BREAST AUGMENTATION

Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

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Beauty for life:

Enhancing your appearance with breast augmentation

If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, augmentation surgery is a choice to consider. Breast augmentation can:

  • Increase fullness and projection of your breasts

  • Improve the balance of your figure

  • Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, the procedure involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

Implants also may be used to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy or injury.

Is it right for me?

Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Breast augmentation may be a good option for you if:

  • You are physically healthy

  • You have realistic expectations

  • Your breasts are fully developed

  • You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small

  • You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss or with aging

  • Your breasts vary in size or shape

  • One or both breasts failed to develop normally

What to expect during your consultation

The success and safety of your breast augmentation procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

  • Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome

  • Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments

  • Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs

  • Previous surgeries

  • Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Dr. Suber may also:

  • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors

  • Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples

  • Take photographs for your medical record

  • Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment

  • Discuss likely outcomes of breast augmentation and any risks or potential complications

  • Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast augmentation

Preparing for surgery

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation

  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications

  • Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue

  • Stop smoking well in advance of surgery

  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

  • What to do on the day of surgery

  • Post-operative care and follow-up

  • Breast implant registry documents (when necessary)

Important facts about the safety and risks of breast augmentation

The decision to have breast augmentation surgery is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Dr. Suber will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The risks include:

  • Unfavorable scarring

  • Bleeding (hematoma)

  • Infection

  • Poor healing of incisions

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, may be temporary or permanent

  • Capsular contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant

  • Implant leakage or rupture

  • Wrinkling of the skin over the implant

  • Anesthesia risks

  • Fluid accumulation

  • Blood clots

  • Pain, which may persist

  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

  • Possibility of revisional surgery

Breast implants do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast implants and autoimmune or other systemic diseases.

Other important considerations:

  • Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.

  • Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime

My recovery

After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.

Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of Dr. Suber and will be individualized to you. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Dr. Suber.

Be sure to ask Dr. Suber specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

  • Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?

  • What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?

  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?

  • When will they be removed?

  • Are stitches removed? When?

  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?

  • When do I return for follow-up care?

When you go home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Be careful

Following Dr. Suber's instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. Suber will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

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The results will be long-lasting

The results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long lasting. You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing and swimwear. Like many women who have had breast augmentation, you may also have a boost in self-confidence.

Implants may need to be replaced or revised

It's important to know that your breast implants are not permanent and may require replacement during your lifetime. You should expect to have future visits with your plastic surgeon to discuss changes in your breasts.


Over time, your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift or implant exchange to restore a more youthful contour.


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How much will breast augmentation surgery cost?

Dr. Suber is sensitive to the fact that cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. As such, our practice strives to make breast augmentation as affordable as possible. Details on any individual's costs are provided at the time of the consultation with Dr. Suber.

Cost may include:

  • Surgeon's fee

  • Hospital or surgical facility costs

  • Anesthesia fees

  • Implant cost

  • Prescriptions for medication

  • Post-surgery garments

  • Medical tests

Most health insurance plans will not cover cosmetic breast augmentation surgery, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of your breasts. Some carriers even exclude breast diseases in patients who have breast implants. You must carefully review your health insurance policy.

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