Breast augmentation surgery usually requires breast implants for breast enlargement.  While there are some techniques to achieve breast enlargement without the use of breast implants, they are typically reserved for when breast reconstruction is needed.  Injecting fat into the breast is not a suggested way to achieve breast enhancement.  The moving of abdominal tissue or back muscles are excellent options for breast reconstruction but are not recommended options for breast augmentation alone.

Breast enlargement using breast implants is the most frequently employed method throughout the World for breast augmentation.  The woman’s natural pre-existing breast tissue is the most important factor in a breast augmentation result.  Selecting the right plastic surgeon is the next most important step in the breast augmentation process. Viewing Dr. Michael J. Brown’s before and after breast augmentation pictures will confirm why he is an excellent choice.

The subsequent 3-D illustrations are a simplified overview of a breast enlargement surgery.  These illustrations do not necessarily show the actual complexity of a breast implant surgery.  The surgical approach for breast augmentation is typically performed through one of three incision options.  The most frequently used is an under the breast incision, the gold standard of choices.  The following will demonstrate this method.  To learn more about different incision options, please visit the articles section about incisions. 

The first illustration shows the pre-operative mark around the breast crease or inframammary fold.  This mark serves as a reference and facilitates precision during the breast augmentation.

This illustration displays the breast augmentation incision along the inframammary fold or breast crease.  The incision measurers 3 centimeters in length, this is slightly longer than one inch.  The incision is made in such a way so that after the breast augmentation surgery, the incision is hidden in the crease of the beast.  The precise placement depends on the woman’s pre-existing breast tissue characteristics and by the size of the breast implant she has chosen.  A small retractor is used to open the skin and show the breast fat and breast gland. 

This 3-D rendering shows the incision extended to better demonstrate what actual breast augmentation surgery entails, the layers are actually more difficult to see during the breast implant surgery.  A retractor is used and the subcutaneous fat and breast fat have been divided to expose the pectoral muscle below.  The pectoral muscle is raised or lifted so that the breast implant can be placed ‘under the muscle’. 

In this illustration, the pectoral muscle has been separated to a specific amount and a space or pocket has been made ‘under the muscle’.  The pectoral muscle is in the upper opening of this incision.  Muscle along the bottom is the muscle that is in between the ribs, it is called an intercostal muscle. 

This diagram depicts the breast implant rolled up and positioned ‘under the muscle’ during breast augmentation surgery.  If this was a silicone breast implant, the breast implant would not be rolled up and the silicone gel breast implants are prefilled.

After the breast implant is placed under the muscle it is ready to be filled.  The tube attached to the breast implant fills it with saline and then the fill tube is removed.

At this point, the breast implant is has been filled and the fill tube removed. The breast implant is then positioned and confirmed by feeling the edge of the implant.  The other side is augmented using the same method.  After breast symmetry is ensured on both breast implants the wounds are closed with dissolvable stitches on three different layers of tissue.

The final illustration reveals the incision closed.  The remaining stitch seen will be pulled out on the first post operative visit.  This type of stitch ensures no dots around the scar that has been placed in the breast crease.

You can also view an actual breast augmentation surgery video performed on a live patient in the streaming video section.

Prior to any surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a plastic surgical procedure.