Breast Augmentation
in Houston, TX
Curate Your Curves
Breast augmentation can increase breast volume, improve asymmetry, or restore fullness lost after pregnancy or weight changes. The right implant depends on your chest width, existing breast tissue, skin support, and the shape you want to achieve.
Dr. Paul Fortes has performed breast augmentation in Houston for more than 25 years. He plans implant size and placement around each patient's anatomy, with attention to the breast pocket, natural breast fold, and symmetry. During a consultation, he will explain the choices and limitations that matter for your result.
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Enhancing Your Silhouette
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty or breast enlargement surgery, increases breast volume using implants or fat transfer. It can enlarge smaller breasts, improve asymmetry, or restore volume lost due to pregnancy, aging, or weight changes.
Implant augmentation uses saline or silicone gel implants placed above or beneath the chest muscle, depending on the surgical plan. Fat transfer is a separate option for a more limited volume increase; it uses fat removed by liposuction and injected into the breasts. Dr. Fortes will compare the options based on your anatomy and goals.
The Difference Is Bigger
Breast augmentation can produce several structural and aesthetic changes:
Implants add volume but do not reposition a low nipple or remove substantial excess skin. If sagging is a main concern, a breast lift may be needed.
Custom Curves, Your Way
Standard breast augmentation uses implants to increase volume, projection, and fullness. It’s best for patients with good skin support and minimal breast sagging.
For patients who want added volume and correction of sagging, an implant can be combined with a breast lift. The lift reshapes the breast and repositions the nipple. Learn more about breast augmentation with lift.
In select cases, a small implant can add upper-breast fullness after tissue is removed. This is primarily a reduction and reshaping plan, which Dr. Fortes considers only when it fits the patient's anatomy and goals. Learn more about breast reduction.
Fat transfer may provide a modest increase without an implant. The amount of donor fat and how much survives the healing process are primary limiters to the results.
What’s Inside Matters
Silicone implants contain cohesive silicone gel and tend to feel similar to natural breast tissue. They are available in different sizes, profiles, shapes, and gel consistencies. A silicone implant can rupture without obvious deflation. The FDA recommends periodic ultrasound or MRI screening for silent rupture; Dr. Fortes will review the current guidance and your implant's instructions.
Saline breast implants feature a silicone outer shell that is filled with sterile saltwater during surgery. If a saline implant ruptures, it typically loses volume visibly; the body absorbs the saline, but the implant shell must be evaluated and may need removal or replacement.
Form-stable silicone implants, aka, "Gummy Bear Implants" are made with a cohesive gel whose firmness and shape vary by product. Implant selection should account for soft-tissue coverage, chest width, desired projection, and surgeon preference.
Feel the Difference
An implant adds volume; a lift repositions breast tissue and the nipple. When both changes are needed, Dr. Fortes may recommend combining them. In select reduction cases, a small implant may add upper-breast fullness after excess tissue is removed. The best plan depends on breast position, tissue quality, and the patient's goals.
Double (or Triple) the Impact
Breast augmentation may be combined with a tummy tuck or liposuction as part of a mommy makeover. Combining procedures can address several areas during one operation, though it also increases surgical time and recovery demands. Patient safety, body mass index, health history, and the total scope of surgery determine which combinations are appropriate.
Who It Is (and Isn’t) For
Candidates for breast augmentation surgery should:
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, uncontrolled medical conditions, or plans for major weight loss may be reasons to postpone surgery. Patients with significant sagging may need a breast lift instead of breast augmentation alone.
Expertise, Artistry, and Experience
During your consultation, Dr. Fortes reviews your health history, breast dimensions, skin envelope, inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast), and existing asymmetry. Implant options are compared by fill material, width, projection, and volume rather than bra cup sizes alone.
The consultation also covers incision placement, implant position, expected scars, recovery, and future monitoring. Patients receive a plan based on their tissue characteristics and preferred breast augmentation results.
Every Step is Thoughtfully Planned
Breast implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Fortes’ Houston cosmetic surgery center. An incision is made, and a controlled breast pocket is created above or below the chest muscle. The implant is inserted, its position and symmetry are assessed, and the incision is closed.
Most patients return home the same day with a surgical bra, pain medication, activity restrictions, and follow-up instructions.
A Natural-Looking Confidence Boost
Breast augmentation results become clearer as swelling decreases and the implants settle within the breast pocket. Some patients experience early tightness or notice that their implants initially sit higher before settling. The breasts soften and take on a more settled contour over the following weeks and months.
Final breast size and shape depend on implant dimensions, implant position, natural breast tissue, skin elasticity, and healing.
Expand Your Wardrobe
Many patients can return to desk-based work within about a week, depending on the procedure and their recovery. Temporary swelling, pressure, breast pain, and limited arm movement can occur during early recovery and are managed with prescribed pain medicine and support garments.
Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise remain restricted for several weeks. Dr. Fortes provides a return-to-activity schedule based on healing progress and the surgical techniques used.
The Fortes Difference
Dr. Paul Fortes is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He has performed more than 10,000 cosmetic procedures and has practiced in Houston since 1998.
His breast augmentation approach combines exact implant selection with controlled pocket creation and close attention to symmetry, breast-fold position, and tissue support. Patients receive direct guidance on the benefits, limitations, risks, and long-term responsibilities associated with breast implants.
Beauty That’s Worth It
Breast augmentation at Paul F. Fortes MD Plastic Surgery starts at $10,500. Augmentation with a breast lift starts at $20,000. The final quote depends on the implant, the complexity of surgery, and any procedures combined with it. Your consultation includes a personalized treatment plan and detailed pricing.
See our procedure pricing for current starting fees. PatientFi financing may be available to qualified patients.
Take the First Step Toward Your Transformation
Meet with Dr. Fortes to discuss implant options, expected scars, recovery, and a plan that fits your anatomy and goals. Contact the Houston office to schedule your breast augmentation consultation.
Paul F. Fortes MD Plastic Surgery
Yes. PatientFi offers payment plans for qualified patients. Terms and monthly costs depend on the financed amount and credit approval.
The decision depends on tissue coverage, desired feel, incision preferences, rupture monitoring, and implant characteristics. Dr. Fortes compares both options during consultation.
Implants may fill mild skin laxity but do not reposition a low nipple. Moderate or advanced sagging often requires a breast lift.
Breast implant risks include bleeding, infection, changes in sensation, asymmetry, breast pain, capsular contracture, implant rupture, and the possibility of future surgery. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare lymphoma associated more often with textured implants. Dr. Fortes will review the risks of the implant and surgical plan recommended for you.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Some remain intact for many years, but future implant exchange, removal, or revision may become necessary.
Many women can breastfeed after breast augmentation, but no technique can guarantee future milk production. Incision location, existing glandular tissue, scar formation, and other health factors may affect breastfeeding.
Breast augmentation can be performed before pregnancy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding may alter breast volume, skin support, and implant position, which can create a need for later revision or breast lift surgery.
It can provide modest enlargement and shape refinement. See more information at the fat transfer breast augmentation page.
