If you are considering increasing breast volume, improving breast shape, correcting asymmetry, or restoring fullness after pregnancy or weight changes, breast augmentation may be considered. Breast augmentation most commonly uses silicone gel-filled or saline breast implants, with implant size, shape, projection, and placement selected according to individual chest anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Hongdae and Sinchon are convenient areas for breast augmentation consultations in Seoul, especially for international residents, students, and travelers.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is surgery designed to increase or restore breast volume using breast implants.

Implants are placed beneath breast tissue, chest muscle, or within another surgically created tissue plane depending on the patient's anatomy and treatment plan.

Consultation → breast measurements → implant selection → surgical planning → breast augmentation → recovery → follow-up.

When Might You Consider Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation may be considered for:

• Naturally small breast volume
• Loss of fullness after pregnancy
• Volume changes after weight loss
• Breast asymmetry
• Desire for increased projection
• Desire for improved breast proportions
• Correction of previous augmentation concerns
• Restoration of volume after implant removal or revision

Implant selection should consider chest width, existing breast tissue, skin elasticity, breast asymmetry, and desired proportions, rather than implant volume alone.

Types of Breast Implants

Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone breast implants contain silicone gel within an outer shell.

The FDA approves silicone gel-filled breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation in women 22 years and older in the United States.

Saline Implants

Saline implants contain sterile saltwater within a silicone shell.

FDA-approved saline implants may be used for breast augmentation in women 18 years and older in the United States.

The implant options available in Korea may differ, so patients should confirm the specific device, regulatory status, and manufacturer information during consultation.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Process

A typical surgical process may include:

1. Plastic surgery consultation
2. Breast and chest measurements
3. Assessment of skin and breast tissue
4. Selection of implant dimensions and projection
5. Selection of incision and implant pocket
6. Implant placement
7. Postoperative follow-up

Breast implant surgery is commonly performed under anesthesia, with the exact surgical setting and recovery plan depending on the procedure and patient circumstances.

How Is Breast Implant Size Selected?

Implant selection involves more than choosing a specific number of cubic centimeters.

Important considerations include:

• Breast base width
• Chest dimensions
• Existing breast tissue
• Skin elasticity
• Desired projection
• Natural breast asymmetry
• Implant pocket
• Lifestyle and aesthetic preference

The goal is generally to select an implant whose dimensions fit the patient's breast and chest anatomy rather than choosing the largest possible volume.

Breast Implant Placement Options

Subglandular Placement

The implant is positioned beneath the breast gland but above the chest muscle.

This may provide certain aesthetic or recovery advantages in appropriately selected patients, but recent meta-analysis data found a higher pooled capsular contracture rate with subglandular placement compared with submuscular placement.

Submuscular Placement

The implant is positioned beneath the pectoralis muscle.

This can provide greater soft-tissue coverage in patients with relatively little natural breast tissue.

Dual-Plane Placement

Dual-plane augmentation combines elements of submuscular and breast-tissue positioning to adjust the relationship between the implant, muscle, and lower breast tissue.

A recent systematic review found generally low complication rates across implant-pocket techniques, with submuscular and dual-plane approaches showing favorable overall profiles in the included studies.

Where Is the Breast Augmentation Incision?

Possible incision locations can include:

• Inframammary fold beneath the breast
• Around the areola
• Axillary region

The appropriate incision depends on the implant, surgical approach, existing breast anatomy, scar preference, and surgeon assessment.

A recent systematic review of transaxillary silicone breast augmentation found high patient satisfaction and complication rates comparable with other commonly used incision approaches in the included studies.

Breast Augmentation for Natural-Looking Results

Natural-looking augmentation depends on the relationship between the implant and the patient's existing tissues.

Important factors include:

• Implant width
• Implant projection
• Existing breast volume
• Skin thickness
• Implant pocket
• Nipple position
• Breast symmetry
• Chest proportions

Choosing an appropriately sized implant can help reduce excessive visibility, palpability, or an overly augmented appearance.

Breast Augmentation and Breast Asymmetry

Most people have some natural breast asymmetry.

Breast augmentation may improve differences in:

• Breast volume
• Projection
• Upper-pole fullness
• Breast width
• Overall proportions

Different implant sizes or surgical adjustments may sometimes be used between the two sides.

However, perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed, and pre-existing differences in the chest wall, nipples, breast folds, and soft tissue may remain after surgery.

Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift

Breast augmentation primarily adds volume, while a breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and elevates sagging breast tissue.

Patients with significant breast ptosis may not achieve the desired result from an implant alone and may require a breast lift with or without augmentation.

A consultation should therefore evaluate breast volume and nipple position separately.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

The body naturally forms scar tissue around a breast implant. Capsular contracture occurs when this capsule becomes unusually tight, causing the breast to become firm, distorted, or sometimes painful.

Severe capsular contracture may require additional surgery, and recurrence can occur even after corrective treatment.

Implant pocket, infection, hematoma, seroma, and other factors may influence risk, although the exact cause is not always identifiable.

Can Breast Implants Rupture?

Yes.

Both saline and silicone implants can rupture. Saline implant rupture usually leads to visible deflation, while silicone implant rupture may be silent and difficult to detect through physical examination alone.

The FDA states that MRI is the most effective method for detecting silent silicone implant rupture and that ultrasound is an acceptable screening alternative for asymptomatic patients.

Are Breast Implants Permanent?

No.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer implants remain in place, the greater the likelihood that complications or additional operations may eventually occur.

Some patients may eventually require:

• Implant replacement
• Implant removal
• Capsular contracture treatment
• Implant-position correction
• Revision breast augmentation

There is no guaranteed replacement schedule that applies to every patient.

Breast Implant Safety Considerations

Potential complications associated with breast implants include:

• Capsular contracture
• Implant rupture or deflation
• Implant displacement
• Breast asymmetry
• Rippling or implant visibility
• Hematoma
• Seroma
• Infection
• Breast pain
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Additional surgery
• Implant removal

These are recognized risks of breast implant surgery and should be reviewed using the specific implant manufacturer's patient information before surgery.

BIA-ALCL and Other Rare Implant-Associated Conditions

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare lymphoma that can develop in the capsule surrounding a breast implant.

The FDA reports that BIA-ALCL is associated more often with textured implants than smooth implants.

The FDA has also received reports of other rare malignancies, including squamous cell carcinoma and various lymphomas, arising in the capsule around breast implants.

Patients should seek medical evaluation for persistent swelling, a new mass, pain, or significant changes around an implant.

Breast Implant Illness

Some implant patients report systemic symptoms such as fatigue, memory difficulties, joint pain, rash, or “brain fog,” sometimes collectively described as Breast Implant Illness.

The FDA notes that these symptoms and their causes remain poorly understood and continue to be studied.

Patients experiencing persistent systemic symptoms should discuss them with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than assuming the cause.

When Do Breast Augmentation Results Appear?

The increase in breast volume is visible immediately after surgery, but the early appearance can be affected by:

• Swelling
• Tissue tightness
• Implant position
• Muscle tension
• Bruising

The breasts generally become softer and more settled as postoperative swelling decreases and the surrounding tissues adapt.

Final results should therefore not be judged immediately after surgery.

What Is Recovery Like?

Temporary postoperative symptoms may include:

• Breast soreness
• Swelling
• Tightness
• Bruising
• Temporary numbness
• Changes in nipple sensation
• Temporary asymmetry
• Discomfort with upper-body movement

Recovery varies depending on implant size, pocket placement, incision, surgical technique, and individual healing.

Patients should follow their surgeon's instructions regarding exercise, wound care, supportive garments, sleeping position, and return to normal activities.

Breast Augmentation and Breastfeeding

Some women with breast implants can successfully breastfeed, while others may experience difficulty.

The FDA notes that breast surgery can affect breastfeeding, and outcomes vary between individuals and surgical techniques.

Patients who plan future pregnancy or breastfeeding should discuss this before surgery.

Breast Augmentation for International Patients

When contacting a plastic surgery clinic, consider asking:

• Is English consultation available?
• Which implant type is recommended for me?
• What implant size and projection suit my chest?
• Which implant pocket is recommended?
• Where will the incision be located?
• What are the risks of capsular contracture and rupture?
• What long-term implant monitoring is recommended?
• How long should I stay in Korea?
• Is postoperative follow-up included?

Patients should receive and review implant-specific safety information and understand that breast implants require ongoing monitoring.

Choosing a Breast Augmentation Clinic in Hongdae or Sinchon

Consider:

• Qualified plastic surgeon
• Detailed chest and breast measurements
• Multiple implant options
• Customized implant sizing
• Appropriate implant-pocket selection
• Natural breast proportion planning
• Clear explanation of implant risks
• Long-term follow-up planning
• English communication
• Transparent surgery costs

Current evidence does not support one implant pocket or surgical technique as universally ideal for every patient, so treatment should be individualized according to breast anatomy, tissue coverage, implant characteristics, and aesthetic goals.

Hongdae & Sinchon Medical Care

Hongdae is convenient for patients around:

Hongik University · Yeonnam-dong · Hapjeong · Sangsu · Mapo

Sinchon is convenient for patients around:

Yonsei University · Ewha Womans University · Seodaemun · Mapo

Common searches include:

• Breast Augmentation Hongdae
• Breast Implant Surgery Hongdae
• Silicone Breast Implants Hongdae
• Breast Augmentation Sinchon
• Breast Implants Sinchon
• English speaking plastic surgery clinic Sinchon



Frequently Asked Questions

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is surgery that uses breast implants to increase or restore breast volume and modify breast shape.

Are silicone or saline implants better?

Neither is automatically better for every patient. Implant selection depends on age, anatomy, preferred feel, desired appearance, and the specific advantages and risks of each implant type.

How long do breast implants last?

There is no guaranteed lifespan. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and some patients eventually require replacement, removal, or another operation.

Can breast implants rupture?

Yes. Both saline and silicone implants can rupture, and silicone rupture may sometimes occur without obvious symptoms.

Can foreigners get Breast Augmentation in Seoul?

Yes. International patients can contact plastic surgery clinics in Seoul regarding implant selection, surgical planning, recovery, long-term monitoring, and English-language support.