what are breast implants?
Breast augmentation surgery has changed the lives of countless women throughout the world, giving them the fuller, shapelier breasts they've always wanted. It is one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries, providing women who dislike their breast size numerous options for improvement. With the help of either saline or silicone implants, this procedure improves breast shape, size, and symmetry, and produces an appealing and natural-looking outcome.
At Plastic Surgery Group of Atlanta, our highly-trained and experienced plastic surgeons Dr. John P. Connors and Dr. Alexandra Hart combine precise skill with an artist's touch to produce stunning, natural-looking results. If you're in Atlanta, GA, and want to improve the appearance of your breasts, contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you reach your aesthetic goals and achieve the look you've always wanted.
What are the benefits?
If you are looking to enlarge the size of their breasts and enhance their overall appearance, breast augmentations in Atlanta, GA at Plastic Surgery Group of Atlanta yield a large number of wonderful benefits, including:
- Enhances cup size and fullness
- Assists with reshaping breasts affected by childbirth, time, or drastic weight loss
- Eliminates asymmetrical breast shape
- Reconstructs breasts after a mastectomy
- Increases confidence and self-image
- Permits you to enjoy a wider range of clothing
- Achieves noticeable, longitudinal results
In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, breast augmentation might also:
- Offers many implant choices
- Is safe and effective for the majority of patients
- Might last for 15 years or even longer for some patients
- Has a recovery period that is relatively quick
- Can achieve an organic appearance
- Helps to obtain the shape you want to have
Am I A Candidate For Breast Augmentation?
The choice to go through with breast enlargement surgery is personal. If you are thinking about having this procedure, it is essential you do it for yourself. You should be healthy with breasts that are fully developed and be the appropriate age to get implants. If you are unhappy with the size of your chest because it looks shapeless, you may benefit from this surgery. Moreover, if your breasts have been affected by weight loss or pregnancy, this procedure can give them life with increased volume. It is also a welcomed option if you work out with weights or have little to no natural breast mass.
How Is Breast Augmentation performed?
During the consultation, Dr. Connors and Dr. Hart allow women the opportunity to “try on” their size before surgery with the state-of-the-art Vectra 3D imaging system. This helps patients get a truer sense of what size, shape, and style of implants would best help them meet their goals. Then we can help design a breast augmentation plan for you.
Incision type, as well as implant placement, are factors that will need to be made before surgery. During breast augmentation, the chosen incision is created and then the appropriate breast implant will be slipped into its position. There are a couple of methods that may be used for implant placement. These include either under the pectoral muscle or submammary/subglandular placement (over the pec muscle). Where to place the implant depends on numerous factors including the overall type and size of implant, along with the expertise of Dr. Connors & Dr. Hart. Regardless of the incision, scarring is generally unnoticeable. Implant placement is determined based on your implant size, activity level, and body type.
Our surgeons uses a special tool known as the Keller Funnel, which assists in the placement of silicone gel implants. This technique prevents potential contamination and makes placement and insertion of gel implants easier while reducing potential risks and long-term implant rupture. Click Here to Learn More About The Keller Funnel.
Breast Augmentation Reviews
Saline VS. Silicone breast implants
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and offer no risk to the patient in terms of extracapsular spread or silicone leakage. Saline implants are appealing to many because they generally cost less than silicone implants. In some patients, silicone may be a better option due to the rippling that may occur along the edges of the saline implant that can be visible in thin-chested women. Patients considering saline implants must be at least 18 years of age.

Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants are filled with a gel substance that looks and feels similar to natural breast tissue. They are ideal for women who are thin-chested. Silicone implants are specially engineered so that if the shell should become compromised (a surface crack), the silicone will remain intact within the implant (known as cohesive gel implants). Silicone implant defects are rare and can only be found through an MRI, unlike saline implants which will deflate. Patients must be at least 22 years of age to receive silicone implants.
Other important Implant Information
Profiles
An implant profile depicts the distance the breast will project forward from the chest wall. Implants are made in low, moderate, high and extra high profiles.
Shape
Breast implants come in two shapes. Round implants tend to offer more fullness on the top of the breast, while teardrop implants are touted to mimic the shape and look of natural breasts.
Texture
Breast implants are made with a smooth or textured surface. Round implants can be chosen with either surface, while teardrop implants are made with a textured surface only.
Implant Placement
- Submammary (Retromammary): Under the mammary gland, over the muscle (sometimes called 'subglandular')
- Subfascial (Retrofacial): Under the fascia of the muscle
- Dual Plane: Along two planes/layers
- Submuscular (Retromuscular): Mostly under the muscle
- Complete Submuscular (Full retromuscular): Completely under the muscle
Incision Type
- Inframammary: The incision is made in the breast crease where the breast meets the torso
- Periareolar: The incision is made just under and along the areola
- Transaxillary: The incision is made in the armpit (Not Recommended)
- Transumbilical: The incision is made in the belly button (Not Recommended)
Breast Augmentation FAQ
should i get Saline or Silicone implants?
Both saline and silicone implants are popular choices among surgeons and patients. In general, patients with a decent amount of breast tissue are good candidates for saline implants, while those with limited tissue and thin chest walls will benefit from silicone.
are Silicone breast implants Safe?
Patients sometimes have concerns about the safety of silicone breast implants because of the attention they received in the media years ago. However, the FDA did approve their safety. In addition, no evidence has ever been found to link silicone breast implants to cancer, auto-immune deficiency disease, or any other illness. Ultimately, 62% of today’s breast augmentation patients choose silicone over saline. For reconstruction cases, they choose them 3 times more often.
do i need Breast Augmentation or a breast Lift?
Breast augmentation will help with size, but it will not correct sagging. If you are happy with the shape and laxity of your breasts, then implants alone may meet your cosmetic goals. If sagging is what is most bothersome to you, then you may be considered for a breast lift. During your consult, we will determine if you are better suited for breast augmentation, a lift, or a combination of the two.
what are the Risks of implant Rupture?
Modern engineering creates strong and durable implants. With proper care and regular check-ups, the risks for rupture are rare. If a saline implant does rupture, the solution will be absorbed by the body and the implant will deflate, becoming visibly noticeable. If a silicone implant ruptures, the cohesive gel will stay intact and will not leak into the body. An MRI will be necessary to detect a silicone defect.
How Long do breast implants Last?
Most implants will last about 10 to 15 years. Some can last even longer. If there is no rupture, leakage, deflation, or any other visible defects (such as rippling), then there is no need to change the implant or have any type of secondary surgery.

Plan Your Procedure
- Recovery Time
- 2-4 Weeks
- Average Procedure Time
- 1-2 Hours
- Post-op Follow-up
- 2 Weeks
- Procedure Recovery Location
- Outpatient
How Long is recovery after breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete. It is considered an outpatient procedure. After surgery, patients will need to rest for a couple of days but will be encouraged to move around in order to promote circulation. As the skin adjusts to the new breast size, it is normal to feel tightness in the chest area. Patients may resume their normal exercise routines within 4-6 weeks. It typically takes around 6 months for the breasts to fall into their final position. The result is a softer, natural-looking breast appearance.
Get The Fuller, Shapelier Look You Want
Cosmetic breast surgery is popular for many excellent reasons. It is safe and effective, and produces exciting, stunning results. With numerous available options, you can achieve the bustline you have always dreamed of. Plastic Surgery Group of Atlanta is proud to provide this proven surgery and we invite you to learn more. Contact our team at our office in Atlanta, GA to plan your initial consultation with Dr. Connors or Dr. Hart.