All About
Breast Augmentations
What is a breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of your breasts using implants. It is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, and our goal is to help you achieve your optimal results. Because every patient is unique, we take the time to understand your individual vision and guide you through the different techniques and types of implants available. During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to try on a variety of implant sizes to preview your potential results, ensuring we select the best option tailored just for you.
Actual Verve Patients
Why Get a Breast Augmentation?
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Breast augmentation is a popular procedure for women who want to achieve fuller, more balanced breasts. Whether you’ve always had a smaller chest, lost volume after pregnancy, or just want to enhance your shape, implants can help you feel more confident and feminine.
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To correct breast asymmetry, Dr. Gupta will often carefully select different implant sizes, profiles, or placements for each breast. This customized approach ensures a balanced, natural-looking result that enhances your overall shape while maintaining symmetry.
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Breast implants are a popular and effective way to restore volume lost after pregnancy. They help enhance fullness, improve shape, and create a more balanced, youthful breast contour. Whether you want to regain your pre-pregnancy look or achieve a new desired size, implants provide a customizable solution tailored to your body and goals.
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Breast implants are an effective way to restore fullness and improve the shape of your breasts. They help create a balanced, natural-looking contour that can enhance your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
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Implant Selection
Every body and goal is unique, which is why Dr. Gupta will guide you during your consultation to choose the implants that best suit your individual needs. Explore the variety of implant options we offer!
Silicone (Gummy Bear) Implants
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Silicone implants, also known as "gummy bear implants" due to their soft, cohesive feel, are filled with silicone gel and designed to closely mimic the look and texture of natural breast tissue.
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Silicone implants offer a natural look and feel, maintain their shape well over time, and come in a variety of sizes and profiles to achieve personalized, long-lasting results.
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Motiva Implants
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Motiva implants are advanced silicone breast implants known for their innovative smooth outer shell, natural feel, and enhanced safety features designed to provide long-lasting, natural-looking results.
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Motiva implants offer a natural look and feel with a soft, smooth outer shell that reduces irritation, advanced safety technology, and a wide range of sizes and shapes for personalized results—studies have also shown they have fewer complications and lower rates of capsular contracture.
Textured Implants
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Textured implants have a slightly rough surface that helps them stay in place by encouraging tissue to grow around them, so they don’t move around as much—making them ideal for shaped implants where rotation is a concern.
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Textured implants offer added stability since they don’t move around as easily, and they’re available in shaped (anatomical) options that can create a more natural, tapered look—especially beneficial for certain body types or reconstructive procedures.
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Click to learn more about Mentor Implants:
Saline Implants
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Saline implants are breast implants filled with sterile salt water, inserted empty and then filled during surgery, allowing for smaller incisions and easy volume adjustments.
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Saline implants offer flexible sizing, require smaller incisions, and the body safely absorbs the saline if the implant leaks—making them a straightforward and customizable option for many patients.
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What is inside a silicone implant?
A silicone breast implant is filled with a cohesive silicone gel that’s designed to closely mimic the look and feel of natural breast tissue. The gel is enclosed in a durable silicone shell, and modern implants use a thicker, more stable gel that holds its shape even if the shell is damaged. While rupture is very rare, the cohesive gel is designed to stay intact and contained, and it is not harmful to the body. In most cases, patients don’t even notice a rupture, which is why regular check-ups or imaging may be recommended.
The Procedure
Here’s what you can expect during your breast augmentation procedure.
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Dr. Gupta will choose the most appropriate incision type based on your anatomy, implant choice, and personal preferences. Common incision options include:
Inframammary incision – placed in the natural fold beneath the breast.
Periareolar incision – made around the lower edge of the areola.
Transaxillary incision – hidden in the armpit (used less commonly).
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After the incision is made, Dr. Gupta will place the implant either under the muscle, half under the muscle, or over the muscle. Please refer to the “implant placement” section on this page for more information.
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To ensure a precise and low-trauma insertion, Dr. Gupta uses a sterile, no-touch device called the Keller Funnel. This allows for a smooth delivery of the implant into the breast pocket with minimal contact, which can help reduce the risk of complications like capsular contracture.
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Once the implant is positioned, Dr. Gupta will close the incisions with meticulous internal sutures to support proper healing and minimize scarring. The skin is then closed with sutures or surgical tape.
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Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll return home the same day. You’ll be given post-op instructions and a follow-up schedule to ensure a smooth recovery.
Implant Placement
Implant placement refers to the positioning of breast implants either under the chest muscle, over the muscle, or in a dual plane (partially under the muscle), with each option offering different benefits in terms of appearance, support, and recovery tailored to your anatomy and goals. Dr. Gupta will discuss the best option for you during your consultation.
Under the Muscle
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Placing implants under the muscle provides more natural contour and reduces the risk of visible rippling.
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Under-the-muscle placement offers better implant support, a more natural appearance, and lowers the chance of capsular contracture.
Half Under the Muscle (Duel Plane)
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Half-under-the-muscle placement (dual plane) allows for a natural upper breast shape while providing support and reducing implant visibility.
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This technique combines the benefits of muscle coverage with improved implant positioning for a balanced, natural look and quicker recovery.
Over the Muscle
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Placing implants over the muscle is often chosen for a shorter recovery time and is ideal for patients with enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant.
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Over-the-muscle placement typically involves less discomfort during recovery and can provide a fuller upper breast appearance.
Hear from our Patients
Hear from our Breast Augmentation Patient
Frequently Asked Questions
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Breast implants can feel very natural, especially when placed under the muscle and when the right size and type are chosen for your body. Silicone implants, in particular, are known for their soft, realistic feel. Dr. Gupta will help you choose the best option to achieve a natural look and feel during your consultation.
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In most cases, yes—you can still breastfeed after breast augmentation. The ability to breastfeed depends on factors like implant placement and incision location, but many women are able to successfully nurse after surgery. Dr. Gupta will discuss your goals and surgical plan to help preserve breastfeeding potential.
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Breast implants aren’t lifetime devices—most last around 10 to 15 years. Some may last longer without issues, while others may need to be replaced sooner due to complications like rupture or capsular contracture. During regular check-ups, Dr. Gupta can help monitor your implants and guide you on when a replacement might be needed.
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If an implant ruptures, what happens next depends on the type of implant you have—saline or silicone.
With saline implants, a rupture is usually obvious. The implant deflates quickly and your body naturally absorbs the saline (salt water), which is harmless. You’ll notice a visible change in breast size or shape.
With silicone implants, a rupture is usually silent, meaning you may not notice any changes right away. However, it’s important to know that silicone gel is not dangerous and does not cause illness. The silicone typically stays within the surrounding scar tissue (called the capsule), and there’s no immediate health risk. That’s why regular imaging, like MRI or ultrasound, is recommended for long-term monitoring.
If an implant rupture is detected, Dr. Gupta will remove the implant, and if you wish, he can perform an implant replacement during the same procedure to restore your results.
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Common risks associated with breast implants include:
Capsular contracture – the most common complication, where scar tissue around the implant tightens and causes the breast to feel firm or look distorted.
Implant rupture or leakage – saline deflates visibly, while silicone may require imaging to detect.
Changes in nipple or breast sensation – usually temporary, but sometimes permanent.
Infection – typically occurs within the first few weeks after surgery.
Implant displacement or asymmetry – when the implant shifts or settles unevenly.
Rippling – visible or palpable folds in the implant, more common with saline or thinner tissue coverage.
Dr. Gupta takes every precaution to minimize these risks and will go over your safety and surgical plan in detail during your consultation.
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Most patients retain normal nipple sensation after breast augmentation, but some changes are possible. You may experience increased or decreased sensitivity, especially in the weeks following surgery. In most cases, this is temporary and improves as the nerves heal. Permanent changes in sensation are less common, but possible. Dr. Gupta uses techniques that help preserve nerve pathways and will discuss what you can expect based on your procedure.
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Recovery after breast augmentation is typically smooth, with most patients feeling well enough to return to light activities within a few days.
First few days: Expect tightness, swelling, and soreness in the chest area. Pain is usually well managed with prescribed medication.
1 week: Most patients return to work and daily tasks, as long as they’re not physically demanding.
2–4 weeks: Light exercise can be resumed, but avoid lifting or chest-heavy workouts.
6 weeks: Most patients are cleared for full activity, including upper body workouts.
Dr. Gupta provides detailed post-operative instructions and personalized care to ensure a safe, comfortable recovery.
Add on an Internal Bra!
Support That Lasts. Confidence That Shows.
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Think of it as an internal sports bra—a hidden support system placed inside your body to help lift, shape, and hold your breasts in place long after surgery. At Verve Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gupta uses advanced mesh materials like Galatea and TIGR to create a secure internal framework that becomes part of your natural anatomy over time. It’s a game-changer for long-lasting, sculpted results.
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During your procedure, Dr. Gupta places a soft, flexible mesh inside the breast to act as internal scaffolding. This mesh reinforces the tissue and helps prevent issues like sagging or implant shifting.
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An internal bra can elevate the results of many breast surgeries, including:
Breast Augmentation – for stable implant placement and longer-lasting fullness
Breast Lift – to maintain shape and fight gravity over time
Breast Reduction – for added internal support after tissue removal
Revision Surgery – to correct issues like implant bottoming out or tissue laxity
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Acts like an internal sports bra
Prevents sagging and implant displacement
Enhances cleavage, shape, and lift
Long-term support and stability
Seamlessly integrates with your own tissue
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No! Internal bras are not one size fits all. The type, size, and placement of the mesh are carefully customized by Dr. Gupta based on your anatomy, surgical goals, and level of support needed.
Procedure Video
Sign up for the Verve Standard Membership to access all pre-op and post-op instructions, recovery videos, and helpful tips and tricks—everything you need for the smoothest possible surgery experience.
Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Consult!
info@verveplasticsurgery.com
(760) 436-7600
700 Garden View Ct STE 208
Encinitas, CA 92024