Breast Augmentation in Hagerstown, MD
Board-certified plastic surgeon Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS helps women achieve natural-looking breast augmentation results tailored to their goals.
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What Is Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to increase breast size, improve shape, and restore volume lost due to pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging.
The procedure works by placing implants either beneath the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle, depending on your anatomy and goals. Dr. Garazo most commonly uses silicone implants placed through a discreet inframammary incision, which allows precise positioning while minimizing visible scarring. Implant size, shape, and profile are customized to complement your frame and achieve a natural-looking result.
Before & After Gallery
See how Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS's breast augmentation techniques result in improved breast volume, shape, and overall body proportion.
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After
Before
After
Types of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation techniques are selected based on your anatomy, goals, and the degree of correction desired. Dr. Garazo offers multiple implant types and incision approaches, each customized to achieve natural-looking results that complement your frame.
Inframammary Incision
Incisions are most commonly made in the natural crease under the breast, known as the inframammary fold. This allows good access to the breast cavity without going through breast tissue, leaving a scar naturally hidden in the shadow of the breast. Dr. Garazo almost exclusively uses this technique.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water inside a silicone shell. They are FDA-approved and can be adjusted in volume at the time of surgery. If the shell leaks, the saline is safely absorbed and expelled by the body.
Silicone Implants
Dr. Garazo's preferred choice. Silicone implants are pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel, offering a natural look and feel for most patients regardless of how much natural breast tissue they have.
Natrelle Gummy Gel Implant
Natrelle® INSPIRA gummy bear implants feature a firm silicone outer shell pre-filled with high-strength, highly cohesive silicone gel. Available in several round options and a variety of profiles, their size, base shape, and projection can all be customized to achieve your preferred look.
Overview of the Procedure
Understanding each phase of the breast augmentation process helps you feel confident and prepared from your first consultation through your full recovery.
Breast Augmentation Consult
Dr. Garazo reviews your medical history, evaluates your anatomy, and takes chest wall measurements. He discusses your goals, recommends an implant type and size, and provides a personalized treatment plan tailored to your objectives.
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Dr. Garazo provides detailed pre-operative instructions including medication adjustments, lifestyle recommendations, and what to arrange for your recovery period at home.
Day of Surgery
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Garazo makes discreet incisions to place and position implants, customizing size and placement to complement your frame and aesthetic goals.
Follow-Up Appointments
You'll also attend follow-up appointments so we can monitor your healing and verify you're progressing as expected.
Social Readiness
Most patients with non-strenuous jobs return to work within a few days. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting are restricted for four to six weeks, with implants fully settling over several months.
Ideal CandidatesFor Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is sought by women who want to increase breast volume, improve shape, or restore fullness lost after pregnancy or weight changes. The best candidates are at or near their ideal weight, in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations.
Breast augmentation may be right for you if you:
- Always had a smaller bust and want to improve proportions and fill out clothing.
- Breasts look deflated or lack fullness after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
- Generally happy with breast size but want a more shapely, symmetrical look.
- Non-smoker in general good health who is at or near your ideal weight.
- Realistic expectations about results.
Why ChooseDr. Garazo for Breast Augmentation
Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience performing breast augmentation. He specializes in techniques that achieve natural-looking results tailored to each patient's goals.
Experience, Recognition, and Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Garazo is known for his meticulous surgical approach, thorough consultations, and commitment to patient safety. He has been recognized six times as "Best Plastic Surgeon" in the Herald-Mail Tri-State Community Choice Awards and personally meets with every breast augmentation patient to ensure realistic goals and individualized treatment planning.
Personalized Technique and Natural-Looking Results
His extensive experience with breast anatomy and implant selection allows him to tailor each augmentation to the patient's unique frame, tissue characteristics, and aesthetic goals, delivering results that look and feel natural.
CombineYour Breast Augmentation
Many patients achieve more comprehensive results by combining breast augmentation with complementary procedures tailored to their individual goals.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Breast augmentation improves volume and shape, while a breast lift raises and repositions descended tissue for fuller, perkier results.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Breast augmentation is often combined with abdominoplasty for a full body makeover tailored to your aesthetic goals.
Liposuction
Liposuction can be combined with breast augmentation as part of a comprehensive body contouring plan.
Breast AugmentationFAQs
How much does breast augmentation cost?
The cost of breast augmentation can vary depending on special considerations and anesthesia time. The total cost includes your breast implants, Dr. Garazo's surgeon's fee, all pre- and post-operative visits, operating room time and supplies, anesthesia, and a post-surgical bra. After your consultation, we'll provide a surgery fee quote.
Will my breast implants feel natural?
Most women feel their breasts look and feel natural after augmentation, especially when they choose the right implant size and type. Silicone implants are favored for their natural feel, and placing the implant under the chest muscles helps them appear more like natural breast volume and shape.
Will my implants affect breastfeeding?
Breast implants may affect breastfeeding in some cases, depending on implant type and procedure. Placement above the muscle is more likely to interfere with breastfeeding than placement below the muscle. Discuss breastfeeding plans with Dr. Garazo beforehand so the best technique can be selected for you.
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are safe and incredibly durable; many last 10–20 years, but some may need to be replaced sooner due to complications or cosmetic reasons.
Submuscular vs. subglandular placement?
Submuscular placement is under the chest muscle, which can provide a more natural look and potentially less risk of capsular contracture. Subglandular placement is above the muscle, which may allow for a quicker recovery.
What size implants should I choose?
Implant size should be chosen based on your body frame, breast tissue, and desired outcome. Dr. Garazo will guide you every step of the way and explain which options will work best for you.
Do I need a breast lift too?
A breast lift raises sagging breasts to sit naturally higher on the chest. If implants alone will not raise your breast tissue sufficiently, Dr. Garazo will explain how a breast lift with implants will achieve ideal fullness and a perkier breast position.
Are there alternatives to implants?
Fat transfer uses fat from other parts of your body as an alternative to implants, but results are less predictable and only provide a subtle boost in volume and shape. Please note that Dr. Garazo does not offer fat transfer to the breasts.
Will I have visible scars?
Scar visibility depends on where Dr. Garazo places your incisions; however, most scars are nearly invisible when patients follow all aftercare instructions.
How long does the procedure take?
The surgery typically takes 1–2 hours, plus time in the recovery room as anesthesia wears off.
What anesthesia is used?
Dr. Garazo performs breast surgeries under general anesthesia for your safety and comfort.
Will augmentation affect mammograms?
Implants shouldn't affect mammograms; simply inform your radiologist that you have implants so they can take additional images to view all surrounding tissues.
What are signs of implant complications?
Signs include pain, swelling, lumps, changes in shape, or asymmetry. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon greatly reduces your risk of uncommon, adverse reactions.
Written by Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS
Board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation and body contouring. Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS brings over 25 years of surgical experience and a commitment to natural-looking, personalized results.
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Discuss your breast augmentation goals with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Garazo and receive a personalized treatment plan at our accredited Hagerstown surgery center.