Patrick Hudson MD, MA, FACS

Dr. Hudson performs breast augmentation or enlargement, to enhance, or enlarge, the breast.

Indications: This operation enhances or enlarges the breast. It remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgery operations. Many materials have been used to enlarge the breast. Most have fallen into disuse and implants remain the method of choice.

photographs of breast augmentation

There are two types of patient who need this operation. First, those who have never developed breast tissue and second, those who had breast tissue before pregnancy and lost it after they had children.

This operation does not tighten the breast or raise the nipple, it is to make the breast larger. If you have loose skin or the nipple is low you may need a mastopexy or breast tightening.

Method: There are many ways to perform breast enlargement. The method must be tailored to the individual patient needs. The principal is to create a pocket under the breast tissue and place an implant into that pocket.  As with much in medicine the decision about what to do may rest on what method provides the most benefit with the least complications.

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Some patients have a significant difference in shape or size of the breast and surgery can sometimes improve this asymmetry but it is unlikely the breasts will be exactly the same after surgery.

In some patients the surgeon places the implant under the pectoral muscle and in others under the gland of the breast. The operation is done under either local anesthetic (you are awake) or general anesthetic (you are asleep). Most of the time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the hospital is not needed.

implant choices

Problems: All operations have some risk. The risks of surgery are divided into two groups.

First those that are seen in all operations and second those that are unique or special for this operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change in feeling. There is no good evidence that implants may hurt any future child.

Recently concerns have been expressed that some implants may be associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. If there is an association this risk appears very small, still it is being monitored by the ASPS and the FDA.  It is always a good idea for any patient who has had implants in position for some time and has increasing fluid to contact their plastic surgeon. 

The main problems which are special for this operation are hardening of the capsule around the breast, leakage of the implant and changes in mammography.

It is important to remember that no surgeon can give a guarantee about the final outcome, including appearance, shape, size and so on.  You should have a realistic attitude about the outcome, and remember that all surgery has good and bad aspects. That there is no such thing as ‘perfect surgery’. 

The satisfaction rate for cosmetic surgery is around 90%  and although a satisfactory outcome is anticipated this means that 10% of people do not achieve the result that either the patient or the surgeon would like.  

If things do not go well you may need revision or secondary surgery. Although many surgeons do not charge for this, there is often a charge for anesthesia and operating room costs.

Postoperative care: The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week or two.

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Alternative names for this operation:augmentation mammoplasty, augmentation mammaplasty, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast augmentation, BAM, boob job, correction breast hypoplasia.