Procedures >> For the Body >> Breast Enhancement / Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Commonly referred to as the "boob job," the breast enhancement / augmentation surgery is one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery. With that being said, it is still a form of surgery and therefore has potential risks associated with it. So you need to conduct the proper research into breast augmentation surgery before making any decisions.

That's where this article comes into the picture. In this procedure guide, we will cover all aspects of breast enhancement surgeries, how they work, what risks they have, how much they cost, and more.

The Augmentation Process Explained

This type of plastic surgery (also known as the augmentation mammaplasty) uses implants to increase the size of a woman's breasts. Therefore, it is also referred to as breast enhancement since the desired result is to enhance the patient's physical appearance.

The breast augmentation process is fairly straightforward, from a technical / medical perspective. Here are the basic surgical steps that take place when a patient undergoes a breast enhancement procedure:

Anesthesia is given to the patient
The incision is made on or near the breast
The implant is inserted into the breast
The incisions are closed

There are variations for each of the steps outlined above. For example, you may be given one of several forms of anesthesia, you may have incisions made in one of several areas, and your inserts may consist of one of several different materials. So let's talk more about each of these things.

Anesthesia is first given to the patient to minimize pain. This may come in the form of intravenous / IV sedation or general anesthesia (the mask).

Once the anesthesia has been properly administered, the next step in breast augmentation surgery is the incision. The doctor will make the incision in one of several locations that are intended to hide scarring as much as possible. Where the incision takes place will depend on the doctor, the level of enhancement being done, and other factors.

In most breast augmentation surgeries, the incision will occur in one of three places — under the breast (inframammary incision), in the underarm area (transaxillary incision), or around the areola (periareolar incision).

Once the incision has been made, the next logical step in a breast enhancement surgery is to insert the implants into the breast. Here again, there are options...

Types of Breast Implants

Silicone implants - This type of breast implants are filled with elastic gel. The benefit with silicone is that it feels more like a natural breast (as opposed to an artificial implant).
Saline implants - This type of breast implant is filled with a sterile saltwater solution. The benefit with saline is that, in the event of leaks, the saline can be safely absorbed or expelled from the body.

Obviously, this is a simplified explanation of the types of implants associated with breast augmentation surgery. So you owe it to yourself to learn more about these options before making any final decisions about your breast enhancement procedure.

Cost of Breast Augmentation

As with most cosmetic procedures the cost of your breast augmentation surgery will depend on several factors. These include the exact type of surgery you have, the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the enhancement procedure, the city you live in, and other factors.

With that being said, we can provide you with some averages that will help you grasp the possible breast augmentation cost you could incur. Based on our research, the average cost of breast enhancement surgery ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. Keep in mind that this is the total cost and comprises the following items:

The actual implants range from $1,000 to $1,300
Anesthesia ranges $600 to $1,000, depending on the type
The clinical / facility fees may cost $800 to $1,500
And of course the surgeon's fee accounts for the rest

As with any type of surgery, the best way to determine the full cost of breast augmentation is to ask the patient admin / billing folks at the surgery center you are considering.

Conclusion and Summary

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to breast augmentation surgery — a.k.a. the augmentation mammaplasty or "boob job." We also hope that you view this as just the start of your education process, and not the end of it.

You should take this subject very seriously and conduct plenty of research into the types of breast enhancement surgery available, the various risks associated with them, the cost of surgery, and other important factors. Only then can you make an informed decision on this important topic.

Related article: Beverly Hills Augmenation Guide