Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation costs in Connecticut are determined by your individual needs. Patients are provided with a detailed estimate of surgical fees at the time of consultation.

Typically, most patients feel better within one week and may return to light work at that point. For more physically-demanding jobs, patients may require 2-3 weeks before resuming their normal duties to avoid activities that use the chest muscles.

Most patients notice visible improvements to their figure immediately following their breast augmentation surgery. You may experience bruising and swelling that obscures your true results. As your body heals, your new contours will become more visible. Residual swelling may take up to 6 months to fully resolve.

Following your breast augmentation, you will be required to wear a sports bra for 6 weeks.

At Brown Plastic Surgery, we use Natrelle and Motiva silicone gel breast implants. Natrelle and Motiva implants are FDA approved and have an unrivaled safety profile.

Both Natrelle and Motiva implants are designed to hold their shape while maintaining a remarkably soft feel. With the wide variety of implant options including different surface types and projection levels available, Dr. Brown can assist with finding the best breast implant option to help you look and feel your best.

Most women choose breast augmentation in their mid‑20s to 40s, once their breasts are fully developed and their weight and lifestyle are relatively stable. The FDA recommends saline implants for patients 18 and older and silicone gel implants for patients 22 and older, but the “best” age is really when you are healthy, have realistic expectations, and are doing the procedure for yourself rather than outside pressure. Dr. Brown will evaluate your health history, breast development, and long‑term goals during your consultation to determine if now is the right time for surgery in your specific case.

You may be a good candidate if you are in good general health, do not smoke or are willing to stop, and have no uncontrolled medical conditions that would make surgery unsafe. Ideal candidates are bothered by naturally small breasts, volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss, or noticeable asymmetry and want to enhance size or shape while maintaining a natural look that fits their frame. It is also important that you understand the limitations of the procedure, are willing to follow pre‑ and post‑operative instructions, and are prepared for the possibility of future implant‑related procedures over your lifetime.

Saline implants have a silicone shell filled with sterile saltwater, are typically inserted empty and filled once in place, and can allow for slightly smaller incisions. If they leak, the body harmlessly absorbs the saline and the implant visibly deflates. Silicone gel implants are pre‑filled with cohesive silicone, often feel more like natural breast tissue, and tend to provide a smoother, more natural contour, especially for women with thinner breast tissue. Fat transfer breast augmentation uses your own purified fat, usually harvested with liposuction from areas like the abdomen or thighs, to subtly enhance breast volume and shape without implants. This option is best for women seeking a modest increase in size with the most natural look and feel and who have enough donor fat available.

For patients with naturally small breasts, the goal is typically to create proportional, natural‑appearing fullness that complements your chest width, shoulders, and hips rather than an “over‑augmented” look. Dr. Brown will help you select implant size, profile, and placement (above or below the muscle) that match your tissue characteristics and aesthetic goals, often using photos, measurements, and sizing tools during consultation. Most patients notice a fuller upper pole, better cleavage, and improved symmetry while still being able to wear a wide range of clothing comfortably without looking obviously “done.”

Most patients can go home the same day as surgery and experience the most soreness and tightness in the first few days, which is usually managed with prescribed pain medication and supportive garments. Many women with non‑strenuous jobs return to work in about a week, while more physically demanding jobs may require additional time off. Light walking is encouraged early to support circulation, but heavy lifting, upper‑body workouts, and high‑impact exercise are typically restricted for several weeks. Dr. Brown will give you a personalized timeline and clear instructions based on your healing progress.

Breast implants do not cause breast cancer, but they can sometimes make mammograms more technically challenging, which is why it is important to inform your imaging center that you have implants so they can use special views designed for augmented breasts. In most cases, experienced radiology technicians can still obtain high‑quality images, and additional screening tools such as ultrasound or MRI may be recommended in certain situations. You should continue regular self‑exams and age‑appropriate screening, and you should always inform Dr. Brown and your primary care provider of any changes, lumps, or concerns you notice in your breasts.

Choosing size and shape is a collaborative process that starts with your desired look and lifestyle and combines that with careful measurements of your chest width, breast base, skin quality, and existing tissue. During consultation, Dr. Brown may use implant sizers, before‑and‑after photo examples, and 3D imaging to show you what different volume and profiles might look like on your body. The goal is to select an implant size and shape that fits your frame, supports long‑term skin and tissue health, and achieves the level of fullness and cleavage you want without creating functional issues such as back or neck discomfort.

As with any surgery that requires anesthesia, there are general risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, and adverse reactions to medications. Implant‑specific risks include capsular contracture (tightening of scar tissue around the implant), changes in nipple or breast sensation, implant malposition, visible rippling, rupture or leaking over time, and the need for future revision surgery. Choosing a double board‑certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Brown, undergoing surgery in an accredited facility, and closely following pre‑ and post‑operative instructions can significantly reduce many of these risks, but they cannot be eliminated entirely.

Breast implants are long‑lasting devices but are not considered lifetime devices. Many women enjoy their implants for well over 10 years, but the chance of needing revision slowly increases over time. You might need revision or replacement if you develop capsular contracture, experience a rupture or leak, notice significant asymmetry or shifting of the implants, or simply decide you want a different size or type of implant later in life. Regular follow‑up visits with Dr. Brown and prompt evaluation of any new symptoms, changes in shape, or discomfort will help determine if and when implant revision is appropriate for you.

Yes, many women choose to combine breast augmentation with a breast lift when they have both volume loss and sagging, in order to restore fullness and raise the nipple and breast position in one surgery. Breast augmentation can also be incorporated into a mommy makeover, which may include procedures like a tummy tuck and liposuction to address post‑pregnancy changes to the body as a whole. Combining procedures can often mean a single anesthesia event and one overall recovery period, but Dr. Brown will carefully evaluate your health, goals, and surgical plan to ensure that performing multiple procedures together is safe and appropriate for you.