Your Breast Augmentation Questions, Answered

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries at my practice, and for good reason — it helps patients enhance their confidence and achieve a look that feels natural and right for them. If you’re considering breast implants or a natural alternative, such as fat transfer, it’s normal to be curious about sizing, alternatives, recovery, and risks.

In this guide, I’ll answer some of the most common breast augmentation questions my patients ask me, walk you through what to expect, and explain how I help my patients find the best approach for their goals.

How Do I Choose the Right Breast Implant Size?

Finding the “perfect” implant size isn’t about copying someone else’s look. Instead, it requires a balance of your goals, body type, and lifestyle. Some of the factors I consider when evaluating a patient include:

• Your frame and chest width – determines how wide/tall an implant your body can accommodate
• Breast tissue – how much natural tissue will cover the implant
• Desired look – subtle enhancement vs. dramatic change
• Lifestyle – athletic patients may prefer a smaller, more natural profile

During your consultation, you’ll have the chance to “try on” implants with our sizing system. While this is a helpful tool, I also use precise measurements and discuss your desired size to guide you toward an implant that complements your natural proportions.

Placement matters, too: Whether the implant goes above or below the muscle significantly affects your final look—another key decision we’ll make together.

How Does Implant Volume Relate to Cup Size?

It’s natural for patients to wonder how implant volume may translate into bra size, but the answer is more complex than “X cc = Y cup size.” Bra sizing isn’t standardized, and volume alone doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to predicting your results.

The truth is that breast augmentation is a 3-dimensional change. Implant projection (e.g., how far it projects from your chest) plays just as big a role in your final look as volume does. Two women with the exact same implant size may end up with different bra sizes depending on their chest width, tissue coverage, and implant placement.

Instead of focusing on cup size, I encourage my patients to think about the overall shape and balance they want to achieve with their procedure. My goal is always a result that feels natural and complements your frame.

What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?

When most people think of breast enlargement, they picture synthetic implants. However, breast augmentation without implants is quickly gaining in popularity among patients seeking a more natural alternative. Here’s a quick comparison of the three main approaches to breast augmentation:

Option	Best For	Pros	Cons
Breast Implants	Patients seeking a noticeable size increase	Reliable, predictable results; wide range of sizes & shapes	Involves a foreign material; requires future monitoring and replacement
Fat Grafting	Patients wanting subtle enhancement using their own fat	Natural look & feel; dual body contouring benefit of liposuction	Limited volume increase; two recovery sites
Autoaugmentation	Patients having a breast lift who want added fullness	Uses your own tissue; no implants needed	Only possible in select patients; does not dramatically increase size

What Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?

I always emphasize that recovery is different for each individual patient; every person interprets discomfort and pain differently. This is particularly true for breast augmentation procedures.

What You Can Expect During the Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline

• Week 1: Focus on rest and gentle care. You’ll want to take it easy and avoid lifting your arms overhead. It’s normal to feel some pressure or tightness in your chest during this time, but most patients find it manageable.
• Weeks 2–3: Light activities start to feel comfortable again at this point. Many patients are able to return to desk work, though you’ll still want to avoid heavy lifting or anything too strenuous.
• Weeks 4–6: You can usually start easing back into exercise and more active routines—with your surgeon’s approval—as your body continues to heal.
• Months 2–6: Swelling gradually fades, and your breasts begin to feel softer and settle into their final shape. This is the stage when most patients really start to enjoy their results.

Your exact timeline will depend on your implant size, placement (above vs. below the muscle), and healing process. I will provide you with personalized recovery guidance and check-in visits to keep everything on track.

What Are the Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Like any surgery, breast augmentation carries potential risks. Transparency is important, so here’s what patients should be aware of:

Common risks:

• Infection
• Pain or pressure in the breasts
• Temporary nipple or breast sensation changes

Longer-term risks:

• Implant malposition (shifting out of place)
• Capsular contracture (scar tissue tightening around the implant)
• Implant leak or rupture
• Challenges with breastfeeding or mammograms

FDA & safety considerations:

• The FDA recommends routine monitoring of silicone implants
• Textured implants have been linked to a rare cancer, BIA-ALCL
• “Breast implant illness” has been reported in some women, with symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, or joint pain — though research is still ongoing

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following all of your aftercare instructions closely helps to lower your risks significantly. Your safety and well-being should always be the top priority before, during, and after your procedure.

Take the Next Step

If you are ready to learn more about your breast augmentation options, please request a consultation at my San Antonio plastic surgery practice or call (210) 942-6672 to schedule an appointment to meet with me. I look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

This blog post was originally published in December 2022 and has been updated.