Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation surgery involves using breast implants to fulfill a woman's desire for fuller breasts (breast enlargement) or to restore breast volume after weight reduction or pregnancy.

While a great many women desire an increase in breast size and fullness, some women simply want their breasts to be in proportion to the rest of their body.

Women of all ages desire breast enlargement for a variety of reasons. Generally, women who are genetically pre-dispositioned toward having a smaller breast size desire to fill out their clothes or bathing suits. Also included in our clientele are women who have lost breast size due to weight loss or breast-feeding; they want to regain their breast fullness and/or cleavage.

Your surgeon will make the incisions in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. There are three types of incisions available: Inframammary (at the breast crease), transaxillary (under the arm), and periareolar (around the areola). Your surgeon will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type of incision. Several factors will play a role in which incision is best for you, including but not limited to: implant size, your body structure, and your surgeon's preference.

The next step is for your surgeon to insert the implant and place it into position. The implant can be placed under the pectoral muscle (submuscular), or over the pectoral muscle (subglandular placement). Your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of both types of placement with you.

After the implants are positioned, your surgeon will suture the incisions. The final step of your breast augmentation procedure is your full recovery.

Breast augmentation is very successful at increasing overall breast size. Results don't replicate the exact look of “natural” larger breasts. Implants are usually more round and less saggy than natural breasts of identical size but most women agree that these differences are actually improvements.

If you are unhappy with your current breast size, a breast augmentation surgery can not only increase your breast size and fullness, but (more importantly) improve your self confidence and self esteem.

Most women return to work within 4 or 5 days. Of course, any strenuous lifting or even raising the arms above shoulder level should be strictly avoided. Playing sports or engaging in strenuous workouts are generally to be avoided for at least a month, maybe longer. It will depend upong your particular situation and your surgeon's recommendations.

For at least 5 days you must keep arm movements to a minimum. The more you can allow your muscle and tissues to relax and repair, the quicker the healing process.

Full recovery from breast augmentation surgery can take up to 9 months. Of course, you will have returned to your normal lifestyle long before then.

The short answer: not forever!

Breast implants are medical devices and they are subject to aging effects and the pull of gravity just as any other part of your body. This is true for both saline implants and silicone gel implants.

On a long enough time line, every implant will fail (rupture or leak). On average, implants are replaced about every 10 years. Did you know that you typically breathe over 15,000 times per day? Breathing, time, excessive movement, gravity, and especially trauma to the chest area all play a role in the lifespan of a breast implant.