful incision and implant placement, and structured preparation all support safer surgery and more natural-looking results.
Recovery usually involves a quick return to light activity, clear activity restrictions for several weeks, and gradual changes as swelling settles and the final result appears.
Mirror Plastic Surgery uses a concierge, low-volume model that emphasizes safety, education, and individualized planning; you can start this process by booking a consultation with Dr. Akash.
Why a Concierge Plastic Surgery Approach Matters
Mirror Plastic Surgery follows a concierge model that reserves extended time and focused attention for each patient. The team schedules only one to two surgeries per day so the entire surgical and nursing staff can stay centered on your care before, during, and after the procedure.
The practice is guided by three priorities in order: safety, function, and aesthetics. This structure shapes every step of planning and surgery. Patients receive clear education about anatomy, implant and fat transfer options, incision placement, and realistic outcomes so decisions stay grounded in facts, not trends. Book an appointment with Dr. Akash to experience this approach in person.
Meet Dr. Akash: Board-Certified Breast Augmentation Surgeon
Dr. Akash, a board-certified plastic surgeon, completed medical education at Harvard and plastic surgery training at Johns Hopkins. He focuses on breast augmentation results that look natural, balanced, and in proportion with the rest of the body.
His fellowship in aesthetic surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital and additional innovation training at Stanford support his evidence-based approach to breast surgery. As an advisory board member for implant companies such as Motiva, he remains closely involved with advances in implant design and safety. Newsweek has listed him among America's Best Plastic Surgeons for breast augmentation for multiple years.
Each surgical plan reflects the patient’s anatomy, lifestyle, and goals. The aim is to enhance existing features while preserving comfort, function, and long-term breast health.
Understanding Breast Augmentation: Procedure Types, Candidacy, and Expectations
Types of Breast Augmentation Procedures
Breast augmentation can involve implants, fat transfer, or both. Key options include:
Silicone implants: Silicone implants are widely used because they tend to feel more like natural breast tissue, hold their shape well, and have durable construction.
Saline implants: Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement, are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older, and flatten if they leak while the fluid is reabsorbed by the body.
Motiva implants: Motiva implants, FDA-approved in 2024, are designed to reduce capsular contracture and closely follow the natural curve of the breast. Their shell structure and low capsular contracture rates support a teardrop-like shape with a flatter upper pole and fuller lower pole, which can work especially well for over-the-muscle placement.
Fat transfer breast augmentation: Fat transfer uses your own fat, removed with liposuction from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, then purified and placed into the breasts for modest volume increases. Mirror Plastic Surgery may use AlloClae in select patients to support fat integration and structure, aiming for more stable volume than traditional fat grafting alone.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Ideal candidates want to increase breast volume, correct asymmetry, or restore volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or aging. Good candidates typically:
Are in overall good health
Do not smoke or are willing to stop for a period before and after surgery
Have stable weight and realistic expectations about outcomes*
During your consultation, Dr. Akash reviews your medical history, examines your breast and chest anatomy, and discusses sizing, implant type, and placement options that fit your goals and lifestyle.
What Breast Augmentation Involves
Incision location and implant placement strongly influence both scar position and final breast shape. Inframammary incisions in the crease under the breast now account for about 80% of cases, up from 68%, because they allow good visibility, control, and cosmetic results. Other options include peri-areolar incisions around the edge of the nipple and transaxillary incisions in the armpit.
Submuscular placement beneath the chest muscle has increased from 22% to 56% of augmentations, while subglandular placement above the muscle has decreased from 19% to 7%. These trends reflect data on lower complication rates and patient satisfaction for many body types. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia with careful technique to limit tissue trauma and position the implant accurately.
Expected Outcomes* After Breast Augmentation
Most patients notice fuller breasts that match their frame, better fit in clothing and swimwear, and greater body confidence*. Current trends focus on proportion and subtlety rather than very large sizes. This approach supports results that appear integrated with the rest of your physique rather than drawing attention to the surgery itself.
Preparing for Your Breast Augmentation
Consultation Process at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Consultations typically last about an hour and include detailed measurements, a review of photos, and a clear discussion of your motivations and expectations. Dr. Akash explains options for implants or fat transfer, incision placement, and sizing so you understand trade-offs and likely results.
Pre-Operative Instructions
Preparation often includes:
Medical evaluation and any needed lab testing
Stopping smoking at least four weeks before surgery
Adjusting medications and supplements that can affect bleeding or anesthesia, based on guidance from the surgical team
Arranging transportation and a support person for the day of surgery and early recovery
What to Expect Before Surgery
Patients receive a timeline from consultation through surgery day so each step feels predictable. Final pre-operative visits confirm measurements, implant decisions, and surgical plans, and give you time to ask remaining questions. Book an appointment with Dr. Akash to start planning your procedure.
Lifestyle Planning
A balanced diet with adequate protein, vitamins, and hydration supports healing. Light, regular activity is usually safe until the week before surgery, but higher-intensity workouts may need to be paused sooner based on instructions. Preparing your home with comfortable resting areas, easy-to-access medications, and help for childcare or heavy chores can make the first week smoother.
Your Recovery After Breast Augmentation
Post-Operative Care
After surgery, patients receive written and verbal instructions that cover:
How to care for incisions and when to shower
Medications for discomfort and swelling
Use of support bras or compression garments
Warning signs that should prompt immediate contact with the office
The practice remains available for questions by phone or follow-up visits during the healing period.
Healing Timeline
Most patients return to light, non-strenuous activities within several days to one week. Swelling, tightness, and mild bruising are common and usually improve over a few weeks. Final results* continue to refine for three to six months as tissues soften and implants settle into position.
Recovery Experience*
Many patients describe chest tightness or fullness at first, along with mild to moderate soreness that responds to prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Energy levels often improve within one to two weeks, especially as sleep normalizes and movement becomes easier.
Activity Restrictions
To protect healing tissues and implant position, patients are typically advised to:
Avoid lifting more than about 10 pounds for 4 to 6 weeks
Limit overhead arm movements early on, based on surgeon guidance
Wait to resume high-impact exercise or heavy upper-body workouts until cleared, often at the six-week visit
Key Factors to Consider and Common Pitfalls
Common Misconceptions
Many people believe implants must be replaced every ten years. In reality, implants do not have a fixed expiration date, but they may require monitoring and possible replacement over time if issues arise. Concerns about permanent loss of nipple sensation are also common; with careful technique and appropriate implant size, most patients maintain normal or near-normal sensation, although changes remain a known risk.
Why Surgeon Credentials and Practice Style Matter
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a full evaluation and explains recommendations clearly supports safer surgery and more predictable results*. Rushed consultations or very high-volume practices may leave less time to explore your goals, anatomy, and medical history in depth.
Mirror Plastic Surgery’s concierge model allows extended pre-operative planning and dedicated post-operative follow-up. Book an appointment with Dr. Akash to discuss how this approach can fit your needs.
Cost of Breast Augmentation
Pricing for breast augmentation varies because each plan is tailored to a person’s anatomy and goals. Total cost usually reflects:
Implant type or fat transfer techniques
Surgical time and complexity
Anesthesia and facility fees
Post-operative garments and follow-up care
A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon provides an individualized quote and helps align your budget with appropriate options for volume, shape, and technique*.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
What is the difference between silicone and saline breast implants?
Silicone implants are pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel and often feel closer to natural breast tissue. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement, are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older, and deflate if they leak while the fluid is absorbed by the body. The best choice depends on your anatomy, desired feel, and preferences.
What are Motiva implants, and how do they differ from traditional implants?
Motiva implants received FDA approval in 2024 and are engineered to lower capsular contracture risk and follow the natural slope of the breast. Their shell design and gel consistency help create a softer, teardrop-like profile that can be well-suited to over-the-muscle placement in appropriate candidates.
Is fat transfer a viable option for breast augmentation?
Fat transfer can be a good option for people seeking a modest size increase, a very natural look and feel, and the avoidance of synthetic implants. Fat is taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs with liposuction, processed, and placed into the breasts. Mirror Plastic Surgery may use AlloClae in select cases to support better fat survival and structure over time.
What is the typical recovery time for breast augmentation?
Many patients return to desk work or other light activity within a few days to one week. Swelling and mild discomfort often improve over several weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are usually limited for 4 to 6 weeks to protect healing tissues and implant position.
What incision types are commonly used, and which is preferred?
Common incision locations include the inframammary fold under the breast and the peri-areolar border around the nipple. Inframammary incisions have become the most frequently used because they provide excellent access and favorable cosmetic outcomes. The best approach depends on your anatomy, implant choice, and discussion with your surgeon.
Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.