Treatment
About the treatment
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is surgery that places implants under the breast tissue or the chest muscle to increase breast size. In most cases it is performed as an outpatient procedure, so most patients go home the same day. At Healthcare by the Sea in Puerto Vallarta, certified specialists guide you through every step, from your personalized evaluation to your recovery, in modern and welcoming facilities.
- Area
- Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Body area
- Breasts
- Setting
- Outpatient
- Type
- Surgical
Who is a candidate?
You might consider breast augmentation if you feel your breasts are small, if one is smaller than the other, or if their size and shape changed after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss. It can also be an option to correct a size difference after a previous breast surgery.
Good candidates are generally in good health and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can offer. During a personalized consultation at Healthcare by the Sea, your surgeon will review your medical history and help you decide whether breast augmentation is right for you — a convenient option for patients traveling from the U.S. and Canada.
How it is performed
Breast augmentation may be done with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your case. Your surgeon makes a single incision in one of three places: in the crease under your breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar), or under your arm (axillary).
Through the incision, the surgeon creates a pocket either behind the breast tissue or behind the chest muscle, then places and centers the implant, which may be saline or silicone. The incisions are closed with sutures and covered with bandages.
In most cases this is an outpatient procedure performed in a fully equipped surgical suite, and most patients return to their lodging to rest the same day, with clear instructions and close follow-up from our team.
Preparation
It all starts with a consultation where you and your surgeon discuss the size, feel, and look you want, as well as the implant type and the incision placement that suits you. Depending on your age and history, you may need a baseline mammogram before surgery.
You may be asked to adjust or pause certain medications, such as aspirin or others that can increase bleeding, always under your doctor's guidance. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop for a period before and after surgery, often 4 to 6 weeks.
Arrange for someone to drive you back to where you are staying and to stay with you at least the first night. If you are traveling to Puerto Vallarta, our team can help you plan your stay and follow-up visits with ease.
Recovery
Soreness and swelling are likely for a few weeks after surgery, and some bruising is possible. Your surgeon may recommend a compression bandage or a sports bra to support your breasts as they heal. Most patients ease back into daily activities gradually and avoid strenuous exercise for at least the first two weeks, following their specialist's instructions.
You will have follow-up visits so your surgeon can check your progress and, if needed, remove sutures or drains. Scars tend to fade over time, though they do not disappear completely. At Healthcare by the Sea, we stay close to you throughout your recovery — especially reassuring if you are visiting from abroad.
Seek emergency care right away if you notice a high fever, warmth and redness in your breast, heavy bleeding, pain that gets worse instead of better, chest pain, or shortness of breath, and notify the doctor who performed your procedure as soon as possible.
Medical reference source: Mayo Clinic.
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