Your Ultimate Guide to Breast Augmentation

Considering a breast augmentation or enlargement procedure is a highly personal decision. For some people, it is something they have considered for years. For others, changes after pregnancy, aging or weight loss prompt them to begin exploring their options.

In Dr. Michele Koo’s St. Louis and Menlo Park practices, many women arrive with similar questions: What size will look right on my body? Should I choose silicone or saline? Where should the implant be placed? And how do I communicate the result I actually want?

Those questions matter because breast augmentation is about much more than increasing breast size. Anatomy, lifestyle, breast shape, implant choice and your long-term goals all play a role in creating the right surgical plan.

This guide explains the major considerations Dr. Michele Koo, a Menlo Park plastic surgeon, encourages patients to understand before making a decision, from choosing a qualified plastic surgeon to defining the size and shape you want and understanding the potential risks of surgery.

Read on to learn more about:

• What breast augmentation is
• Who may be a good candidate
• What results you can expect
• What breast augmentation does not address
• How to choose the right surgeon
• Implant decisions
• Understanding your preferred size and shape
• Personal factors to consider
• Communicating effectively with your surgeon
• Potential risks of breast augmentation surgery

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to increase or enhance breast size. Also known as augmentation mammoplasty, it is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures.

Breast augmentation may be performed using breast implants or by transferring fat from another area of the patient’s body to the breast.

The procedure itself is only one part of the decision. The size, shape and overall appearance you want, along with how those goals fit your anatomy and lifestyle, are equally important considerations.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY?

If you are unhappy with the size of your breasts, are a non-smoker and are in overall good health, you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation.

Women choose breast augmentation for many different reasons.

COMMON REASONS INCLUDE:

• Increasing the size of naturally small breasts
• Restoring volume lost after pregnancy, aging or weight loss
• Reconstruction after mastectomy
• Correcting uneven or asymmetric breasts

The reason you are considering surgery matters because it helps shape the conversation about what breast augmentation can realistically accomplish.

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Breast augmentation can help create:

• Larger or fuller breasts
• Restored breast volume and plumpness
• Greater harmony between the shape of the breasts and hips
• Improved self-image and confidence

There is no single breast augmentation result that is right for every patient. Your result will depend on your anatomy, preferences and the surgical plan you develop with your plastic surgeon.

WHAT DOES BREAST AUGMENTATION NOT DO?

Knowing what breast augmentation cannot accomplish is just as important as understanding what it can.

Breast augmentation does not reduce breast size. That requires a separate procedure known as breast reduction surgery.

Breast augmentation alone also does not correct significant sagging or drooping. In those cases, a breast lift may be more appropriate and can sometimes be performed at the same time as an augmentation.

Your plastic surgeon can help determine which procedure, or combination of procedures, best aligns with your goals.

To learn more or get personalized guidance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Koo.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SURGEON FOR YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION

Implants often receive most of the attention when women begin researching breast augmentation, but choosing your plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions in the process. Before moving forward, consider a few key questions.

IS YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON BOARD CERTIFIED?

Board certification matters. Plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery must meet rigorous educational and training requirements, including medical school and several years of residency.

Be cautious when evaluating physicians certified by boards outside of plastic surgery, as their training may not include the same depth of experience in plastic surgical procedures.

IS YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON A MEMBER OF THE AESTHETIC SURGERY SOCIETY?

Membership in the Aesthetic Surgery Society or a similar professional organization can indicate an ongoing commitment to the art and science of aesthetic surgery and to staying current with evolving techniques.

DOES YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON HAVE A PORTFOLIO OF BEFORE-AND-AFTER PHOTOS?

A substantial breast augmentation before-and-after gallery can help you evaluate a surgeon’s work and better understand the types of results they achieve.

DOES YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON HAVE TESTIMONIALS OR PATIENTS WILLING TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH YOU?

Patient reviews and testimonials can offer another perspective on a surgeon’s approach, communication and patient experience.

Hearing from people who have already undergone the procedure may help you understand what it is like to move through the decision-making process with that surgeon.

IMPLANT DECISIONS

Choosing an implant is not simply a matter of deciding how large you want your breasts to be.

Your anatomy, breast shape, lifestyle and the overall look you want all play a role in the decision. Dr. Koo encourages patients to think beyond implant size and focus on the result they want to achieve.

If you are still unsure where to begin, read Dr. Koo’s guide on how to choose the right breast implant for you, which explains how factors such as body shape, lifestyle and personal preferences can help guide the decision.

Your surgeon should then help you understand the available options and how they relate to your anatomy and goals.

• Silicone vs. Saline: Understand the differences between silicone and saline breast implants, including the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Implant Placement: Discuss whether the implant should be placed under the breast tissue or beneath the muscle.
• Breast Lift: Depending on the degree of sagging and the result you want, a breast lift may be recommended in addition to augmentation. The two procedures can be performed at the same time when appropriate.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR VISION

Breast augmentation is not simply about choosing a size.  Shape, proportion and overall appearance matter just as much.

This is where clear communication becomes particularly important. Your surgeon cannot understand your ideal result from a cup size alone.

DESCRIBING YOUR VISION

Take time to think about how you want your breasts to look after surgery.

Visual references can be useful, including photographs showing both what you like and what you do not like. Sometimes being able to explain what you want to avoid is just as useful as describing the result you want.

NATURAL APPEARANCE

Think about the overall appearance you prefer.

Some women want a more natural slope with a subtle result, while others prefer a rounder or fuller appearance. Neither preference is inherently right or wrong. What matters is communicating your preference clearly.

SIZE PREFERENCES

Consider how noticeable you want the change to be and how the result will fit into your everyday life.

You may want your breasts to appear more prominent in certain clothing while still feeling proportionate and natural in other situations. This is why breast augmentation planning should go beyond simply choosing a number or cup size.

PERSONAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER

The breasts you want should also make sense for the life you live.

Your lifestyle and anatomy both influence breast augmentation planning.

• Lifestyle and Activity: Your exercise routine, day-to-day activities and clothing preferences may influence implant size and shape.
• Body Characteristics: Your height, weight, whether you have had children and whether you may have children in the future can all affect the surgical approach.

OTHER FACTORS

Before deciding on implant size or shape, think beyond the immediate result. Several longer-term considerations belong in the conversation as well.

• Future Mammograms: Breast implants may affect future mammograms, so discuss how routine breast screening will be managed after surgery.
• Family History of Breast Cancer: If you have a family history of breast cancer, make sure your surgeon is aware so your surgical plan can account for any breast-health considerations.
• Implant Longevity: Ask how long your chosen implants are expected to last and what factors may influence whether they eventually need to be replaced.
• Long-Term Appearance: Consider not only how full you want your breasts to look now, but how you want that appearance to evolve over time.

Looking at these factors alongside your personal preferences can help you make a decision based on more than the appearance you want immediately after surgery.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR SURGEON

One of the recurring themes throughout breast augmentation planning is communication.

Your surgeon should understand your vision for your body and be able to articulate that vision back to you. You, in turn, should feel comfortable saying what you want, what you dislike and what concerns you.

You can make those conversations more productive by preparing in advance.

• Build a Breast Vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with basic breast terminology so you can ask more specific questions and explain your preferences clearly.
• Establish a Patient-Doctor Connection: You should feel comfortable talking openly with your surgeon. A strong rapport makes it easier to communicate honestly about what you want, what you do not want and what is realistically achievable.

The goal is not simply to select an implant. It is to make sure you and your surgeon are working toward the same vision.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY?

As with any medical procedure, breast augmentation carries potential risks.

Your surgeon should discuss the risks that apply to your individual circumstances during your consultation.

Potential risks may include:

• Infection
• Temporary or permanent changes in skin sensation
• Temporary bleeding or bruising
• A small risk of blood clots
• Skin discoloration related to scarring or bruising
• Temporary challenges with breastfeeding, when applicable
• A rare possibility of chronic pain
• Adverse reactions to anesthesia or sedation medications

Understanding potential complications is part of making an informed decision. Your surgeon should explain the relevant risks and how your procedure will be planned and managed with safety in mind.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

The most useful question in breast augmentation is not simply, “What size do I want?”

It is how the size, shape and overall result you want fit with your anatomy, lifestyle and long-term goals.

Taking the time to understand those factors, communicate them clearly and choose a surgeon who understands your vision can help you approach breast augmentation as an informed decision rather than simply an implant choice.

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation in St. Louis or Menlo Park, California, or discuss which options may be appropriate for you, contact Dr. Michele Koo’s office to request more information.