What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a medical procedure for increasing the size and shape of the breasts using implants placed through small, discreet incisions. These implants usually contain either a sterile saltwater solution (saline) or a cohesive silicone gel. Sometimes a woman’s own fat can be used for a very modest size increase. It is technically called augmentation mammoplasty, and colloquially called a “boob job.”

Breast Augmentation
Before & After Photos

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Benefits of Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can do much more than increase cup size. Many patients report feeling more self-assured and comfortable in their own skin.

Benefits may include:

  • Restored breast volume after weight loss, aging, or pregnancy
  • Improved symmetry between breasts
  • Enhanced body proportions and silhouette
  • Expanded clothing options and improved fit
  • A boost in confidence and personal satisfaction

Dr. Luke Curtsinger provides breast augmentation results that look natural and align with your ideal vision.

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Are You a Good Candidate?

Dr. Curtsinger will help determine whether breast augmentation is the right choice for you during your consultation.

In general, ideal candidates:

  • Are in good overall health and are a nonsmoker
  • Feel dissatisfied with their breast size, shape, or symmetry
  • Are at a stable weight
  • Have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve

Breast augmentation can be performed independently or combined with other procedures, such as a breast lift or tummy tuck, for more comprehensive body contouring. Sometimes these are combined in a comprehensive procedure called a mommy makeover.

Breast Augmentation Options 

Choosing the right implant and surgical approach is one of the most important aspects of planning your procedure. Dr. Curtsinger will guide you through each option so you feel confident about your decisions. 

Key choices include: 

  • Implant type: Dr. Curtsinger offers a wide range of silicone and saline breast implant options, including Motiva®, MENTOR®, and Allergan Aesthetics, so your recommendation is based on your anatomy, goals, and preferred look and feel—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Implant placement: Implants may be placed behind the chest muscle (submuscular), the top portion of the implant under the chest muscle and the the lower portion under the breast tissue (dual-plane submuscular), directly behind the breast tissue and in front of the chest muscle (subglandular), or beneath the fascia that covers the chest muscle (subfascial). Each option affects the look and feel of your results and your recovery. 
  • Incision location: Common choices include inframammary (in the fold under the breast), periareolar (around the areola), or transaxillary (in the armpit). Dr. Curtsinger will help determine the best option based on your goals, anatomy, and implant type. 

These decisions are highly personal, and Dr. Curtsinger takes the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and recommend a plan that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. He selects implants after rigorous preoperative planning that includes taking precise base-width measurements, careful implant sizer evaluation, and an evidence-based decision-making process that treats sizing as both an art and a measurable science.

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The Preservé® Breast Augmentation Technique 

Preservé is an innovative approach to breast augmentation that emphasizes preserving the breast’s natural anatomy whenever possible. Sometimes referred to as preservation breast augmentation, the minimally invasive technique places Motiva breast implants while minimizing disruption to healthy tissues creating beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Curtsinger was the first plastic surgeon to offer Motiva implants and the Preservé technique in the Savannah, GA, and Bluffton, SC, areas, giving his patients access to some of the newest developments in aesthetic breast surgery.

In addition to its compatibility with Motiva breast implants, the Preservé technique incorporates several surgical innovations that can enhance both the patient experience and the final result:

  • Implant placement: The implant is positioned above the chest muscle using a precise, tissue-preserving approach that minimizes disruption to the breast’s natural support structures while providing stable, attractive results.
  • Smaller incisions: Dr. Curtsinger makes incisions in the breast crease that minimize visible scarring while providing the access needed for precise implant placement. This makes it best suited for women seeking smaller volume enhancement, such as “ballerina breasts” or “yoga boobs.”
  • Expanded anesthesia options: Depending on your needs and treatment plan, Preservé offers greater flexibility in anesthesia, such as local anesthesia with mild sedation instead of general anesthesia.
  • Preservation of natural tissue, function, and sensation: By minimizing unnecessary disruption to breast tissue, ligaments, nerves, and other supporting structures, the Preservé technique preserves the breast’s natural movement, functionality, and sensation.

The technique results in a safer, more efficient recovery while minimizing the risk of complications. Combined with Dr. Curtsinger’s decades of experience and personalized approach, it represents one of the most advanced options available for women considering breast augmentation.

See Your Possibilities With Mentor’s Free Breast Implant Simulator

If you are still narrowing down your goals, Mentor’s simulator can be a helpful first step. Use the free MENTOR™ Breast Implant Simulator to preview different possibilities, then bring your questions and preferences to your consultation with Dr. Curtsinger.

What Patients Are Saying

Our patients describe their experiences and life-changing results.

quote I was treated so nicely by the staff and Dr. Curtsinger. No waiting and all my questions were answered.
quote Incredible staff. Super friendly and very knowledgeable.
quote I had my breast augmentation with Dr. Curtsinger using the Motiva Preserve technique, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience! He and his entire staff made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the whole process. My recovery has been much easier than I expected, and I’m already so happy...
quote I Had a Great Experience! I had my breast augmentation with Dr. Curtsinger using the Motiva Preserve technique, and I couldn't be happier with my experience! He and his entire staff made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the whole process. My recovery has been much easier than I expected,...
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What To Expect Before & During Surgery

You’ll begin with a thorough consultation and preoperative plan customized to your goals and anatomy. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

  • Before surgery: You’ll meet with Dr. Curtsinger to review your aesthetic goals, discuss implant choices, and review essential details such as sizing, placement, and incision location. You’ll receive pre-op instructions to follow leading up to your surgery.
  • During surgery: Dr. Curtsinger performs this procedure under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility, usually as an outpatient surgery. After making the incisions, he creates a pocket for each implant using a rigorous protocol that includes hypochlorous acid irrigation to reduce bacteria and biofilm and then inserts the implants. The incisions are then carefully closed to support proper healing and a smooth result. Most procedures take about an hour.
  • Immediately after surgery: You’ll spend some time in a recovery suite before being discharged to go home with a responsible adult. You’ll wear a surgical bra and receive detailed instructions for a smooth recovery.

Dr. Curtsinger will personally check in with you after surgery to assess your progress before you are released to return home.

Luke J. Curtsinger III, M.D.

Dr. Luke Curtsinger is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of focused experience in breast enhancement and body contouring surgery. He has performed well over 20,000 surgeries for patients from Savannah, Bluffton, Brunswick, Hinesville, and the surrounding area.

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Dr. Curtsinger
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Breast Augmentation
Recovery & Results

Recovery varies from person to person, but most patients find breast augmentation recovery to be manageable and straightforward.

Here’s what you can generally expect:

Week 1: Expect some swelling, tightness, and soreness in the chest. Medication and rest will help you stay comfortable. Avoid lifting, reaching, or strenuous activity.

Weeks 2 to 3: Most patients return to desk work and light activity. You’ll continue wearing a supportive bra and gradually increase your range of motion.

Weeks 4 to 6: Swelling continues to decrease, and your implants begin to “settle” into a more natural position. Dr. Curtsinger may clear you to resume more active routines.

After 2 to 3 months: Final results continue to refine, and you’ll begin to see your long-term outcome take shape.

With the proper support and guidance, many patients find the recovery period surprisingly smooth and the results well worth it.

Request Your Consultation

Schedule Your Consultation

You can request a consultation using the online form or call us at (912) 503-2738 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Luke Curtsinger today.

Breast Augmentation FAQ

Above the Muscle or Below the Muscle?

Historically, studies have shown that placing implants above the muscle results in a capsular contracture rate roughly three times higher than placement below the muscle. As a result, most implants have traditionally been placed beneath the muscle. While textured implants were once used to reduce the contracture risk above the muscle, certain aggressively textured models were linked to a rare cancer called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and were subsequently withdrawn from the market. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of ALCL with smooth-walled implants, which are now the most commonly used.

Motiva implants, which entered the U.S. market in 2024, are classified by the FDA as smooth-walled devices, yet feature a unique micro-textured surface. In 14 years of global use, they have had zero reported cases of ALCL. They also appear to significantly reduce the risk of capsular contracture—down to about 0.5%—comparable to rates seen with submuscular placement. This advancement gives patients the option to consider either placement: above or below the muscle.

Which Incision Is Better for Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Curtsinger prefers the inframammary approach because of its documented safety advantage, a significantly lower risk—2 to 3 times less—of capsular contracture. However, he performs all standard approaches for breast augmentation, including inframammary, transaxillary, periareolar, and transumbilical.

Do I Need an ‘Internal Bra’?

Several types of internal support or “scaffolding” have been developed to help maintain implant position and prevent stretching or sagging over time (often referred to as “bottoming out”). In Dr. Curtsinger’s practice, the most effective option to date has been GalaFLEX® mesh, which is used to support the lower breast pole and reinforce the breast envelope. This mesh is especially beneficial in revision procedures or when additional long-term support is desired.

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Luke Curtsinger on September 28th, 2026.

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