Medical Encyclopaedia › Breast augmentation (short definition)
In brief: In breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty), breast volume is increased surgically, usually with silicone implants and less often with the patient’s own fat. If performed for purely aesthetic reasons, it is a procedure without medical necessity, with the usual risks of an operation.
Which methods are there?
Most commonly, implants with a silicone shell and a cohesive silicone gel filling are used, less often implants filled with saline. They differ in shape (round or anatomical), size, profile and surface. Alternatively, the patient’s own fat from liposuction can be transferred to the breast (lipofilling). This only allows moderate enlargement, and some of the fat is reabsorbed.
The operation
The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The incision is made in the inframammary fold, at the edge of the areola or in the armpit. The implant is placed either behind the breast gland or completely or partially behind the large chest muscle. Which combination is suitable depends on tissue thickness, breast shape and the desired result and should be discussed in detail at the preliminary consultation.
Healing and aftercare
In the first weeks, swelling, a feeling of tightness and pain are common; a special bra is usually worn and physical exertion is restricted. The final result becomes apparent after a few months. Implants do not last a lifetime: many women need a replacement or correction over the years. Regular check-ups and informing staff about the implants at mammography and ultrasound are important. In Germany, breast implants are recorded in the implant registry; patients receive an implant card.
Possible complications
- Capsular contracture: hardening of the connective tissue capsule around the implant with change in shape and pain; the most common long-term complication.
- Secondary bleeding, infection, wound-healing problems in the first days and weeks.
- Sensory disturbances of the nipple or skin, usually temporary.
- Implant defect, displacement or rippling, visible asymmetry.
- BIA-ALCL: a rare lymphoma of the capsule, predominantly with textured implants; a typical warning sign is late, one-sided swelling due to fluid.
- Some women report non-specific general symptoms referred to as “breast implant illness”; a causal link has not been scientifically proven but is being investigated further.
Important before deciding
Before a purely aesthetic procedure, there should be enough time to reflect. Consultation with specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery, written information about risks, follow-up operations and costs, and a realistic idea of the result are advisable. Breastfeeding is often possible after breast augmentation, but not guaranteed. The costs and follow-up costs of purely aesthetic operations are usually borne by the patients themselves.
Related terms in the encyclopaedia
Augmentation mammoplasty, Capsular contracture, BIA-ALCL, Lipofilling, Mastopexy, Breast reduction, Breast implant replacement, Mammography
Sources
- Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM): Informationen zu Brustimplantaten und BIA-ALCL
- Implantateregister Deutschland (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit): Informationen für Patientinnen und Patienten
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Breast Implants – Risks and Complications
- Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen (DGPRÄC): Patienteninformationen
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor, dentist or pharmacist. Last updated: October 2026.