Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a procedure that enhances the fullness, volume, appearance, and shape of your breasts, typically using implants, a fat transfer, or a combination of both. Patients seek breast augmentation for a variety of reasons, including post-pregnancy or post-weight-loss rejuvenation, to correct asymmetry, or simply because their breasts are smaller than they would like.

Dr. Daniel Lee is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon at New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa. He brings a unique approach to cosmetic surgery and understands the importance of making patients feel heard and playing a role in their entire body transformation journey. Dr. Lee believes that all patients deserve integrity, honesty, and excellent care. To schedule your personal consultation, please contact us online or call our office at (956) 969-8369 to reach our McAllen office in the Rio Grande Valley or (830) 515-5193 to reach our Boerne office, near San Antonio.

Before and After Photos

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About Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a procedure that enhances the overall size and symmetry of the breasts. This procedure offers a curvier, fuller, and often more youthful appearance, especially after weight changes and pregnancy leave the breasts looking deflated. Some women are also born with naturally small breasts and wish to enhance their size and volume to align more closely with their aesthetic preferences. ⁽¹⁾

Patients have a wide variety of choices when selecting their implants. Implants primarily fall into two categories: saline and silicone. Saline implants hold sterile salt water in a silicone shell, while silicone implants encapsulate a viscous silicone gel inside a silicone shell. Saline implants generally feel firmer, but they can be placed empty through smaller incisions and then filled. If they rupture, the body will safely absorb the saline. Silicone implants better mimic the feel and density of natural breast tissue, and they often better adapt to the body’s natural movements. Implants also vary by volume, shape (round vs. anatomical), profile (how far the implant projects from the chest), and patients can choose between placing their implants above the chest muscle (subglandular) or below it (submuscular). Dr. Lee will help you explore various options and help you find the pair of implants that is best for your goals.

Benefits

This procedure is one of the most widely performed procedures in the world. ⁽²⁾ Many women choose to undergo a breast augmentation because of the many benefits it offers, such as:

Candidates

If you are experiencing sagging breasts after pregnancy or weight loss, desire a larger chest, or want to achieve a more symmetrical look, you may be an ideal candidate for this procedure. You must also be in relatively good health, a non-smoker or willing to quit for an extended period of time, and maintain realistic expectations for your results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Lee and his expert team will discuss your motivations, desired outcomes, and any concerns you may have about your procedure. He will also evaluate your health and medical records and carry out an assessment of the breasts, which includes measurements and a discussion of which implant size and shape will best fit your body type. After these evaluations, we will then take pictures by using our Crisalix 3D simulation system to show you what your breasts will look like after the surgery.

Depending on the size and goals you would like to achieve, Dr. Lee will present you with your implant options so you can physically touch them and get a feel for the potential implant. After this, he will recommend the best shape and size that fits your body type. When it comes to finalizing your decision, he believes that less is more. Too often, patients receive implants that are too large, and that leads to future complications. Our goal is to deliver the results you desire while ensuring the implants aren’t too large.

Contact us online to schedule your consultation or call us directly at (956) 969-8369 for our McAllen office or at (830) 515-5193 to reach our Boerne office.

Preparation

To effectively prepare for your breast augmentation, Dr. Lee and his team advise you to:

Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, you will receive IV sedation instead of general anesthesia. This will keep you comfortable and asleep, but you will not face the deep sedation and troubling side effects of general anesthesia. Dr. Lee will begin the procedure by making an incision on the crease underneath your breast. This is the inframammary fold incision. He favors this method, as it hides scars effectively and allows precise pocket creation. He will also make the incision as small as possible to minimize scarring. Next, Dr. Lee will create a pocket for the implant, then use a surgical funnel to place the implant into the breast pocket, an evidence-based technique that prioritizes safety, natural results, sterility, and complication reduction. Dr. Lee usually places the implant using a dual-plane approach, where the upper two-thirds of the implant goes beneath the muscle and the lower third is positioned above the muscle but under breast tissue to create a natural and rounded lower breast appearance. However, he may place the implants above the breast muscle (subglandular) or below the muscle (submuscular), depending on patient anatomy, implant selection, and desired outcomes.

Once the implant is in the right place and both breasts appear as symmetrical as possible, he will suture the incisions shut. This procedure takes about an hour, and you can return home the same day after we monitor your health and initial recovery.

Recovery

After your procedure, Dr. Lee will provide you with a compression bra and bandages to support your implants and help reduce swelling. Before sending you home, the team will provide you with a list of recommendations or prescriptions for medications and schedule a follow-up appointment. If you are interested in enhancing your recovery, Dr. Lee offers innovative recovery peptides. You can explore these options during your consultation.

Dr. Lee advises focusing on resting throughout the first two weeks and strictly avoiding any heavy lifting, fast and high-impact movements, and raising your arms. It is best to sleep directly on your back during this time, with your head and shoulders elevated, and take short walks throughout the day to help promote healthy blood flow.

Results

Breast augmentation delivers stunning, fuller breasts that enhance femininity. Often, implants may sit higher on the chest, and swelling may obscure the true enhanced appearance. As implants fall into their natural position and swelling dissipates, results become clearer, usually occurring around 3 months post-op. During this time, you will begin to notice your breasts settle into place and appear fuller, more symmetrical, perkier, and firmer. Many patients report that their breast augmentation helps them feel more confident and empowers them to dress as they choose with heightened self-esteem.

This procedure offers high patient satisfaction rates. Although breast implants are not lifetime devices and will require replacement or removal at some point after 20 years, their results are long-lasting. ⁽³⁾

Corresponding Procedures

Breast Lift

A breast lift lifts the breasts to a more youthful, central position on the chest wall while enhancing their perkiness and shape. A breast lift is ideal for women who are experiencing breast ptosis after weight loss, aging, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Combining a breast lift with breast augmentation can enhance both the volume and position of your breasts, making them appear more youthful.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. This procedure creates an enhanced figure with a firmer, flatter midsection. A tummy tuck pairs well with a breast augmentation by contributing to an hourglass figure.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover combines a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or lift, and liposuction to revive and restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body. Mommy makeovers commonly feature breast augmentation to replace lost volume in the breasts and restore their shape.

Cost of Breast Augmentation in San Antonio, McAllen, and Boerne

The total cost of your breast augmentation will vary depending on the complexity of your surgery, the implants you select, and whether or not you include any additional procedures. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will outline the cost of your breast augmentation and any additional fees for your procedure. He also offers financing options to qualifying patients. To learn more about the cost of your breast augmentation, call (956) 969-8369 to reach our McAllen office or (830) 515-5193 to reach our Boerne office, or contact us online.

FAQ

References

1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. 2021. Accessed October 6, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
2. Meretsky CR, Knecht EM, Schiuma AT. Advantages and Disadvantages of Breast Augmentation: Surgical Techniques, Outcomes and Future Directions. Cureus. 2024;16(9). doi:10.7759/cureus.69846
3. Zimmerman AL, Tugertimur B, Smith PD, Kumar A, Dayicioglu D. In the Age of Breast Augmentation, Breast Reconstruction Provides an Opportunity to Augment the Breast. Cancer Control. 2017;24(4):107327481772906. doi:10.1177/1073274817729064