Plastic Surgery Trends To Watch in 2026
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Breast Augmentation at a Glance
Type of anesthesia:
General
Recovery time:
1 week off work (non-strenuous jobs)
Time in surgery:
1-2 hours
When you go home:
Day of operation
Often Combined With:
*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your experience may vary.
Ablavsky Plastic Surgery:
Dr. Michael Ablavsky
19296 Stone Oak Pkwy, Suite 102
San Antonio, TX 78258
Phone: (210) 942-6672
Monday–Friday : 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in San Antonio, Texas, and throughout the U.S. and internationally. The procedure involves either inserting implants or using fat transferred from another area of your body to enhance the size and shape of the breasts.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Ablavsky has performed more than 200 breast augmentations and trained in breast augmentation and revision surgery under internationally recognized aesthetic breast surgeon Dr. Bradley Calobrace. Dr. Ablavsky personally performs each patient’s preoperative measurements and surgical planning, selecting implants based on breast base width, nipple position, skeletal structure, and aesthetic goals to create natural-looking, proportionate results.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation
There are several reasons women decide to get breast implants, such as:
- Increasing the size of naturally small breasts
- Replacing volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss
- Creating a perkier appearance for mildly sagging breasts
- Providing balance to breasts that are different sizes
- Enhancing cleavage
Breast augmentation patients often say that improving the appearance of their breasts for any of these reasons makes them feel more confident and feminine. Most women in good overall health who have realistic expectations about how the surgery will affect their lives are great candidates for the procedure.
Breast Augmentation
Before & After Photos
This gallery contains images intended for adult audiences.
VIEW PHOTOSHow Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in San Antonio?
The cost of breast augmentation at our San Antonio practice depends on the type of implants used and the time required to complete the procedure. During your consultation, we will provide you a customized estimate for your procedure depending on your needs.
Breast Augmentation Special:
Breast augmentation with silicone implants ONLY $8,500!
Request a consultation or call (210) 942-6672 to take advantage of these savings today!
Which Breast Implants Are Right for You?
Choosing breast implants is an exciting part of breast augmentation, and Dr. Ablavsky helps guide your decision based on the aesthetic goals you describe during your consultation. Together, you and Dr. Ablavsky can determine which implants are right for you.
The options involved with choosing breast implants include:
Material:
A breast implant’s outer silicone shell can be filled with either saline (sterile saltwater) or cohesive silicone gel. Dr. Ablavsky favors cohesive silicone implants because they tend to feel more like natural breast tissue and are less likely to show visible rippling. However, the choice depends on each patient’s anatomy and preferences. Because saline implants are filled after the shell is inserted, they typically require slightly smaller incisions than prefilled silicone implants.
Size:
This is the choice patients typically focus on the most. It’s helpful to look at before-and-after photos to get a sense of how different implant sizes look, but you should be sure to view patients with a body type similar to yours. The same implants can create very different results in different people. Implant sizes are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) rather than bra cup size. Generally, a 130cc to 150cc breast implant will increase your breast size by a bra cup size.
Profile:
An implant’s profile relates to how far it projects from the chest.
- Low-profile: These implants are wider at their base and project less from the chest than high-profile implants.
- High-profile: These implants have a narrower base and project more prominently from the chest.
Dr. Ablavsky recommends implant profiles after measuring the width of your chest and considering your body’s proportions.
Meet
Dr. Ablavsky
Dr. Ablavsky is a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon whose patients trust him for natural-looking results from face, breast, and body procedures. He listens closely to his patients' concerns and takes the time to answer their questions with honesty and compassion.
Meet Dr. Ablavsky Request Your ConsultationI highly recommend Dr. Ablavsky for any plastic surgery procedure.
K.C.
Which Breast Augmentation Incision Is Best?
Dr. Ablavsky prefers making incisions at the base of the breast, where the breast attaches to the chest. This location, called an inframammary incision, accommodates implants of all sizes and provides excellent access for precise, controlled dissection of the implant pocket. When combined with submuscular implant placement, this approach is associated with lower rates of capsular contracture, a complication in which scar tissue tightens around the implant. The incision is also well concealed within the natural breast crease, where the resulting scar typically fades over time.
Affordable Financing for Every Budget
At Ablavsky Plastic Surgery, cost should never stand in the way of your aesthetic goals. We partner with Cherry, Alphaeon® Credit, CareCredit®, and PatientFi® to offer flexible financing options that fit your needs.
Whether you're planning ahead or ready to invest in yourself, take your first step toward the confidence you deserve.
Which Implant Location Is Best?
Choosing where to place breast implants—in front of the chest muscle or behind it—depends on a patient’s anatomy, the amount of existing breast tissue, personal lifestyle, and the type and size of the implant. During the consultation, Dr. Ablavsky discusses the options and may recommend what’s best for you.
Over the Muscle
Subglandular placement involves placing the implants in front of the muscle, behind the existing breast tissue. This option is for women with enough existing breast tissue to camouflage the implant. Patients without a lot of breast tissue may be concerned about ripples or a visible implant border.
Under the Muscle
Implants placed below the pectoralis muscle can produce results that look and feel more natural than those placed above the muscle, particularly for women with thin breast skin, minimal breast tissue, or low body fat. Dr. Ablavsky often favors submuscular placement with an inframammary incision because it provides controlled access to the implant pocket and is associated with lower rates of capsular contracture. He considers each patient’s anatomy, tissue coverage, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals when recommending implant placement.
Dual Plane Location
Using this technique, the upper portion of the implant is covered by muscle and breast tissue, while the lower portion is covered by breast tissue alone.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Dr. Ablavsky also performs breast implant revision surgery for patients who want to address concerns with previous breast augmentation results. Drawing on his specialized training in breast augmentation and revision, he can perform procedures involving implant pocket correction, adjustments to the surrounding scar tissue (capsule), and surgical mesh support when appropriate. His approach is tailored to each patient’s anatomy, existing implants, and desired outcome.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
While both are breast enhancement procedures, breast augmentation adds volume and breast lift corrects sagging. Many women benefit from a combination of these procedures especially after weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
| Consideration | Breast Augmentation | Breast Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Enlarging one or both breasts Mild to moderate laxity | Elevating and reshaping the breasts and nipples Moderate to significant laxity (ptosis) |
| Size change | Patients can choose a subtle to noticeable size change | No change in breast volume Breasts may look smaller |
| Customizability | Choice of implant size, fill material, profile, and placement Multiple incision placement options | Degree of laxity dictates incision options Areola reduction is optional |
| Incisions / Scarring | Inframammary incision creates a scar hidden in the breast crease | Multiple options for varying degrees of laxity and breast sizes |
| Recovery | Mild to moderate discomfort, increased with submuscular implant placement Resume school and nonstrenuous jobs and activities in about a week | Mild to moderate discomfort Resume school and nonstrenuous jobs and activities in about a week |
Read our related blog post for more information about how breast augmentation compares to breast lift.
What Is Recovery Like After Breast Augmentation?
Each patient’s recovery experience is unique. The recovery time can vary, depending on the implant size, type, and placement. Swelling and bruising are normal and typically peak within the first week. Women often take a week off work for non-strenuous jobs.
Week 1: Rest & Gentle Movement
Expect tightness, swelling, and mild to moderate discomfort that you can manage with prescribed pain medication.
Begin gentle walking around the house to encourage circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Wear your supportive surgical bra as directed.
Week 2: Early Healing
You may feel ready to return to work if your job doesn’t require heavy lifting or other physical activity.
Expect continued swelling and bruising that begins to improve.
You may be ready to return to light daily activities, but avoid lifting, stretching, or strenuous movement.
Dr. Ablavsky will monitor your healing progress with follow-up visits.
Weeks 3 to 4: Gradual Return to Normal Activities
Continue wearing your support garment to minimize swelling and help implants settle.
Light activity outside the home becomes easier, although exercise should still be avoided unless cleared by your doctor.
Weeks 5 to 6: Increasing Activity
Swelling continues to subside, and implants start to “drop and fluff.”
Most patients can resume light exercise and more active routines with Dr. Ablavsky’s approval.
Incisions are healing well, and the breasts are beginning to look and feel more natural.
After 6 Weeks: Full Activity & Final Results
Most patients can return to full physical activity, including workouts and lifting.
Residual swelling gradually resolves, and the final breast shape and position become more refined.
Scars will continue to fade and mature over the coming months.
Dr. Ablavsky provides you with detailed post-op instructions regarding medication and activities to avoid during recovery.
Breast Augmentation FAQ
How do breast implants compare to fat transfer?
Fat transfer is a natural alternative to breast implants best for women who want a modest size increase—about one bra cup size. Natural breast augmentation involves removing fat from where it’s not wanted, such as the stomach, hips, or thighs, and transferring it to the breasts. The results are less predictable than with implants because some of the fat won’t survive the grafting process. Read our related blog post for details about how implants compare to breast implants.
How long will I need to wear a surgical bra after the procedure?
You’ll typically need to wear a surgical bra for about 4 to 6 weeks after breast augmentation. You should wear it around the clock, including while sleeping, to promote proper healing and provide added support.
Will I be able to breastfeed with implants?
Most women are able to breastfeed after breast augmentation, especially when Dr. Ablavsky places the implants beneath the chest muscle using an inframammary incision, which preserves the milk ducts and glands. However, results can vary, so it’s important to discuss your plans for future breastfeeding during your consultation.
How much do breast implants weigh?
The weight of breast implants depends on their size and fill material (silicone gel or saline), but on average, implants add about 0.2 to 0.9 pounds (90 to 400 grams) per breast. For example, a 300 cc implant weighs roughly 0.66 pounds per implant.
Can implants affect mammograms?
Breast implants can make mammograms slightly more challenging to interpret, but experienced radiology technicians use special implant displacement (Eklund) views to visualize as much breast tissue as possible. Be sure to tell your technologist you have implants so they can adjust the screening technique appropriately.
What happens to the nipples during breast augmentation?
Because the breasts become fuller and rounder, the nipples may appear slightly higher or more centered after breast augmentation, but this is due to changes in breast shape rather than movement of the nipple itself.
Some patients experience temporary changes in nipple sensation, ranging from increased sensitivity to numbness, especially in the first few weeks after surgery. In most cases, feeling gradually returns to normal within a few months as the nerves heal.
Do breast implants need to be replaced?
Yes, breast implants typically need to be replaced after 10 to 20 years, although many patients keep theirs longer without issues. Dr. Ablavsky monitors your results during regular follow-up visits and may recommend replacement only if you experience a leak or rupture, or if you desire a different size or style.
When will I be able to sleep normally after the procedure?
Most patients can sleep on their back within 1 to 2 weeks after breast augmentation, but you’ll need to sleep upright or at a slight incline during the first week to minimize swelling and pressure on your incisions. Dr. Ablavsky typically recommends continuing to wear a supportive surgical bra while sleeping for the first 4 to 6 weeks; once you’re fully healed and cleared at your follow-up appointment, you can sleep without a bra and return to your usual sleeping positions.
Request Your Consultation
If you’re looking in the San Antonio area for a breast augmentation surgeon, request a consultation with Dr. Ablavsky using the online form, or call our practice at (210) 942-6672 to schedule an appointment.
Breast Augmentation Related Blog Posts
How Much Is a Breast Augmentation in San Antonio, TX? Weighing Cost vs. Value
Breast augmentation is one of my most highly requested cosmetic procedures—and it's easy to understand why.… Read On
Do I Need a Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift – Or Both?
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your breasts, you’re not alone. Many women have concerns… Read On
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Ablavsky on October 26th, 2026.