Breast augmentation also called augmentation mammoplasty is a type of operation to increase breast size. It involves placing breast implants under the normal breast tissue or chest muscles.

For many candidates, breast augmentation is a way to be more confident. For other volunteers, it is a part of rebuilding the breast for various conditions.

One of the most important questions is why breast augmentation is done

Breast augmentation might help volunteers in many ways including:

1. Enhance volunteer's appearance if they think their breasts are too small or that one is smaller than the other and this impacts how they dress or the type of bra needed to help with the asymmetry

2. Adjust for a reduction in the size of their breasts after pregnancy or significant weight loss

3. Correct uneven breasts after breast surgery for other conditions

4. Improve their self-confidence

Discuss your goals and expectations with the plastic surgeon so that you can have realistic expectations about what breast augmentation can do for you.

Risks of breast augmentation

Having a breast augmentation operation poses various risks, including:

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

2. Breast pain

3. Infection

4. Changes in nipple and breast sensation

5. Implant position changes

6. Implant leakage or rupture

Breast implant illness

The time a patient has systemic symptoms ― usually called breast implant illness ― will be related to breast implants. The exact relations of these signs to breast implants are not clearly understood. Reported signs and symptoms include fatigue, memory loss, skin rash, trouble concentrating and thinking precisely, and joint pain. Removal of breast implants may decrease the symptoms. Studies to determine the link and the cause are ongoing. Discuss with your plastic surgeon if you have breast implants and experience any of these signs and symptoms.

If you notice any changes to your breasts or implants, discuss them as soon as possible with your doctor. Ongoing follow-up sessions and appropriate screening tests can detect and address possible complications related to breast augmentation operation.

For inserting the breast implants, your plastic surgeon may make a single small incision in one of three places:

1. The crease under your breast (inframammary)

2. Under your arm (axillary)

3. Around your nipple (periareolar)