Breast augmentation is consistently one of the most performed surgical procedures in the United States — and for patients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and Mt. Juliet TN, it remains among the most requested procedures at Cool Springs Plastic Surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Konrad Sarosiek and Dr. John Moore perform breast augmentation at CSPS’s on-site surgical center in Brentwood, TN — the only accredited surgical facility in the practice’s four-location network.
This guide answers the questions patients bring most often to their consultations, covering implant types, placement options, recovery expectations, and how to evaluate candidacy before scheduling a surgical consult.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation — also called augmentation mammoplasty — is a surgical procedure that increases the size, improves the shape, or restores volume to the breasts using implants. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2024 Procedural Statistics Report, breast augmentation remained the second most performed cosmetic surgery in the United States in 2024, with demand increasing 1% year over year.
At CSPS, the procedure is performed exclusively by board-certified plastic surgeons at the practice’s accredited surgical center in Brentwood, TN. All breast augmentation procedures are surgical consultations — patients meet with the operating surgeon, not a patient coordinator.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Most patients who are strong candidates for breast augmentation share these characteristics:
- Good general health and stable weight prior to surgery
- Non-smoker — smoking significantly increases surgical risk and slows healing; CSPS surgeons require patients to stop smoking before any elective procedure
- Realistic expectations — a clear, specific goal for the outcome rather than a desire to match another person’s result
- Fully developed breasts — augmentation is appropriate once breast development is complete
- No active infection or untreated breast disease — current mammogram screenings are part of the pre-surgical workup for appropriate patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that silicone gel implants are approved for patients 22 and older; saline implants are approved for patients 18 and older.
What Types of Breast Implants Are Available?
There are two primary implant types approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
Saline Implants
Filled with sterile saltwater after placement, saline implants are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older. If a saline implant ruptures, the saline is safely absorbed by the body and the deflation is immediately visible. They are placed through a smaller incision than pre-filled silicone implants and may be appropriate for certain anatomical situations.
Silicone Gel Implants
Pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel that more closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue, silicone implants are FDA-approved for patients 22 and older. Modern silicone implants — including form-stable “gummy bear” implants — are designed to maintain their shape even if the outer shell is compromised. Because a silicone rupture may not be immediately noticeable, the FDA recommends periodic imaging after placement to check implant integrity.
Implant Shape and Profile
Beyond fill material, implants vary by:
- Shape: Round (most common) or anatomical/teardrop
- Profile: Low, moderate, moderate-plus, high, or ultra-high — this determines how far the implant projects from the chest wall
- Texture: Smooth or textured shell
Your CSPS surgeon will guide implant selection based on your existing anatomy, chest width, skin elasticity, and goals — not by cup size, which varies across manufacturers.
Where Are Breast Implants Placed?
Incision Location
The three most common incision sites are:
- Inframammary (IMF): In the fold beneath the breast — the most common approach and preferred at CSPS for most patients
- Periareolar: Around the lower edge of the areola
- Transaxillary: Through the armpit
Implant Pocket (Placement)
- Subglandular (over the muscle): Between the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle. May be appropriate for patients with sufficient natural breast tissue.
- Submuscular (under the muscle): Partially or fully beneath the pectoral muscle. Generally provides more natural-looking coverage, especially in patients with limited existing tissue, and may facilitate better mammogram imaging.
- Dual plane: A modified submuscular technique that allows the implant to interact with both muscle and breast tissue — often the optimal choice for patients with mild ptosis (sagging) who want augmentation without a full lift.
What Is the Difference Between Breast Augmentation and a Breast Lift?
This is one of the most common questions at CSPS consultations:
- Breast augmentation adds volume and improves size. It does not significantly address sagging or drooping (ptosis).
- Breast lift (mastopexy) repositions and reshapes breast tissue, elevates the nipple-areola complex, and removes excess skin. It does not add meaningful volume.
- Breast augmentation with mastopexy addresses both — volume restoration and lifting — in a single surgical session. This is appropriate for patients who have experienced significant volume loss with notable ptosis, often after pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging.
During your consultation at CSPS, your surgeon will assess your degree of ptosis and recommend the appropriate procedure for your anatomy and goals.
What Should I Expect During Recovery?
Recovery after breast augmentation varies by patient, implant placement, and surgical approach. Here is a general timeline:
- Days 1–3: Soreness, tightness, and fatigue. Most patients manage discomfort with prescribed medication. A surgical bra is worn immediately post-op.
- Days 4–7: Most patients are mobile and managing well. Light activities at home are appropriate. No driving while on prescription pain medication.
- Week 2: Many patients return to desk work or light remote work. Activity restrictions remain in effect.
- Weeks 3–6: Gradual return to normal activity. Upper body exercise restrictions typically lift around weeks 4–6 per your surgeon’s guidance.
- 3–6 Months: Implants settle into final position (commonly called “dropping and fluffing”). Final results are typically visible by 3–6 months post-op.
Patients with submuscular placement typically experience more initial tightness across the chest than those with subglandular placement, as the pectoral muscle must accommodate the implant. Full post-operative instructions are provided at your pre-surgical appointment and reviewed with your care team before discharge from the surgical center.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. The FDA advises that implants may need to be replaced at some point, and that the longer implants remain in place, the greater the likelihood of eventually needing revision surgery. That said, many patients go 10–20 or more years without complication. There is no mandatory replacement schedule.
Common reasons patients return for revision include:
- Capsular contracture — scar tissue around the implant hardens over time
- Rupture or deflation
- Changes in aesthetic preference — desire for a different size or profile
- Changes in anatomy — weight fluctuation, pregnancy, or natural aging
CSPS performs breast implant revision and breast implant removal at the Brentwood surgical center.
What Are the Risks of Breast Augmentation?
As with any surgical procedure, breast augmentation carries risks. The FDA documents these risks as part of required informed consent prior to surgery. Commonly discussed risks include:
- Capsular contracture — the most commonly cited long-term complication; scar tissue forms around the implant and can tighten, causing firmness or distortion
- Implant rupture or deflation
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation (temporary or permanent)
- Asymmetry
- Infection
- Seroma or hematoma (fluid or blood accumulation post-surgery)
- Implant malposition
- Scarring
Breast Implant Illness (BII)
Some patients report systemic symptoms they associate with breast implants, commonly referred to as Breast Implant Illness (BII). The FDA acknowledges these reports and continues to study this issue; a definitive causal link has not been scientifically established. Patients with concerns about BII should discuss them directly with their surgeon at consultation.
Breast Implant-Associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL)
The FDA has identified a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), associated primarily with textured implants. It is not breast cancer. When caught early, it is typically treatable with surgery. Your surgeon will discuss current implant options, including smooth-shell implants, as part of your consultation. Current FDA data and case reporting are maintained at fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants.
Why Does Board Certification Matter?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons specifically in plastic surgery. Certification requires completion of an accredited plastic surgery residency, comprehensive written and oral examinations, and ongoing maintenance of certification every 10 years.
A medical license alone does not equal board certification in plastic surgery. A physician with a different specialty background can legally perform cosmetic surgery in Tennessee without plastic surgery-specific training. Board certification through the ABPS confirms that training is plastic-surgery specific.
Dr. Sarosiek and Dr. Moore are both board-certified plastic surgeons. CSPS is affiliated with:
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- The American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS)
- The Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS)
- The Aesthetic Society
Frequently Asked Questions — Breast Augmentation Nashville TN
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
Many patients breastfeed successfully after augmentation. The inframammary incision approach — preferred at CSPS for most patients — carries the lowest risk of disrupting milk ducts compared to periareolar incisions. However, breastfeeding ability cannot be guaranteed regardless of approach. Discuss your plans with your surgeon during consultation.
Will breast implants affect my mammograms?
Implants can obscure some breast tissue on standard mammography. Always inform the imaging facility that you have implants — they will use additional displacement views (the Eklund technique) to improve visualization. The FDA and ASPS recommend patients continue routine mammography screening per their physician’s guidance.
How do I choose the right implant size?
Size is not selected by cup size, which varies across manufacturers. At CSPS, sizing is approached dimensionally — measuring chest width, base diameter, and projection to identify implants that fit your frame. Bringing reference photos to consultation helps your surgeon understand your aesthetic goals in concrete terms.
What is “drop and fluff”?
After surgery, implants initially sit high on the chest as surrounding tissue adjusts. Over 3–6 months they gradually descend into a more natural position and soften in appearance — a process colloquially called “drop and fluff.” Final results are not fully visible immediately post-surgery.
Do breast implants cause cancer?
Breast implants are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. BIA-ALCL (noted above) is a distinct and rare condition, not breast cancer. Per the FDA, the overall risk of BIA-ALCL remains very low.
What happens at a CSPS breast augmentation consultation?
Your consultation with Dr. Moore or Dr. Sarosiek will include a complete medical history review, physical examination and chest measurements, implant sizing discussion (including dimensional planning), implant type and placement recommendation based on your anatomy, full review of the surgical plan and recovery expectations, and an informed consent discussion covering risks, alternatives, and realistic outcomes. You will meet with the surgeon who will perform your procedure.
Serving Breast Augmentation Patients Across the Nashville Area
CSPS performs all breast augmentation surgeries at the practice’s accredited surgical center in Brentwood, TN. Consultations and post-operative follow-up appointments are available across all four CSPS locations:
- Brentwood, TN — Main office and on-site surgical center | 620 Church Street East, Brentwood, TN 37027
- Franklin, TN — 1909 Mallory Lane #104, Franklin, TN 37067
- Mt. Juliet, TN — 1410 N. Mt. Juliet Road #102, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
- Nashville, TN — 49 Music Square West #501, Nashville, TN 37203
Since 1997, Dr. Moore and Dr. Sarosiek have performed surgical procedures for patients throughout Williamson County, Wilson County, and surrounding communities. Learn more about breast augmentation at CSPS or request a surgical consultation to get started.
Sources
1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What to Know About Breast Implants. fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-about-breast-implants
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Risks and Complications of Breast Implants. Updated December 2023. fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants
4. The Aesthetic Society. Board Certification in Plastic Surgery. theaestheticsociety.org
