Breast Augmentation
Natural, Long-Lasting Results With Dr. Samer Cabbabe
Breast augmentation—also called augmentation mammoplasty—is a cosmetic procedure that increases breast size, improves shape, and restores youthful fullness. At Cabbabe Plastic Surgery in St. Louis, internationally recognized plastic surgeon Dr. Samer Cabbabe offers advanced implant and fat-transfer techniques to deliver natural, lasting results with a focus on patient safety, rapid recovery, and long-term breast health.
Why Women Choose Breast Augmentation
Breast enhancement can:
- Restore breast volume lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
- Improve body proportions and clothing fit
- Correct congenital asymmetry or deformities
- Reconstruct the breast after mastectomy or injury
- Boost self-confidence and body image
Conditions Treated with Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a highly customizable procedure designed to address a range of aesthetic concerns related to breast size, shape, and symmetry. While many patients seek augmentation to enhance naturally smaller breasts, others are looking to restore volume lost due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
Common concerns breast augmentation can address include:
- Naturally small or underdeveloped breasts
- Loss of volume or fullness after pregnancy or weight changes
- Breast asymmetry (uneven size or shape)
- Lack of upper pole fullness
- Desire for improved body proportion and balance
By tailoring implant type, size, and placement, Dr. Cabbabe creates results that look natural and complement your overall physique.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Augmentation in St. Louis?
Breast implants may be the right option if you are in good overall health and looking to enhance the size, shape, or symmetry of your breasts. Ideal candidates typically have realistic expectations and are seeking a long-lasting solution for improved confidence and body contour.
Breast augmentation may be right for you if you:
- Desire fuller, more proportionate breasts
- Have experienced volume loss from pregnancy or weight changes
- Have noticeable asymmetry between breasts
- Are at a stable weight and not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Want natural-looking, customized results
A personalized consultation with Dr. Cabbabe will help determine the best surgical plan based on your anatomy and goals.
Dr. Cabbabe’s Rapid-Recovery Technique
To minimize pain and downtime, Dr. Cabbabe employs Rapid Recovery / Flash Recovery methods:
- Long-acting local anesthetics and anti-inflammatory medications before and during breast augmentation surgery
- Meticulous, blood-sparing surgical technique
- Early arm range-of-motion exercises the day after surgery
Most patients are showering the next day and return to daily activities within 1–2 weeks.
Types of Breast Augmentation
Breast Implants
Breast implants can be filled with silicone gel or saline (sterile salt water).
Dr. Cabbabe offers full access to every FDA-approved breast implant manufacturer—including Motiva®, Allergan®, Mentor®, and Sientra®—with no financial ties to any company. This independence allows him to recommend the exact implant that best matches your anatomy and goals, without bias toward any brand.
- Silicone implants: softer, more natural feel, lower rippling
- Saline implants: adjustable size, immediate detection of rupture
- Motiva® smooth implants (FDA-approved 2025): lower capsular contracture rates even when placed above the muscle
All implants are FDA-approved and come with lifetime warranties for rupture and early contracture coverage.
Fat Transfer (Natural Augmentation)
For patients seeking modest breast enhancement without implants, fat grafting transfers your own purified fat—harvested with liposuction—to the breasts through tiny incisions.
Important limitation: fat transfer cannot reliably fill the upper pole of the breast, which means it cannot create the same roundness or upper fullness that an implant provides.
Fat grafting is best suited for gentle volume increases and soft shaping rather than dramatic cleavage or upper-pole projection.
Implant Placement Options – Customized for Your Body
Choosing the correct implant pocket and incision site is critical for a natural look, long-term stability, and minimal complications.
Unlike many surgeons who rely on a single approach, Dr. Samer Cabbabe customizes implant placement for every patient based on chest width, tissue quality, and aesthetic goals.
Subfascial (Above the Muscle)
Also known as “above the muscle” placement, the subfascial pocket positions the implant beneath the thin layer of pectoral fascia but on top of the muscle.
Dr. Cabbabe favors this advanced technique in many patients because it:
- Sits in position immediately—there is no long waiting period for the implants to “drop” or settle
- Reduces animation deformity (visible implant movement when flexing the chest)
- Decreases muscle pain and recovery discomfort
- Prevents waterfall deformity, which can occur when implants are placed below the muscle in patients with looser skin or when a lift is performed
- Creates enhanced cleavage in wider chests by allowing implants to sit closer together
Most surgeons do not routinely perform true subfascial augmentation because it requires greater technical skill and meticulous pocket creation—skills Dr. Cabbabe has mastered and teaches internationally.
Below the Muscle (Dual Plane)
Traditional dual-plane placement—under the muscle in the upper breast and under the gland in the lower breast—can be appropriate for select patients, but it carries several significant drawbacks:
- Implant settling period – implants must “drop” or settle over several months before reaching their final position
- Lateral displacement – the pectoralis muscle can gradually push the implant outward toward the armpit
- Higher risk of bottoming out – muscle pressure may drive the implant downward over time, especially in patients with loose skin or when mesh is used for support
- Greater chance of waterfall deformity, where natural breast tissue sags over the implant
- Mesh is less reliable – while mesh can sometimes help stabilize a dual-plane implant, it is not as dependable as the subfascial pocket for long-term support, particularly in patients with loose tissue or those needing a breast lift with implants
- Over-release complications – many surgeons release the pectoralis muscle too high in an effort to accommodate breasts with loose skin, which can lead to pain, animation deformity, and even symmastia (implants drifting toward the midline)
Because of these risks, Dr. Cabbabe often prefers subfascial placement to provide more stable cleavage, lower complication rates, and a softer, more natural look—especially in patients with lax skin or in combined breast-lift procedures.
Incision Options
Regardless of pocket choice, implants can be inserted through several approaches:
- Inframammary fold (under the breast) – preferred and most common for precise placement, excellent control, and a well-hidden scar
- Periareolar (around the nipple/areola) – generally not recommended because of a higher risk of capsular contracture, nipple sensation changes, and potential limitations for future breast lift procedures
- Transaxillary (armpit) – used selectively for patients who wish to avoid any breast scar, though less precise than inframammary
Breast Lifts When Needed
For women with significant breast laxity or drooping, Dr. Cabbabe often recommends a breast lift (mastopexy) in combination with augmentation.
A lift allows him to:
- Optimize implant position for the best shape and support
- Reposition the nipple–areola complex to a youthful height
- Create long-lasting results by tightening the skin envelope and reducing the risk of future sagging
By addressing both skin excess and implant placement at the same time, a lift ensures the implant sits higher and the breast maintains its youthful contour over many years.
Unmatched Expertise in Breast and Body Contouring
Dr. Samer Cabbabe is an expert in breast implant surgery, drawing on over 15 years of complex breast reconstruction and revision experience spanning thousands of patients.
This extensive background allows him to safely perform advanced implant placement techniques—including true subfascial augmentation—that many surgeons do not offer.
Because of his parallel expertise in high-definition body contouring, Dr. Cabbabe can combine breast augmentation with bra-roll and outer chest liposculpting, as well as skin removal in breast lifts when needed.
For patients with very thin breast tissue or visible rippling, Dr. Cabbabe can also use acellular dermal matrix derived from human or pig skin to thicken the breast tissue and provide additional implant coverage, creating a smoother, more natural result.
This comprehensive skill set ensures that the breasts, chest wall, and surrounding torso are harmoniously shaped, delivering results that look balanced and natural from every angle.
Breast Augmentation Before & After Gallery
Sizing and Custom Planning
During your consultation, Dr. Cabbabe will:
- Measure chest width and breast dimensions
- Provide in-office implant “sizing” with different volumes and profiles so you can physically see and feel the difference
- Combine implant sizing results, his surgical expertise, and your personal goals to determine the optimal implant size and projection for your body
- Recommend whether a breast lift, internal mesh bra, or human/pig skin dermal matrix should be combined for optimal shape, implant coverage, and longevity
Important Note on Imaging Technology:
Dr. Cabbabe does not use or recommend 3-D imaging or virtual simulation tools for breast augmentation planning. These technologies cannot accurately account for skin thickness, elasticity, or the unique artistry and surgical skill of the operating surgeon, and they often mislead patients with results that do not reflect what is achievable in real life.
Instead, Dr. Cabbabe relies on precise measurements, implant sizers, and his extensive surgical experience to guide implant selection and surgical planning.
Implant Style Options
To achieve your desired aesthetic, Dr. Cabbabe offers different types of silicone implants with varying cohesivity levels:
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Highly cohesive silicone implants – provide greater shape retention and a rounder, more projected “implant” look with increased upper pole fullness
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Softer silicone implants – allow more natural settling and a gentler, sloped contour for patients seeking a more natural look
By carefully selecting implant cohesivity and profile, Dr. Cabbabe tailors each augmentation to your preference for a natural, subtle enhancement or a fuller, more glamorous appearance.
Advanced Safety & Implant Monitoring
- Office ultrasound every 2–3 years checks for silent silicone rupture as an alternative to MRI.
- Dr. Cabbabe offers in-office screening ultrasounds to all implant patients, making it convenient and cost-effective to monitor implant integrity over time.
- FDA suggests MRI at 2 years and every 3 years thereafter—Dr. Cabbabe reviews these recommendations individually.
- Implant life expectancy averages around 15 years; rupture or capsular contracture may require replacement.
Recovery Timeline
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Surgery time: 1–2 hours (add 1–1.5 hours if combined with a breast lift)
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Back to daily activities: typically 24 hours for light tasks
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Return to work/exercise: usually 1–2 weeks depending on implant size and occupation
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Long-term settling:
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Subfascial implants: sit in their final position immediately
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Under-the-muscle implants: require a settling period for the implants to “drop” over 3–12 months
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Ibuprofen is the primary pain reliever; narcotics are rarely needed thanks to Dr. Cabbabe’s multimodal pain-control strategy.
Breast Augmentation Pricing
The cost of breast augmentation varies for each patient based on:
- Implant type (silicone vs. saline, Motiva vs. traditional)
- Desired implant cohesivity (soft vs. highly cohesive)
- Need for a breast lift, dermal matrix, or mesh support
- Surgical facility and anesthesia fees
Because every procedure is customized, a personalized price quote is provided during your consultation after a full evaluation of your anatomy and goals. Financing options are available to help make surgery accessible.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to improve the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts using either breast implants or fat transfer. The procedure is customized to each patient’s anatomy and goals. Some patients may also benefit from a breast lift at the time of surgery to improve breast position and shape.
How do I know if I need a breast lift with implants?
If your nipples are in a good position and you mainly want more volume, implants alone may be enough. If your nipples sit lower on the breast or you have loose skin, a breast lift may be recommended along with implants to improve the overall shape and position of the breast. The decision depends on your anatomy and the look you are trying to achieve.
What types of breast implants are available?
The most common implants used today are silicone gel implants and saline implants, although silicone implants are more commonly used because they tend to feel more natural.
We have access to implants from all major manufacturers, including Motiva, Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra.
Each manufacturer produces different types of silicone implants, including more cohesive silicone implants (firmer, hold shape more) and less cohesive silicone implants (softer, more natural feel). Implants also come in different widths, heights, and projections to fit different body types.
Some implants are smooth and some are textured. It is important to note that we do not use macro-textured implants. Macro-textured implants have been associated with a rare condition called BIA-ALCL.
We do utilize micro-textured implants such as Motiva implants, which have not been associated with BIA-ALCL, similar to smooth implants. One of the benefits of micro-textured implants is that they can be placed above the muscle with low rates of capsular contracture compared to smooth implants, while still allowing for good implant stability and long-term shape.
The most important part of breast augmentation surgery is not the brand name of the implant, but choosing the correct implant dimensions, cohesiveness, implant surface, and implant position based on your anatomy and goals.
Are breast implants safe?
Yes. Breast implants are FDA-approved and have been studied for many years. Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries and has a very high satisfaction rate.
Like any medical device, implants are not lifetime devices and may require revision surgery at some point in the future.
What is BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL stands for Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. It is a rare type of lymphoma that has been associated primarily with macro-textured breast implants.
Symptoms may include swelling around the implant, fluid collection, breast enlargement, firmness, or a mass around the implant.
It is important to understand that this condition is rare and is primarily associated with macro-textured implants, which we do not use.
What is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?
Breast Implant Illness is a term used by some patients to describe a group of symptoms they believe are related to their breast implants. These symptoms may include fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, hair loss, anxiety, autoimmune-type symptoms, rashes, and general inflammation.
Breast Implant Illness is not currently a recognized medical diagnosis, and there is no specific test to diagnose it. However, some patients report improvement in symptoms after implant removal.
If a patient is concerned that their implants may be causing symptoms, we perform a thorough evaluation and often recommend ruling out other medical causes first. In some patients, implant removal or implant exchange may be considered, but symptom improvement cannot be guaranteed.
It is important for patients to keep an open mind, as sometimes symptoms may be related to implant size, implant position, capsular contracture, or other medical conditions rather than the implant itself.
Can I use my own fat instead of implants?
Yes, fat transfer breast augmentation uses liposuction to remove fat from other areas of your body and transfer it to the breasts. This can be a good option for patients who want a modest increase in size and prefer to avoid implants.
However, it is important to understand that fat transfer does not change the shape of the breast the same way an implant does. Implants can create upper pole fullness and a rounder shape, while fat transfer primarily provides a modest increase in volume.
Fat transfer also requires liposuction and body contouring, which makes it a more involved procedure than breast augmentation with implants alone. This means patients must have enough fat available for transfer and must be willing to undergo liposuction as part of the procedure.
In some cases, fat transfer can be used in combination with implants to improve contour and create a more natural transition.
Where are the incisions placed?
How long is recovery after breast augmentation?
Recovery after a boob job depends in part on whether the implants are placed above or below the muscle.
When implants are placed above the muscle, recovery is typically much easier. Most patients have less pain, faster recovery, and the implants settle into position almost immediately. Many patients can return to exercise in about two weeks, depending on the type of activity.
When implants are placed below the muscle, recovery can be more uncomfortable and activity restrictions may last a bit longer because the muscle is involved.
Regardless of implant position, most patients return to light activity within a few days and back to work within about a week.
Will I lose sensation in my nipples after breast augmentation?
Will my breast implants look natural?
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants do not have a specific expiration date, but most manufacturers estimate that implants last approximately 15 years on average. This is an average, not a rule, and it does not mean implants need to be replaced every 10–15 years unless there is a problem.
Many patients have implants that last much longer than 15 years without issues. Implants typically only need to be replaced if there is rupture, capsular contracture, implant malposition, a desire to change size, or changes in the breast due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes.
Today’s implants are made of highly cohesive silicone gel, which means they tend to hold their shape even if a rupture occurs. Because of this, some ruptures are silent, meaning you may not notice a change right away.
For that reason, we recommend screening ultrasound beginning a few years after surgery, which we can perform in our office to monitor the implants over time. Implant replacement is based on symptoms or findings, not simply based on how many years it has been.
Do breast implants come with a warranty?
Yes. Almost all breast implants come with some type of lifetime warranty for implant rupture from the manufacturer. Most manufacturers also offer a capsular contracture warranty, which may provide financial assistance for implant replacement and sometimes partial coverage of surgical costs if reoperation is required within a certain time period.
Warranty details vary by manufacturer, and we will review the specific warranty associated with your implants at the time of surgery.
Do I need to replace my breast implants every 10 years?
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
Many women are able to breastfeed after breast augmentation, depending on the surgical technique and implant placement.
What size implant should I choose?
Do I need high profile, moderate profile, or low profile implants?
What if I don’t want to be much bigger, but I want the shape of an implant?
Some patients want improved shape and upper fullness but do not want to be significantly larger. Dr. Cabbabe uses a unique technique where the breast is made smaller first and then an implant is placed to improve shape and upper fullness without making the breast too large. This technique does not involve any additional scars beyond what would typically be used for a standard breast augmentation or breast lift, depending on what is needed for your anatomy. The goal in these patients is shape improvement, not just size increase.
Is it better to place implants above the muscle or below the muscle?
Are all above-the-muscle breast augmentation techniques the same?
Do I need mesh with breast augmentation?
What is PRESERVE breast augmentation? Is awake breast augmentation better?
PRESERVE is a technique marketed as a minimally invasive breast augmentation performed through very small incisions with small implants, often with the patient awake under conscious sedation.
With the PRESERVE technique, a balloon device is used to create the implant pocket instead of surgical instruments, and this is done without directly visualizing the pocket, meaning the pocket is created blindly rather than under direct surgical control.
This technique is limited to small implants (typically under 200 cc) and is often more expensive than a standard breast augmentation performed under general anesthesia because of the additional specialized equipment required.
Conscious sedation involves giving patients pain medication and medication for anxiety. These medications can suppress breathing, which creates a risk that a patient can stop breathing during the procedure. If an anesthesiologist is not present and a patient stops breathing, emergency services (911) must be called due to airway risks.
We use tissue-preserving techniques in all augmentations, and for most patients, standard breast augmentation is safer because it allows better control of bleeding, allows for a wider range of implant sizes, allows the implant to be placed in the subfascial plane instead of subglandular, and is more predictable overall with long-term results.
Why Choose Dr. Samer Cabbabe
Patients travel from across the U.S. and internationally to St. Louis to benefit from Dr. Cabbabe’s unique skill set.
- Nationally recognized breast augmentation expert with thousands of successful implant surgeries
- 15+ years of complex breast reconstruction and revision experience, giving him unparalleled skill with challenging primary and revision cases
- Independent access to all major implant manufacturers—Motiva, Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra—with no financial ties, allowing truly unbiased implant selection
- Ability to use human or pig skin (acellular dermal matrix) to thicken tissue and reduce rippling when needed
- Offers different silicone implant options for either a natural look or a rounder, more “implant” look
- Uses implant sizing combined with expert consultation and patient preferences to determine the most accurate, personalized implant size and shape
- Offers in-office screening ultrasounds to monitor implants for silent rupture, providing convenient long-term safety
- Uses only FDA-approved implants with lifetime warranties
- International speaker at ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS meetings, teaching advanced breast and body-contouring techniques
- Known for natural, balanced results and a compassionate, personalized approach
Paxtyn Schrimpf
After years of lacking confidence and being uncomfortable, I finally found Dr. Cabbabe through a family friend. He preformed a breast augmentation on me just over a month ago, and since then I have never been happier. Dr. Cabbabe and his staff have given so many women a new found confidence. From the consultation, to the day of surgery, I had full confidence that he would provide me with exactly what I wanted. If you are looking for a new found confidence and are interested in this procedure, Dr. Cabbabe is the one for you! So much love for Dr. Cabbabe and his team!!
Taylor Nugent
Girl, call their office! Seriously! Now! I had a bilateral breast augmentation done 11/25 and Dr. Cabbabe and his staff were seriously out of this freaking world! They were prompt, very transparent about the procedure and my options, and were very body-positive and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with what I chose. I went from a VERY small A cup to a D and the consult, procedure, healing & post-op visits have gone so smoothly. Dr. Cabbabe is easy to talk to, laid back, understanding & brings his top-tier knowledge and techniques to the table when you discuss your plastic surgery journey with him. It went so smoothly & I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’m so grateful for him and his office!
Kelsey Caputa
Dr. Cabbabe is honestly the BEST! He is an amazing surgeon and definitely knows what he is doing! I’m 11 days post op from a Tummy tuck with Lipo and breast augmentation and breast lift and the results are amazing!
Dr. Cabbabe was always available if I had any questions or concerns. Also the girls in the office are too notch!
Thank you for not only giving me an amazing body, but for giving me my confidence back!!
You truly are an amazing surgeon and person!
Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
If you’re considering breast augmentation in St. Louis, trust your care to Dr. Samer Cabbabe, a surgeon known for natural results, rapid recovery, and the lowest complication rates.
Call Cabbabe Plastic Surgery at (314) 842−5885 or request a consultation online to begin your personalized breast enhancement journey.
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