Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation by Dr. Sean Arredondo

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Overview

Restoring or enhancing volume — with results that feel like you

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, but no two augmentations should look the same. Every breast — and every person — is different. Proportion, chest anatomy, soft tissue quality, and personal goals all shape what “a beautiful result” actually means for a given patient.

Dr. Arredondo’s approach is built around understanding those variables first, then matching them to the right implant, placement, and incision for the individual. His Preserve® technique emphasizes long-term implant stability and natural movement — implants that settle well, look proportionate, and continue to feel like part of your body years later.

Breast enhancement that looks — and feels — like you.

Candidacy

Who This Procedure Is For

Patients who feel their breasts are smaller or less proportionate than they’d like, or have experienced volume loss after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change.
Patients with natural asymmetry between breasts who want more symmetric shape and volume.
Patients seeking to restore fullness in the upper pole (the top portion of the breast) after aging or breastfeeding-related changes.
Patients in good general health, without untreated conditions that would increase surgical risk, and who have realistic expectations about what implants can and can’t achieve.
Patients who have considered the decision carefully — augmentation is long-term, and implants may eventually require maintenance or revision.

The Procedure

How It’s Performed

Implant type

Both silicone and saline implants are FDA-approved and safe. Silicone implants typically feel more like natural breast tissue and are preferred by most patients today. Saline implants are filled after placement, allowing smaller incisions. The right choice depends on your anatomy, tissue coverage, and personal preference — which Dr. Arredondo will walk through in your consultation.

Placement

For cosmetic breast augmentation, implants can be placed directly behind the breast tissue (subglandular), between the breast tissue and the fascial layer covering the chest muscle (subfascial), or partially beneath the muscle itself (dual plane). Each approach has trade-offs in appearance, movement, and long-term outcomes. Most of Dr. Arredondo’s cosmetic cases are subglandular or subfascial — these placements preserve chest muscle function, eliminate implant animation during activity, and support the Preserve® technique, which is performed in the subglandular plane. Total submuscular placement is generally reserved for reconstructive work rather than cosmetic augmentation.

Incision

The inframammary (IMF) incision — hidden in the natural fold beneath the breast — remains a common and versatile approach. Increasingly, Dr. Arredondo performs breast augmentation through an axillary (armpit) incision paired with the Preserve® technique — one of the more exciting recent advances in the field. This approach leaves no scar on the breast itself and, combined with subglandular placement, supports natural movement and long-term implant stability. Periareolar incisions (along the lower edge of the areola) remain available in select cases.

Anesthesia & duration

Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility, taking about an hour. For select patients, Dr. Arredondo offers the Preserve® technique under sedation only — a newer approach that reduces anesthesia requirements while maintaining surgical precision and patient comfort. You’ll go home the same day.

Watch

Dr. Arredondo Explains

Breast Augmentation 101

Recovery

What to Expect After Surgery

First 48 hours

Rest, soreness, and limited movement

Expect tightness, chest pressure, and some swelling. Pain is usually well-managed with medication. Plan to have help at home during this time.

Week 1

Back to desk work, no lifting

Most patients feel well enough to return to light desk work within 5–7 days. Lifting anything heavier than a gallon of water is still off the table.

Weeks 2–4

Swelling resolves, shape starts to settle

You’ll see the most dramatic changes in this window as swelling comes down. Implants may still appear high — this is normal and resolves over the next few months.

6 weeks

Clearance for full activity

Most patients can return to full exercise, including chest workouts, after six weeks once Dr. Arredondo confirms proper healing.

3–6 months

Final shape and feel

Implants fully settle into their long-term position, soft tissue relaxes, and the result you’ll live with emerges.

Honest Conversation

Things to Consider

Implants are long-term, not lifetime. Modern implants can last many years, but most will eventually require replacement or revision surgery — often 10 to 20 years after initial placement.
Rippling and palpability can occur, particularly in patients with thinner soft-tissue coverage. Implant selection and placement help minimize this risk.
Capsular contracture — scar tissue tightening around the implant — happens in a small percentage of cases. Technique, sterility, and implant handling all influence risk.
Breastfeeding is generally still possible after augmentation, though a small percentage of patients experience changes in sensation or lactation capacity.
Imaging (mammograms, MRIs) remains possible with implants, though specialized techniques may be needed to visualize breast tissue fully.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How do I choose the right implant size? +

Size selection isn’t about picking a cup size — it’s about matching implant dimensions to your chest width, tissue coverage, and proportional goals. In consultation, Dr. Arredondo uses measurements and sizing tools (including try-on sizers) so you can see how different volumes will look on your frame before surgery.

Will my breasts look natural? +

Natural-looking results come from matching the implant to your anatomy, not from a specific brand or technique alone. Modest volume increases with properly sized implants and placement behind the muscle almost always look natural. Very large implants on smaller frames look obviously augmented — that’s physics, not technique.

How much pain should I expect? +

Most patients describe the first 48–72 hours as a heavy, tight pressure rather than sharp pain — particularly with submuscular placement, where the muscle is stretched to accommodate the implant. Prescription medication is used for the first few days, then transitioned to over-the-counter. Pain is almost always manageable with proper post-op planning.

When can I exercise again? +

Walking is encouraged from day one. Light cardio (stationary bike, treadmill) resumes around week 2–3. Upper-body lifting and chest workouts wait until six weeks, after Dr. Arredondo confirms healing. Rushing back too early is the most common reason for complications in an otherwise routine recovery.

Will I need to replace my implants? +

Not necessarily on a schedule. If your implants look and feel good, routine replacement isn’t required. Replacement is indicated if there’s a concern (rupture, capsular contracture, a change in appearance) or if you decide you want a different size or shape. Plan for the possibility of one additional surgery over your lifetime.

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