Breast Enlargement Surgery - Are Breast Implants in Your Future?

Breast enlargement, or breast augmentation, surgery may improve a woman's appearance and self-esteem if her natural breasts are sagging or deflated as a result of age, gravity, major weight loss, or multiple pregnancies. Also, women who have naturally very small breasts or asymmetrical breasts may want to enlarge their breasts to make clothes fit better and to enhance their confidence.

Most women who are in generally good health and do not have any conditions that could cause complications with the surgery or the implants themselves are good candidates for breast enlargement surgery. It is recommended that patients considering having children should postpone the surgery until after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In breast enlargement surgery an incision is made in the armpit, under the breast, around the areola, or in the navel. Then, a sac of liquid filler is placed in the breast. The sac may be placed either on top of or below the breast muscle. The sac may be filled with either saline or silicone and may be a variety of different sizes.

Breast enlargement surgery requires general anesthesia, but is usually done on an outpatient basis. Occasionally, a local anesthesia and oral sedative may be given to the patient instead of a general anesthesia. The surgery typically takes one to two hours.

The costs of breast enlargement surgery are typically not covered by insurance as the surgery is considered elective. Many surgeons offer financing plans to help patients cover the cost of surgery.

After surgery, the patient will have gauze wrapped around the chest and secured with a surgical bra. Often, there will often be drainage tubes under the gauze to drain fluid from the incisions. The patient can expect soreness, bruising, and swelling for at least a few days after surgery. Severe complications are rare but include infection of the breast tissue, scar tissue forming in the breast and around the incision site, sagging of the breast, and rupture of the liquid-filled sac. Also, breast implants may interfere with future mammograms or breastfeeding.


Breast lift and breast reconstruction are just a few of the body contouring procedures available to deal with common aesthetic problems. Contact a New Jersey breast implants center to learn more about the latest advances in surgical breast enhancement.