Breast Augmentation: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Breast Augmentation?
A plastic surgeon, a surgeon who does cosmetic and reconstructive operations, performs breast augmentation. MedlinePlus advises talking with a plastic surgeon if you are considering it. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Breast augmentation is a procedure to enlarge or change the shape of the breasts. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says it uses breast implants or fat transfer. An implant is a sac filled with either sterile salt water (saline) or a material called silicone. The surgeon places implants behind breast tissue or under the chest muscle. The surgery is done at an outpatient surgery clinic or in a hospital.
Why a doctor might recommend it
People have this surgery to increase the size of their breasts. It may also change the shape of the breasts or correct a defect you are born with. ASPS says you may be a candidate if you are physically healthy and are not pregnant or breastfeeding. It lists breasts that lost shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss or aging as another reason. The choice should be your own, not made for someone else, even if that person offers to pay.
How to prepare
MedlinePlus lists these steps before surgery.
- Ask your surgeon if you need a screening mammogram, based on your age and risk of breast cancer.
- Tell your surgeon if you are or could be pregnant.
- If you smoke, cut back or quit, because smoking can slow healing and raise the risk of blood clots.
- The week before, you may be asked to stop blood thinners. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and vitamin E.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and help you around the house for 1 or 2 days.
What happens during it
Most women receive general anesthesia, so you are asleep and pain-free. Most often, the surgeon makes a cut under the breast, in the natural skin fold. The implant goes in through this cut. A cut around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple, may cause more breastfeeding problems and numbness near the nipple. The implant type, implant size and surgery method can affect pain, looks and the risk of leaks.
Recovery
After surgery you are watched in a recovery area, and you may go home after about an hour once you are stable. Sharp pain typically fades after one to five days, but soreness and swelling can last a few weeks. Scars are permanent and are often more visible in the year after surgery, and they may fade after this. Tell your surgeon about a mass, swelling or pain around an implant. These can be signs of a rare cancer called lymphoma. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, bleeding that will not stop, or fainting.
Risks and side effects
Surgery can cause bleeding, blood clots and infection. It can also cause breathing problems and reactions to medicines. Risks of breast surgery include difficulty breastfeeding and loss of feeling in the nipple area or nearby skin. An implant can break or leak, or show visible rippling. Your body forms a capsule of scar tissue around a new implant. If the capsule thickens, the breast can change shape, harden or hurt. Some people report tiredness, joint pain and rash after implants. This is called breast implant illness. MedlinePlus says there is not enough evidence yet for it to be a recognized illness.
Who performs it
A plastic surgeon performs breast augmentation.
Common questions
Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
A good candidate is physically healthy, is not pregnant or breastfeeding, has fully developed breasts and has realistic expectations.
Do breast implants affect mammograms?
Yes, implants can change how a mammogram is done, because extra views are needed to see the breast.
How soon can I go home after breast augmentation?
You will likely go home when the anesthesia wears off and you can walk, drink water and use the bathroom safely. ASPS says this is typically after an hour or so in the recovery area.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. MedlinePlus says your surgeon may ask you to see the provider who treats your diabetes, heart disease or other conditions before surgery.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Breast augmentation surgery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Breast Augmentation Candidates
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Breast Augmentation Recovery
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
