Breast Surgery
Breast Augmentation in West Palm Beach, FL
Breast implants and fat transfer options planned around your proportions, tissue and goals.
Albert Carlotti, MD, FAACS · Fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon
Breast augmentation increases breast volume using implants or, in selected patients, fat transfer. At BellaNova Cosmetic Surgery in West Palm Beach, Dr. Albert Carlotti plans surgery around your chest width, existing breast tissue, symmetry and desired shape.
Dr. Carlotti has 25 years of experience and more than 30,000 procedures across facial, breast and body cosmetic surgery. Consultations and surgery take place at our state-registered Level III surgical center at 1261 S Congress Ave in West Palm Beach.
Explore implant options, patient results, recovery and cost considerations, or watch Dr. Carlotti explain his planning approach.
Desired volume is one part of the decision. Tissue coverage, skin quality, nipple position and breast shape help determine which implant dimensions and placement may suit you. The consultation connects your appearance goals with what your anatomy can support.
Am I a candidate for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation may suit you if you:
- Want more volume or fullness, particularly in the upper pole
- Have lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight change
- Have noticeable asymmetry between the two sides
- Feel your breasts are disproportionate to your frame
- Are at a stable weight, in good health and not currently pregnant or nursing
Your medical history, medications, nicotine use, breast health and future pregnancy plans also matter. Discuss these during consultation so your surgical plan and timing fit your circumstances.
Breast augmentation or breast lift?
Augmentation adds volume. A breast lift (mastopexy) reshapes the breast and raises the nipple when sagging is the main concern. Some patients need both. Dr. Carlotti evaluates nipple position, skin excess and tissue support before recommending implants alone, a lift alone or a combined procedure.
Choosing breast implants: type, placement and size
Silicone and saline implants
Silicone gel implants contain cohesive gel and offer a range of shapes, profiles and firmness. Saline implants contain sterile salt water; rupture usually causes noticeable deflation. Both have silicone outer shells. Tissue coverage, feel, rippling, monitoring and your preferences are discussed when choosing an implant.
The term “gummy bear” describes highly cohesive silicone gel. It does not, by itself, tell you whether an implant is round or shaped, smooth or textured. Ask about the specific device proposed for you and review its patient information.
Over or under the muscle?
Submuscular or dual-plane placement provides muscle coverage over part of the implant. Subglandular placement positions the implant above the chest muscle. Each has trade-offs involving tissue coverage, visible edges, movement with muscle contraction and recovery. Your tissue thickness and activity preferences help guide the choice.
Incisions and scars
Incision options include the breast fold (inframammary), areolar border (periareolar) or armpit (transaxillary). The chosen incision depends on the implant, your anatomy and the planned operation. All surgical approaches leave scars; placement and healing affect their visibility.
Choosing implant size and profile
Chest and breast measurements help guide implant width. Profile describes projection, while volume is measured in cubic centimeters (cc). The same volume can look different on different bodies. During consultation, patients try sizers in a fitted garment and discuss desired fullness. A specific bra cup size cannot be guaranteed.
Fat transfer breast augmentation
Fat grafting may suit patients seeking a modest increase or contour refinement, with or without implants. It requires suitable donor fat. Some transferred fat is absorbed, so retained volume varies and additional treatment may be needed. Dr. Carlotti will explain the limits and risks of this option for your goals.
Educational video
Dr. Carlotti explains breast augmentation planning
Dr. Carlotti explains how breast augmentation is planned around tissue, chest width, implant position, and proportion rather than cup size alone.
Breast augmentation recovery: planning your time off
Your recovery depends on implant placement, the extent of surgery and whether a breast lift is included. Use this as a general planning guide. Arrange help with lifting, childcare and daily tasks, and follow your individual postoperative instructions.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Tightness, soreness and swelling are common. Follow instructions for your support bra, medication, incision care and gentle walking. |
| Days 4–7 | Discomfort may begin to improve. Discuss return to desk work with your surgeon; some patients need more time. |
| Weeks 2–4 | Increase light activity as directed. Continue lifting restrictions. Swelling and implant position may still be changing. |
| Weeks 4–6 | Activity may increase after assessment. Chest exercise and heavy lifting require clearance; the calendar alone does not determine readiness. |
| Months 3–6 | Shape and softness continue to develop as swelling settles. Scars and tissue changes may continue beyond this period. |
Risks and considerations
Risks include capsular contracture (hardening of the scar capsule around the implant), rupture or deflation, rippling or palpability particularly in thin patients, asymmetry, malposition or bottoming out, changes in nipple and breast sensation, difficulty breastfeeding, infection, hematoma, and the need for revision surgery.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Complications become more likely over time, and further surgery may be needed for removal, replacement or another concern. Individual implant longevity cannot be predicted.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) occurs more often with textured implants. Other cancers have been reported in the capsule around implants. Some patients report systemic symptoms referred to as breast implant illness; their causes remain under investigation. Review the device-specific patient decision checklist and discuss these risks with Dr. Carlotti. The FDA breast implant risk information provides additional detail.
Long-term implant care and monitoring
Keep your implant identification card and attend follow-up appointments. Ask about the imaging schedule recommended for your specific silicone implants to check for rupture that may not cause symptoms. Continue breast cancer screening as advised by your healthcare team and tell the imaging center that you have implants.
Report new or persistent swelling, a lump, pain, hardness or a change in breast shape to your surgeon. Review the FDA patient information about breast implants before making your decision.
How much does breast augmentation cost in West Palm Beach?
Your quote depends on implant selection, operative time and whether a breast lift or another procedure is included. Ask for an itemized estimate covering surgeon, implant, anesthesia and facility fees, and clarify which follow-up visits and garments are included.
Long-term monitoring and possible future surgery should also be part of your planning. Manufacturer warranty coverage varies and does not necessarily cover every expense. Visit cost and financing for payment information, or request a consultation for a personal treatment recommendation and quote.
Breast augmentation before and after photos
Review Dr. Carlotti’s patient photographs in the breast augmentation gallery. Compare starting shape and proportions, and note any additional procedures listed with a case. Individual results vary; photographs illustrate examples rather than predict your outcome. View breast augmentation before and after photographs.
Your breast augmentation consultation
Meet one-to-one with Dr. Carlotti to discuss your desired shape, review medical and breast health history, and assess your tissue and measurements. Bring questions about implant choices, scars, breastfeeding, recovery, long-term care and costs. Review the proposed implant’s patient information before deciding.
Request a consultation or call (561) 834-6682. Find directions to BellaNova and information for patients traveling to West Palm Beach.
Breast Augmentation: questions patients ask
Silicone or saline: which should I choose?
Both options have benefits and trade-offs. Discuss feel, tissue coverage, rippling, rupture detection, monitoring and the specific device with Dr. Carlotti. The recommendation should reflect your anatomy and preferences.
Over or under the muscle?
Placement depends on tissue coverage, breast shape, the implant and your activities. Muscle coverage and movement with chest contraction are among the trade-offs discussed at consultation.
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Their lifespan varies, complications become more likely over time, and additional surgery may be needed. Follow-up and device-specific monitoring remain important even if you feel well.
Do I need a breast lift as well?
You may need a lift if sagging, nipple position or excess skin cannot be addressed with volume alone. An examination helps determine whether augmentation, a lift or a combination best matches your goals.
Can I breastfeed after augmentation?
Some patients can breastfeed after surgery and others have difficulty. Breast surgery can affect milk production and sensation. Discuss future pregnancy and breastfeeding plans before choosing your procedure.
When can I exercise again?
Begin gentle walking as instructed, then increase activity according to your surgeon's directions. Heavy lifting and chest exercise need specific clearance. Timing varies with implant placement, healing and any combined procedures.
Will augmentation affect mammograms?
Implants can obscure some breast tissue. Tell the imaging center you have implants so the team can plan appropriate views. Follow the breast cancer screening schedule recommended for your age and risk factors.
Can I choose an exact cup size?
You can describe the fullness and proportions you want, but cup sizing varies between bra brands. Measurements and sizers help guide implant selection; an exact cup size or appearance cannot be guaranteed.
Reviewed by Dr. Albert Carlotti, cosmetic surgeon and founder of BellaNova Cosmetic Surgery. Last reviewed 2026-09-05. This page is educational and is not a substitute for a consultation. Individual results vary.
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Meet with Dr. Carlotti at BellaNova Cosmetic Surgery, 1261 S Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5172. Explore your options and receive an individualized surgical plan.