Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that uses breast implants to increase volume, improve symmetry, or restore fullness after pregnancy or weight loss. At Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gerard C. Mosiello performs breast augmentation in Tampa, FL, with personalized implant selection and surgical planning. Whether you’re considering a subtle enhancement or a more noticeable change, the goal is to create results that complement your natural proportions.
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What Is Breast Augmentation?
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Breast augmentation is surgery that enhances the size and shape of the breasts using saline or silicone implants. It can add fullness, improve differences in breast size, and create proportions that feel more balanced with the rest of your figure.
Some women have always wanted fuller breasts. Others notice that pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, or significant weight loss has changed their shape. There’s no single reason to consider breast augmentation, and there’s certainly no one-size-fits-all result.
What Can Breast Augmentation Improve?
Depending on your anatomy and goals, breast augmentation may help:
- Increase breast volume: Add fullness while maintaining proportions that suit your body.
- Improve breast symmetry: Address noticeable differences in breast size.
- Restore lost fullness: Replenish volume following pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes.
- Enhance body proportions: Create a more balanced relationship between the breasts, waist, and hips.
- Refine breast shape: Improve overall contour through appropriate implant selection and placement.
It’s important to know that implants primarily add volume. If significant sagging or a low nipple position is your main concern, Dr. Mosiello may recommend a breast lift with or without implants.
Breast Implant Options: Saline vs. Silicone
Choosing between saline and silicone breast implants depends on the look and feel you prefer, your anatomy, and your surgical goals. Both are FDA-approved options, but differences in how they’re filled, how they feel, and how they respond to rupture can influence your decision.
Dr. Mosiello will explain these differences during your consultation, helping you consider more than implant size alone.
| Feature | Saline Implants | Silicone Implants |
| Filling | Sterile saltwater | Silicone gel |
| Feel | May feel somewhat firmer | Often feels more similar to natural breast tissue |
| Placement | Typically inserted empty and filled afterward | Generally inserted prefilled |
| Rupture | Deflation is usually noticeable | Rupture may not cause visible changes |
| FDA-Approved Age for Cosmetic Augmentation | 18 and older | 22 and older |
Silicone and Gummy Bear Implants
Silicone implants are popular among women who prefer a softer, natural-feeling result. They come in different sizes, shapes, and gel consistencies, allowing Dr. Mosiello to recommend an option that works with your existing breast tissue.
Gummy bear implants are a type of highly cohesive silicone implant designed to maintain their shape. They may be appropriate for certain patients, although implant shape and firmness should be considered alongside your desired appearance.
Saline Implants
Saline implants contain sterile saltwater and are generally filled after being positioned in the breast. They can sometimes be placed through smaller incisions and may offer a different cost consideration than silicone implants.
If a saline implant ruptures, the body absorbs the saltwater, and the breast typically loses volume. The implant shell still requires medical evaluation and usually removal or replacement.
For a closer comparison, explore our guide to saline vs. silicone breast implants.
What to Expect From Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation involves several decisions before the actual procedure, from selecting an implant to planning your recovery. Dr. Mosiello guides patients through each stage, making sure they know what to expect and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Your Consultation With Dr. Mosiello
Your consultation begins with a conversation about your goals, medical history, and the changes you’d like to achieve. Dr. Mosiello will evaluate your breast anatomy, skin quality, and existing proportions before recommending an appropriate implant type, size, and placement.
Rather than focusing exclusively on cup size, he’ll explain how implant dimensions and your natural breast tissue influence the result. You’ll also discuss surgical risks, recovery expectations, and whether an additional procedure would better address your concerns.
How Breast Augmentation Is Performed
Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Mosiello creates an incision and positions the implant either behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle, depending on your anatomy and surgical plan.
Common incision locations include:
- Inframammary: Along the natural crease beneath the breast.
- Periareolar: Around part of the edge of the areola.
After the implants are positioned, the incisions are closed with sutures or other appropriate surgical closure methods. Scar placement and incision selection are discussed in advance, with the aim of making scars as inconspicuous as possible.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
Many patients can return to nonstrenuous work and lighter daily activities within approximately one week, although individual recovery times vary. Swelling, tightness, bruising, and temporary discomfort are expected during the early healing period.
| Recovery Period | What You May Experience |
| First 24–72 hours | Swelling, tightness, soreness, and a need for rest |
| First week | Gradual improvement in discomfort and a possible return to desk work |
| Weeks 2–4 | Less swelling and increasing comfort with approved daily activities |
| Around 4–6 weeks | Many patients begin resuming more demanding exercise with surgical clearance |
| Following months | Residual swelling settles and implants gradually assume a more natural position |
These are general estimates. Dr. Mosiello will provide instructions based on your surgery, including when to return to work, resume exercise, and wear a supportive bra.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Tampa?
Breast augmentation in Tampa typically costs between $5,000 and $8,000, according to Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery’s published pricing guidance. Your actual cost depends on the type of implants selected, the details of your procedure, and whether additional surgery is recommended.
The lowest advertised price isn’t necessarily the best way to compare surgeons. It’s worth knowing what’s included in your estimate, particularly when you’re planning for anesthesia, surgical facility expenses, and postoperative care.
What Influences Your Breast Augmentation Cost?
Several factors can affect the final price:
- Implant selection: Saline and silicone implants can have different costs.
- Surgical complexity: Your anatomy and the recommended surgical approach influence the procedure.
- Additional procedures: Combining augmentation with a breast lift or another surgery changes the overall cost.
- Facility and anesthesia fees: These should be reviewed when evaluating your quote.
During your consultation, Dr. Mosiello will develop a surgical plan based on your goals, and our team can explain the associated expenses before you make a decision.
Breast Augmentation Financing Options
We offer CareCredit financing to eligible patients who prefer to spread the cost of surgery over time. Available payment terms depend on approval and the financing plan selected.
Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery also accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards. Because cosmetic breast augmentation is generally not covered by health insurance, discussing payment options beforehand can make planning easier.
Explore our financing options to learn more.
Why Choose Dr. Gerard Mosiello for Breast Augmentation?
The right breast augmentation should fit your body, your preferences, and your lifestyle. Choosing an implant isn’t simply about deciding how much larger you want your breasts to be. It also involves considering your anatomy, the quality of your existing tissue, and how different implants may affect your appearance over time.
Dr. Gerard C. Mosiello is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. He completed plastic and reconstructive surgery residency training at the University of South Florida and established Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery in 2002.
Our practice emphasizes individualized consultations, thoughtful surgical planning, and consistent postoperative care. Dr. Mosiello personally meets with patients during their consultations and remains involved throughout their recovery.
You can also view our breast augmentation before-and-after gallery to see examples of results achieved by patients with different starting anatomies and goals.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Tampa?
Breast augmentation in Tampa typically costs $4,000 to $8,000, depending on implant type, surgical complexity, and facility fees. Dr. Mosiello will provide a personalized estimate during your consultation.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Breast Augmentation?
Most patients return to nonstrenuous work within one week, although heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for several weeks. Full recovery and swelling reduction take longer.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Healthy adults at a stable weight who want fuller breasts, improved symmetry, or restored volume may be good candidates. Dr. Mosiello will evaluate your health, anatomy, and goals during your consultation.
Is Financing Available for Breast Augmentation?
Yes. Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery offers CareCredit financing for qualifying patients, with payment options subject to approval. Visit our financing page for details.
Will Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced Eventually?
Breast implants aren’t lifetime devices, but replacement isn’t automatically required after a set number of years. For silicone implants, the FDA recommends ultrasound or MRI screening after 5–6 years, then every 2–3 years, even without symptoms.
What Are the Risks of Breast Augmentation?
Risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, changes in sensation, implant rupture, and capsular contracture. Rare implant-associated cancers have also been reported. Dr. Mosiello will review potential complications and safety considerations before surgery.
Let’s Talk About the Results You Want
Breast augmentation is a personal decision, and you should feel comfortable asking questions about everything from implant size to recovery and long-term maintenance. Whether you’re hoping to restore fullness after pregnancy, improve symmetry, or achieve a different silhouette, Dr. Mosiello will help you explore options that suit your body and goals.
At Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery, we offer breast augmentation consultations in Tampa, FL, for patients throughout New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, and the surrounding communities. Schedule your consultation or call (813) 631-1500 to get started. Our office is located at 15243 Amberly Drive, Tampa, FL 33647. Get directions here.
