Your Breast Surgery

There are many types of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgeries available to help you meet your goals. The articles in this section will help you understand each type of breast surgery, as well as provide information about whether you are a good candidate for treatment, recovery expectations and the cost of each type of breast surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation — also known as augmentation mammoplasty — can change the size and shape of your breasts. Some women may desire fuller breasts, while others may seek to reverse the effects that pregnancy, breast feeding or massive weight loss can have on their breasts. Women who are seeking only a small increase in their bust size, or who want to make minor cosmetic improvements to their breasts after breast reconstruction or augmentation with implants, may find that breast augmentation fat transfer is the right option for them. Breast augmentation cost will likely factor into the decision to have this surgery. Breast augmentation is usually performed by inserting a saline or silicone gel breast implant behind breast tissue or above the breast muscle. Breast augmentation complications can and do occur, but are often remedied by touch-ups or revision breast augmentation.

Learn more about breast augmentation.

Breast Implants

Should you choose saline breast implants or silicone breast implants? What are the upsides and downsides of these differing implants?

Learn more about breast implants.

Breast Lift

A breast lift can raise, reshape and firm sagging breasts after weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding. Breast lift surgery can be performed with or without breast implants depending on your aesthetic goals. Are you a candidate for breast lift surgery, and what can it do for you?

Learn more about breast lift.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery can help get rid of excess fat, tissue and skin, as well as re-shape the breasts so that they are in proportion with your body. Breast reduction may also help alleviate back pain and discomfort experienced by women with excessively large breasts. Male breast reduction surgery treats gynecomastia, a condition marked by excess localized fat and/or excess glandular tissue in one or both breasts. Breast reduction cost may be covered by insurance.

Learn more about the benefits of breast reduction.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction surgery restores natural breast appearance for women who have had their breast(s) removed to treat breast cancer. Today, plastic surgeons can rebuild the breast(s) so it is approximately the same size and shape as it was before the breast-removing surgery (mastectomy). Reconstruction can often be performed immediately following mastectomy.

Learn more about breast reconstruction.

Reconstruction after Prophylactic Mastectomy

Many women who are at increased risk for breast cancer can now undergo genetic testing to see if they carry mutations in the BRCA 1 or 2 genes. These mutations increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Women who test positive may opt to undergo prophylactic removal of their breasts to stave off breast cancer. This is not an easy decision to make, but breast reconstruction performed after prophylactic mastectomy can help women come to terms with their choice.

Learn more about reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy.

Which Breast Implant is Right for Me?

Choices. Choices. Choices. By answering a few questions related to your aesthetic goals, this interactive quiz will help you determine whether silicone gel or saline implants are the correct choice for your breast augmentation surgery.

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Implants?

The decision to undergo breast enhancement with implants can be a difficult one to make. Before putting yourself through this decision making process, make sure that you are in fact a candidate for implant surgery by answering a few basic questions about your medical history and aesthetic goals.