Breast Augmentation Implant Options

Implant-based breast augmentation is a popular procedure that helps women enhance breast shape and volume. ⁽¹⁾

Whether restoring lost volume or creating the proportions they have always wanted, breast implants allow women to achieve beautifully balanced results that harmonize with their natural silhouette. At New Life Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lee and his experienced team take a deeply personalized approach to each procedure, offering advanced implant options and placement techniques that reflect the latest standards in safety, artistry, and precision.

If you would like to learn which implant type or placement technique might be best for you, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee by contacting us online or calling one of our two locations in the Rio Grande Valley and near San Antonio:

About Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that typically uses implants to enhance breast size and shape. ⁽¹⁾ It can restore fullness lost after pregnancy, weight changes, or aging, or it can create an enhanced figure for those who naturally have smaller breasts. The procedure not only increases volume but also refines contour and projection, often improving the balance between the upper and lower body. At New Life Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, Dr. Daniel Lee designs each augmentation plan according to the patient’s desired aesthetic, frame, and anatomy.

Types of Implants Offered

Breast implants come in various materials, shapes, and firmness levels, each offering unique benefits. Dr. Lee helps each patient understand the differences between these options during their consultation, where he uses advanced imaging tools to simulate outcomes and guide informed decision-making. Implant options include:

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution. Dr. Lee will insert these implants empty, then fill them once in place. This allows for smaller incisions and more precise volume adjustments. Many patients appreciate that saline implants provide a firmer feel and a uniform shape while offering peace of mind in case of rupture, as the body safely absorbs the saline solution. Patients will also notice a visible change, allowing them to seek breast implant revision promptly. ⁽²⁾

Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone implants remain one of the most popular choices due to their soft, natural feel. They are filled with a silicone gel that closely mimics the texture of natural breast tissue, making them an excellent choice for women with limited natural volume who desire a more realistic appearance. ⁽²⁾

Manufacturers engineer silicone implants to maintain their shape even if the outer shell is compromised. Dr. Lee frequently recommends silicone gel implants for women who want soft, realistic results and enhanced upper pole fullness.

Gummy Bear (Form-Stable) Implants

This type of implant is Dr. Lee’s top implant choice. Gummy bear implants, also known as cohesive gel or form-stable implants, represent one of the latest advances in breast augmentation technology. Their nickname comes from the firm, gummy-like consistency that holds its shape. These implants maintain excellent stability and projection, making them ideal for women seeking long-term shape retention and a sculpted, perky contour. ⁽³⁾

Types of Implant Placement

In addition to implant type, placement technique plays a critical role in shaping the final results. Dr. Daniel Lee offers multiple placement options, and each has specific benefits depending on the patient’s anatomy, activity level, and cosmetic goals. Some of the common placement techniques include:

Submuscular (Under the Muscle)

This is Dr. Lee’s most commonly used technique. Submuscular placement involves positioning the implant beneath the pectoralis major muscle. More specifically, the placement is “dual plane,” meaning the majority of the implant is placed under the muscle. Yet the bottom of the implant is above the muscle, allowing for a more natural appearance to the lower portion of the breast. This method provides additional tissue coverage, which is especially beneficial for women with limited natural breast tissue. Because the implant sits under the muscle, it can also lower the risk of capsular contracture and produce more natural-looking movement. However, submuscular placement may involve a slightly longer recovery period and temporary tightness as the muscle adapts to the implant. For most patients, these sensations fade as their chest adjusts, leaving behind soft, balanced, and natural results.

Subglandular (Over the Muscle)

Subglandular placement positions the implant directly behind the breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle. This technique can create more dramatic upper pole fullness and is often used for patients with adequate breast tissue to cover the implant’s edges. Patients typically experience shorter recovery and minimal postoperative discomfort. That said, this placement may not be ideal for very thin patients or those with minimal glandular tissue, as the edges of the implant could become more noticeable over time. Dr. Lee helps each patient evaluate these factors carefully during consultation to ensure that the chosen approach suits their lifestyle and anatomy. ⁽⁴⁾

Subfascial (Beneath the Fascia)

Subfascial placement is a specialized technique that positions the implant beneath the fascia, a thin but strong connective tissue layer covering the pectoral muscle. This approach combines some of the best attributes of the subglandular and submuscular methods. The fascia adds extra soft tissue coverage and stability without the deeper muscle disruption seen in full submuscular placement. ⁽⁴⁾

Benefits

Breast augmentation offers several benefits, including:

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for breast augmentation typically include women who:

Personal Consultation

The first step in your breast enhancement journey is a personal consultation. During your appointment, Dr. Lee will review your medical history, assess your anatomy, and discuss your desired outcomes. He will explain each implant type, shape, and placement technique in detail while using the advanced Crisalix Imaging technology to help you preview your potential results. This digital imaging system provides a realistic simulation of how different implant types and sizes would look on your body, allowing you to make confident and informed choices. Dr. Lee will also outline what to expect before, during, and after surgery, and provide a fully customized, personal treatment plan tailored to your goals.

Schedule your consultation online to get started today! If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call one of our two locations:

Preparation

Before surgery, Dr. Lee and his staff will provide you with personalized preoperative instructions to ensure safety and optimal healing. You may need to complete lab tests, discontinue certain medications, and arrange transportation to and from the surgical center. Patients must stop smoking or using nicotine products before surgery, as these can interfere with healing. The team will answer any questions you may have during your pre-surgical visits.

Procedure

Dr. Lee will begin your breast augmentation procedure by making small, precise incisions, often along the breast crease, to create a pocket for the implant. Dr. Lee then places the implant, adjusts it for balance, and secures it for symmetry. Once placement is complete, Dr. Lee closes the incisions carefully using layered sutures to reduce visible scarring. The procedure generally takes one to two hours, depending on complexity and any combination of treatments performed.

Recovery and Results

Recovery experiences vary from person to person, but most women return to light activities within a week. Temporary swelling, tightness, or sensitivity are common during the first few days. Dr. Lee will provide detailed aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing. He also provides recovery peptides to patients after surgery.

Patients tend to experience results immediately after surgery, but these continue to refine over several weeks as swelling subsides and the implants settle. Most patients notice that their breasts look fuller, smoother, and more proportionate to their frame.

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

The cost of breast augmentation depends on several factors, including implant type, surgical complexity, anesthesia fees, and whether we perform other procedures concurrently. During your consultation, Dr. Lee and his team will provide a transparent cost estimate. New Life Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa also offers financing options to make the procedure more accessible, as well as a surgery pricing page to help you get a sense of what your treatment may cost.

Schedule your consultation today to explore your breast implant options. If you have any questions, please call your closest New Life office:

FAQ

References

1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
2. Swanson E. Prospective Study of Saline versus Silicone Gel Implants for Subpectoral Breast Augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002882
3. Swanson E. Plastic Surgeons Defend Textured Breast Implants at 2019 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Hearing: Why It Is Time to Reconsider. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(8):e2410. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002410
4. Graf RM, Junior IM, de Paula DR, Ono MCC, Urban LABD, Freitas RS. Subfascial versus Subglandular Breast Augmentation: A Randomized Prospective Evaluation Considering a 5-Year Follow-Up. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2021;148(4):760-770. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000008384