Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance a small breast. For some women, a sexy breast look is essential for self-esteem. Breast augmentation surgery will improve your body and make you feel more confident. There are many techniques for breast augmentation, including breast implant and fat transfer.
Incision Options
There are three standard incisions used to place implants:
- Periareolar incision – made at the border between the pigmented areolar skin and the natural breast skin, along about one-third of the areola. Because it sits on the edge of the pigmented skin, the resulting scar is well camouflaged. This approach passes near the milk ducts.
- Transaxillary incision – made in a natural crease in the armpit, about 4–5 cm, to create a pocket for the implant. Because the implant is placed from a distance, positioning can be slightly harder to control, and the scar may show when the arms are raised.
- Inframammary incision – a 5–6 cm incision in the crease at the base of the breast. This is the most common approach; it gives direct access to the submuscular or subglandular plane, avoids the milk ducts, and is often used for implant revision surgery. The scar sits in the natural fold beneath the breast.
Implant Materials
There are two main types of breast implant, both FDA-approved: saline and silicone gel.
- Saline implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water, added during surgery. If one leaks, the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body.
- Silicone gel implants are silicone shells filled with cohesive gel. They tend to feel more like natural breast tissue than saline, though a leak is harder to detect and needs monitoring.
Both come in a range of sizes with either smooth or textured shells. Your board-certified surgeon will help you choose the most suitable option.
Implant Positioning
We offer three placement options:
- Subglandular – beneath the breast tissue.
- Submuscular (subpectoral) – under the chest muscle.
- Dual plane – partly under the muscle and partly under the breast tissue.
A Good Candidate
- Realistic expectations
- Psychologically stable
- In good physical health
- Not currently pregnant or nursing
- 18 years of age or older
Preparation
- Consult with the surgeon about your goals, and choose the implant type, size, and incision together. Note the implant manufacturer and model, and keep copies for your records.
- Complete a physical examination, blood test, and chest X-ray.
- Stop smoking for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
- Stop anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen for at least two weeks, and avoid herbal supplements and vitamins that may increase bleeding.
The Procedure
- The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
- Through the chosen incision, the surgeon creates a pocket above or below the outermost chest muscle (the pectoral muscle) and inserts the implant, positioning it centered behind the nipple and balancing both sides. With saline implants, the empty shell is placed first and then filled with sterile saline to the required volume.
- The incision is closed and dressed with adhesive strips and surgical tape.
The operation takes around 1–2 hours.
Post-operative Care
- Keep the incision clean and dry for 2–3 days after surgery.
- Stitches are removed seven days after surgery.
- Attend follow-up appointments at 7 days, 14 days, and one month.
- Massage the breasts as instructed — about one hour a day for at least one month — to help prevent capsular contracture and keep the implants well positioned and balanced.
- Wear a compression bandage or sports bra during healing for support and to hold the implants in position.
- Sleep with your torso slightly elevated to reduce bruising and swelling.
- Don’t lift anything over 2–3 kg for two months, as this can cause the implants to move upward.
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks.
- Expect the breasts to be sensitive to contact or sudden movement for at least the first two weeks.
Recover from Breast Augmentation
You can return to most everyday activities within a few weeks, avoiding strenuous activity for at least the first two weeks. Augmentation can improve body image and confidence, but it’s important to keep expectations realistic: your breasts continue to change with age, and weight loss or gain will affect their appearance over time. If you later become unhappy with the result, revision surgery is an option.
Risks and Complications for Breast Augmentation
Any operation carries some risk of complications, although these are rare. They include:
- Keloid or raised scarring at the incision
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Soreness
- Poor healing
- Asymmetry
- Infection — warmth, redness, or fever around the breast; contact the surgeon promptly if these occur
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Decreased or lost sensation
- Capsular contracture, which may require a second surgery
- Skin rippling or sagging
- Implant failure
- Risks associated with anesthesia
Video : Breast Augmentation / Breast Implant Surgery
Before and After Breast Augmentation / Breast Implant Surgery
Why Quality Implants and an Experienced Surgeon Matter
The choice of implant and surgeon has more influence on your result than almost anything else. Quality implants are made from durable materials designed to look and feel like natural tissue, and an experienced surgeon has the skill to place them correctly, create a natural shape, and minimise complications — supported by a well-equipped facility, strong safety protocols, and a track record of good outcomes.
Creating a natural result is genuinely difficult. Breast tissue varies widely from person to person, so shape and size must be judged individually. Placement matters just as much: implants set too high, too low, or asymmetrically will look unnatural. The right implant size, shape, and texture should suit the patient’s frame and proportions rather than simply adding volume. And because breasts change over time with age, weight, and pregnancy, planning has to account for the long term.
Ultimately, a natural outcome is a matter of artistic judgment as well as technical skill. The surgeon’s eye for proportion and balance is what makes the difference — which is why the quality of both the implant and the surgeon should never be compromised.
Types of Breast Implants We Offer
There are many options, and it can be hard to know which is right for you. At Kamol Cosmetic Hospital we offer a full range, including:
- Structured saline implants – a silicone shell with an internal structure and sterile salt water, giving a more natural feel than standard saline while keeping saline’s safety profile.
- Saline implants – a silicone shell filled with sterile salt water; a well-established option, with any leak safely absorbed by the body.
- Silicone gel implants – filled with cohesive silicone gel for a feel closer to natural breast tissue.
- “Gummy bear” (form-stable) implants – a highly cohesive gel that holds its shape even if the shell is damaged.
- Round implants – give a fuller, more lifted upper-breast look.
- Smooth implants – a soft, natural feel with a smooth surface that moves within the pocket.
- Textured implants – a textured surface that helps the implant stay in position and can reduce the risk of capsular contracture.
- Male-to-female breast augmentation – tailored for trans women seeking a fuller, feminine breast shape.
The Benefits of Breast Augmentation
Well-planned augmentation can offer a range of benefits, including:
- Adding volume to achieve your desired shape and size
- Improving overall body contour and symmetry
- Restoring volume and shape lost through aging, pregnancy, or weight change
- Increasing self-confidence and comfort in your body
Why Choose Kamol Hospital Bangkok for Breast Augmentation?
Achieving balanced breast augmentation involves more than choosing an implant size. The surgeon needs to consider the patient’s chest width, existing breast tissue, skin elasticity and overall body proportions when planning the procedure. At Kamol Hospital, the consultation focuses on these individual factors to help determine an appropriate implant size and shape, placement and surgical technique for each patient.
For transgender women, breast augmentation may require additional consideration because chest anatomy and soft-tissue characteristics can differ from those of cisgender women. Kamol Hospital provides breast augmentation for both women and transgender women, with treatment planning based on each patient’s existing anatomy and desired outcome. The surgeon can discuss the available options and explain what can realistically be achieved before surgery.
From the initial consultation and implant selection through surgery and postoperative care, patients are supported by the hospital’s medical team throughout the process. This allows patients to understand their surgical options, expected recovery and potential risks before deciding on breast augmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the reasons someone might choose to have Breast Implantation Surgery?
Women choose breast implants for various reasons, including:
- To increase breast size: This is the most common reason. Some women naturally have small breasts or have experienced a decrease in breast size after pregnancy or weight loss.
- To improve breast shape: Augmentation can create a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
- To restore breast volume: After pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, breasts can lose volume and become deflated. Augmentation can help restore a more youthful appearance.
- To enhance self-confidence: Many women feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies after breast augmentation.
Should I choose silicone or saline implants?
Silicone gel implants feel closer to natural breast tissue and are the most popular choice, especially for women with little existing breast tissue. Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision, and if one leaks, the body safely absorbs the salt water, but they’re more likely to show rippling. Structured saline sits between the two. Your surgeon will recommend an option based on your tissue thickness, frame and the look you want.
What are the different incision options for Breast Implantation Surgery?
Breast implants can be inserted through various incisions, including:
- Inframammary Incision:This incision is made in the crease beneath the breast. It offers good access for implant placement and is often preferred for larger implants.
- Periareolar Incision: This incision is made around the edge of the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple). It can result in less visible scarring but may not be suitable for all patients.
- Transaxillary Incision: This incision is made in the armpit. It leaves no scars on the breast itself but can be more challenging for implant placement.
Your surgeon will discuss the best incision option for you based on your anatomy, the type of implant, and your personal preferences.
What can I expect during the Breast Augmentation consultation at Kamol Hospital?
During your consultation, your surgeon will:
- Discuss your goals and expectations.
- Evaluate your breast anatomy and overall health.
- Recommend the most suitable implant type, size, and placement.
- Answer your questions and address any concerns.
- Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
- Provide pre-operative and post-operative instructions.
Will I still be able to breastfeed?
Most women can breastfeed after augmentation. Inframammary and armpit incisions avoid the milk ducts, and placing the implant under the muscle further reduces contact with breast tissue. A periareolar incision carries a slightly higher chance of affecting milk supply or nipple sensation. If you plan to have children, mention it at your consultation so the incision and placement can be chosen with this in mind.
How long do breast implants last?
Implants don’t have a fixed expiry date, but they aren’t lifetime devices either. Many last well over 10 years, and they only need replacing if a problem develops or you want a change. For silicone implants, periodic ultrasound or MRI checks are recommended to detect silent leaks. If you need replacement or correction later, see Breast Implant Revision.
Are textured implants safe?
Textured implants have been linked to a rare immune-system cancer called breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The risk is very low, but higher than with smooth implants, and certain heavily textured models were recalled worldwide in 2019. Your surgeon will explain which implant surfaces Kamol uses and why, so you can make an informed choice.
Do I need a breast lift as well?
If your breasts sag, for example after pregnancy or weight loss, an implant alone may not lift the nipple to the right position. In that case a breast lift can be combined with augmentation, or included as part of a Mommy Makeover. If you’d like a modest increase without implants, fat transfer using fat taken by liposuction may be an option.
Is it worth travelling to Bangkok for breast augmentation?
Many international patients find it worthwhile. Consultation, pre-operative tests and surgery can usually be completed within a single trip, and the procedure itself takes only 1–2 hours. Plan to stay in Bangkok for at least 7 days, until your stitches are removed and your first follow-up is done. Our Kamol Trip service helps you arrange accommodation and transfers before you arrive.
Are surgeons in Thailand experienced in breast augmentation?
Yes. Thailand is one of Asia’s leading destinations for cosmetic surgery, and its board-certified plastic surgeons perform breast procedures on patients from around the world. Kamol’s surgeons regularly treat both cisgender and transgender women, which requires careful planning across a wide range of chest shapes. Review our surgeons’ profiles and before-and-after gallery to see their work.
