Thinking about breast augmentation is a big, personal decision. For many women, it is about feeling more proportional in clothing, restoring volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or finally feeling at home in their own body. At Illume Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, our board-certified plastic surgeons take time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and guide you through each step so you feel informed and supported from the very beginning.
If you are curious about what the experience is really like, here is what to expect before, during, and after breast augmentation at Illume.
Before Surgery: Your Consultation and Planning
Your journey starts with a personal consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. This is a relaxed, one-on-one visit focused on you, your body, and your goals.
During this visit, your surgeon will:
- Review your health history and talk through your reasons for considering surgery.
- Perform a gentle breast exam and look at your overall proportions.
- Ask how you want your breasts to look and feel, not just in a swimsuit, but in everyday clothing and over time.
You will also talk through your options for:
- Implant type. Illume offers both saline and silicone breast implants from leading manufacturers including Natrelle, Mentor, and Motiva. Advanced Motiva implants feature cohesive gel technology and are designed to deliver soft, natural-looking results.
- Shape and size. Your surgeon will help you choose a size that fits your frame and your lifestyle so you feel enhanced, not overwhelmed.
- Implant placement. Implants can be placed in front of or behind the chest muscle. Behind-the-muscle placement can soften the look and feel of the implant and may lower the risk of capsular contracture for some patients.
- Incision location. Common options include around the areola, in the crease under the breast, or along the natural fold of the armpit. Your surgeon will explain which approach best supports your goals while keeping scars as discreet as possible.
If your breasts are noticeably droopy or sit lower on the chest, your surgeon may recommend combining augmentation with a breast lift, either at the same time or as a separate procedure.
This is also the time to discuss cost, financing, time off work, childcare, and any travel plans so your surgery and recovery fit smoothly into your life.
During Breast Augmentation Surgery: What Happens on the Day
Your breast augmentation is performed in one of Illume’s in-house, nationally accredited surgical suites, not at a large hospital. This gives you a private, calm environment with a familiar team caring for you.
On the day of surgery, you can expect:
- Pre-op check-in. You will meet with your surgeon and anesthesia team to review your plan and answer any last-minute questions.
- Anesthesia. You will be comfortably asleep for the procedure. Your vital signs are monitored closely from start to finish.
- Surgery time. Breast augmentation typically takes about one to two hours. Your surgeon creates the incision, prepares the pocket either behind the breast tissue or behind the muscle, and then places and positions the implants.
- Closing and support. Dissolvable stitches are used to close the incisions, and supportive tape may be added. A soft surgical bra and sometimes a breast strap are placed to help support your new shape as you heal.
You will then spend about an hour in the recovery room as you wake up. Most patients go home the same day with a trusted adult to drive and stay with them.
After Surgery: Recovery, Comfort & Results
Every woman’s recovery is slightly different, but there are some common milestones that can help you picture the process.
The First Few Days
Expect your chest to feel tight, heavy, and sore at first. The first two to three days are usually the most uncomfortable, then things steadily improve. Illume will provide prescription pain medication and guidance on using ice packs to ease symptoms. Sleeping slightly propped up with several pillows can also make you more comfortable.
You will wake up with:
- Gauze over your incisions
- A surgical bra and breast strap in place
You will wear the bra and strap day and night for the first week, unless your surgeon advises otherwise.
The First Week
Many patients feel ready to move around the house more easily after a few days. You will still want to avoid lifting heavy objects, raising your arms high overhead, or making sudden upper body movements.
The average time to return to desk work is about five to seven days, depending on how you feel and how physical your job is. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to ease back into driving, work, and light exercise.
The First Few Weeks
Your breasts will likely be sensitive to direct touch for two to three weeks, so intimate contact and pressure on the chest should be gentle and limited during this time.
Bruising and swelling gradually fade, and implants begin to settle into a softer, more natural position. Your scars will look firm and pink at first. Over the coming months, they will flatten and fade, though they will never disappear completely. Silicone scar gel, gently massaged into healed incisions, can help improve their appearance.
Your Illume team will see you for follow-up appointments, make sure everything is healing as expected, and answer any questions as you adjust to your new shape. Look at our before and after gallery to get a better idea of results.
Safety, Follow-Up, and Ongoing Care
Breast implants used at Illume are FDA-approved, and implant technology has improved significantly over the years with better materials and lower leakage rates.
Your surgeon will also:
- Talk with you about implant placement and how it may affect future mammograms.
- Encourage regular breast exams and routine mammograms when you reach the recommended age group.
- Review the expected lifespan of implants and what to watch for over time.
If any questions or concerns come up later, you are not on your own. Illume encourages ongoing check-ins so small issues can be caught early and addressed.
Ready to Explore Breast Augmentation at Illume?
Breast augmentation is highly personal. Some women want a subtle boost while others are ready for a more noticeable change. At Illume, there is no “one size fits all” result. Your surgeon’s goal is to help you feel more confident in your own skin, with a shape that looks and feels like you.
If you are ready to take the next step, a consultation is the best place to start. You will have time to ask questions, look at before-and-after photos, and see what is possible for your body and your goals.
