American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Breast Augmentation

Augmentation Mammaplasty

Breast augmentation, sometimes referred to as a "boob job" by patients, involves using breast implants or fat transfer to enhance your breasts.

View this content in Español

What are the steps of a breast augmentation procedure?

A breast augmentation procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incision options include: along the areolar edge (peri-areolar incision), the fold under the breast (inframammary fold) and in the armpit (axillary incision). A belly-button approach is associated with a higher complication rate.

breast augmentation incisions

Incisions vary based on the type of breast implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy and patient-surgeon preference.

Step 3 – Inserting and placing the breast implant

After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:

submuscular and subglandular breast implant placement

A. Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement)

B. Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)

The method for inserting and positioning breast implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type and your surgeon's recommendations.

Step 4 – Closing the incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.

breast augmentation incision locations

Over time the incision lines will fade. The quality of scar depends on many things, including your genetics, exposure of your body to nicotine and infection.

Step 5 – See the results

The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Get more information about breast augmentation results.



Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Amir Ghaznavi Headshot

Amir Ghaznavi, MD

13454 Sunrise Valley Dr STE 130
Herndon, VA 20171

(703) 239-3190

Michael Brown Headshot

Michael Brown, MD

45155 Research Place Suite 125
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 726-1175

Timothy Mountcastle Headshot

Timothy Mountcastle, MD

44095 Pipeline Plaza Suite 430
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 858-3208

Munique Maia Headshot

Munique Maia, MD

8100 Boone Boulevard, Suite 730
Tysons Corner, VA 22182

(703) 574-4500

Shlomo Widder Headshot

Shlomo Widder, MD

8230 Leesburg Pike Suite 630
Vienna, VA 22182-2641

(703) 506-0300

Mark Venturi Headshot

Mark Venturi, MD

7601 Lewinsville Road Suite 400
McLean, VA 22102

(703) 287-8277

Navin Singh Headshot

Navin Singh, MD

7601 Lewinsville Rd. Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102

(703) 3454377

Larry Lickstein Headshot

Larry Lickstein, MD

21021 Sycolin Road, Suite 001
Ashburn, VA 20147

(571) 4405005

Logo

Patient Care Center