FAQ: Breast Augmentation Basics
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