Before the breasts, the balance of the whole body,Implant breast augmentation matched to your frame
Implant Breast Augmentation (Motiva · Mentor · Bounce)
Implant breast augmentation increases breast volume by placing an implant beneath the breast tissue; the implant size and pocket plane are chosen according to your body type and tissue thickness.
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Overview
Implant breast augmentation increases volume by placing an implant beneath the breast tissue. Its characteristics are that the amount of enlargement is easy to predict and the volume is maintained over time. Atelier Plastic Surgery does not look at the breasts alone: we also check shoulder width, the shape of the rib cage, the curve of the ribs, the thickness and position of the existing breast tissue and the height of the inframammary fold, because the same implant gives entirely different results on different bodies.
At consultation we use 3D simulation to see the expected shape with each implant size, and choose the pocket plane according to tissue thickness. Dr. Juyoung Go has lectured at conferences in Korea and abroad, and to physicians from overseas, on the subfascial approach — placing the implant beneath the pectoral fascia — and in particular on creating projection with less volume. The starting point of this surgery is not to go bigger but to find the size that suits the balance of your body.
Implants differ in feel, movement and shape depending on their type, surface and form; at consultation we explain the differences and the pros and cons of each and then decide together. Dr. Go performs the surgery herself, and we perform only one general anesthesia surgery per day. An anesthesiologist is present, and after surgery the condition of the implants is checked regularly by ultrasound.
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Recommended for
Naturally scant breast tissue with insufficient volume
Loss of volume in the upper breast after childbirth and breastfeeding
Breasts that have become smaller and less firm after weight loss
A large difference in size between the two breasts that needs correcting
When fat grafting alone is unlikely to give the amount of enlargement you want
Mild sagging together with insufficient volume, where augmentation mastopexy is being considered
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Surgery & treatment methods
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Subfascial placement
The implant is placed beneath the fascia covering the pectoralis major (the pectoral fascia). Recovery is faster than with placement under the muscle, there is less distortion of the implant with muscle movement, and the fascia covers the upper part of the implant to create a natural slope. A certain thickness of tissue is required, and the design of the pocket, the incision site and the tension placed on the tissue are planned together.
Suited for · When there is a fair amount of breast tissue and you want natural movement and quick recovery
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Dual plane placement
The upper part of the implant sits beneath the pectoralis major and the lower part beneath the breast tissue. When the tissue of the upper breast is thin, the muscle conceals the outline of the implant, while below, the breast tissue can settle naturally. It is also used when there is mild sagging.
Suited for · Thin subcutaneous tissue in the upper breast or mild sagging
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Choice of incision site (inframammary fold · areola · armpit)
An inframammary fold incision makes it easier to create the pocket precisely, and the scar is hidden in the crease of the fold. A periareolar incision leaves a scar at the border of the areola and requires an areola of a certain size. A transaxillary incision places the scar in the armpit crease, but precise adjustment of the fold is more difficult. Dr. Juyoung Go has published a paper on a flap excision technique used with the inframammary incision to improve the symmetry of the nipple-areola and the fold.
Suited for · Decided by body type, areola size and your preference for scar position
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Hybrid (implant + fat grafting)
The implant creates the overall volume, and autologous fat is grafted at the same time into the upper breast or the inner edge where the subcutaneous tissue is thin. This reduces the chance of the implant outline showing or being felt, and helps prevent rippling, where the folds of the implant show through in a slim frame. Correction of rippling that has already developed after augmentation is described in the rippling section of the breast revision page.
Suited for · Thin subcutaneous fat, where the implant outline or rippling is a concern
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Augmentation mastopexy
When sagging is also present, implant placement and a lift are carried out in one surgery. The implant is placed in the subfascial plane, the necessary amount of skin is tightened, and the incision pattern is chosen by the degree of sagging. Details are on the breast lift page.
Suited for · Insufficient volume together with a low nipple position
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Illustrations & photos
Before · 78 days after surgeryBefore · 7 months after surgeryBefore · Surgical design · Right after surgeryBefore · 2 weeks after surgeryPresentation on inframammary-incision augmentation
Surgical designs and results are drawings based on photos; results vary by individual.
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Key facts
Surgery time
About 1–2 hours
Anesthesia
General anesthesia (with an anesthesiologist)
Hospital stay
Same-day discharge or 1 day
Stitch removal
About 7–14 days
Return to daily life
About 3–7 days (for light activity)
Follow-up visits
After surgery: 1 week · 2 weeks · 1 month · 3 months · 6 months, then regular ultrasound checks
These may vary depending on your condition; we will give you precise details at your consultation.
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Atelier Plastic Surgery's approach
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We look at the proportions of the whole body before the breasts
We look at shoulder width, the width and curve of the rib cage, the waistline, height and weight together, and first set the range of sizes that suits that body. Starting from a desired cup size tends to lead to an implant wider than the rib cage, which can splay outward or look unnatural. We decide after you have seen the differences between sizes for yourself in 3D simulation.
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Tissue thickness decides the pocket plane
We choose between subfascial and dual plane according to the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue, measured by pinching the upper breast, and the amount of breast tissue. When there is enough tissue, the implant goes in the subfascial plane to keep natural movement and ease recovery; when it is thin, the muscle is made to cover the upper part of the implant. Dr. Juyoung Go has lectured at a number of conferences on the role of the fascia in the subfascial approach and on creating projection with less volume.
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The incision is a tool for creating symmetry
The height of the fold and the position of the nipple often differ between the two breasts to begin with. With an inframammary incision, designing the height of the incision and the amount of flap excised differently on each side makes it possible to match the symmetry of the fold and the nipple-areola while placing the implant. This method is covered in the paper listed under related research.
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Postoperative pain and recovery are part of the plan
We create the pocket precisely to reduce unnecessary dissection, and plan hemostasis during surgery and pain management after surgery together. Dr. Juyoung Go took part in a study on relieving pain after breast augmentation. Performing only one general anesthesia surgery per day is also so that we can focus on one person at a time, through surgery and recovery.
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After surgery
Day of surgery
After waking from general anesthesia, you rest in a private recovery room. You wear a compression band and bra, and depending on your condition you are discharged the same day or stay one night.
Days 1–3
The chest feels tight and pulled, with swelling. You take the prescribed medication and avoid raising your arms high above the shoulders and lifting heavy objects.
Week 1
At the first visit we check the wound and the position of the implants. Most daily activities such as seated work and short outings are possible, and you can take a light shower with the waterproof dressing in place.
Week 2
Stitches are removed and scar care begins. You continue to wear the support bra, and whether to wear the band is decided by the position of the implants.
Months 1–3
As the swelling subsides, the implants settle and the breasts feel softer. Light aerobic exercise can begin; exercise that uses the chest muscles is resumed after a check at your visit.
After 6 months
The shape settles. From then on, regular ultrasound checks confirm the condition of the implants and the surrounding tissue.
Recovery care and the aftercare schedule are described in the Safety Care System. Safety Care System
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Side effects · Precautions
Implant breast augmentation may cause the following side effects and complications: bleeding and hematoma; infection; seroma; capsular contracture, in which the capsule around the implant thickens and hardens; malposition, where the implant shifts upward, downward or sideways; the two implants joining in the middle; rippling, where the folds of the implant show through or can be felt under thin skin; changes in nipple and skin sensation (temporary or lasting); asymmetry; hypertrophic scars or keloids; implant rupture or rotation; effects on breastfeeding and breast cancer screening (additional imaging may be needed at screening); and rarely reported conditions such as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Implants do not last a lifetime and may need to be replaced or removed over time, and revision surgery may be needed if any of the above problems occur. Results vary with your body type and tissue condition, and the risks that apply to you are explained fully at consultation.
The content on this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act. The results of surgery and treatments and the recovery period may vary by individual. All surgeries and treatments carry a risk of side effects, so please decide after a thorough consultation with a specialist.
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Related research
PaperFirst author
Inframammary Flap Excision Method in Breast Augmentation: Improving Symmetry of NAC and IMF
A study evaluating the effect of a temperature-responsive hydrogel for relieving pain after breast augmentation
ConferenceSpeaker
The Subfascial Approach to Breast Augmentation — Clinical Experience in Korea
Shanghai Huamei Medical Cosmetology Hospital, International Academic Exchange Program · 2025.12.18 · Shanghai, China
Invited lecture at a hospital abroad
ConferenceSpeaker
The Role of the Fascia in Subfascial Breast Augmentation — Creating Ideal Projection with Less Volume
MIT Asia Insight Table, APAC Summit 2025 · 2025.06.18 · Singapore
A lecture on the subfascial approach to creating shape with a lower-volume implant
ConferenceSpeaker
Advantages of the Subfascial Plane in Augmentation Mastopexy — Achieving Optimal Projection with Less Volume
Satellite Symposium · Live Surgery · 2025.11.06 · Chengdu, China
Lecture given while performing live surgery
ConferenceSpeaker
Subfascial Breast Augmentation and Mastopexy — Pocket Design · Incision Selection · Distributing Tissue Tension
Korea · China Physicians' Breast Surgery Roundtable · 2025.07.30 · Atelier Plastic Surgery, Seoul
Lecture for physicians from abroad
ConferenceSpeaker
Concepts and Strategies in Augmentation Mastopexy
PRS Korea 2025 (Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons) · 2025.11.09 · Seoul
The concept and strategy of performing lift and augmentation at the same time with the subfascial approach
ConferenceFaculty
Mini Fellowship for Advanced Breast Augmentation & Breast Lifting
IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) Mini-Fellowship · 2024.08
International training program for physicians from abroad
ConferenceSpeaker
Latest Updates on Breast Implant
Invited lecture · 2019.04 · Almaty, Kazakhstan
Each treatment page lists the items relevant to it; the full list is on the Academic Activities page.View all academic activities
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FAQ
Q1How is the implant size decided?
We start not from the cup size you want but from the width of the rib cage, the amount of existing breast tissue and the laxity of the skin. Within that range, we compare the expected shape at each size in 3D simulation and decide together at consultation. An implant that is large for the body can splay outward or lead to sagging and rippling.
Q2Will the implants need to be replaced later?
Implants do not last a lifetime. If there are no problems there is no set replacement date, but if a problem such as rupture, capsular contracture or a change in position occurs, replacement or removal is needed. To check for this, we recommend regular ultrasound examinations after surgery.
Q3Does it affect breastfeeding or breast cancer screening?
Because the implant sits beneath the breast tissue, breastfeeding itself is usually possible, but the incision site and individual factors can have an effect. For a mammogram, let the staff know that you have implants so that additional views can be taken, and ultrasound or MRI is used alongside.
Q4I have a slim frame and worry that the implant will show.
When the subcutaneous tissue is thin, the edge of the implant may show through or its folds may be felt as rippling. In that case we consider a deeper pocket plane, a different type of implant, or the hybrid method of grafting autologous fat into the thin areas at the same time.
Q5I have some sagging. Is augmentation alone enough?
If the nipple sits below the inframammary fold, augmentation alone will not raise the nipple, and the tissue may instead appear to slide down over the implant. Depending on the degree of sagging, we plan augmentation mastopexy, combining augmentation with a lift, and let you know after examination at consultation.
Q6When can I exercise after surgery?
Light walking is possible from the day after surgery; aerobic exercise generally after about 3–4 weeks, and exercise that uses the chest muscles after about 6 weeks, resumed after a check at your visit. This varies with the pocket plane and your rate of recovery, so we will guide you at your visits.
