Breast augmentation surgery, also known as an augmentation mammoplasty, is performed in a certified surgery center as an outpatient. Patients are able to return home after surgery.

Surgery is typically less than 2 hours, but can vary from patient to patient.

Expect to arrive about an hour or so before surgery, and stay in the recovery area about that long before being able to return home.

Breast augmentation surgery is considered safe and generally has a very low risk of complication. However as with any surgical procedure, breast augmentation is not completely risk free and it does carry potential risks and complications.

Breast implants should not be considered life-long devices. It is more likely than not that at some point in the future additional surgery should be expected. This could be due to a number of different factors such as implant rupture, changes to the size and shape of the breast with age, or symptoms possibly related to the breast implants.

Potential complications to breast augmentation include:

• Capsular Contracture: Scar tissue around the implant tightens, causing pain and distortion.

• Implant Rupture or Leakage: Requiring further surgery for removal or replacement.

• Infection: May require antibiotics or additional surgery to remove the infected implant.

• Bleeding (Hematoma): Collection of blood that may require drainage or additional surgery.

• Changes in Nipple or Breast Sensation: Can be temporary or permanent.

• Scarring: Scars are permanent but typically fade over time.

• Asymmetry: Differences in breast size or shape after surgery.

• Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): A rare type of lymphoma associated with textured breast implants. SoCal OncoPlastic Surgery does not use textured implants, but the risk of BIA-ALCL could still persist even using with smooth implants.

The most important thing is consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to fully understand all of the risks.

Initial healing. Most patients need about 3-5 days at home after surgery.

For sedentary jobs, most patients can return to work at this point. If you have a physically demanding jobs, recovery may take longer before returning to work.

Complete healing including the return of normal sensation as well as full exercises without restrictions typically requires about 2-3 months. Before this, limited exercise is ok but should be low intensity at first and slowly increase over time.

Patients need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks after surgery. Initially you can start with short walks and slowly increase activity. Full and unrestricted exercise can typically resume in about 2-3 months.

Breast augmentation is frequently combined with other breast procedures such as lift (mastopexy).

Breast augmentation is also commonly combined with a drainless tummy tuck. These are complimentary procedures that work well together.

Breast augmentation typically cost between $7,000 and $10,000, depending on various factors.