Breast Augmentation
Conveniently located to serve the Twin Cities
Breast Augmentation in Minneapolis & St. Paul
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of the breasts using breast implants. At HealthPartners Plastic Surgery, patients from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, and throughout the Twin Cities can meet with our plastic surgery team to discuss their goals and explore options for natural-looking results.
We want to help you make informed choices about your breast augmentation surgery. Your care team will listen to your goals, explain your options clearly, and develop a personalized plan tailored to your body, preferences, and desired outcome.
Why Patients Choose HealthPartners Plastic Surgery
Choosing to have plastic surgery is an important decision, and so is selecting a plastic surgeon. It can be difficult for patients to assess competence or qualifications, so the medical profession offers accreditation.
After many years of formal education, specialized training, and surgical residencies, surgeons take rigorous written and oral exams. This training and distinction uniquely qualify board-certified plastic surgeons to perform surgery on the face and throughout the body.
HealthPartners Plastic Surgery includes surgeons with experience in breast, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery, as well as related procedures.
- Minh-Doan Nguyen, MD specializes in all forms of breast surgery, including cosmetic procedures and microsurgical reconstruction.
- Warren Schubert, MD, FACS specializes in facial trauma, cosmetic surgery, hand surgery, and breast reduction. Dr. Schubert has been practicing plastic surgery in the twin cities since 1991.
- Cherrie Heinrich, MD specializes in breast reconstruction, hand surgery, post-cancer and trauma reconstruction, and breast reduction. Dr. Heinrich has practiced in the Twin Cities since 2008.
- Scott N. Loewenstein, MD specializes in arthritis & broken bones of the hand, fingers, and wrist, Dupuytren’s disease, nerve injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome, and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lowenstein has been practicing in the Twin Cities since 2022.
Our team listens with care, answers questions, and supports patients through a personal, sensitive, and confidential experience.
What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure used to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. This surgery is also known as breast enhancement or augmentation mammoplasty. Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures.
The reason for breast augmentation is personal. Some common reasons include:
- To enhance body shape
- To restore breast volume lost due to weight loss, pregnancy, or age
- To correct a difference in size between the breasts
Each breast augmentation procedure is based on an individual’s body and goals. The right plan depends on your anatomy, desired increase in size, lifestyle, implant preferences, and whether another breast procedure may also be helpful.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Generally, the best candidates for breast augmentation or breast implants are women who are in good health, want to improve their appearance, and have reasonable expectations about what surgery can achieve.
Breast augmentation may be considered by patients who:
- Want to enhance their body shape
- Feel their breasts are too small for their frame
- Have lost breast volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging
- Want to improve breast symmetry
- Want a customized recommendation based on their anatomy and goals
Some patients who have sagging in addition to volume loss may also need to discuss whether a breast lift is appropriate. Your surgeon can explain whether breast augmentation alone is likely to meet your goals or whether combining procedures may provide a better result.
Choosing Breast Implants: Type, Size, Shape & Profile
After discussing your wants and goals, your surgeon will explain the key decisions involved in breast augmentation, including implant type, implant placement, and incision location.
Your surgeon will recommend the type of implant filler, implant size, shape, and other features based on your breast anatomy, body type, desired increase in size, lifestyle, and personal preferences. An important part of this decision is choosing an implant that fits your body and supports your goals.
Implant Type
Breast implants are commonly filled with saline or silicone. The best choice depends on your anatomy, desired look and feel, and your surgeon’s recommendation.
Implant Size
Implant size is not determined solely by the number. Your surgeon will consider your frame, breast width, existing tissue, skin quality, and desired change in volume.
Implant Shape and Profile
Implant shape and profile can influence fullness, projection, and overall proportion. These details are reviewed during consultation, so the final plan feels balanced and realistic for your body.
Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants
Silicone and saline implants can both be used for breast augmentation. Each option has different considerations.
Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Patients may choose one over the other based on feel, appearance, anatomy, personal preference, and surgeon guidance.
There is no single best breast implant for every patient. The best implant is the one that fits your body, supports your desired outcome, and is recommended after a careful consultation.
Breast Implant Placement Options
Your breast tissue will be lifted to create a pocket for the implant. This pocket may be directly behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest or pectoral muscle.
Subglandular Placement
Subglandular placement positions the implant behind the breast tissue and above the chest muscle. This option may be appropriate for some patients based on existing tissue and desired result.
Submuscular Placement
Submuscular placement positions the implant beneath the pectoral muscle and on top of the chest wall. This approach may be recommended depending on your anatomy, tissue coverage, and surgical goals.
Your surgeon will explain the difference in placement so you can feel confident in your choice.
Breast Augmentation Incision Options
The incision location is based on your body, the type of implant, and the goal of making scars as invisible as possible. Your surgeon will recommend the incision approach that fits your anatomy and preferences.
Common incision options include:
- An incision where the breast meets the chest
- An incision around the areolaThe incision site can affect scar placement, implant access, and surgical planning. Your surgeon will explain what he or she feels is best and ask about your preferences.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery address different concerns.
Breast augmentation is primarily used to add volume and improve breast size or shape with implants. A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is used to improve breast position and address sagging.
Some patients only need breast augmentation. Others may benefit from breast augmentation with lift if they have both volume loss and breast sagging. This is common after pregnancy, weight changes, or aging.
Patients considering both volume and breast position can learn more about Breast Lift / Mastopexy.
What to Expect During the Breast Augmentation Process
Your breast augmentation process begins with a consultation. This visit helps the surgeon understand your goals, review your medical history, evaluate your anatomy, and explain your options.
During your consultation, you can expect to discuss:
- Your desired breast size and shape
- Whether saline or silicone implants may be appropriate
- Implant placement options
- Incision location
- Whether a breast lift may also be needed
- Recovery expectations
- Cost, financing, and next steps
If breast augmentation is right for you, your surgeon will develop a personalized plan. You will have time to ask questions before making a decision.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
Recovery varies by patient and surgical plan, but most patients should expect a staged healing process. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions based on the details of your procedure.
- The First Few Days: You can expect soreness, tightness, swelling, and the need to rest. You will receive instructions about activity limits, incision care, and follow-up.
- The First Week: Many patients begin to feel more comfortable during the first week, though lifting and strenuous activity remain limited.
- Returning to Work and Daily Activities: Return to work depends on your job, your healing progress, and your surgeon’s guidance. Patients with desk-based work may return sooner than those with physically demanding jobs.
- Returning to Exercise: Upper-body activity and exercise are usually reintroduced gradually. Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to resume more strenuous movement.
- Final Results: Swelling continues to improve over time. Implants may gradually settle as tissues heal.
Bring any questions about work, childcare, exercise, or travel to your consultation so your care team can help you plan ahead.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Minnesota?
The cost of breast augmentation in Minnesota varies because each procedure is customized. Pricing depends on the details of your surgical plan and what is needed to achieve your goals safely.
Cost factors may include:
- Implant type
- Surgical complexity
- Whether a breast lift is also needed
- Anesthesia and surgical facility factors
- Surgeon recommendation
- Follow-up care and related planning
HealthPartners Plastic Surgery offers complimentary consultations for cosmetic and skin rejuvenation services. For other procedures, patients are responsible for any co-pays or deductibles.
Financing information is available through CareCredit, an independent credit line. During your consultation, you can ask questions about pricing, financing, and what may be included in your personalized treatment plan.
Breast Augmentation Before-and-After Photos
Before-and-after photos can help patients understand possible outcomes, implant proportions, and the way breast augmentation results may vary based on anatomy and surgical planning.
The HealthPartners Plastic Surgery breast augmentation gallery includes breast augmentation cases. Reviewing photos can help you prepare better questions for your consultation and understand what a natural-looking improvement might look like across different body types.
Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
A consultation is the most important step in deciding whether breast augmentation is right for you. This visit is not only about choosing implant size. It is also about understanding your body, discussing your goals, and developing a realistic, safe plan.
During the consultation, your surgeon may review:
- Your reasons for considering breast augmentation
- Your health history
- Current breast size, shape, and symmetry
- Implant type and placement options
- Incision options
- Whether a breast lift may be needed
- Recovery and timing
- Cost and financing questions
We want you to be informed before making your choices. Our caring team will take the time to listen to your goals and fully explain everything. You can feel confident in our care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
Take the Next Step
Each breast augmentation procedure is based on an individual’s body and goals. HealthPartners Plastic Surgery would be happy to schedule a consultation, answer your questions, and provide a recommendation based on what may be best for your situation.
You will be well taken care of at HealthPartners Plastic Surgery. We are confident you will be pleased with the care and attention you receive.
Related Breast Procedures
Patients considering breast augmentation may also want to learn about related breast and body procedures:
