Breast Augmentation Overview

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance 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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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 what you are going for and tailor your augmentation to match your unique wishes and preferences:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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What Does the Breast Augmentation Procedure Entail?

The surgery typically takes one to two hours and includes the following steps:

  1. Anesthesia: You'll receive anesthesia to ensure comfort during the surgery.
  2. Incision: Small incisions are made in discreet areas, usually under the breast fold.
  3. Implant Placement: The chosen implant is carefully inserted either beneath the chest muscle (submuscular) or beneath the breast tissue (subglandular).
  4. Incision Closure: Sutures or skin adhesive seal the incisions, contributing to minimal scarring.
  5. Recovery: Initial discomfort and swelling are common but gradually subside over a few weeks.
  6. Resuming Activities: Most patients can resume light activities within a week, gradually increasing intensity over several weeks.
  7. Final Results: Full healing and implant settling occur over a few months, unveiling your enhanced breast appearance.
  8. Follow-up Appointments: Regular appointments with Dr. Bolitho ensure optimal healing progress and address any concerns.

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:

  • Board-certified in plastic surgery in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and South Africa
  • Former Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at UC San Diego (non-salaried appointment)
  • Served multiple terms as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital; currently an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at UCSD
  • Named a Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” every year since 2014
  • Active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons

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.

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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