Breast Augmentation FAQs – All Your Questions Answered

Dr Scott Turner - FRACS (Plas)

If you’re thinking about breast augmentation, you’re not alone; they’re among the most popular cosmetic surgeries, with hundreds of thousands of people choosing to undergo them every year. Even with more people getting them, but there’s still some mystery shrouding what it’s actually like to walk into an office and come out with different breasts. Here are some Breast Augmentation FAQs that can help prepare you!

Of course, your surgeon should provide an in-depth consultation to help you understand what to expect at each step of the way. But before you even get into the office, you may have questions about what breast augmentation is actually like.

To help you get the full picture of what to expect when deciding whether this might be a good plan for you, here are some of the most common “too-embarrassed-to-ask” questions – answered!

7 Best Breast Augmentation FAQs

1. Will my breasts feel different after Augmentation?

Many people are concerned that their bodies won’t feel the same – to themselves or others – post an augmentation procedure.

The short answer is that your tissue may feel different after an augmentation.  Fat transfer augmentations and breast lifts that don’t involve implants will lead to the most “natural” feeling. Read recovery

If you choose an implant, there are still lots of factors that can make an impact on “feel.” For example:

  • The kind of augmentation you get
  • Your original breast size and how much tissue is around your implant
  • The size and material of your implant
  • Whether you put an implant over or under your pectoral (chest) muscle

Most surgeons offer saline and silicone implants. Saline implants use a silicone shell, which is filled during surgery with sterile saline after the shell is in place. Silicone implants are pre-filled with semi-solid silicone. “Gummy bear” implants are a newer option which use cohesive gel and tend to look and feel more like natural breast tissue.

After surgery, it may take a while to adjust to your new proportions and for your implants to “settle” in their final location as your tissue adjusts. There is a small chance that nipples will be extra sensitive, numb, or sore during recovery, but this almost always goes away after you recover from the surgery. 

2. How big an implant should I get?

The same size implant can look very different in different women; existing breast tissue, musculature and other biological factors can play a role in how big or small an implant appears beneath your skin. 

For some patients, a breast “lift” without any implant at all can provide the desired results with a less-invasive surgery.

Looking at photos of breasts you like and even “trying on” implants in a special bra before surgery can help you visualize what your breasts might look after surgery.

Bigger isn’t always better: matching your specific proportions and finding an implant will provide a more balanced, natural result.

3. Will I have visible scars?

The type of incisions required vary based on the type of implant you’re getting. Your natural breast shape, skin tone, age, sun exposure, lifestyle choices like smoking, and other factors can also influence how visible these incisions are after you heal.

Implants are inserted through small incisions which can typically be “hidden” in the dark skin around the areola, the fold underneath the breast, or in the armpit. The scars resulting from augmentation are often small and inconspicuous.

4. How long does recovery take?

Breast augmentation is a major surgery which requires general anaesthesia. However, most people can go back to work and non-strenuous activities after about two weeks.

Other activities, such as stretching and lifting things overhead may be limited for several months, during which time you’ll need to wear a supportive bra and do exercises to recover your full range of motion. Find out more about Recovery after Breast Augmentation Surgery.

5. Will I still be able to breast feed, weight lift, get cancer screenings, etc.?

Most people find that their activities are not substantially limited by having a breast augmentation. Some implant and incision types have different effects than others. For example, implants placed under the pectoral muscle may feel different when performing chest exercises.

Pregnancy can affect the way implants look on your body, but there’s no inherent reason why pregnancy would interfere with implants or vice versa. Multiple studies have concluded that it’s safe to breastfeed after an augmentation, but some surgical techniques are more likely to affect nipple sensitivity and milk production than others; make sure to discuss this with your surgeon during your consultation.

Breast cancer screenings may be more involved once you have an implant. Mammograms, for example, will require twice as many pictures. You may need regular MRIs to ensure that your implants are intact and don’t require revision surgery.

6. What happens if I don’t like the way I look afterwards?

Emotions play an important role in surgical recovery. It can take time to feel like your new dimensions are “yours.” Ups and downs are part of the process, and some people do choose to revise their surgeries down the road. However, the vast majority of people are happy with their results. Read more about Managing Your Emotions after Cosmetic Breast Surgery.

The best way to make sure you’re satisfied after augmentation is to go into the procedure confident that your expectations align with your surgeons’ and that you’re fully informed.

7. How long do they last?

Some complications of augmentation surgery, such as scar tissue forming around the implant, or the implant rupturing, become slightly more likely as the implant ages.

However, breast implant lifespans depend on the individual. In some cases, they will need to be replaced within the first couple of years after surgery, while others can last as long as 25 years. On average, breast implant manufacturers say the products should last about 10 years.

Your body and desired size may also change over time, necessitating revision surgery down the line.

Top Breast Augmentation FAQs / Boob Job FAQs

What is the difference between breast augmentation and breast implants?

Breast augmentation is just the name of the procedure to enlarge the size of the breasts, while breast implants are medical devices inserted during surgery.

What does breast augmentation mean?

Breast augmentation means the enlargement of the breasts through the insertion of implants.

Do breast implants feel different to touch a man?

The feeling depends on the type of the implant, the size of the implant in relation to the original breast size, and the placement. Scar tissue can also affect how breast implants feel to the touch.

What is the fastest way to increase breast size?

Regular breast massages and a healthful diet are often dubbed as the solutions for increasing breast size. But the only proven effective way to make it happen is to get breast implants, fat grafting or fat injections. Or for temporary effects – try a push-up bra.

What age is best for breast augmentation?

The average age of women who get a boob job is 34. There is no optimal age for this procedure, as long as you’re in good physical and mental health.

Which type of breast implants feels the most natural?

Silicone breast implants tend to feel more natural than their saline counterparts.

How painful is breast augmentation recovery?

Pain after a boob job is normal, and it’s most severe in the first few days. Then, it gradually alleviates. The intensity of pain varies from one woman to another, depending on your pain tolerance.

How long after breast augmentation can they be touched?

Your breasts will be sensitive to touch for about three weeks after the boob job, or even longer.

Why can I feel my breast implants?

You can feel breast implants because there is no muscle covering the implants at the side or bottom of the breast. As long as you’re not experiencing pain or noticing a difference in appearance, there’s nothing to be concerned about.

Can you tell if someone has breast implants?

A significant increase in breast size is easy to spot. It can be tricky to notice subtle increases in breast sizes, but it’s also possible. Keep in mind that with improved technology, boob job results are more natural than before. See The Mini Boob Job – Natural-looking smaller implants for petite or lean patients.

What do breast implants look like when you’re old?

Breast implants add more weight to the breasts, thus accelerating the progression of sagging. However, properly sized implants do the best job of maintaining the longevity of your breasts and yield long-lasting results.

Is there an alternative to breast implants?

An alternative to breast implants is a fat transfer which relies on the fat cells from your body to enhance breast tissue.

How long does it take for breast implants to look normal?

In four to six weeks post-op, your breasts should look and feel more natural.

How many ccs is a size C implant?

The general rule of thumb is that one cup size is 175cc. So, a woman who wears A-cup and wants to be a full C-cup will need 350cc implants.

Do breast implants feel heavy?

During the healing process, your breasts could feel heavy. This heaviness occurs due to muscle healing and skin stretching. However, the actual weight of the implants is minimal.

That’s it for our best Breast Augmentation FAQs – For Further Reading check out – BA Commonly Asked Questions

If you’ve been thinking about getting a boob job, you’ve come to the right place. With all the articles and opinions you’ve found online, things can get confusing. Dr Scott Turner FRACS(Plas) is a breast surgery expert and Specialist Plastic Surgeon with clinics in Newcastle and Sydney NSW. Here are his answers to some of the frequently asked questions about a boob job – the Boob Job FAQs.

Boob Job FAQs about your different options

Should I get a boob job?

This is one of the first and most important questions you might be asking yourself. There are so many reasons that might make you want to get a boob job. Having small boobs, asymmetric boobs, tuberous breasts or boobs that are disproportional with the rest of your body are all valid reasons to consider getting a boob job. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss might have caused loss of volume and drooping of your breasts, and you just want to improve how they look. Plastic surgeons aim to give you young natural-looking breasts to help make you feel more attractive and satisfied with your body.

What other methods of breast augmentation are there?

You’ve probably heard of boob jobs using fat transfer or boob fat grafting jobs. When getting a boob job by fat transfer, your surgeon will remove fat from another part of your body (like your buttocks or thighs) and inject it carefully into your boobs to increase their size and achieve the desired contour, profile, projection, and size. Fat transfer boob jobs achieve great results in patients who want a minimal increase in size to contour their breasts and improve their appearance. It’s better when combined with traditional breast augmentation using boob implants, where fat grafts are used to make a final optimization of shape and symmetry (A Hybrid BA). Advantages of fat grafts include a smaller incision (compared to implant surgery), natural-looking and feeling breasts, with the option to contour the donor fat sites in your body using liposuction.

What are the best boob implants for me?

Dr Turner prefers MENTOR breast implants. These boob implants are considered top of the line in breast augmentation surgery, and they have been trusted for decades by plastic surgeons and patients worldwide. Breast implants come in many shapes, sizes, types, and textures. Some of the things you might want to know about your boob implant:

  • Boob implant material: All breast implants have an outer silicone shell, however, their filling may differ. The two main implant types are saline and silicone implants. Saline implants are filled with normal saline (saltwater). Their advantages include a smaller incision and better adjustability during surgery since they are inflated intraoperatively. The second boob implant type is silicone-filled implants. These implants feel softer and can mimic the feel of a natural breast.
  • Boob implant size: Size is very important when choosing your breast implant. Dr Turner will help you choose the perfect breast implant size depending on your desired shape and the current characteristics of your breast and skin. Breast implant sizes are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) and not the traditional bra cup size. They usually range between 80cc and 800cc. The 375cc implants and 400cc high profile implants are, for example, very popular.
  • Boob implant shape: Breast implants are usually either round in shape or teardrop-shaped. Teardrop (or contoured) implants mimic the natural look of the breast, however, they may require a larger incision. Round implants provide more fullness to your boobs and can make them project more.
  • Boob implant surface: Breast implants come in a range of surface texture from ultra smooth to heavily textured. Smooth-surfaced implants are less likely to be felt within your breast. The advantage of textured surface implants is that their design helps them stay in place and not migrate and that they carry less risk of causing scarring around the implant. The risk of BIA-ALCL has also become a concern for patients having textured implants.

What goes into making the perfect boob job?

There are a few things you should consider if you want to get a perfect boob job:

  • Boob fullness: The first of the essential features of perfect looking boobs is the upper pole fullness. Upper pole fullness means that the upper parts of your boobs are made to appear full and firm. This gives you perky young-looking breasts and outlines a perfect cleavage. Fullness is very much related to the breast implant shape, with round implants usually giving a more full appearance on the top than teardrop implants.
  • Boob projection: A second feature is projection. The projection is defined as the distance between your chest wall and the outer side of the implant. This determines how much your boobs will project in front of you. The term “high profile” is usually used to describe breasts that have more projection, while the term “low profile” describes breasts with lower projection. Projection is also involved in how your side boob will look. A perfect side boob needs enough projection.
  • Boob firmness: Another critical feature that you need to look for is firmness. You would want your boobs to feel natural, and this is determined by the type of breast implant you receive. Gel implants are usually better in giving natural feeling boobs, while saline will likely give you more firm boobs.

Boob jobs can become confusing when you read about the many different boob implant options – shapes, sizes, and types online. Here’s where an experienced plastic surgeon steps in. Your plastic surgeon will ask you how you want your breasts to look before performing the boob job. They will help you choose a breast implant that is not too big and not too small, but just perfect for your body proportions. Cleavage lines, side boob, boob shape, and boob size are all things that you will be discussing with your plastic surgeon before getting the perfect boob job.

Boob Job FAQs about finding the Best Boob Job Surgeon

How do I find the best boob job surgeon in NSW?

Always choose a Specialist Plastic Surgeon rather than any other lesser-trained doctor. You have probably seen the headlines about ‘pop-up clinics’ and the botched patients in Sydney. Always start by looking at your surgeon’s qualifications, past patient online reviews and before and after photos. Make sure your surgeon will be operating in an accredited hospital not just a day surgery centre because most larger hospitals will NOT accredit underqualified doctors to do breast surgery. Be careful of choosing the lowest price BA surgery. Do your research!

Where can I get a boob job?

To get a boob job, you need to look for an experienced plastic surgeon and not just a cosmetic or general surgeon. Plastic surgeons are surgeons that have received extensive training in breast augmentation surgery, and they are the best choice to get your boob job done. The market is full of pretenders and surgeons in training or pop-up clinics that might try and convince you that they can deliver the best results. However, you should be careful, as such businesses can scam you out of your money and leave you with suboptimal cosmetic outcomes. It is all about the after-care and follow-up. This is why you need to choose a certified and well-known plastic surgeon with experience in performing boob jobs. While looking up a surgeon, make sure they belong to FRACS, ASPS, ASAPS or ISAPS. Members of these societies are accredited and recognized plastic surgeons that you can trust to give you a great boob job.

Why are boob job before and after photos important?

When choosing a plastic surgeon to get a boob job, before and after pictures are usually the first thing that catches your eye. Before and after pictures can help you better explain to your surgeon what kind of boobs you want. You can discuss with them specific details: size, shape, projection, nipple shape, among other things while using before and after photos as a reference for your desires. Your surgeon can also use their own before and after breast enhancement photos to explain to you what each implant will achieve, by showing you examples from previous patients.

Boob Job FAQs about Surgery

What happens after I get a boob job?

Here is what to expect after breast augmentation surgery. Your boobs will be sore and swollen for the first few weeks after surgery. You might notice some bruising that will go away after a few days. You will see the small surgical scar which, depending on your specific case is usually right on the crease under your boob (the IMF or inframammary fold). This scar will fade away with time and become barely noticeable after a couple of years. Regarding the results, it is important to have realistic expectations. The shape of your boob will change – you will have larger, more symmetrical, and firmer boobs that are more proportional with your body. This should help improve your self confidence and your body image. Keep in mind that even after surgery, your skin and boobs will still age and will most likely need revision breast surgery after a decade or so.

How long do boob job results last?

One of the most frequently asked questions about boob jobs is “how long do breast implants last?”. Even though modern breast implants are very durable, they won’t last forever. On average, experts estimate that implants need to be changed around 10 years after surgery. A lot of boob implants last for longer than that, but some may need changing earlier for a size change, complication or rupture. Losing weight, breastfeeding, and gravity can -with time- change how your breasts look, and you might need revision surgery. Implant rupture and fibrous tissue formation are also reasons why this might happen. Surgery can usually restore your breast appearance and give you back natural young looking boobs.

Breast Augmentation FAQs about funding and planning surgery

Are boob jobs covered by insurance in Australia?

Boob jobs for purely cosmetic reasons are very unlikely to be covered by insurance in Australia since most taxpayers don’t consider this as a necessary medical act. Breast reconstruction for corrective reasons, like tuberous breast surgery or after a mastectomy, are more likely to receive a rebate from Medicare and third-party health insurers. Many boob job patients seek medical finance companies for affordable payment plans.

Can I take sick leave to get my breast Augmentation?

After a boob job, you will need some time to rest at home. You will need to check with your human resources department at work to learn what qualifies as sick leave but it is possible. Purely cosmetic surgery is sometimes not considered essential and is therefore not granted sick leave. Corrective plastic surgeries (like tuberous breast surgery) are more likely to be covered by sick leave. Either way, you will need to check with your specific work policies in this matter. Your medical leave certificate will not have any information about your specific surgery for medical privacy reasons, however, it will be signed by a plastic surgeon. Make sure to ask about these details before planning the right time for surgery.

Download our plastic surgery guides or give us a call to learn more about the services our surgeons offer. You can book an appointment to get a full assessment by Dr Turner to discuss breast augmentation and see which implant size and type are best for you.

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

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