Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation — also known as augmentation mammoplasty — is surgery to increase breast size. It involves placing breast implants under breast tissue or chest muscles.

For some women, breast augmentation is a way to feel more confident. For others, it's part of rebuilding the breast for various conditions.

Why it's done

• Enhance your appearance if you think your breasts are small or that one is smaller than the other and this impacts how you dress or the type of bra needed to help with the asymmetry

• Adjust for a reduction in the size of your breasts after pregnancy or significant weight loss

• Correct uneven breasts after breast surgery for other conditions

• Improve your self-confidence

Risks

• Scar tissue that distorts the shape of the breast implant (capsular contracture)

• Breast pain

• Infection

• Changes in nipple and breast sensation

• Implant position changes

• Implant leakage or rupture

Correcting these complications might require more surgery, to either remove or replace the implants.