Breast Augmentation in Tampa

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular surgeries performed at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, Florida. Our highly skilled cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Joseph Castellano and Dr. Mindi Giglio, have decades of experience between them performing breast augmentations in Tampa and the surrounding areas. Our practice has performed more than 4,000 breast augmentations, and every procedure is planned around the patient’s own anatomy, lifestyle and goals.

Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammaplasty or breast enlargement, uses saline or silicone breast implants to increase the size, fullness and projection of the breasts. There are many reasons why women consider breast enlargement, including changes in breast size due to weight loss or pregnancy, or wanting to create a more proportionate figure in line with their natural body frame. Women may also choose breast augmentation to create symmetry in uneven breasts, to restore upper breast fullness lost after breastfeeding, or to simply achieve a larger cup size and a curvier, more feminine figure.

No matter the reasons you may be considering breast augmentation, our team is happy to help walk you through every step of the way, from your consultation to your final follow-up appointment. Surgery is performed at our South Tampa surgery center on S. MacDill Avenue, so your consultation, procedure and follow-up visits all take place in one familiar location.

Use this guide as an overview of what you can expect before, during and after getting breast implants, including implant types, sizing, placement, incisions, cost and recovery. If you are ready to discuss the specifics of your procedure with one of our sought-after Tampa cosmetic surgeons, request a consultation to take the first step of your breast augmentation journey.

The best candidates for breast implants will be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations about the results of their procedure. Other factors to take into consideration include your typical level of physical activity, whether you plan to become pregnant in the near future and whether you may want to breastfeed following your procedure. Discuss these and other goals with your cosmetic surgeon during your consultation to determine if breast implants could be right for you.

You may be a good candidate for breast augmentation in Tampa if you:

• Feel your breasts are too small for your body frame
• Have lost breast volume or upper breast fullness after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss
• Have breasts that are noticeably different in size or shape
• Are at a stable weight and do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after surgery
• Meet the FDA age guidelines: 18 or older for saline implants and 22 or older for silicone implants

Breast implants add volume, but they do not lift sagging breasts on their own. If your nipples sit low on the breast or your skin has stretched, your surgeon may recommend a breast augmentation with lift to raise and reshape the breasts while adding fullness.

A breast augmentation first requires a consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons. During this initial appointment, your cosmetic surgeon will discuss your goals and ideal results, as well as your breast augmentation options. Since most patients think of implants in terms of cup size, while surgeons refer to implants by their volume, or CCs, it’s important to make sure you are on the same page during this initial consult.

Some patients may bring in photos showing their ideal silhouette as a reference. This can help your cosmetic surgeon understand what you want to achieve. You’ll also discuss what type of implants you would like. If you are unsure, your cosmetic surgeon will explain the differences between saline and silicone gel and help you make the best decision based on your needs.

The breast augmentation procedure itself will take about an hour to complete, excluding the pre-surgical preparation time and the postoperative recovery. Incision size and placement varies depending on the size and type of implant used, as well as the placement technique. Every effort is made to minimize scarring, and incisions are usually placed where they will disappear within the natural contours of the breast after healing.

Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, which means you go home the same day with a responsible adult to drive you. Most patients take about a week off work, return to light activity within the first week or two, and see their implants settle into their final position over the following months.

At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, we specialize in breast enhancement procedures designed to help you look and feel your best. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care and achieving natural-looking results tailored to your unique goals.

Our lead cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Castellano, has been helping women in Tampa and beyond achieve their breast enhancement goals while maintaining a natural look and feel. Dr. Castellano is a member of several prestigious medical associations, including the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, the American Medical Association and others.

The extensive experience and dedication to excellence of both of our cosmetic surgeons ensure that you receive the highest standard of care in a state-of-the-art facility designed with your safety and comfort in mind.

Patients choose our practice for breast augmentation in Tampa for several reasons:

• Volume of experience. Our surgeons have performed more than 4,000 breast augmentations and more than 1,500 mommy makeovers.
• Two surgeons, one team. You can meet with Dr. Castellano or Dr. Giglio, and both follow the same proportion-first approach to implant selection.
• On-site surgery center. Your procedure takes place in our own Tampa surgery center, the same building where you have your consultation and follow-up visits.
• Clear pricing. We publish starting prices on our pricing page and give you a written, personalized quote at your consultation.
• Real patient results. You can review our before and after gallery and patient reviews before you book.

When you meet with your cosmetic surgeon to discuss the details of your breast enhancement, you will find that there are several options to select to customize your procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss the two main breast implant types, breast implant sizing and placement and incision techniques. Each choice affects how your breasts look and feel, how long recovery takes and where your scars sit, so your surgeon will explain how the options work together for your body.

The two main types of breast implants are silicone and saline. There are benefits and drawbacks to each, though silicone remains a popular option among many of our patients. Both types have an outer shell made of silicone, and both come in a range of sizes, profiles and surface textures.

• Silicone breast implants are made of a silicone shell, filled with cohesive silicone gel. This gel tends to look and feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants, making them a popular choice. Women who have little natural breast tissue often opt for silicone implants, since saline implants can sometimes create a rippling effect on the skin. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for cosmetic use in women ages 22 and older. Because silicone implants arrive pre-filled, they usually require a slightly longer incision than saline implants.
• Gummy bear implants, also called form-stable or highly cohesive silicone implants, are a type of silicone implant filled with a firmer gel that holds its shape. Many are teardrop shaped, with more fullness at the bottom of the implant than the top, for a gradual upper slope. Learn more in our article on the benefits of gummy bear breast implants.
• Saline breast implants are made of a silicone shell and filled with saline, a sterile salt water solution. Saline implants are available to women 18 and older. Saline implants may not yield as natural-looking results as silicone implants, but do offer their own set of advantages. One benefit is that saline implants can be inserted into the chest while they are empty, then filled afterward. This allows your cosmetic surgeon to adjust the size of the implants during the procedure and use a smaller incision. Women who already have a substantial amount of breast tissue may prefer to use saline implants, since the natural tissue present will help to conceal the appearance of the implant. If a saline implant leaks, it deflates and the body absorbs the salt water, so a rupture is usually easy to notice.

Many women also have questions about whether saline or silicone is safer. The answer is that there is nothing to indicate that one type of implant poses any particular risk above and beyond the other. Therefore, silicone and saline breast implants are considered to be equally safe.

Both implant types are FDA-regulated medical devices, and neither is a lifetime device. The FDA requires every patient to review a Patient Decision Checklist that explains the known risks before surgery, and your surgeon will go over it with you. Because a silicone implant can leak without causing symptoms, the FDA recommends an ultrasound or MRI 5 to 6 years after silicone implant surgery and every 2 to 3 years after that. You can read more about risks and complications of breast implants, including capsular contracture and BIA-ALCL, on the FDA’s website.

Many factors go into choosing the best breast implant size and profile for your body type and goals. We recommend thinking in terms of proportion rather than size when considering how big your implants should be.

Keep in mind that breast implants are not measured in cup sizes, but rather cubic centimeters (CCs) of volume. Cup size measurements are not consistent across brands and types of bras. Therefore, this is not an accurate way of determining sizes for implants. During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will help you translate the cup size you are looking for into the right volume of implant to help you achieve your goals while still remaining in balance with your natural body proportions. Many patients find it helpful to try on sizers in a fitted top during the consultation, and our article on test driving breast implant sizes explains how to do this at home.

Another aspect of breast implant sizing that many women find surprising is that the same size that looks great on someone else might not look right on their body. Many factors come into play when determining the exact implant size that would work best for you:

• The dimensions of your chest area. The size of your chest wall and the diameter of your breasts will be a major factor in what size of implants could be comfortably and attractively accommodated. Your surgeon measures the width of each breast so the implant base fits within it.
• Your height, weight and general body type. A petite woman with 350 cc implants might look totally different than a tall, curvier woman with 350 cc implants.
• The amount of existing breast tissue you have. How much breast tissue you start out with makes a difference, too. Women with very little are usually advised not to go too big, since this can make the skin appear stretched, and too-large implants can look very obvious.
• Your personal tastes. Of course, much of the decision comes down to what you like. Some women want a very subtle, natural look while others prefer something much more dramatic.
• Your lifestyle. When thinking about size, imagine how your implants might affect your daily activities. For example, a very active and athletic person may want to avoid getting overly large implants that could interfere with high-intensity exercise.

Finally, you will need to consider the profile or projection of your implants. This is how far your implants will protrude from your chest. There are four options when it comes to breast implant profiles:

• Moderate
• Moderate Plus
• High Profile
• Ultra-High Profile

The profile you choose will affect the way your final results look. For the subtlest look, you’d want to select a moderate profile implant. Ultra-high profile implants are at the other end of the spectrum. The most popular and commonly used type is Moderate Plus. Two implants with the same volume can look very different depending on profile: a higher profile implant has a narrower base and projects farther forward, which can suit women with a narrow chest who want more fullness without a wider implant.

You’ve probably heard that breast implants can be placed either above or below the muscles in your chest, and you may have heard arguments about why one is a better option than the other. In truth, the best placement method depends on several factors, including your natural anatomy, your lifestyle and your aesthetic preferences.

• For submuscular placement, implants are placed under the pectoral muscles. This is often the preferred placement for saline implants and for women who are thin and have smaller amounts of natural breast tissue. This is because the muscles help to camouflage the implant, creating a more natural look. The chance of breast implant rippling is also reduced with under-the-muscle implant placement. Because the muscle is stretched, implants placed under the muscle often sit high and feel tight at first, then settle lower over the following months.
• For subglandular placement, implants are placed above the pectoral muscle and underneath the breast gland. This placement method tends to be ideal for silicone implants and for women who have substantial existing breast tissue. Athletic women getting implants may prefer subglandular placement, since the chest muscles are not disturbed and healing time is faster.
• Split muscle placement offers a combination of submuscular and subglandular implant placement. As the name indicates, split muscle placement is when the implant is inserted partially under and partially over the pectoral muscle. The top half of the implant sits under the muscle, while the bottom half does not. This can allow for greater projection than full submuscular placement, and can help you achieve a “perky” look. This is also an attractive option for athletes, giving them more natural-looking results than subglandular placement would without having to opt for a full submuscular placement.

Your surgeon will recommend a placement after examining how much breast tissue covers the upper chest, how active you are and what shape you want, and will explain how that placement affects your recovery timeline.

Your cosmetic surgeon will need to make incisions through which your breast implants are inserted. The placement of these incisions will depend on the type of implant you choose, as well as your personal preferences. The two most common breast implant incision techniques are:

• Periareolar incision. This is the preferred incision placement at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center. The periareolar incision is made along the bottom of the areola, leaving the smallest scar possible. This incision can heal up so well that it can sometimes be nearly invisible after surgery. Choosing a cosmetic surgeon with a high level of technical skill is critical in ensuring the best results from a periareolar incision. Because this incision is close to the milk ducts, let your surgeon know if breastfeeding in the future is important to you.
• Inframammary incision. For this technique, the incision is placed in the natural crease below your breast. This gives your cosmetic surgeon the most access to the breast pocket, and therefore also a great deal of control when it comes to exact placement. The scar sits in the fold under the breast, where it is usually covered by a bra or swimsuit top.

A far less common incision method is the transaxillary incision. This incision is made through the armpit, leaving no visible scarring on the breast. However, this technique is only used in certain cases, as it limits your cosmetic surgeon’s access to the breast pocket, which can hinder precision.

Whichever incision you choose, scars continue to fade and flatten for many months after surgery. Following your scar care instructions and keeping new scars out of direct sun helps them heal as discreetly as possible.

For most women, breast augmentation / implant cost is as individualized as the procedure itself, because several different factors are taken into consideration when determining a specific fee quote. At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery in Florida, the cost for breast augmentation differs for saline vs. silicone breast implants, along with many other considerations. Total breast augmentation price also varies depending on whether other procedures are included and the complexity of the surgery, as well as other technical aspects of your procedure. Breast augmentation in Tampa at our practice starts at $7,400. Your cost will include:

• Surgical fee
• Breast implant cost
• The cost of the surgical facility
• Charges related to anesthesia
• Initial consultation, pre-surgery evaluation appointment(s) and your follow-up care

Because breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons is an elective procedure, it is typically not covered by health insurance. When you compare quotes from different practices, check whether each one includes the implants, facility, anesthesia and follow-up care, since a lower advertised price sometimes leaves these out.

While augmentation is a personal decision that’s based on many different factors, including financial cost, enhancing your breast size also offers the lifelong benefit of feeling more positive about your self-image.

Castellano Cosmetic Surgery offers several flexible payment choices for your breast augmentation costs in Florida:

• Cash, personal check, cashier’s check or money order
• All major credit cards, including Discover and American Express
• Financing options through CareCredit® and Cherry payment plans

If you’re considering implants but have concerns about whether the procedure may be financially possible for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us online today. With today’s financing options, you may be surprised at just how affordable your breast augmentation can be. Learn more on our cosmetic surgery financing page.

Your initial consultation is arguably the most important part of ensuring that you see the best possible results from your breast augmentation. During your consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your procedure in very specific detail, including your hopes and expectations for your surgery. Your surgeon will also review your medical history, examine and measure your breasts and chest, and talk through any medications or supplements you take.

There are a number of topics that your surgeon will typically cover during your consultation:

• Your Candidacy: Although breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures, not every woman is a candidate for implants.
• Your Goals: Your surgeon will help you understand how to achieve your ideal look with breast implants, including picking the right implant size. This can be confusing for many women, as they tend to think of implants in terms of bra size, while implants are measured by volume.
• Your Preferences: There are many personal decisions that need to be made before your breast enlargement, such as the breast implant options you prefer (saline or silicone) as well as the size, shape and profile of your implants. Additionally, your surgeon will go over your choices for incision placement and whether your implants should be placed over or under the chest muscles.
• Additional Procedures: For some women, breast augmentation performed on its own may not meet their expectations for surgery. Your surgeon may recommend combining a breast augmentation with lift, or suggest performing a breast lift instead of augmentation. Women who are interested in a mommy makeover may discuss breast enhancement with your surgeon in the context of their other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction.
• Risks and Safety: Your surgeon will review the FDA Patient Decision Checklist with you, explain possible complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture and changes in nipple sensation, and answer your questions about long-term implant care.
• Breast Augmentation Costs: Pricing for breast augmentation depends on your personalized treatment plan (technique, anesthesia, and whether procedures are combined). For current starting points, see our Pricing page. You’ll receive a written, personalized quote at your consultation. You’ll also receive information on cosmetic surgery financing that can help make your breast augmentation even more affordable.
• Your Timeline: Although you can take as much time as you like to make a final decision, many women choose a date for surgery during their consultation. Our staff will go over your surgery schedule in more detail with you, including scheduling specific times along with any necessary pre-op appointments or follow-ups.

Since every woman is different, the scope of each consultation can vary as well. However, you can expect to leave your consultation feeling much more prepared about what to expect from your own procedure and results, as well as more informed about breast augmentation in general. It helps to bring a short list of questions and a few photos of results you like, so your surgeon can see the look you have in mind.

A little preparation can go a long way toward helping you have a quick and comfortable recovery after breast augmentation. During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will go over in detail how to prepare for your upcoming procedure. However, it can be helpful to have some general tips in mind prior to your appointment. Below is Dr. Castellano’s general advice for breast augmentation preparation:

• Stop smoking and nicotine. Your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking and using nicotine products for several weeks before and after surgery, since nicotine slows healing.
• Review your medications. Tell your surgeon about every medication, vitamin and supplement you take. Some, such as blood thinners and certain supplements, may need to be paused before surgery, but only stop a prescribed medication with your doctor’s guidance.
• Grocery shop and plan meals. Make and freeze some meals ahead of time or make arrangements to have someone help with the cooking while you recuperate.
• Stock up on essentials. Make a list of everything you might need in the first week or so of recovery so you don’t have to worry about arranging for someone to run to the store for you. This might include bandages, ice packs, lip balm, tissues, books, magazines and other entertainment.
• Fill prescriptions in advance. While you’re running errands before your procedure, get your prescriptions filled so you don’t have to worry about doing this afterwards.
• Get cleaning and chores done. Create a safe and pleasant atmosphere for your recovery by cleaning and organizing your house ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty of clean sheets, blankets, pillows and comfortable clothing. Front-closing tops and button-down shirts are easier to put on while your arm movement is limited.
• Set up a recovery space. Extra pillows or a wedge help you rest with your upper body elevated, and keeping essentials within easy reach means less lifting and reaching overhead.
• Clear your calendar. Put in for time off work well ahead of your surgery and cancel or reschedule any appointments or obligations that fall during your recovery period.
• Arrange for childcare if needed. If you have kids, particularly younger ones, it’s important to make arrangements for someone to help care for them in the first week or so of your recovery, since you will not be able to lift them.
• Arrange a ride. Plan for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, around 300,000 women in the U.S. have breast augmentation surgery each year. It is a popular and highly safe surgical procedure, but like all surgeries, it is not without some risks.

While complications are unlikely, they may include infection, negative reaction to the anesthesia, and loss of sensation in the nipples or other areas of the breast. One of the biggest concerns about complications is the risk of capsular contracture. Our surgeons use the latest techniques to minimize risk of capsular contracture occurring, including the use of the Keller funnel to maintain implant sterility during placement.

Prior to surgery, your surgeon will review all risks and complications information with you so that you make an informed decision about choosing breast augmentation.

The initial recovery from your breast augmentation will take about a week, although it may be longer before the swelling dissipates enough to reveal your final breast shape. Most women do feel some discomfort at first, although the amount will vary. Everyone’s body handles surgery differently. However, most patients find they can resume a low-impact routine within the first week. Exercise and other vigorous activity needs to wait a little longer.

While everyone’s recovery timeline will vary slightly, here is a general breast augmentation recovery and results timeline to help you know what to expect:

Day 1

You will need a ride home from surgery, since you will still be under some of the effects of anesthesia used during your procedure. Someone should stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Expect to simply rest and relax once you get home, taking pain medications as needed to help keep you comfortable.

Days 2 – 7 

In the first week after getting breast implants, expect to experience swelling and some discomfort. At this point, you will likely want to continue taking pain medication to help keep you comfortable. Your cosmetic surgeon will ask that you wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and aid in the healing process, and you won’t be able to drive or do much around the house. Take this time to rest and let your body relax and heal. 

That said, while you can’t exercise much during the early stages of recovery, it is important to periodically get up and walk around the house to promote healthy circulation.

Days 7 – 14 

You will probably be able to return to work at this point, depending on how physically demanding your job is. You will still have some activity restrictions, but can begin to gradually get back to your normal routine with the guidance of your cosmetic surgeon.

Days 14 – 30

During weeks 3 and 4, you should be able to do some light exercise. You will still need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous workouts, however. Your breasts will probably still seem tight and look like they sit too high on your chest. This is totally normal and should gradually resolve as you continue to heal.

6 Weeks and Beyond

By this point in your breast augmentation recovery process, the swelling will likely have gone down significantly and your incisions should start to look better. Wait for the go-ahead from your cosmetic surgeon before getting back into vigorous exercise. It can take 3 to 6 months before your implants drop and settle into place, at which point you will be able to enjoy your final results.

Choosing to alter your shape isn’t necessarily a big change. For many, it’s about bringing back balance to feel more like themselves again. The method is just as important as the result when having a breast augmentation.

Castellano Cosmetic Surgery in Tampa strives to create results that are natural in appearance and proportion. First off, we need to talk, not act. Your likes, your lifestyle and your body structure will determine the final plan.