Breast augmentation is designed to improve the size and shape of the breasts. The procedure involves placing saline or silicone implants into the breast tissue to give the bust more volume and fullness. With decades of research and clinical results to support its effectiveness, breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed today. Surgery is considered safe and successful for many different types of breast enhancement. Dr. Geoffrey Leber, our board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, customizes breast augmentation to achieve the unique body shape and desired results for each individual patient.

Dr. Geoffrey Leber has been performing breast augmentation procedures for more than 16 years. He is known for providing natural results that create balance and proportion in a woman’s body profile. Dr. Leber has also been recognized by Phoenix Magazine as one of thetop plastic surgeons for breast augmentation in the area. For more information about this procedure, contact Dr. Leber’s office today.

Breast Augmentation Benefits
Breast Augmentation Candidates
Types of Breast Implants
Breast Implants Placement
Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Breast Implant Results
Breast Augmentation Scars
Breast Augmentation Cost
Breast Augmentation and Breastfeeding
Breast Augmentation Plus Lift
Breast Augmentation Safety
Non-Surgical Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation FAQs

What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is often considered the most powerful procedure to reshape the breast contours. This aesthetic surgery is extremely personalized, allowing you to decide everything from the best type and size of implant to the most ideal incision technique and implant location for your individual needs. Unlike non-surgical treatments, breast augmentation offers:

Fuller, enhanced breast proportions for the long-term future
A procedure considered safe and predictable with decades of research and clinical support
Enhanced cleavage and a better fit in clothing
Results that look natural and complement your body frame
A more voluptuous, feminine silhouette

When surgery is performed by an extensively trained breast surgeon, implants offer a variety of improvements to the look and feel of the breasts. Whether your breasts have stretched over time or you’re looking to obtain the breast size you’ve always wanted, we welcome you to explore the before-and-after photos in our patient gallery to see the outcomes possible with saline and silicone implants.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Women may seek out breast augmentation for a number of reasons. Some patients are unhappy with the size of their breasts and the way their clothing may fit, while others may have noticed changes in shape and volume after having children. Choosing to undergo breast augmentation is a very personal decision that should be made between a woman and her plastic surgeon.

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who have a positive body image and simply want to improve the appearance of their breasts. Patients should be in good physical health with realistic expectations of what the procedure can do for them. Breast augmentation may be used to address the following concerns:

Create fuller breasts proportionate to the patient’s body shape
Restore volume lost through pregnancy and breastfeeding
Create symmetry in breasts that are different sizes
Reconstruct the breasts after cancer removal surgery

Breast augmentation may be performed alone or in combination with another procedure like a breast lift to further enhance results. Many women who have had children desire breast implants to regain a more youthful, pre-pregnancy breast contour, which can be achieved with a Mommy Makeover as well. Implants can also be placed in cases of breast reconstruction to rebuild a natural-looking breast shape.

Types of Breast Implants

Saline Implants

Saline implants consist of an outer silicone shell that is filled with saline solution once the implants are placed in the chest. One advantage of saline implants is that because they are filled after insertion, the incision for surgery can be much smaller when compared to silicone implants.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are a relatively newer option for breast augmentation and often preferred by most patients and doctors. Silicone implants require a larger incision to place, but they tend to look and feel more like natural breast tissue. In addition, there is no concern of an implant rupturing and changing the outer appearance of the breast.

Dr. Geoffrey Leber typically utilizes silicone implants, but there may be situations where saline implants prove to be a more ideal option. Both types of implants come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, so they can be customized to the unique body shape and preferences of each patient.

Placement for Breast Implants

When breast implants are inserted into the chest, they can either be positioned over or under the pectoral (chest) muscles. These two positions offer differences in how your breast augmentation results will appear, as well as the nature of your recovery period:

Over the Muscle (Subglandular): With this placement option, breast implants are inserted directly behind the breast tissue. While the recovery period can be relatively shorter with this technique since it causes less trauma to the chest muscles, subglandular placement may not be suitable for patients who have thin breast skin/tissue or for those who desire larger-sized implants. Since the chest muscle doesn’t provide any extra coverage for the implant, this position can have a higher risk of scar tissue formation (capsular contracture) and visible implant edges.
Under the Muscle (Submuscular): Placement under the chest muscle offers the advantage of increased coverage for your breast implants, which can reduce the likelihood of conspicuous implant edges for both large and small enhancements. Plus, positioning the implant under the muscle can facilitate more accurate mammogram readings, as well as achieve more realistic results.

Dr. Leber will further explain the pros and cons of over-the-muscle vs. under-the-muscle placement for your breast implants. In general, he usually opts to position implants under the chest muscle because there is often a reduced risk of potential complications with submuscular placement.

How is the Breast Augmentation Procedure Performed?

Breast augmentation is generally performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Most breast augmentation procedures take 1-3 hours to perform, but the specific length is dependent on the patient and the type of technique used for the surgery.

There are three basic locations where incisions can be placed during breast augmentation:

Inframammary Incision: This incision is placed near the crease underneath the breast and is commonly used for the insertion of silicone implants. Scarring is typically concealed underneath the breast.
Transaxillary Incision: This incision is located under the arm and may be used with saline implants. Although it is located away from the breast, the recovery from this procedure can be more difficult when compared to other techniques.
Periareolar Incision: This is another common incision used for the placement of a saline implant. The incision is placed around the border of the areola, where it becomes nearly invisible after it heals. However, the periareolar incision may make it harder for some women to breastfeed after breast augmentation.

After the incision is made in a predetermined location, the breast implant is carefully placed and incisions are closed. The best technique for your breast augmentation will depend on the type of implants used and where they are placed. Dr. Leber prefers to place implants under the pectoral muscle for most patients because there is a reduced risk of skin rippling and scar tissue forming around the implant. This type of placement can also result in less interference during mammograms.

What is Recovery From Breast Augmentation Like?

After breast augmentation, patients remain in a recovery area for a period of time. Patients are usually allowed to return home on the same day as the procedure, as long as they have someone to drive them. Discomfort for the first few days after breast surgery is managed with oral medication. A compression garment (or surgical bra) may be recommended to promote healthy blood flow and minimize swelling. Most patients are able to return to work and regular activities within one week, although strenuous exercise may be restricted for three to four weeks after surgery. Results are visible right away and will continue to improve as the breasts heal.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Breast implants may need to be replaced if a complication occurs, but many patients do not ever have the need to replace their implants unless they come to desire a different shape, size, or fill material. In general, implants can have a lifespan of several years to multiple decades depending on the type of implants placed. If you would like to exchange your breast implants in the future, Dr. Leber can also perform a breast revision procedure to update implants and/or resolve any complications. Breast augmentation is considered a permanent breast enhancement procedure, although the aging process may alter the appearance of the breasts once again. If this occurs, additional procedures such as a breast lift can be pursued as necessary to maintain your results.

Will I Have Visible Breast Augmentation Scars?

One concern patients typically have before breast augmentation is how scarring will look after the procedure. The good news is today’s techniques actually leave very little scarring, due to the size and location of the required incisions. In addition, there are steps you can take after your augmentation surgery to reduce the appearance of scarring even further.

Steps to Lighten the Appearance of Breast Augmentation Scars

No matter where your incision is located, there are steps you can take after your breast augmentation to minimize the appearance of surgical scars. Dr. Leber will speak with you about specific options, which might include:

Silicone Sheeting: This product has been used by doctors for years to help reduce the thickness of scarring, which also minimizes its appearance.
Vitamin E: Applied topically, vitamin E can reduce scarring that might appear around the implant.
Pressure Bandages: Used to treat scarring from burns for more than a century, these bandages also work to reduce the appearance of other types of scars.

It’s also important to follow post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Leber very carefully. These instructions are meant to speed the healing process, but may minimize scarring after the incision heals.

Repairing Scars

Sometimes despite our best efforts, the resulting scar from breast augmentation may be more visible than a patient hoped. In these situations, there are a number of non-surgical skin resurfacing procedures that can help minimize the scar, including laser treatments and dermabrasion/microdermabrasion.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

In Scottsdale, breast augmentation can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 or more depending on the type of implants placed, the surgical technique utilized, and your goals for surgery. This price range includes all of the fees typically associated with cosmetic surgery, such as expenses for anesthesia, the operating facility, the surgeon, etc. The figures listed above should be thought of as more of a general approximation rather than your personal cost estimate, as we cannot truly provide an accurate cost range until Dr. Leber evaluates your needs in a consultation. Rest assured that after your initial appointment, our office will be able to give you a personalized quote based on your unique treatment plan.

A plastic surgery financing plan is one payment option for patients who would rather pay for their breast surgery in smaller monthly installments rather than a lump sum. Dr. Leber accepts plans from CareCredit® and Prosper® Healthcare Lending, which both offer qualified applicants low- to no-interest arrangements within a given promotional period. Please call our Scottsdale office if you have any questions about the cost of breast augmentation, or about the procedure in general.

How Does Breast Augmentation Affect Breastfeeding?

If you’re considering breast implants but are concerned about how the procedure may affect breastfeeding, rest assured that Dr. Leber will speak with you at length about what you can expect after surgery. In general, the procedure should not interfere with your ability to breastfeed, provided that you were able to nurse in the first place. It’s important to remember that many women cannot breastfeed even before their breast augmentation; therefore, undergoing surgery will not change this. That said, if you wish to breastfeed in the future, Dr. Leber can do his best to utilize breast augmentation techniques that preserve nursing function. This may be achieved by placing an incision along the natural breast crease, rather than around the nipples. Dr. Leber will talk to you about possible approaches that may maximize your chances of successful breastfeeding.

From an aesthetic standpoint, Dr. Leber typically advises waiting until all plans for pregnancy and nursing are complete before undergoing breast augmentation. While the procedure should not disrupt any function, breastfeeding after getting implants may alter your final results. To maximize the outcome of your breast augmentation, Dr. Leber recommends postponing surgery until there are no future plans to have children.

Do I Need a Breast Lift with My Implants?

Breast augmentation restores volume and fullness to the breasts, but the procedure usually cannot address other concerns — such as breast sag and skin laxity — alone. These limitations often lead patients to wonder whether they should incorporate a breast lift into their surgical plan. In general, you may consider a combined procedure, also known as a breast augmentation with implants and lift (augmentation mastopexy), if you want to improve the positioning and shape of your breasts in addition to having larger breasts. For patients who desire fuller, lifted breasts with improved cleavage but do not wish to have larger breasts, Dr. Leber developed a procedure called the Dermal Wing Mastopexy.

With his technique, the bottom-heavy breast tissue is used to augment the upper pole. A pocket is created, similar to an implant pocket; however, instead of using a breast implant, Dr. Leber uses the bottom-heavy breast tissue and repositions it into the central and upper pole of your breasts. This technique is also called an “auto augmentation,” and often has the appearance of a breast implant. That said, augmentation is achieved using your own tissue and does not have the maintenance issues or potential complications of placing a breast implant. While a consultation with Dr. Leber can definitively determine whether a breast augmentation plus lift or the Dermal Wing Mastopexy is the right procedure to achieve your goals, good candidates for a combined treatment plan may include individuals who:

Want to enhance sagging breasts in addition to enlarging a small breast size
Have flat, “deflated,” or elongated breasts
Experience stretched or downward-facing nipples

A breast augmentation plus lift can not only rejuvenate the shape and contours of the breasts, but it can also elevate the bust to a more youthful position on the chest wall. Ultimately, the best way to obtain the most ideal treatment plan for your needs is to discuss your goals with Dr. Leber. He can evaluate your concerns and confirm whether you could benefit from a breast lift with implants during a consultation.

What are the Risks of Breast Augmentation?

Like all surgical procedures, a breast augmentation is associated with a risk of potential complications such as infection, negative reactions to anesthesia, scar tissue formation, rippling, changes in breast and nipple sensation, seroma, implant malposition, bleeding (hematoma), implant rupture, and capsular contracture, among other adverse events. Dr. Leber will go over the risks, limitations, and benefits of surgery with you during a consultation so you’re able to make a clear, well-informed decision about whether to continue with breast augmentation.

It’s important to remember that when breast augmentation is performed by a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon, the procedure is considered very safe and predictable. There are decades of clinical research and peer-reviewed studies to support the effectiveness of using implants to enhance the breast contours. That said, the best way to maximize your health and safety during surgery is to choose an experienced breast surgeon who you feel confident can achieve your desired results.

Is Non-Surgical Breast Augmentation Possible?

Without surgery, there’s no technique to attain a rounder, fuller, and more voluminous breast shape while still achieving long-lasting results. Though many advancements have been made in the field of cosmetic surgery, there’s currently no minimally invasive treatment designed to enhance the breast contours in the same way as breast implants. The high-quality outcomes expected of breast augmentation cannot be replicated without surgically addressing skin and tissue laxity, which both tend to make the breasts appear elongated, flat, or “deflated.”

That said, breast augmentation is one of the most heavily researched elective procedures available. With years of time-tested results to support their effectiveness, breast implants are often considered the “gold standard” of breast rejuvenation by both doctors and patients. If you’re wanting to feel more confident in the look and feel of your bust, Dr. Leber can listen to your concerns and determine whether breast augmentation may be able to achieve your goals. You can help safeguard your health and appearance during the procedure by carefully selecting a plastic surgeon accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Additional Breast Augmentation FAQs

How should I sleep after breast augmentation?

Immediately after breast augmentation, the most ideal sleeping position is typically on your back at a slightly elevated angle. This can help improve blood circulation and minimize swelling from surgery. Furthermore, sleeping on your back helps ensure there is no unnecessary pressure on your implants while your breasts heal from surgery. Pillows can be arranged to prop up your back and prevent yourself from rolling over on your stomach or sides throughout the night.

What’s the best type of bra to wear after breast augmentation?

Dr. Leber will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions in person, but generally speaking, a surgical bra or sports-like bra is the best type of garment to wear until Dr. Leber instructs otherwise. Clasps should ideally be positioned in front to minimize the need to lift your arms over your head. Patients should also avoid wearing underwire bras for a period of time to help facilitate the best possible healing of their new breast contours.

How long after breast augmentation can I swim?

In general, patients can swim approximately 7 to 10 days after their procedure once incisions are fully healed. Dr. Leber will monitor your recovery in follow-up appointments and provide you with instructions regarding when you can resume swimming after breast augmentation.

What happens if I want to remove my breast implants in the future?

If you decide you no longer need your breast implants after a period of time, Dr. Leber can perform breast implant removal or “explant” surgery to extract your implants and any surrounding scar tissue. It should be noted that after years of implant use, the breasts may be stretched out to the point where the skin may have lost its elasticity. In these cases, a breast lift may be recommended to address sagging tissue and reshape your breasts. Dr. Leber will speak with you about your concerns and outline potential treatment options for you according to your unique needs.

Contact Us

Dr. Leber and his staff are here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals in a safe and caring environment. If you’re interested in scheduling a procedure, reach us by phone at (480) 945-5522 or contact us online.