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Breast Augmentation Overview

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation in La Jolla and San Diego is a cosmetic procedure that enhances the size, shape, and overall appearance of the breasts. By skillfully inserting breast implants, this surgical technique offers individuals the opportunity to achieve their desired breast volume and contours, ultimately fostering newfound confidence and aesthetic satisfaction.

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Breast Augmentation Before & After Photos

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Breast Augmentation
At-A-Glance

Purpose: Enhance breast volume, shape, and overall body proportions
Anesthesia: General anesthesia for comfort and safety
Procedure Time: Approximately 1 to 2 hours
Recovery: Return to light activities within 5–7 days
Exercise: Resume lower-body exercise around 3–4 weeks; full activity by 6–8 weeks
Results Timeline: Implants settle and soften over several months
Longevity: Long-lasting results with proper care and routine follow-up

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What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation in La Jolla?

There are numerous benefits from breast augmentation La Jolla, including:

  • Enhanced Volume: Achieve your desired breast size and fullness, addressing natural asymmetry or size concerns.
  • Improved Proportions: Create harmonious body proportions, enhancing your overall silhouette.
  • Restored Femininity: Reclaim a youthful and feminine breast contour, especially after pregnancy or weight loss.
  • Clothing Fit: Enjoy a broader range of clothing options and improved fit, boosting your style choices.
  • Enhanced Self-Confidence: Achieve a renewed sense of self-assurance and body positivity.
  • Natural-Looking Results: Modern techniques deliver natural aesthetics, ensuring a balanced and proportional outcome.
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Types of Breast Implants for Natural-Looking Augmentation

There are diverse options for breast augmentation. Dr. Bolitho will discuss your goals and tailor your augmentation to match your anatomy and preferences.

Choosing the right implants involves more than selecting a sizeit includes considerations such as implant type, shape, profile, and placement to achieve the most natural, balanced result.

Saline Implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater and can be adjusted during surgery to fine-tune size and symmetry. They offer a natural appearance and are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older. Because saline is easily absorbed by the body if a rupture occurs, many women appreciate the added peace of mind. Saline implants are a popular choice for those seeking a more customizable and straightforward breast augmentation option. This may be a good option for patients who prioritize adjustability and peace of mind in the event of rupture.

Silicone Implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with a soft silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. They provide a smooth, natural contour and are especially beneficial for women with less existing breast volume. Silicone implants are known for their realistic texture and long-lasting results, making them one of the most commonly chosen options for breast augmentation today. 

Gummy Bear Implants (Cohesive)

Often referred to as “gummy bear implants,” these are form-stable silicone gel implants that maintain their shape even if the outer shell is compromised. They offer a firmer feel than traditional silicone and are ideal for women seeking a defined, stable contour. Their cohesive structure makes them a strong choice for patients wanting both durability and natural-looking fullness after breast augmentation surgery.

Round Implants

Round breast implants provide even, symmetrical volume and enhanced upper-pole fullness, giving the breasts a more lifted and youthful appearance. They are popular for women looking to achieve a fuller overall shape or more prominent cleavage. Because round implants remain uniform even if they rotate, they are a versatile, widely chosen option for breast augmentation enhancement. Ideal for patients who want more upper fullness or a more augmented appearance.

Teardrop Implants

Teardrop implants are designed to mimic the natural slope of the breast, with more volume at the bottom and a gentle taper toward the top. This anatomical shape is ideal for women who prefer a subtle, natural contour rather than a rounder look. Teardrop implants are often chosen for breast augmentation patients seeking a more understated and anatomically accurate profile. Best suited for those seeking a subtle, anatomically natural contour.

Submuscular or Subglandular Implant Placement

Implant placement significantly impacts both appearance and recovery.

  • Submuscular (under the chest muscle): Provides a more natural slope, reduces implant visibility, and may lower the risk of capsular contracture. This placement can offer the most natural look for women with less breast tissue.
  • Subglandular (over the muscle): Offers a rounder, fuller appearance and typically involves a shorter recovery time. This placement may be ideal for women with adequate natural breast tissue or those wanting more pronounced cleavage.

Your surgeon will guide you toward the placement that aligns with your anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. The right placement depends on your natural tissue, lifestyle, and desired level of fullness.

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Common Concerns About Breast Augmentation

It’s normal to have questions or concerns when considering breast augmentation. Many common misconceptions are based on outdated techniques or misinformation:

  • Breast implants do not have to look unnatural—modern techniques prioritize proportion and soft, natural contours
  • Larger implants are not always better—the goal is balance with your body, not simply size
    Implants do not require automatic replacement—many patients enjoy long-lasting results without issues
  • Natural results depend on surgical technique and planning, not just the type of implant chosen

Complementary Procedures to Enhance Your Results

Many patients choose to combine breast augmentation with additional procedures to achieve more comprehensive, balanced results. During your consultation, Dr. Bolitho can recommend a personalized approach based on your anatomy and goals.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Ideal for patients with sagging or volume loss, a breast lift can reposition the breasts and nipples for a more youthful contour when combined with implants.

Mommy Makeover

A customized combination of procedures—often including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction—designed to restore the body after pregnancy or weight loss.

Liposuction

Refines surrounding areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or bra line to enhance overall body proportions and complement your breast augmentation results.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles, helping create a smoother, more contoured midsection that pairs well with breast enhancement.

What Does the Breast Augmentation
Procedure Entail?

Breast augmentation is typically completed in 1 to 2 hours and is performed using advanced techniques to ensure precision, safety, and natural-looking results.

Anesthesia

Anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort throughout the procedure.

Incision Placement

Small, carefully planned incisions are made in discreet locations to minimize visible scarring.

Implant Placement

The selected implant is positioned either beneath the chest muscle (submuscular) or beneath the breast tissue (subglandular), depending on your anatomy and goals.

Closure

Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical adhesive to support optimal healing and minimal scarring.

Initial Recovery

Mild swelling, tightness, and discomfort are expected initially but improve steadily over the following weeks.

Return to Activity

Most patients resume light activities within about a week, gradually increasing activity as healing progresses.

Results & Follow-Up

Implants gradually settle and soften over several months as swelling resolves, revealing a more natural shape and feel. While initial improvements are visible early on, final results continue to refine over time. Results are long-lasting, especially when weight remains stable. Follow-up visits with Dr. Bolitho are an important part of the process, ensuring proper healing, implant positioning, and optimal long-term outcomes.

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Incision Placement

Your surgeon will recommend the incision approach that best suits your anatomy and goals. Common options include:

  • Inframammary: Hidden in the breast fold, offering excellent control and minimal visible scarring.
  • Periareolar: Placed around the edge of the nipple for discreet blending of the incision line.
  • Transaxillary: Hidden in the armpit, avoiding any breast incision entirely.

Each method offers unique advantages for scar placement, implant positioning, and surgical access.

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Recovery Timeline for Breast Augmentation and Results

Breast augmentation recovery is generally quicker than most patients expect. Many people return to desk work within 5-7 days, with light cardio or lower-body exercise allowed around 3-4 weeks, based on your surgeon’s instructions. Because the procedure uses general anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night.

Mild swelling, tightness, and discomfort are common early on immediately following breast augmentation, but modern pain-control techniques help keep you comfortable. Sutures are usually removed within 1-2 weeks, and a supportive surgical bra is worn during the initial healing period. Most patients resume full activity, including chest workouts, by 6-8 weeks, as the implants settle and the breasts soften into a more natural shape.

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Why Choose Dr. Bolitho for Breast Augmentation in La Jolla?

With over 20 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Bolitho is known for his precision, compassionate care, and strong commitment to patient safety. He brings this same level of expertise to each breast augmentation in La Jolla, using advanced surgical techniques to achieve natural-looking, beautifully balanced results. Dr. Bolitho takes a thoughtful, physician-first approach—carefully assessing each patient’s anatomy, goals, and lifestyle to create a surgical plan that supports long-term health and satisfaction. His highly skilled team provides personalized guidance and support every step of the way, ensuring patients feel informed and confident throughout the process.

Credentials and Professional Highlights:

Dr. Bolitho’s experience, technical skill, and artistic vision make him a trusted choice for women seeking breast augmentation results that look and feel natural. Schedule your consultation today.

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Meet With Dr. Bolitho to Discuss Your Options for Breast Augmentation

Dr. Bolitho's expertise will help you achieve the aesthetic that aligns with your desired outcome. Contact our practice in La Jolla to schedule your consultation today.

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Breast Augmentation FAQ

How do I choose the right breast implant size for my body?

Choosing the right implant size depends on your natural anatomy, chest width, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goals. Rather than focusing on cup size alone, Dr. Bolitho evaluates proportions to recommend a size that looks balanced, natural, and appropriate for your frame.

Will my breast augmentation results look natural?

Natural-looking results depend on proper implant selection, placement, and surgical technique. Dr. Bolitho takes a conservative, anatomy-based approach to ensure the breasts complement your overall figure rather than appear overdone.

Do I need a breast lift in addition to breast augmentation?

If there is significant sagging or nipple position is low, a breast lift may be recommended in addition to implants. This combination restores both volume and position for a more youthful, balanced result.

How long do breast implants last?

Breast implants are long-lasting but not considered lifetime devices. Many patients enjoy their results for 10–15 years or longer without issues. Routine follow-up helps ensure ongoing implant integrity and optimal outcomes.

Is it better to place breast implants under or over the muscle?

Both options have advantages. Submuscular placement often provides a more natural slope and better coverage, while subglandular placement can create more fullness and a shorter recovery. The best choice depends on your anatomy and goals.

What is recovery like after breast augmentation?

Most patients return to light activities within a week, with gradual improvement over the following weeks. Swelling and tightness are common early on, and full activity is typically resumed around 6–8 weeks as healing progresses.

Are breast implants safe?

Breast augmentation has a well-established safety profile when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. Modern implants are rigorously tested, and careful surgical planning helps minimize risks.

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