A good answer to any breast augmentation question has two parts: the general facts, and how your anatomy and goals change them. Below, I answer some of the most common questions I hear about breast augmentation, from planning through recovery.
Can You Get Breast Augmentation Without Implants?
Yes, fat transfer breast augmentation uses your own fat instead of implants. We use liposuction to harvest fat from an area such as your abdomen or thighs and inject it into your breasts. Fat transfer suits a modest, natural-looking increase and can be performed on its own or with implants.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Without Implants
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Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation With Implants
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Can Breast Augmentation Help With Uneven Breasts?
Yes, breast augmentation can reduce the look of uneven breasts, either by using different-sized silicone implants or by adjusting the fill of saline implants.
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Silicone Implants vs. Saline: Which Is Better?
Neither silicone nor saline implants are universally better than the other. The main trade-offs are feel, incision size, and ongoing monitoring. Silicone gel implants, including highly cohesive “gummy bear” breast implants, tend to feel more like natural breast tissue than saline but require a larger incision.
Saline implants can be inserted through a smaller incision and are filled after placement, allowing your surgeon to fine-tune the volume on each side. Some patients also prefer the peace of mind that saline implants bring, as the implant will visibly deflate in the unlikely event of a rupture. Silicone implants, meanwhile, rupture “silently,” which is why the FDA recommends periodic MRI or ultrasound screening.
Saline Implants
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Silicone Implants
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Gummy Bear Implants
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How Do You Choose the Right Breast Implant Size?
The right implant size is the one that looks proportional to your body. Breast augmentation before-and-after photos can help you picture the result you want, though keep in mind that a size that looks balanced on one patient may look completely different on another. During a consultation, I base my recommendations on your chest width, your existing breast tissue, and the look you describe rather than starting with a specific number in mind.
Is Breast Augmentation Painful?
You won’t feel the surgery, but you can expect soreness and stiffness during recovery. I perform breast augmentation using general anesthetic, so you’re asleep and comfortable throughout. Discomfort afterward varies from patient to patient, and implants placed under the chest muscle generally mean more soreness than implants placed over it.
I may prescribe pain medication and muscle relaxants for the first week, and many patients are comfortable with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen after about 5 days.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Breast augmentation in Arizona averages about $6,900 statewide and about $8,600 in the Phoenix area, based on RealSelf’s 2024 patient-reported data. Your own cost depends on the surgeon’s fee, the type of implants, the geographic location, whether you combine the surgery with another procedure such as a breast lift, and the facility and anesthesia fees. For a closer look at what drives the price, see the factors that affect the cost of breast augmentation.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Breast Augmentation?
You can expect to return to desk work 5 to 7 days after breast augmentation and to resume your full exercise routine at about 6 weeks. I encourage you to start taking short, gentle walks the day of surgery. You can add light exercise around weeks 3 to 4, but strenuous upper-body workouts should wait until the 6-week mark. Your own recovery timeline depends on implant placement and how closely you follow your post-op instructions.
When Can You Sleep Without a Bra After Breast Augmentation?
Plan on sleeping in a bra until your surgeon clears you to go without one, which is usually around 6 weeks after surgery. You’ll wear your surgical bra for the first 3 to 4 weeks, then switch to a soft, supportive bra, and keep sleeping on your back until you’re cleared to sleep on your side. For guidance and comfort tips, see my guide to sleeping after breast augmentation.
Take the Next Step
If you’re considering breast augmentation in Phoenix or Gilbert, I’d be glad to meet with you and talk through your options. You can request a consultation online or call (480) 466-7355 to schedule an appointment.
This blog post was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated for 2026.
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