Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure to enlarge the size and enhance the shape of a woman's breast. Women seek to enlarge their breasts for many reasons. Women with small breasts, women who have lost breast volume after pregnancy, after weight loss or as they age, or women who have differences in size between the right and left breasts as well as those who need reconstruction after breast surgery are usually the ones who benefit most from this procedure. Breast sagging can be treated at the same time with a breast lift.

This type of plastic surgery uses breast implants to produce the results. Salt-water solution implants, known as saline implants and silicone gel-filled implants can be used. A woman must be at least 22 years old to undergo augmentation with silicone gel. Breast augmentation is a relatively safe procedure. However, like any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and specific complications associated with this procedure that you need to discuss with your plastic surgeon. So far, there has been no evidence that breast implants will affect your fertility or pregnancy. There is also no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer.

Breast augmentation however, may make it technically more difficult to get or read mammograms, and special mammogram views or extra examinations by ultrasound may be needed for patients with breast implants.

Breast augmentation is usually performed in a surgery center, or a hospital outpatient facility. General anesthesia is used for this type of plastic surgery. The incision will be made in such a way to make it as inconspicuous as possible, around the areola, or in the crease where the breast meets the chest.

The surgery usually takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours to complete. Most patients will be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the nature of their job.