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Breast augmentation, sometimes referred to as a "boob job" by patients, involves using breast implants or fat transfer to enhance your breasts.

There are two main types of breast augmentation: breast implants ., there are multiple different options based on how you want your breasts to look and feel. 

Breast implants are the most common type of breast augmentation. Breast implant options include:

• Structured saline breast implants: These implants are filled with sterile saline (salt water) and have an inner structure that helps the implant feel more natural.
• Silicone breast implants: These implants are made of silicone gel. If the implant were to break, the gel could stay within its shell or leak into your breast. If you get silicone implants, you may have to see your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure your implants are working properly.
• Form-stable breast implants: These implants are often called gummy bear breast implants because they keep their shape even in the implant shell breaks. They are made of a thicker silicone gel and are firmer than traditional implants. Form-stable breast implants require a longer surgery incision in your skin.
• Round breast implants: These implants usually make breasts look fuller. Since the implants are round all over, they don’t typically change the look of your breast if they rotate out of place.
• Smooth breast implants: These implants feel the softest of all the different kinds of implants. Smooth breast implants usually make breast movement look more natural than other implants.

There are many reasons you may want or choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery, including:

• To change the appearance of your breasts if you think they are small.
• To change the symmetry of your breasts if one is smaller than the other.
• To account for a decrease in your breast size after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
• To correct any unevenness or issues with your breasts after breast surgery for other conditions.
• To improve your confidence and self-esteem.

Breast augmentation is the most popular type of cosmetic surgery. Every year, around 300,000 people have breast augmentation surgery in the United States.

Before you undergo breast augmentation, you'll meet with your plastic surgeon. You should prepare for this consultation by thinking about what you want to change about your breasts. Remember, you're not seeking perfection, but improvement. Also, be sure that you're in good mental and physical health, overall, and that you have realistic expectations.

Your surgeon will ask you detailed questions about your medical history, including:

• What medications you are taking.
• What allergies you may have.
• Your smoking history.
• Prior surgeries.
• Any previous issues you've had with your breasts, including lumps, previous mammograms and any family history of breast issues.

Patients sometimes have concerns about the safety of silicone breast implants because of the attention they received in the media years ago. However, the FDA did approve their safety. In addition, no evidence has ever been found to link silicone breast implants to cancer, auto-immune deficiency disease, or any other illness. Ultimately, 62% of today’s breast augmentation patients choose silicone over saline. For reconstruction cases, they choose them three times more often.