What is the average recovery time after breast augmentation surgery?

Most patients require about a week of downtime after surgery and can return to light activities after that. The typical recovery period for breast augmentation surgery is about six weeks, at which time the majority of swelling should have subsided and results will be visible. In most cases, the swelling will take at least three months to resolve.

Will there be pain following my surgery?

You will likely experience some pain in the first few days following your breast augmentation surgery, but medication will be prescribed to control this postoperative pain.

Will I have scarring?

There is likely to be scarring as a result of your incisions. Breast tissue will camouflage scarring from inframammary incisions. Scarring along the areola is likely to fade over time. On average, scars heal in about six months to one year.

What complications can occur following breast augmentation surgery?

All surgeries run the risk of infection and bleeding complications, but these are very rare. Other possible complications include: Capsular contracture (tightened scar tissue squeezes the implant), Implant rupture/deflation, Bottoming out (a weakened breast pocket allows the implant to drop below the inframammary fold), Double-bubble deformity (sagging breast tissue beneath the implant creates the appearance of two bubbles).

Is breast augmentation surgery permanent?

Barring any complications that would require implant replacement, breast augmentation surgery achieves long-lasting results. Dr. Jazayeri will discuss the expectations you should have for the results of your surgery.

Breast Augmentation Costa Mesa, CA | Orange County Plastic Surgery

A Better Fit

Breast Augmentation by Dr. Michael Jazayeri

For many patients, breast augmentation comes down to shape and proportion. They want more fullness, better symmetry, and a silhouette that feels more complete in clothing and everyday life. The change may be subtle, measured in inches, but it can make a real difference in how the body feels and looks. Dr. Michael Jazayeri approaches breast augmentation for Costa Mesa patients with close attention to breast tissue, implant selection, frame, and long-term fit. As a board-certified plastic surgeon serving Costa Mesa, he plans each case so your new breasts feel natural, flattering, and well-matched to the body.

Breast Augmentation Photo Gallery

Where Shape Begins

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases breast size and improves breast shape using breast implants or fat transfer. Also called augmentation mammoplasty, it is commonly performed to enhance fullness, improve symmetry, restore volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or create a breast shape that feels more balanced on the patient’s body.

Not every breast enhancement plan uses the same method. Some patients are best served with breast implants, while others are better candidates for fat transfer or fat grafting when the goal is a subtler increase using their own fat cells. The right plan depends on the quality of the skin and breast tissue, the width of the chest wall, the amount of existing natural breast tissue, and the kind of result that will look balanced over time.

At a Glance	Details
Best For	Increasing breast volume, improving shape, restoring fullness, improving symmetry
Treatment Type	Surgical
Anesthesia	General anesthesia
Downtime	About 1 week of social downtime for many patients
Pain Level	Moderate soreness and tightness early on
Procedure Length	About 1 to 2 hours
When Results Appear	Immediate change with settling over several weeks to months
How Long Results Last	Long-lasting; implants are durable but not lifetime medical devices
Cost Note	Breast augmentation cost depends on implant type, surgical complexity, and whether additional procedures are performed

What You’re Really Changing

What Concerns Can Breast Augmentation Address?

Breast augmentation is used to improve volume, shape, and balance when the breasts feel too small, uneven, or deflated for the rest of the figure.

Naturally small breast size
Loss of breast volume after pregnancy or breastfeeding
Volume loss after weight loss
Improved breast symmetry when one breast is noticeably different from the other
Lack of upper-pole fullness
A breast shape that feels out of proportion with the patient’s body
Changes after breast cancer treatment or breast reconstruction in select cases
A breast mound that has lost shape over time

Breast Augmentation Costa Mesa, CA Santa Ana

The Options Matter

What Are Your Breast Augmentation Options?

A good breast augmentation surgeon does not treat implants as interchangeable products. The right choice depends on how much fullness you want, how much existing natural breast tissue you have, the width of the chest wall, and how the final result should sit on the body.

Breast Implants

Breast implants are the most common option for breast augmentation surgery because they offer the widest range of size, projection, and shape changes. They are often the best choice for patients who want a clearer increase in volume or who do not have enough donor fat for fat transfer.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat transfer breast augmentation uses liposuction to remove fat cells from one area of the body, process them, and place them into the breasts. This approach is best for patients who want a modest increase in size and prefer to avoid implants.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They are inserted empty and filled once in position, which can allow for a smaller incision. If an implant ruptures, the body absorbs the saline. Some patients find saline slightly firmer than silicone.

Silicone Implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. Many patients prefer them because they tend to feel softer and more like natural tissue. Modern silicone implants often use cohesive silicone gel, which helps the implant hold its shape. For many women, this creates a more natural feel.

Implant Profile and Size

Implant size is only one part of the decision. Profile affects how far the implant projects forward. Width affects how the implant fits on the chest wall. A result that sounds right in terms of size can still look out of place if the implant is too wide, too narrow, or too prominent for the patient’s frame.

Incision Options

Dr. Jaz commonly uses one of these surgical approaches:

Inframammary incision: placed in the fold where the breast meets the chest, also called the breast crease
Periareolar incision: placed around the lower border of the areola

The inframammary incision is a common choice because it offers excellent visibility and control during the surgical procedure.

Implant Placement

Implants may be placed:

Above the muscle, in select patients with enough tissue coverage
Beneath the muscle, the breast implant is often placed beneath part of the chest muscle for added coverage

Placement affects how the implant looks, how visible the edges are, and how the breast settles over time.

A Fuller Shape, Better Proportioned

What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?

A well-planned breast augmentation procedure can improve shape and fullness in a way that feels balanced with the rest of the body. The best result should fit the patient’s frame, providing:

Increased breast volume
Better shape and fullness
Improved breast symmetry
Restoration after pregnancy or weight loss
More balanced breast contours
Better fit in clothing, swimwear, and bras
A more defined upper-breast line
Long-lasting breast enlargement with proper planning

Who It Works For

Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Good candidates for breast augmentation are healthy patients who want to improve breast volume, shape, or symmetry and who have realistic expectations about surgery, implants, and post-surgical recovery.

You May Be a Good Candidate If...

You want fuller breasts
Your breasts have lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
You have noticeable asymmetry between one breast and the other
You are in good general health
You have enough healthy breast tissue and skin support for the plan being considered
You want a result that looks balanced rather than oversized

Breast Augmentation May Not Be the Right Fit If...

A breast lift is the real priority, and added volume is secondary
Significant sagging breasts are the main issue
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Certain medical conditions or uncontrolled blood pressure make elective surgery unsafe
You want a result that your tissue cannot support well

When Volume Isn’t Enough

When Should Breast Augmentation Be Combined with a Breast Lift?

Breast augmentation increases fullness, but it does not correct every form of breast droop. When the nipple sits too low, or the skin has stretched significantly, a breast lift may be needed to improve position as well as volume.

This is a common point of confusion during a breast augmentation consultation. Many patients assume implants alone will lift the breast. Sometimes they help modestly by filling loose skin. In other cases, they simply add weight to tissue that already needs support. Dr. Jaz evaluates skin quality, nipple position, the amount of natural breast tissue, and the overall breast mound before recommending augmentation alone or augmentation with mastopexy.

Prep Starts Early

How Should I Prepare for Breast Augmentation?

Preparation matters. A smoother recovery usually starts before the day of surgery.

Schedule your initial consultation and complete measurements and planning.
Review implant types, silicone breast implants, saline implants, or fat transfer options with Dr. Jaz.
Go over your medical history, medications, and past breast surgery history.
Complete any medical clearance or lab work if needed.
Stop nicotine and adjust medications or supplements as instructed.
Arrange for a ride home from the surgery center and help during the first day or two.
Set up your recovery space with pillows, medications, water, and easy meals.

Step by Step

How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?

Breast augmentation surgery is usually performed as an outpatient plastic surgery procedure under general anesthesia. The details vary based on implant type, placement, incision choice, and whether fat transfer is part of the plan.

Pre-operative markings are made.
Dr. Jaz reviews the surgical plan, breast measurements, and implant strategy.
Anesthesia is administered.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia for comfort and precision.
The incision is placed.
This is usually done in the breast crease or around the areola, depending on the plan.
The implant pocket is created, or fat is prepared.
If implants are used, a pocket is made above the muscle or partly beneath the chest wall muscle. If fat grafting is used, liposuction is performed first, and the fat is processed.
The implant or fat is placed.
Implant position, volume, and symmetry are checked carefully.
Final adjustments are made.
Shape, balance, and how the breast sits on the chest are reviewed before closure.
The incisions are closed, and support garments are applied.
Patients are then monitored in recovery and discharged with aftercare instructions.

The First Week Matters

Recovery After Breast Augmentation

Most breast augmentation patients can expect swelling, tightness, soreness, and limited upper-body movement early on. The first several days are the most restrictive. Many patients feel well enough to be out in public within a few weeks, but social downtime is usually closer to the first week for everyday activities. The breasts often still look high and swollen at that stage.

Social Downtime

For many patients, social downtime is about one week. You may feel comfortable seeing close friends sooner, but swelling and tightness are usually still visible.

Physical Downtime

Lifting, reaching, and strenuous exercise need to wait. Most patients return to desk work within several days to one week, depending on how they feel. Heavy workouts and upper-body exercise are restricted longer while the chest muscles and breast tissue recover.

Recovery Timeline

First 72 hours: Tightness, soreness, swelling, and fatigue are common.
First week: Most patients start feeling more mobile, though the chest can still feel firm and high.
Weeks 2 to 6: Swelling continues to improve. The breasts begin to settle.
After 6 weeks: Activity restrictions are often eased, depending on healing.

Provider Aftercare Tips

Sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated
Wear the support garment as instructed
Avoid heavy lifting too early
Follow scar care guidance once the incisions are healed enough
Call the office if swelling seems uneven, pain suddenly worsens, or you have concerns about healing

Give It Time

When Will I See My Breast Augmentation Results?

You will see an immediate change in breast size after surgery, but early results are not final. Swelling, tightness, and implant position all affect how the breasts look during the first several weeks.

Timeline	What to Expect
Immediately After Surgery	Fuller breasts, swelling, tightness, implants often sitting high
Around 2 Weeks	Soreness improves, swelling starts to ease, shape still not final
Around 6 Weeks	The breasts begin to look softer and more settled
Around 3 Months	Shape is more natural, and the implant position is more stable
Several Months	Final settling continues, especially in patients with tighter tissue

Not a Lifetime Device

How Long Does Breast Augmentation Last?

Breast implants are long-lasting, but they are not lifetime medical devices. Many patients keep them for years without issue, though some eventually choose or need revision, exchange, or removal over time.

Pregnancy, weight changes, aging, tissue stretch, and implant-related issues can all affect longevity. Some patients go well beyond 10 years without a problem. Others decide on revision sooner because their preferences, body, or implant condition change. Fat transfer results can also be long-lasting, though some transferred fat does not survive the first round of healing.

Where the Scars Sit

What Do Breast Augmentation Scars Look Like?

Breast augmentation scars are usually placed either around the lower border of the areola or in the fold beneath the breast. When the incision is placed in the fold, it sits in the breast crease, where the breast meets the chest. Scar placement depends on the surgical plan, implant type, and tissue characteristics.

Scars are most noticeable early on, then gradually soften and fade over time. Most continue to mature over 6 to 12 months. Good incision care, sun protection, and following post-operative instructions all help. The goal is not invisible scars. The goal is well-placed scars that settle cleanly.

Two Different Approaches

Breast Augmentation vs. Fat Transfer

Breast implants and fat transfer both increase breast volume, but they do it differently. One is not automatically better. The right choice depends on how much volume you want and how you want the breast to feel and look.

Option	Best For	Volume Increase	Feel	Tradeoffs
Implants	Patients wanting a clearer size increase	Moderate to significant	Depends on implant type and tissue coverage	Requires implant maintenance over time
Fat Transfer	Patients wanting subtle enhancement	Modest	Very natural	Limited increase, requires enough donor fat

Part of a Larger Plan

Can Breast Augmentation Be Combined with Other Procedures?

Yes. Breast augmentation is often combined with other procedures when patients want a more complete change in proportion or contour. Common combinations include:

Breast augmentation + breast lift for volume and position
Breast augmentation + mommy makeover for post-pregnancy contour changes
Breast augmentation + tummy tuck for combined abdominal and breast restoration
Breast augmentation + liposuction for added contouring
Breast augmentation + fat transfer in select cases for added shaping

Where Judgment Shows

Why Choose Dr. Jaz for Breast Augmentation in Costa Mesa?

Breast augmentation surgery is common. That doesn't make it simple. Good results depend on expert surgical judgment: implant selection, pocket planning, incision choice, tissue support, and knowing when a patient needs a breast lift instead of more volume. Dr. Michael Jazayeri is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving Costa Mesa with an approach rooted in proportion, restraint, and natural-looking results.

Patients choose Dr. Jaz because he brings both technical experience and aesthetic discipline to breast surgery. He evaluates the breast in context with the patient’s body, chest width, skin quality, existing tissue, and long-term goals. The goal is to create a result that makes sense on the patient’s body and continues to look right once swelling has passed, and life moves forward.

Start With A Plan

Schedule a Breast Augmentation Consultation

If you are considering breast augmentation and want a plan that feels thoughtful, realistic, and fitted to your frame, the next step is a breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Jaz. Patients in Costa Mesa can meet with him to discuss breast implants, fat transfer, lift combinations, recovery, and what kind of result makes sense for their goals.

Schedule your breast augmentation consultation to learn more about surgery with Dr. Michael Jazayeri.

Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

How much does breast augmentation cost in Costa Mesa?

Breast augmentation cost depends on the surgical plan. Implant type, operative complexity, anesthesia, and whether a breast lift or another procedure is added all affect pricing. The most accurate quote comes after an in-person consultation, not over the phone.

What is the recovery time after breast augmentation?

Most patients need about a week of social downtime and several weeks before returning to unrestricted exercise. Swelling and tightness improve in stages, and the breasts continue to settle over a period of weeks to months.

Will my breast implants look natural?

They can, if implant size, profile, and placement are chosen carefully. A natural-looking result depends less on the implant alone and more on whether the plan fits your breast tissue, chest width, and frame.

What is the difference between silicone and saline implants?

Silicone implants are filled with cohesive silicone gel and usually feel softer and more like natural tissue. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and can be inserted through a slightly smaller incision. Each has advantages depending on the patient.

Will I have visible scars after breast augmentation?

You will have scars, but they are typically placed around the areola or in the inframammary incision under the breast, where they are easier to conceal. Scars are more noticeable early and usually soften over time.

How long do breast implants last?

Implants are durable, but they are not lifetime devices. Some patients keep them for many years without issue. Others eventually choose revision or replacement because of body changes, preference changes, or implant-related concerns.

Do I need a breast lift with my augmentation?

Some patients do, especially when nipple position and skin stretch are part of the issue. If the breast tissue has dropped significantly, implants alone may add fullness without improving position enough.

What are the signs of breast implant rupture or capsular contracture?

A breast implant rupture may cause changes in shape, firmness, or size, depending on the implant type. Capsular contracture happens when scar tissue tightens around the implant and can make the breast feel firm, high, or uncomfortable. These are different problems, but both deserve evaluation.

What is breast implant illness?

Breast implant illness is a term some patients use to describe systemic symptoms they believe may be related to implants. Reported concerns can include fatigue, joint pain, skin rash, and other nonspecific issues. Research is still evolving, and not every symptom has a clear implant-based cause, but patients who have concerns should discuss them openly with their surgeon.

Embrace Comfort & Convenience

Procedures Under Local Anesthesia
with Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri

Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri, a distinguished plastic surgeon in Santa Ana, California, strongly advocates for patient comfort and safety during all procedures. His comprehensive approach to patient care includes using local anesthesia for various surgical procedures.

Local anesthesia is a type of anesthetic used to numb a specific area of the body where a surgical procedure will be performed. It allows the patient to remain awake and comfortable while avoiding the potential risks and side effects associated with general anesthesia. In Dr. Jazayeri's hands, an array of procedures can be carried out under local anesthesia, often leading to quicker recovery times and lower complication rates. These procedures include many facelifts, liposuctions, neck lifts, Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), mini tummy tuck and, in certain cases, even breast and arm lift.

By taking advantage of local anesthesia's potential, Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri strives to make cosmetic and reconstructive surgery more accessible, comfortable, and patient-centered. His commitment to this safe anesthesia approach in Santa Ana, California, signals a new era in plastic surgery where patient comfort and safety are at the forefront.

Get Started Now!

Schedule your one-on-one plastic surgery consultation in Orange County with Dr. Jaz

Many people may hesitate about making their first phone call to a plastic surgeon’s office. Dr. Jazayeri would like you to know that for most patients, getting a procedure is only one aspect of helping themselves look and feel more like the person they really are. Information is power. Why not call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Jazayeri today? Contact us now by calling the phone number above or visiting our contact page.

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Breast Augmentation