Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation uses implants or fat transfer to increase volume and improve symmetry, tailored to your frame and goals.
Breast Augmentation near you
Charles
Lee, MD
David
Kahng
Peter
Ashjian, MD
Debra
Stafford, MD
Robert
Schlenker, MD
Mark
Solomon, MD
Kevin
Ruhge, MD
Andre
Panossian, MD
Jaime
Schwartz, MD
Anthony
Griffin, MD
David
Rosenberg, MD
Mohammad
Khosravi, MD
William
Rahal, MD
Amir
Tahernia, MD
Samuel
Golpanian
John
Diaz, MD
Gordon
Sasaki, MD
Walter
Joseph, MD
Obaid
Chaudhry, MD
Gloria
De Olarte, MD
Daniel
Barrett, MD
Faryan
Jalalabadi
Victor
Zhu, MD
Saul
Berger, MD
Ashkan
Ghavami, MD
Michael
Hakimi, MD
Stewart
Wang, MD
Armen
Vartany, MD
Linda
Li, MD
Graham
Ives, MD
Stuart
Linder, MD
Jay
Orringer, MD
Dr.
Mossi Salibian, MD
Nicholas
Nikolov, MD
Andre
Marshall, MD
Joshua
Jacobson, MD
Bruce
Kadz, MD
Joel
Aronowitz, MD
Elie
Ramly, MD
Navanjun
Grewal, MD
Elise
Min, MD
Breast Augmentation: making the decision
What the price actually covers
Honest risks
- Capsular contracture is the most common long-term reason for revision
- Temporary nipple sensitivity changes
- Implants may need replacement in 10–20 years
Are you a good candidate?
- Fully developed (18+ saline / 22+ silicone per FDA)
- Stable weight, not currently pregnant or nursing
- Clear size goals — bring photos, ask for sizers
Six questions for every consult
- Are you board-certified, and in what specialty? (Verify it — don't just ask.)
- How many of this exact procedure did you do in the last 12 months?
- Can I see before/afters of patients with my anatomy or skin type?
- Who handles complications, and what's your revision policy and fee?
- Where is the procedure done, and is the facility accredited?
- What results would you consider realistic for me — and what won't this fix?
Verify before you book
Implant types, compared
Every breast implant is a silicone shell; what fills it decides the FDA-approved age, how a rupture shows itself, and what monitoring you sign up for. These distinctions come from the FDA's own implant labeling pages, not from manufacturers' marketing.
| Saline | Silicone gel | Highly cohesive (“gummy”) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill | Shell filled with sterile saltwater, some filled during surgery | Shell filled with silicone gel | Highly cohesive, shaped silicone gel |
| FDA-approved age | 18 or older | 22 or older | 22 or older |
| How rupture shows | Deflation you'll notice — the implant loses size and shape within days | Usually “silent” — no visible change; a physical exam alone can miss it | Same silent-rupture profile as silicone gel |
| Rupture screening | MRI is the most effective method for detecting silent rupture | MRI most effective; ultrasound acceptable for asymptomatic patients (FDA, Dec 2023). Screening may not be covered by insurance | Same as silicone gel |
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a T-cell lymphoma — not breast cancer — that develops in the scar tissue and fluid around an implant, usually years after placement; the symptoms are persistent swelling, a mass, or pain. Risk is higher with textured implants, and in July 2019 the FDA asked Allergan to recall its BIOCELL textured line. As of June 30, 2024 the FDA had received 1,380 unique device reports worldwide including 64 deaths; where the surface was reported, 73% involved a textured implant. Treatment is removal of the implant and capsule. The FDA does not recommend removal for patients without symptoms — the practical takeaway is to know which implant you have and take persistent late swelling seriously.
Source: FDA — Questions and Answers about BIA-ALCL ↗Since October 2021 every breast implant sold in the US carries a boxed warning — the FDA's strongest — and its sale is restricted: the surgeon must review a patient decision checklist with you, you must be offered the chance to initial and sign it, and the implanting physician signs it too. The labeling also includes a list of the materials in the device and a patient card you keep. A practice that hands you the checklist unprompted is simply following the rule; one that doesn't is skipping a legal requirement, which tells you something before any incision is made.
Source: FDA — Things to Consider Before Getting Breast Implants ↗The FDA acknowledges reports of systemic symptoms in patients with implants — fatigue, memory loss, “brain fog,” joint pain, rash — collectively described as breast implant illness. It is not well understood and there is no diagnostic test, but the FDA notes that in some cases removal without replacement has been reported to reverse symptoms, and it asks patients to report their experience through MedWatch. If you develop these symptoms with implants in place, that is a conversation for a board-certified plastic surgeon, and reporting it adds to the evidence base either way.
Source: FDA — Risks and Complications of Breast Implants ↗Med spas by metro
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Patient reviews
Breast Augmentation: common questions
How much do breast implants cost?
ASPS publishes two figures: an average surgeon's fee of $4,875 for augmentation with implants, and $5,719 with fat grafting. Both exclude anesthesia, facility, and the implants themselves, so all-in costs generally land between $6,000 and $10,000. Silicone implants cost more than saline. The number worth asking about beyond the quote is what happens later — implants are not lifetime devices, and revision surgery down the line is a real cost that a first quote never includes.
How long do breast implants last?
There's no expiry date, but implants aren't permanent devices and the FDA does not recommend treating them as such. Many need replacing at some point for rupture, capsular contracture, or simply changing preference; a commonly cited figure is that a meaningful proportion of patients have revision surgery within 10 years. The FDA recommends periodic imaging to screen for silent rupture of silicone implants — MRI or ultrasound — starting a few years after surgery and repeating periodically. Ask your surgeon what their screening recommendation is and factor it into the long-run cost.