Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a highly popular body contouring procedure that helps patients increase their breast size. I’m Dr. Harry Haramis, and I have performed thousands of breast augmentation cases at Associates in Plastic Surgery. In my over 30 years of experience, I am continuously improving my techniques to give my patients the best results possible with the latest technology available.

I have been practicing since 1994. With a medical family, my interest in medicine began at a very young age. I started working in a hospital as soon as I could while working my way toward medical school. I became intrigued by plastic surgery, a field that requires external results to be as precise as those on the inside. I found these aspects to present a highly rewarding challenge, as it is so important that patients receive results that they love. I have extensive experience working with cleft lip patients, facial fractures, skin cancer, breast reconstruction, trauma, and hands, which are all procedures where the visible results matter to the patient.

When it comes to breast augmentation, I specialize in implant placement, breast reconstruction, breast fat transfer, a combined lift, and more. I highly value my patients’ visions for their ideal look, and always strive for the most natural enhancement.

Each patient is so unique, so I focus a lot of my time on procedural planning and the consultation process. We will do at least two preoperative consultations, during which we will work together to determine the best approach for your breast augmentation, including implant size and any combination techniques you might benefit from.

To schedule a breast augmentation consultation with me, please reach out via the online contact form or reach out to one of our four locations:

Before and After Photos

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Implant Options

Saline Implants

From 1992-2006, saline implants were the only option for patients, but they were surpassed in popularity by silicone gel implants once they were publicly available. Saline implants are still available and are preferred for certain cases—the best implant truly depends on the patient. Saline implants have a silicone shell and are filled with a saline solution. ⁽¹⁾

Silicone Implants

Silicone gel implants also have a silicone shell and are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that is great for maintaining shape. ⁽²⁾ Today, I see a lot of patients who want to replace their saline implants with silicone implants. I estimate that about 90% of patients choose gel implants because they look and feel a lot more natural, and they last longer.

Motiva Implants

We are now offering Motiva® implants at our office! This new generation of silicone implants is designed to minimize certain complications, create an even more natural look, and reduce recovery times. They are equipped with SmoothSilk® technology, giving them an extra-smooth surface for enhanced biocompatibility. Motiva implants are available in different shapes and projections.

Breast Augmentation and Lift

I can perform breast augmentation alongside a lift for patients who need to address sagging skin (ptosis). This procedure is less widely offered because it requires a lot of intricate skill and knowledge of the structures within the breasts. I use specialized techniques to avoid the push-and-pull tension that can result from less careful breast augmentation and lifts.

During the breast lift portion of the procedure, I will lift the breasts higher onto the chest wall so that they sit in a more youthful position. I will also remove the excess skin that contributes to a deflated look. This, in combination with augmentation, can fully rejuvenate the breasts and create a perkier look.

Fat Transfer to the Breasts

Another option you won’t see at every practice is fat transfer to breasts, which I think is a great alternative for some patients. During this procedure, I can use the patient’s own fat to enhance the breasts. Autologous fat is the ideal filler because it is completely biocompatible, lowering the risk of adverse reactions and rejection. Because it is the patient’s own fat, the results feel extremely authentic.

The maximum size increase is smaller than breast implants—one cup size, maybe two—so it is best for patients who want a more natural look.

Research often reports about a 50% fat survival rate with a fat transfer, meaning only about half of the fat placed into the breasts is predicted to survive. ⁽²⁾ However, in my experience, I see more of a 75% to 80% take when reviewing my results. Another perk of a fat transfer is that if there is fat left over after the initial procedure, I can save it and preserve it, and the patient can come back for a touch-up appointment during which I can add more fullness.

I’ve also found that fat transfer to the breasts can help patients avoid the need for a breast lift, as it allows me to fill the “balloon” of the breast in a more targeted way compared to implants.

Some patients get both breast implants and a breast fat transfer, either at the same time or in staged appointments. The fat can both disguise the edges of implants and support a fuller appearance, especially in the upper breast pole.

In short, fat transfer is great for petite patients, patients who simply do not want a huge cup size increase, or patients who want to improve the look of their implants.

Breast Augmentation for Reconstruction

For patients who have suffered from breast cancer, breast augmentation/reconstruction can be used to reshape and rejuvenate the breasts. For these patients, I use a temporary tissue expander to create adequate space for the implant. After the expander has created enough room, I can place the right-size implant and restore the look and feel of the breasts. It is my goal to make patients feel more confident, so that their inner strength and resilience can shine through to the outside. Every patient deserves to feel empowered and confident as they move forward in life after breast cancer surgery.

This type of breast augmentation procedure is often covered by insurance.

Related Procedures

Arm Lift

I see a lot of patients who combine breast procedures with an arm lift. An arm lift removes excess skin from the upper arms, which is an area that impacts how the breast proportions look. By removing an arm lift alongside rejuvenating the breasts, my patients achieve excellent upper body balance.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover usually involves a tummy tuck, breast procedures, and any other procedures that might help the patients refine their figure after pregnancy. A lot of patients undergo breast augmentation specifically as part of their mommy makeover to restore lost volume that occurred after weight fluctuations and/or breastfeeding.

“Ozempic Breast”: Post-Weight-Loss Breast Augmentation

“Ozempic Breast”* is a colloquial phrase referring to the effect that weight loss can have on the breasts. GLP-1 medications have helped more and more patients lose weight in recent years by acting on hormone pathways that limit hunger reactions. This allows patients to feel more satiated with smaller meal portions.

While losing a healthy amount of weight is a great achievement, rapid weight loss with GLP-1s can cause the breasts to lose much of their fullness. GLP-1 weight loss patients often make great breast augmentation candidates because breast implants can effectively replace the lost volume. These patients can often benefit from a lift as well, as skin removal is typically needed after weight loss.

Recovery

Initially, after breast augmentation, the breasts might appear slightly high on the chest. I let my patients know that this is because the implants will settle into a more normal position as healing progresses. Patients are often able to return to their normal activities after about 2 weeks, and I will let them know when they can resume more strenuous exercise. I will provide my patients with the surgical bra that they wear throughout the recovery to support their new breast shape.

FAQ

References

1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
2. Seth I, Bulloch G, Gibson D, et al. Autologous Fat Grafting in Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review Highlighting the Need for Clinical Caution. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2024;153(3):527e538e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000010614

*“Ozempic Breast” is a non-medical, colloquial term used to describe breast volume loss that may occur following significant weight reduction. It is not a recognized medical diagnosis.

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk. Associates in Plastic Surgery and Dr. Harry Haramis are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Novo Nordisk. References to Ozempic® or other GLP-1 medications are for informational purposes only.

GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved for specific medical indications and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results from weight loss vary. Not all patients are candidates for breast surgery.