Breast augmentation, known medically as augmentation mammaplasty, is a highly popular and transformative cosmetic surgery procedure designed to increase the size, enhance the shape, and improve the symmetry of a woman's breasts. This is achieved through the placement of breast implants. For countless women, the decision to undergo breast augmentation is a deeply personal one, aimed at aligning their physical appearance with their self-image, boosting confidence, and feeling more comfortable and proportionate in their own body. The procedure can address a variety of concerns, from a desire for a fuller bust to restoring breast volume that has been lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.

Modern breast augmentation is a sophisticated and highly customized procedure. Advances in implant technology and surgical techniques allow for incredibly natural-looking and feeling results that are tailored to each patient's unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. The process involves a thorough consultation and a series of choices regarding implant type, size, shape, and placement, all made in close collaboration with a board-certified plastic surgeon. At Fortis Healthcare, our focus is on patient education, safety, and achieving beautiful, harmonious results that empower our patients to feel their most confident.

Understanding Breast Augmentation: Key Decisions

A successful breast augmentation is the result of a series of well-informed decisions made between you and your surgeon. The procedure is personalized based on your body type, existing breast tissue, and desired outcome.

Breast Implant Types

The two primary types of breast implants approved for use are saline and silicone gel.

• Saline Implants: These implants have a silicone outer shell and are filled with sterile salt water, known as saline, during the surgical procedure. This allows for a slightly smaller incision. If a saline implant ruptures, the shell will deflate, and the saline is safely and naturally absorbed by the body. The change in breast shape is immediately obvious.
   
• Silicone Gel Implants: These implants also have a silicone outer shell but come pre-filled with a soft, cohesive silicone gel. Modern silicone implants, often called gummy bear implants, are designed to hold their shape and are very soft to the touch, closely mimicking the feel of natural breast tissue. If a silicone implant ruptures, the gel typically remains within the shell or the surrounding scar tissue capsule, a phenomenon known as a silent rupture, which is why routine monitoring with imaging is recommended.

Breast Implant Shapes

• Round Implants: These are the most common type of implant. They provide a fuller appearance and more cleavage, creating a classic, augmented look with more projection in the upper part of the breast.
• Anatomical (Teardrop) Implants: These implants are shaped like a teardrop, with less volume at the top and more at the bottom, designed to mimic the natural slope of a breast. They can provide a very natural-looking result, but they do carry a small risk of rotating out of position.

Breast Implant Placement

This is a critical decision that affects the final look and feel of your results.

• Subglandular (Over the Muscle): The implant is placed behind the breast tissue but on top of the pectoralis chest muscle. This placement is often associated with a quicker recovery and less post-operative pain. It may be a good option for women with a sufficient amount of natural breast tissue to cover the implant.
   
• Submuscular (Under the Muscle): The implant is placed either fully or partially behind the pectoralis chest muscle. The most common technique is the "dual plane" placement, where the upper part of the implant is covered by the muscle and the lower part is behind the breast tissue. This placement provides a more natural-looking slope to the upper breast, reduces the visibility of the implant edges, and may interfere less with mammography.

Incision Options

The incision determines the location of the final scar.

• Inframammary Incision: Made in the crease underneath the breast. This is the most common approach as it provides the surgeon with excellent access and control, and the resulting scar is well-hidden in the natural fold of the breast.
• Periareolar Incision: Made along the lower edge of the areola, the pigmented skin around the nipple. This can be a good option for some patients, but it may affect nipple sensation and carries a slightly higher risk of certain complications.
• Transaxillary Incision: Made in the armpit. This approach avoids a scar on the breast itself, but it may be a more challenging technique for the surgeon to achieve precise implant placement.

When is Breast Augmentation Recommended? (Ideal Candidacy)

Breast augmentation is a highly personal choice. You may be a good candidate if you are seeking to:

• Increase Breast Size: If you feel your breasts are too small for your body frame.
• Restore Breast Volume: To restore the volume and shape your breasts have lost due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.
• Improve Symmetry: To correct natural asymmetry where one breast is noticeably different in size or shape from the other.
• Reconstructive Purposes: As part of a breast reconstruction procedure after a mastectomy or injury.

An ideal surgical candidate is a person who:

• Is in good physical and psychological health.
• Has finished their breast development.
• Is at a stable weight.
• Is a non-smoker, or is willing to quit well in advance of the surgery.
• Has realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve.

Understanding the Motivations and Goals

The reasons for seeking breast augmentation are diverse and deeply personal. For many women, it is about achieving a sense of proportion and harmony with their body. Clothes may fit better, and swimwear can be worn with newfound confidence. For others who have experienced changes after motherhood, it is a way to restore their pre-pregnancy figure and feel more like themselves again.

The ultimate goal is not just a change in breast size but an improvement in self-esteem and body confidence. A thorough consultation with a compassionate plastic surgeon will involve an open discussion of your motivations to ensure that the procedure is aligned with your personal goals and will contribute positively to your well-being.

Our Specialists

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast augmentation is the single most important factor for a safe and successful outcome. Our team is comprised of highly skilled and artistic surgeons who are leaders in the field of aesthetic surgery.

Dr. A.B. Prabhu

ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR PLASTIC SURGERY | Fortis Mohali

Dr. Avinash

SENIOR CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGERY | Fortis Gurgaon

Dr. Preeti Pandya

SENIOR CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGERY | Fortis La Femme GK

Patient Stories

"After breastfeeding two children, my breasts had lost all their volume and looked deflated. It really affected my confidence. The decision to have breast augmentation was something I thought about for years. My surgeon at Fortis was amazing; he listened to my goals and used 3D imaging to help me choose a size that looked natural for my frame. The recovery was a process, but now, a year later, I am so happy. I feel like my body has been restored, and I've regained a part of myself I thought was gone forever." - Priya S., 38, Gurugram

"I have always been very athletic and lean, and as a result, I had a very small bust. I just wanted a little more shape and proportion. I was nervous about looking 'fake'. My surgeon recommended a moderate profile, submuscular placement. The result is so incredibly natural. My friends just say I look great, but they can't quite put their finger on what's different. It's exactly the outcome I had hoped for." - Anika V., 29, Delhi

The Breast Augmentation Procedure: A Detailed Walkthrough

The Consultation and Sizing Process

Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation. Your surgeon will take detailed measurements of your chest wall and existing breast tissue. You will have an in-depth discussion about your aesthetic goals.

To help you choose the right size, you will have the opportunity to try on different implant sizers, which are external samples that you can place in a special bra to see how different volumes and profiles will look with your body frame. Some clinics also use advanced 3D imaging technology to simulate your potential results on a screen.

Preparing for Your Surgery

• You will need to get pre-operative medical clearance and some routine blood tests.
• You must stop smoking for at least four to six weeks before and after surgery to ensure proper healing.
• You will need to avoid any medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Plan for your recovery. Arrange for someone to drive you home and to help you with daily activities for the first few days. Prepare meals, and set up a comfortable recovery space with plenty of pillows.

The Day of the Surgery

• Anesthesia: Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring you are completely asleep and comfortable throughout the entire procedure.
• Surgical Markings: Your surgeon will make detailed markings on your breasts while you are in a standing position to guide the incisions and the placement of the implants.
• The Procedure: The surgeon will make the chosen incision. A pocket is then carefully created for the implant, either on top of or behind the chest muscle. The sterile implant is then inserted into the pocket and precisely positioned. If using saline implants, they are filled after placement.
• Closure: The surgeon meticulously closes the incisions in layers using fine sutures to minimize the appearance of the scar. The incisions are then covered with sterile dressings. The entire surgery typically takes about one to two hours.

After the Procedure: Recovery and Follow-Up

The First Week

• You will wake up wearing a special surgical bra or compression garment.
• You will experience swelling, bruising, and soreness. This is well-controlled with prescribed pain medication.
• Your activity will be very limited. You must not lift your arms above your shoulders or lift anything heavy. You will need help with everyday tasks.
• It is crucial to rest and allow your body to heal.

Weeks Two to Four

• You will have a follow-up visit to have your stitches removed, if they are not dissolvable.
• Swelling and bruising will continue to improve.
• You will likely be able to return to a desk job and light daily activities.
• You must continue to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.

One to Three Months

• You will see your results becoming more refined as the swelling resolves.
• You may be cleared to gradually resume all exercise.
• The implants will begin to "drop and fluff," a process where they settle into a more natural position on the chest wall.

Long-Term Care and Final Results

It can take three to six months for the implants to fully settle and for you to see your final result. The scars will continue to fade and mature for up to a year or more. It is important to remember that breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. You will need to continue with routine breast health screenings, and you should plan for the possibility that you may need or want a revision surgery at some point in the future, typically after 10-15 years.

Myths vs Facts

Take the Next Step

Choosing to have breast augmentation is a significant decision that can lead to a profound improvement in self-confidence and body image. The key to a beautiful, safe, and satisfying outcome is to be fully informed and to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an artistic touch.

If you are considering breast augmentation, a personal consultation is the essential first step to explore your options, have your questions answered, and develop a personalized surgical plan that will help you achieve your aesthetic goals.