The Ultimate Guide to Breast Augmentation | Part 3: Surgery

If you’re considering breast augmentation, understanding the surgical process can give you confidence and peace of mind. Knowing where your procedure will be performed, how you’ll be sedated, and what actually happens in the operating room allows you to move forward feeling informed, prepared, and empowered. 

At Integrated Aesthetics, breast augmentation surgery is designed to be safe, comfortable, and highly personalized—so you can focus on your results, not the stress of surgery. 

A State-of-the-Art Surgical Center at Integrated Aesthetics  

Your safety is our highest priority. Integrated Aesthetics is proud to offer a fully accredited surgical center on-site with two surgery suites, certified by Quad A (AAAASF)—one of the most respected surgical accreditation organizations in the United States. 

Quad A accreditation means our surgical suites meet the highest national standards for: 

• Patient safety 
• Sterility and infection prevention 
• Equipment and emergency readiness 
• Physician and staff training 

This ensures that every breast augmentation is performed in a controlled, medically advanced environment comparable to hospital-level safety protocols. 

Sedation Options for Breast Augmentation  

Every patient is different, which is why we offer multiple sedation options based on your comfort level, medical history, and procedure type. 

Oral Sedation 

This involves taking medications such as Valium before surgery to help you relax. During the procedure, the area is thoroughly numbed with a local anesthetic. You’ll be awake but calm and comfortable. 

IV Sedation 

IV sedation allows medications to be carefully adjusted throughout your procedure. You’ll be deeply relaxed, breathing on your own, and may be able to speak with the surgical team—but you likely won’t remember much afterward. This is our most popular choice. 

General Anesthesia 

With general anesthesia, you are fully asleep for the procedure. This option is often chosen for patients who prefer to be completely unconscious or for more complex surgical plans. 

Dr. Young Cho will help determine which option is best for you during your consultation. 

Reference: https://us-hair.news/blog/iv-sedation-for-plastic-surgery-what-you-need-to-know-about-comfort-safety-and-recovery/%3C/a%3E%C2%A0%C2%A0%3C/p%3E%3Ch2 class="wp-block-heading">How Long Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Take?  

A straightforward breast augmentation typically takes about one hour to complete. However, you should plan to be at our surgical center for a few hours total. This includes: 

• Pre-operative preparation 
• The surgery itself 
• Recovery and monitoring afterward 

This allows our team to ensure you are fully comfortable and stable before heading home. 

What Happens on the Day of Surgery 

When you arrive at our surgical suite, one of our experienced nurses will: 

• Check your vitals 
• Place an IV if needed 
• Help you change into surgical attire 

You will then meet with Dr. Young Cho, who will review your surgical plan and place precise surgical markings to guide the procedure. Once everything is confirmed, you’ll be escorted to the operating room. 

How a Breast Augmentation Is Performed  

Once inside the operating suite, you’ll be comfortably positioned on the surgical table. Monitoring leads will be placed so we can continuously track your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure. 

The area is thoroughly cleansed, and sterile drapes and protective equipment are used to maintain a sterile environment. 

Dr. Cho then administers numbing medication based on your sedation type. For oral or IV sedation, a larger amount of local anesthetic is used to maximize comfort. For general anesthesia, numbing medication is placed around the incision areas to minimize post-operative discomfort. Long-lasting numbing nerve blocks are also used to help reduce pain after surgery. 

Using the pre-operative markings, Dr. Cho carefully creates a pocket beneath the breast tissue to accommodate your implant. A sterile insertion funnel is used, allowing the implant to be placed through a smaller incision with minimal contact, helping reduce infection risk and improve healing. 

Once the implants are positioned, the incisions are closed using fine sutures to minimize scarring and support a smooth, natural-looking result. 

After Surgery & Your Surgical Bra  

After your incisions are closed, you will be placed in a surgical bra, which you’ll wear for the first six weeks of recovery. This provides support and helps your implants settle into their final position. 

During this time: 

• Underwire bras should be avoided 
• You will transition to a snug, supportive sports bra once approved 
• Activity restrictions must be followed carefully to protect your incisions and results 

Because fine sutures are used to minimize scarring, following post-operative instructions is especially important for proper healing. 

Take the Next Steps with Dr. Young Cho  

Breast augmentation is both a surgical and aesthetic journey where the experience matters just as much as the outcome. At Integrated Aesthetics, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Young Cho combines advanced surgical techniques, premium implant options, and a patient-centered approach to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. 

Schedule your personalized breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Young Cho today and take the first step toward feeling confident, supported, and informed every step of the way.