This breast augmentation guide is designed for patients in Portland, OR who are in the early stages of exploring their options and want honest, thorough information before scheduling a consultation. Breast augmentation is one of the most personal decisions a patient can make, and the research phase matters as much as the procedure itself. Understanding implant types, candidacy factors, the surgical process, and what recovery realistically involves can help you arrive at a consultation with confidence. Whether you are considering breast augmentation for the first time or revisiting the idea after years of thought, we are here to help you make the right decision for you.
Understanding Your Options
One of the first questions patients ask when researching breast augmentation is which type of implant is right for them. The two primary categories are saline and silicone, and each has characteristics worth understanding before your consultation.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement, which allows for a smaller incision and minor volume adjustments during surgery. They are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older. If a saline implant ruptures, the body safely absorbs the saline, and deflation becomes visible.
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone implants are pre-filled with a cohesive gel that many patients and surgeons feel more closely mimics the texture of natural breast tissue. They are FDA-approved for cosmetic augmentation in patients 22 and older. Highly cohesive “gummy bear” implants maintain their shape even if the shell is compromised.
Implant Placement and Incision Location
Beyond implant type, placement (above or below the pectoral muscle) and incision location (inframammary, periareolar, or transaxillary) are decisions made collaboratively based on your anatomy, the implant size selected, and your lifestyle. In our practice, we find that individualized planning, rather than a one-size approach, consistently produces results that feel harmonious with each patient’s body proportions. Dr. Bohley develops a highly individualized surgical plan to meet each patient’s unique goals, including a thorough discussion of all available options during the consultation.
Am I a Candidate?
Candidacy for breast augmentation is determined by a combination of physical health, realistic expectations, and personal goals. There is no universal profile, but there are meaningful factors your surgeon will evaluate.
Physical Health Considerations
Patients should generally be in good overall health, a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking well before and after surgery, and at a stable weight. Breast augmentation is not a weight-loss procedure, and significant weight fluctuations after surgery may affect results.
Emotional Readiness and Realistic Expectations
Understanding what breast augmentation can and cannot accomplish is essential. The goal is typically to enhance proportion, restore volume lost after pregnancy or weight changes, or address asymmetry, rather than to achieve a specific look seen in a photograph. Our team takes time to understand what motivates each patient and works to ensure those motivations are grounded in realistic, achievable outcomes.
Timing Considerations
Patients who plan to have children in the near future may wish to consider the timing of surgery, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect results. Similarly, patients who have recently experienced significant weight changes may benefit from waiting until their weight stabilizes. A consultation is the appropriate place to discuss all of these factors openly. Explore breast lift options in Portland if ptosis is also a concern, as some patients benefit from combining augmentation with a lift for optimal proportion.
Recovery, Safety, and What to Expect After Surgery
Understanding the recovery process is a core part of any honest breast augmentation guide. Most patients experience some degree of swelling, tightness, and soreness in the first one to two weeks following surgery. Discomfort is typically well-managed with prescribed medication, and most patients are able to return to non-strenuous daily activity within one to two weeks, though individual recovery timelines vary.
What Recovery Typically Involves
Patients are generally advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for four to six weeks. A supportive surgical bra is typically worn during the healing period. Swelling may take several months to fully resolve, and final results generally become apparent over that same timeframe.
Why Choose Our Practice for Breast Augmentation in Portland, OR?
Dr. Michael Bohley is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, a distinction that reflects a higher standard of training and accountability than single-board certification. Serving Portland, Salem, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, and surrounding communities, our practice is built on individualized care, honest communication, and results that are natural-looking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
How long do breast implants typically last?
Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, and the FDA recommends that patients with silicone implants undergo periodic MRI screening to check for silent rupture. Many patients go ten to twenty years or more without needing revision surgery, but individual outcomes vary. Your surgeon can discuss what monitoring and long-term planning may look like for your specific situation during a consultation.
Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?
Many patients in Portland combine breast augmentation with a breast lift to address both volume and position simultaneously, or include it as part of a broader body contouring plan. A mommy makeover in Portland often combines breast and body procedures in a single surgical session, which may reduce overall recovery time compared to staged surgeries. Candidacy for combined procedures is evaluated on an individual basis.
Will breast augmentation affect my ability to breastfeed?
Many patients breastfeed successfully after breast augmentation, though some research suggests that certain incision types and implant placements may carry a higher risk of affecting milk production. This is an important topic to discuss with your surgeon during your consultation so that your surgical plan can account for your goals regarding future breastfeeding. Individual outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Is breast augmentation right for me if I have significant asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is common, and augmentation can be planned to help reduce visible differences between sides. Surgeons may select different implant sizes or profiles for each side to improve balance. It is important to understand that some degree of asymmetry may remain after surgery, as perfect symmetry is rarely achievable. A thorough examination during consultation will help determine what improvement is realistic for your anatomy.
Contact Us
This breast augmentation guide is a starting point, and a personalized consultation is the most important next step. Dr. Bohley and our team in Portland, OR are committed to helping you make a fully informed decision that reflects your goals and your well-being. To schedule your consultation and discuss your options with a double board-certified plastic surgeon, complete the online contact form to reach our team directly.
Dr. Michael Bohley is a double board-certified plastic surgeon recognized as one of Portland’s leading experts in body, breast, and facial cosmetic procedures. With years of advanced training and a distinguished surgical career, he combines refined aesthetic judgment with meticulous technique to deliver consistently exceptional results. Renowned for his skill in tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, and mommy makeovers, Dr. Bohley develops highly individualized treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique goals. He is also recognized as an Allergan Partner Privileges Gold Member for 2026, reflecting his high level of experience and commitment to providing advanced aesthetic treatments. His dedication to patient education, safety, and precision has earned him membership in numerous prestigious professional organizations and the trust of patients throughout the greater Portland area.
