Rediscover your silhouette with a customized approach to breast enlargement that prioritizes both beauty and long-term health. Dr. De La Cruz combines his background as a classical sculptor with advanced surgical techniques to deliver results that feel as natural as they look.
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of our most popular services in the Woodlands and Houston, Texas. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breast.
Our patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons, including balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery, and correcting a congenital breast defect. Under our double-board-certified plastic surgeon's expert care, patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after the operation.
Choice of silicone implants, saline implants, or fat transfer
Choice of silicone gel implants, saline implants, or fat transfer
Specialized dual-plane implant placement for a natural look and feel
1 to 2 hours; outpatient procedure
Most patients return to light activity within 1 week; full results at 3 months
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Breast augmentation, clinically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to enhance the physical appearance of the breasts.
Patients have several breast augmentation options at our practice. While traditional surgery uses breast implants — either a silicone shell filled with silicone gel or sterile saline — Dr. De La Cruz also offers fat transfer breast augmentation. This secondary option uses fat grafting to relocate your own fat from areas such as the thighs or abdomen to the breasts, providing a subtle, natural breast enhancement without a silicone shell. During your initial consultation, we will develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your desired breast shape.
Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Complimentary Procedures
Breast augmentation can achieve dramatic, beautiful results on its own and in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or non-invasive procedures. We sometimes recommend combining breast augmentation with other procedures, such as a breast lift, for more satisfying results.
The surgical process for breast augmentation in Houston is a refined experience centered on patient safety and comfort. Your procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia to ensure a peaceful, pain-free experience. Dr. De La Cruz then proceeds with the implant insertion using the specific incision technique discussed during your treatment plan.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Incision Techniques
Dr. De La Cruz is highly intentional regarding implant insertion, placing incisions in discreet locations to ensure any resulting breast augmentation scar remains as inconspicuous as possible. Depending on your unique treatment plan, he may utilize a transaxillary approach through the armpit, a periareolar incision around the edge of the areola, or an inframammary fold incision tucked neatly into the natural breast fold underneath.
The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted. Saline implants may also be placed endoscopically through an incision in the navel. This minimally invasive breast enhancement technique is known as a transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA approach.
With regards to the incision, Dr. De La Cruz typically makes the smallest incision one can achieve (~2.5 cm to 3.5 cm incision) along the underside of the breast (inframammary incision). He also performs incisions through the armpit (transaxillary) or around the areola (periareolar incision) as well.
One of the most important decisions prior to a breast augmentation is the selection of the breast implant pocket. The clinical manifestations of this may not be apparent for several years. Sagging of the breast may inexorably worsen, especially after giving birth or with aging. There are several breast implant placement options: subglandular (above the muscle), partial subpectoral (below the muscle), and dual-plane technique (partially subpectoral and partially subglandular).
Implant placement beneath the chest muscle offers several advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue alone. These include a reduced risk of capsular contracture (postoperative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammography. Possible disadvantages include the need for drainage tubes and elevated pain in the first few days following surgery. We will discuss which option may be best for you. Dr. De La Cruz’s preference for breast implant placement is the dual-plane technique.
Although the surgical technique may be more complicated and may potentially take longer, the dual-plane technique has the advantages of both the subglandular (more natural result) and submuscular approaches (less capsular contracture) Dr. De La Cruz performs all the different implant placement options, and he will decide with you on your best option to achieve a natural and longer-lasting result without compromising the excellent outcome that one would want to achieve.
After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, then taped and bandaged. A surgical bra will then be placed in the operating room. Dr. De La Cruz’s preference for breast implant placement is the dual-plane technique. Although the surgical technique may be more complicated and may potentially take longer, the dual-plane technique has the advantages of both the subglandular (more natural result) and submuscular approaches (less capsular contracture) Dr. De La Cruz performs all the different implant placement options, and he will decide with you on your best option to achieve a natural and longer-lasting result without compromising the excellent outcome that one would want to achieve.
After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, then taped and bandaged. A surgical bra will then be subsequently placed in the operating room.
Breast augmentation surgery is the gold standard for addressing a variety of anatomical and aesthetic concerns. The procedure is highly effective for correcting breast asymmetry, in which one breast is noticeably different in size or shape from the other. It also treats "involution," the loss of breast tissue and breast volume that frequently occurs after childbirth or nursing.
For women with naturally small breasts, the procedure provides the desired breast fullness and upper pole fullness that can make a dramatic difference in how clothing and swimwear fit. Additionally, it can be used in reconstructive surgery to address congenital defects, helping to restore both the natural appearance of the breasts and the patient’s self-image.
Enhanced Confidence and Self-Image
The primary benefit of a successful augmentation surgery is the profound boost in confidence. Many women find that larger breasts, in proportion to their hips and shoulders, help them feel more feminine and comfortable in their own skin.
A Youthful, Natural Aesthetic
By utilizing the dual-plane surgical technique, Dr. De La Cruz ensures that the breast implants are subtly integrated with your natural breast tissue. This prevents the "bolus" or "fake" look, instead providing a soft, natural feel and a gentle slope to the breast fold. Whether you choose round implants for maximum lift or anatomical implants for a tear-drop shape, the focus is always on creating a natural appearance.
Versatility in Body Sculpting
When fat grafting is used in fat-transfer breast augmentation, patients benefit from the dual effect of slimming the donor area and enhancing cleavage. This use of your own fat cells eliminates the risk of implant-related complications while providing a soft, natural breast enhancement.
You may be an ideal candidate for breast implant surgery if you are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the surgical process. Ideal candidates are at a stable weight and are looking to improve breast size or symmetry. While the procedure is very safe, we generally recommend that patients wait until they have finished having children, as future pregnancies can stretch the breast tissue and alter their final results. If you are also dealing with excess skin or drooping, Dr. De La Cruz may suggest combining breast augmentation with breast lift surgery for the best outcome.
Most patients find the recovery from breast augmentation surgery to be quite manageable. Immediately following your outpatient procedure, you will be placed in a specialized surgical bra to support the breast pocket and minimize swelling. While you may experience some tightness in the pectoral muscle area, this is well-controlled with prescribed pain medication.
During the first 48 to 72 hours, we recommend rest and limited arm movement. Most women return to sedentary work within 5 to 7 days, though you should wait to wear an underwire bra or a high-impact sports bra until cleared by Dr. De La Cruz. We will provide detailed instructions for caring for your incisions at the inframammary fold to help ensure the smallest possible scar and a smooth healing process.
While you will see an immediate increase in breast size after surgery, your final breast augmentation results will truly emerge as the implants settle into the breast pocket and internal swelling subsides. Typically, by the three-month mark, you will see a beautifully refined breast shape with a soft, natural feel.
These results are designed to provide long-lasting satisfaction. While breast implants are not lifetime devices, many women enjoy their improved breast volume for a decade or more before considering a replacement. By maintaining a stable weight and following a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy your perkier, fuller profile and the renewed self-image that comes with it for years to come.
Choosing a plastic surgeon for your breast enlargement is a decision rooted in trust and aesthetic alignment. Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz is a double board-certified surgeon whose background in classical sculpture informs every breast augmentation procedure he performs. He meticulously sculpts the breast tissue to ensure the results are in perfect harmony with your unique frame.
Our Houston practice is defined by a commitment to uncompromising safety and personalized, concierge-style care. From our state-certified surgery center to our hands-on aftercare, we provide an elite experience that prioritizes your comfort and your future. Here, you are not just a patient; you are receiving a masterwork of aesthetic plastic surgery designed to help you live your most confident life.
The cost of breast augmentation varies depending on the specific implant type (saline vs. silicone implants) and whether the procedure is combined with other surgeries like a breast lift. During your initial consultation, we provide a transparent, all-inclusive quote that covers the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and the facility costs.
Both options have their merits. Fat transfer uses your own fat cells to provide a very natural breast enhancement, but it typically only offers a modest increase in size. Breast implants are better for those seeking significant breast enlargement or specific upper-pole fullness. Dr. De La Cruz will help you decide which implant type or fat grafting approach fits your goals.
Most women are still able to nurse after breast augmentation, as the implants are typically placed behind the pectoral muscle or breast tissue, leaving the milk ducts intact. Dr. De La Cruz uses surgical techniques designed to preserve the functionality of the breast whenever possible.
There is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer. However, implants can sometimes make mammograms more complex to read. This is why Dr. De La Cruz often recommends the dual-plane technique: placing the implant behind the muscle makes it easier for radiologists to visualize the natural breast tissue during screenings.
Gummy bear implants (highly cohesive silicone gel implants) are designed to maintain your breast shape even if the silicone shell is compromised. They are often firmer and more anatomically shaped, whereas traditional silicone gel implants offer a softer, more natural feel.
Complications following breast augmentation surgery are uncommon and usually minimal. They may include capsular contracture, swelling and pain, infection around the implant, a change in nipple sensation, milk production if you nursed a baby within a year before the procedure, and breakage or leakage of the implant (implant rupture) as a result of injury or the normal compression and movement of your breast.
If a saline implant ruptures, it will deflate within a few hours, and your body will absorb the saline. If a silicone implant leaks, you will need to see your plastic surgeon immediately. Regular monitoring of breast implants after breast augmentation is recommended to ensure continuing breast and implant health.
In the dual-plane technique of breast augmentation, the breast implant is partially covered by the chest wall muscle. This allows for a more natural appearance while keeping the benefits of having the muscle cover the implant. The implant is less palpable, and less rippling is observed. Pectoral muscle contraction may still occur with the dual-plane placement of the implant. There’s also a reduced tendency for the breast implant to ride high, as well as a reduced tendency for the implant to lateralize. This technique has the benefits of both subglandular and partial submuscular breast implant placement. The risk of capsular contracture is similar to the risk associated with submuscular placement of a breast implant (~13 percent).
