Breast augmentation is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures for women seeking fuller, more proportionate breasts. Whether the goal is restoring volume after pregnancy, improving symmetry, or enhancing natural shape, breast augmentation offers long-lasting, customizable results.
Dr. Daniel Medalie is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Cleveland with more than two decades of experience performing breast enhancement surgery. His approach focuses on proportion, natural contour, and individualized planning to ensure you achieve results that complement your body.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation enhances breast size and shape using either saline or silicone implants. Implants can be placed beneath your breast tissue or partially under your chest muscle, depending on anatomy and aesthetic goals. In some patients, autologous fat transfer may be used to provide subtle enhancement or refine upper or inner breast fullness.
The goal of breast augmentation is not simply to increase size, but to create balanced, natural-looking results that align with your frame and lifestyle.
Personalized Consultation and Planning
Every breast augmentation begins with a comprehensive consultation. Dr. Medalie reviews your goals, examines your anatomy, and discusses how different implant choices will affect your outcome. You have an opportunity to feel different implant types and review before-and-after photos to better understand your options.
Topics discussed during consultation include:
- Silicone vs. saline implants
- Moderate vs. high profile implants
- Implant size selection
- Placement above or below the muscle
- Incision options
Together, you and Dr. Medalie will create a surgical plan that reflects both your preferences and anatomical considerations.
Implant Options and Placement
Implants may be placed:
- Beneath the pectoral muscle (submuscular)
- Above the muscle, under the breast tissue (subglandular)
- In a dual-plane position, which combines both techniques
Dual-plane placement is commonly used for patients with mild drooping, as it provides upper pole fullness while allowing the lower breast to drape naturally.
Incisions are typically placed in the inframammary fold (under the breast), around the areola, or in the armpit. Dr. Medalie often prefers the inframammary fold approach, as it provides excellent visibility during surgery and is associated with a lower incidence of capsular contracture in current literature.
Breast Augmentation Procedure and Recovery
Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure under light general anesthesia. After surgery, patients wear a supportive garment to help minimize swelling and support healing. Most patients return to non-strenuous work within a week, with full activity gradually resumed over several weeks.
Results are visible immediately, though implants typically settle into a more natural position over the first few months. Final results are best evaluated around three months after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Results
Breast augmentation provides durable results, especially when weight remains stable. Over time, natural aging, pregnancy, or lifestyle changes may influence breast appearance, but implants themselves are designed to be long-lasting. Dr. Medalie discusses long-term expectations and monitoring during consultation to ensure patients feel confident about their decision.
*Plastic surgery results can vary from patient to patient and are not guaranteed
Why Choose Dr. Daniel Medalie for Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Medalie is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has performed breast augmentation surgery since 1999. His reputation is built on meticulous technique, thoughtful implant selection, and a commitment to patient education. Every surgical plan is customized to achieve harmony and proportion, not just volume.
Breast Augmentation Surgery FAQ
Yes-Breast Implant surgery needs to be performed with the patient asleep.
Typical surgery time is around 1 hour.
I typically give my patients antibiotics for 5 days around surgery. I have never had a post-op infection or an implant extrusion.
During the surgery, local anesthetic is injected into the tissue-this blocks the sensation and also constricts blood vessels. As a result, there is very little bleeding during the surgery. I have NEVER had a patient have a severe bleeding complication post-op, but it is not impossible and a return trip to the OR may be necessary. No one has ever needed a blood transfusion for this procedure.
This is a fairly small operation and requires a short recovery. Pain that may require narcotic pain medicine typically lasts 3-4 days. After that, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) is sufficient. I recommend that patients take at least 1 week off from work. The post-op care involves support bras for several weeks and scar massage after that. Most of the swelling and all of the buried stitches have disappeared by 3-4 months.
I recommend that patients refrain from exercise for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Even after 3 weeks, the incisions may be sensitive and patients need to use caution (focus on leg work more than arm work). Full activity can resume by 6 weeks post-op.
Some of the deep sutures under the skin can take up to three months to completely dissolve. For this reason, some patients may report sensitivity issues such as itching for up to three months post-op. Breast and nipple sensation can take longer to normalize. Typically my patients have resumed full activity by 3 months and have the appearance that will be with them for many years to follow.
When choosing between saline and silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, offering the benefit of smaller incisions and easy detection if a rupture occurs, since the implant deflates naturally. They are typically less expensive, but some women feel they look and feel less natural compared to silicone. My ideal saline implant candidate is a mom who has a full B or C cup of breast tissue, but now has some droop and wants more superior fullness. I frequently combine full breast lifts with a small saline filled breast implant and it achieves a very natural result. Silicone breast implants, on the other hand, are filled with cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the look and feel of natural breast tissue, making them the most popular choice today. However, they usually require a slightly larger incision, are more expensive, and ruptures can be harder to detect without imaging. The best choice depends on your body type, cosmetic goals, and personal preferences, which is why a consultation with Dr. Medalie is essential to determine the right implant for you.
Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants: Table of Pros and Cons
| Feature | Saline Breast Implants | Silicone Breast Implants |
|---|---|---|
| Filling Material | Sterile saltwater solution | Cohesive silicone gel |
| Look & Feel | Less natural, may ripple | Very natural, soft, and smooth |
| Incision Size | Smaller (implant filled after insertion) | Larger (pre-filled implant) |
| Rupture Detection | Immediate (implant deflates) | Harder to detect, may require MRI or ultrasound |
| Cost | Generally lower | Typically higher |
| Safety | Saline is safely absorbed by the body if ruptured | Silicone is safe but requires monitoring for “silent ruptures” |
| Popularity | Less commonly chosen today, but still a good choice for smaller implants | Most popular option worldwide |
| Ideal For | Women wanting lower cost or smaller incisions | Women prioritizing natural look and feel |
The surgery is designed to preserve blood supply and sensation to the nipple. The implant typically goes under the muscle and does not affect the nerves to the nipple. A large implant however can stretch the tissue and the nerves and there may be transient sensation changes. It is very rare but not impossible to lose full sensation though.
The surgery is designed to preserve the integrity of the breast glandular tissue. Patients typically are able to breast feed after a breast augmentation surgery.
Yes – I frequently perform multiple procedures on breast surgery patients. Frequently, I perform liposuction or tummy tuck. Sometimes, I also perform breast procedures such as breast lift. Many of my patients ask for vaginoplasty or labiaplasty as well.
A breast augmentation with silicone implants costs around $8500 (saline is around $7500) at Dr. Medalie’s outpatient surgery location. All procedures are less expensive when combined with other procedures such as labiaplasty or liposuction.
I frequently perform breast surgery on patients who live out of town and are unable to easily to see me in consultation prior to the procedure. I have several requirements for these patients: I must see pictures of them prior to scheduling surgery. They need to contact my office and have my patient care manager email them a medical history form to be filled out and sent back. Typically, the patient will come into town 1 day prior to the procedure, and I will see them the day of surgery. I will perform a phone consultation about 3 weeks prior to surgery. I will then perform the operation and patients can usually return home the day after surgery. Your post-op visit will be a virtual visit with my nurse, Michelle, about 10-14 days after surgery. I will then follow the progress of the patient via e-mailed pictures. My patient care manager has information about hotels in the area as well as financing. You may contact her at valerie@clevelandplasticsurgery.com.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are considering breast augmentation in Cleveland, Dr. Daniel Medalie offers experienced, personalized care in a supportive setting. To schedule your consultation, call (216) 393-9924 or contact Cleveland Plastic Surgery today.
