Implant Breast Augmentation Complete Guide
Three Incision Approaches, Four Implant Brands.

Implant breast augmentation · Individualized implant and size selection for a natural, aesthetically pleasing outcome

The first technique that typically comes to mind for breast augmentation is implant breast augmentation. It has the longest clinical history, offers the most predictable results, and reliably delivers the desired volume. In practice, however, many patients arrive for consultation intending to have implant surgery but have not yet decided which incision to use or which implant to choose.

This article reviews the advantages and limitations of the three incision approaches used at Bong Bong Plastic Surgery, the differences among four representative implants, and how each combination aligns with different body habitus and lifestyles. Reading this article should provide a clear framework before consultation.

What is implant breast augmentation?

Implant breast augmentation is a surgical procedure in which a silicone gel–filled implant1 is placed beneath the mammary gland or pectoralis major to enlarge the breast. The primary clinical objective is to "reshape a small or ptotic breast into a natural, aesthetically pleasing form using an implant and size matched to the patient's anatomy." Its principal advantages are the longest clinical dataset and highly predictable outcomes.

Patient satisfaction is largely determined by three surgical decisions: (1) where to make the incision, (2) which implant to select, and (3) which anatomical plane (above or below the muscle) to place it in. The first two are addressed in detail below.

Implant breast augmentation reshapes a small or ptotic breast into a natural, aesthetically pleasing form using an implant and size selected to match the patient's anatomy.

Dr. Seongsoo Park · Chief Director, Bong Bong Plastic Surgery Clinic

Three incision approaches compared

The incision location determines both the visible scar location and the pace of postoperative recovery. All three approaches are performed at Bong Bong Plastic Surgery, and the choice is individualized.

1. METHOD 01

   Transaxillary incision

   A 2–3 cm incision within the axillary fold is used to place the implant. Bong Bong Plastic Surgery uses a clinic-designed proprietary endoscopic system2 combined with a minimal-incision technique to minimize bleeding and post-operative pain. No scar is left on the breast itself.

2. METHOD 02

   Inframammary incision

   The implant is inserted through the inframammary fold. This approach offers the fastest return to daily life and is often preferred by homemakers, athletes, and performers. The scar is visible when supine but typically fades over about two years. Bong Bong Plastic Surgery provides a Scar Treatment program to further reduce scar visibility.

3. METHOD 03

   Periareolar incision

   An approximately 1.5 cm incision is made along the pigmented border of the areola. This approach yields the least conspicuous scar, at the cost of transient nipple hyposensitivity. It is well suited to patients with a larger areolar diameter.

Four implant brands compared

Bong Bong Plastic Surgery uses implants with a well-documented safety and efficacy profile, informed by clinical evidence and case series3. The optimal implant is individualized based on body habitus, desired size, shape, and tactile preference.

Which implant is right for you?

There is no single "best" implant. Each brand differs in surface treatment, gel cohesivity, and tactile feel, so selection should be individualized to tissue thickness, tactile preference, and activity level. During consultation, we recommend evaluating physical implant samples directly before making a final decision.

Clinical indications

Implant breast augmentation is particularly effective in the following clinical scenarios:

• Definite volume enlargement — clear one- to two-cup increases
• Predictable outcomes — patients who prioritize a predictable size and shape
• Slender body habitus with insufficient donor fat — patients for whom fat grafting alone is not feasible
• Ptosis with volume deficit — where lower-pole volume replacement and reshaping are needed
• Breast asymmetry — where size differences can be corrected via implant sizing
• Compatible with pregnancy plans — the implant is placed behind the mammary gland, preserving breastfeeding capacity

If foreign-body sensation with thin skin is a concern, Hybrid Augmentation Mammoplasty (implant + autologous fat) may be more appropriate. For patients who wish to avoid implants entirely, the 4th-generation BiVol technique may be a better fit. All three approaches should be reviewed during consultation.

Surgical process and recovery

Implant breast augmentation is performed as an approximately 60-minute procedure under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis, with same-day discharge as the standard. Sutures are removed on day 7.

1. STEP 01

   Detailed consultation

   Analysis of body habitus, skin thickness, and tissue volume, integrated with the patient's preferred size, feel, and lifestyle.

2. STEP 02

   Preoperative workup

   Blood testing, breast ultrasound, and ECG to confirm surgical suitability.

3. STEP 03

   Implant and incision selection

   Optimal implant selected from four brands, and the incision approach chosen from three options.

4. STEP 04

   Surgery (~60 min)

   General anesthesia. Endoscopic minimal-incision technique to minimize bleeding and pain.

5. STEP 05

   Postoperative care and Scar Treatment

   Suture removal on day 7, Scar Treatment program to minimize scar visibility, and annual long-term follow-up.

Recovery timeline

• Day of surgery — discharge after anesthesia recovery; begin prescribed medication.
• Days 1–3 — peak swelling and discomfort; strict rest recommended.
• Days 3–7 — return to office-based work (timing varies by incision).
• Day 7 — suture removal; showering permitted.
• Weeks 3–4 — light exercise may begin.
• Week 6 — vigorous and upper-body exercise resume.
• Months 3–6 — implant settles; final contour is established.

Implant vs. Hybrid vs. BiVol

Breast augmentation has evolved along three principal pathways: implant-only (most common), implant plus autologous fat (Hybrid), and implant-free 4th-generation (BiVol). The comparison below summarizes the key differences.

For further reading, consult the official Hybrid Breast Augmentation site for hybrid academic references and the official BiVol site for the ADM technology overview and recent research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Closing summary

Implant breast augmentation is the most commonly performed breast augmentation technique of the past several decades and yields the most predictable outcomes. That predictability, however, is meaningful only when accurate diagnosis, appropriate incision and implant selection, and an experienced surgeon are in place.

The three incision approaches and four implant brands discussed here should serve as a framework for pre-consultation orientation. Final decisions should be based on detailed consultation and diagnostic workup. For comparisons with other approaches — Hybrid and BiVol — refer to the official Hybrid Breast Augmentation site and official BiVol site. Additional clinical columns are available on the Bong Bong Plastic Surgery Blog.