Breast Augmentation in Northern Virginia | AMG Plastic Surgery
Dr. Amir Ghaznavi is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed more than 600 breast augmentation procedures for patients across Northern Virginia. He holds certification from both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, completed a microsurgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, and serves as Vice-Chair of the ASPS Cosmetic Subcommittee. Patients from Herndon, Fairfax, Ashburn, Reston, and Tysons choose AMG Plastic Surgery for breast augmentation because the surgical plan is built around each person’s anatomy and aesthetic goals.
What Is Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that increases breast size and improves shape using either silicone or saline implants or the patient’s own fat. It remains a reliable aesthetic procedure for women who want more volume, better symmetry, or restored fullness after pregnancy or weight loss. As an aesthetic plastic surgery practice, AMG performs augmentation as a standalone surgical procedure and as part of combined plans.
Implant-based augmentation adds volume with an implant placed either in a subfascial pocket above the chest muscle or in a subpectoral pocket beneath it. Every breast implant has a silicone shell. What changes is the filling, either saline or silicone gel, and most patients choose silicone. Fat transfer augmentation, a related aesthetic surgery option, moves excess fat from another body area through liposuction and grafts it into the breast for a smaller, natural increase. Implants and fat transfer are two procedures with different goals, and each is a distinct surgical option and treatment option among plastic surgery procedures. Patients choose among these different procedures based on how much size they want. Some patients pair augmentation with a lift. A breast lift and augmentation together, sometimes described as breast lift with implants, corrects sagging skin while adding volume. For patients who want a combined result, a mommy makeover breast augmentation joins the procedure with a tummy tuck and other procedures in one surgical plan.
Why Patients Seek Breast Augmentation
Patients seek breast augmentation for reasons tied to body image, self-confidence, and self esteem. Many patients find that clothing choices improve and that a more balanced, toned appearance follows the surgery. Other patients pursue augmentation to correct asymmetry, to restore a youthful appearance after future pregnancies and breastfeeding, or to rebuild volume lost through weight loss.
For most, this is a considered decision rather than an impulse. The procedure can be life changing for the right candidate, and a positive outlook and general well being help both recovery and satisfaction. Patients achieve the most satisfying final results when their goals are specific and their expectations are realistic. Dr. Ghaznavi treats augmentation as one part of a broader conversation about aesthetic goals and body contouring surgery.
I had an arm lift and a breast lift after weight loss, and I’m very pleased with the results. I’ve felt completely supported and well cared for this entire journey, and would absolutely recommend this practice to anyone seeking a good plastic surgeon.
Are You a Candidate for Breast Augmentation
A good candidate for breast augmentation is in good health, a non-smoker, and able to make an informed decision with realistic expectations. Candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, with realistic expectations about what implants or fat grafting can accomplish. Candidates should be free of chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease that could hinder recovery, and free of medical conditions that raise surgical risk, such as coronary artery disease.
Stable weight matters. Patients close to their ideal body weight, ideal weight, or normal weight tend to see more predictable results, and holding a stable weight before surgery reduces the effect of later weight fluctuations. Breast augmentation is not a weight loss procedure. Before surgery, patients should hold a goal weight near their normal body weight and avoid rapid efforts to lose weight or gain weight, since weight gain afterward changes the result. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, a proper diet, and steady skin elasticity support healing. A significant amount of excess skin may point to a lift rather than an implant alone, and genetic factors and any previous surgery also affect the outcome. Many surgeons opt to wait until a patient has completed family planning, because future pregnancies can change the result. Patients who have lax skin, loose skin, or stretched skin, or who want longer-lasting support after a breast lift or augmentation, are also considered good candidates for the internal bra technique, which reinforces the natural tissue. A physical examination and a review of medical history, current medications, previous surgeries, and any prior procedure confirm candidacy.
The Consultation Process at AMG
The initial consultation begins with a pre-qualification call, then a one-on-one evaluation with Dr. Ghaznavi. Consultations typically involve evaluating the patient’s medical history and discussing surgical goals. He performs a physical examination, reviews lab tests when needed, discusses current medications, herbal supplements, and anti inflammatory drugs that can increase bleeding, and builds a customized surgical plan.
Sizers are used during the visit to assess what volume a patient needs, alongside standardized photography so the surgical plan reflects the patient’s frame. Dr. Ghaznavi also asks patients to bring a wish photo. What matters in that photo is the structure of the breast rather than the size, because structure is what guides the plan. During the consultation, Dr. Ghaznavi provides information on his specific technique and the team involved in the procedure. Virtual consultations are offered for patients traveling from McLean, Sterling, Loudoun County, and the greater Washington DC area. Every treatment plan is built to fit the individual, not a default.
Surgical Techniques for Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia, or in select cases local anesthesia or regional anesthesia with intravenous sedation. General anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation is used to ensure no pain is felt during the surgery. Dr. Ghaznavi uses Sientra, Motiva, and Mentor implants depending on the desired size and shape. Pocket selection comes down to two options. A subfascial pocket sits above the chest muscle and under the fascia covering it. A subpectoral pocket sits beneath the muscle. Most patients prefer the subfascial pocket. He selects the pocket, the incision site, and the implant based on tissue quality and the patient’s goals.
For patients receiving large implants, revisional cases, or augmentation combined with a lift, he often adds an internal bra using Galaflex or Durasorb mesh. By using an internal bra, patients can achieve a more youthful and lifted appearance, as the technique reinforces the natural tissue and reduces the strain on the skin, which can lead to better aesthetic outcomes after breast surgeries. It is highly effective at preventing complications such as bottoming out and lateral displacement of the implant. Fat transfer augmentation, a minimally invasive procedure for smaller changes, uses tiny incisions to graft excess fat into the remaining tissue. Dr. Ghaznavi applies advanced techniques and, in complex cases, advanced treatment approaches drawn from reconstructive plastic surgery. A local anesthetic at the incision site limits blood loss so patients do not experience pain during the procedure. Fat is harvested from body areas chosen with the patient, and the areas treated are refined with liposuction. Published comparative study data on implant types guides selection. Careful closure at the incision site helps minimize scarring.
Recovery After Breast Augmentation
The recovery process is steady and predictable for most patients. The initial recovery from cosmetic surgery procedures typically takes one to two weeks, with full recovery around six weeks. Swelling and bruising, soreness, and numbness in the treated area are normal early in the recovery period, and pain medication controls discomfort during the first days. Common side effects following cosmetic procedures include swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in the treated area.
Patients wear a surgical support bra, and a compression garment is used when fat transfer or additional contouring is performed. Compression garments help reduce swelling and support wound healing. Light activities resume within a week, normal activities return over two to three weeks, and strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise are limited longer. A recovery period of about a month off from normal activities is expected, with longer restrictions on strenuous exercise. Strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse should generally be avoided for four to six weeks following surgery. Follow-up appointments at one week, three to four weeks, and later confirm healing, and detailed instructions guide care in the recovery room and at home.
Risks and Realistic Expectations
Every surgical procedure carries risk. Common complications include infection, bleeding, fluid collections, and poor wound healing. General surgical risks include infection, hematoma, seroma, and blood clots. Additional potential complications include seromas, excess fluid, delayed healing, wound separation, poor scarring, widened scars, and scar tissue that may later need scar revision. These are low risk in healthy non-smokers, and the practice maintains a high success rate through careful patient selection.
Smoking severely impairs the healing process and increases the risk of complications, and candidates must quit well in advance. Patients are typically advised to stop smoking at least one month before surgery and for two weeks after, as smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing. Silicone implants carry a monitoring requirement patients should know about before surgery. The FDA recommends imaging surveillance for everyone with silicone implants, either ultrasound or MRI, starting at year five or six after surgery and repeated every two to three years after that. The screening looks for a rupture that produces no symptoms.
Realistic expectations matter as much as technique. An invasive procedure on the breast produces permanent scars, though they are placed to be hidden, and final results settle over several months as swelling resolves.
Cost of Breast Augmentation in Northern Virginia
The cost of breast augmentation varies with the type of implant or fat grafting, the complexity of the surgery, whether a lift or other procedures are combined, the surgeon’s experience, and the geographic location of the practice. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance, so patients pay out of pocket for this elective surgery.
AMG offers financing so patients can manage the cost. Financing partners include CareCredit, Cherry, Alphaeon Credit, and Northwest Federal Credit Union. Cherry offers terms from 3 to 60 months with 0% APR available for qualifying applicants. A $150 non-refundable consultation fee reserves the one-on-one evaluation with Dr. Ghaznavi. The team reviews the full surgical plan and financing options during the consultation so each patient can make an informed decision.
How to Choose a Surgeon for Breast Augmentation
Choose a surgeon by credentials, case volume, and facility. Surgeons should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is considered the gold standard for this specialty. Surgeons specializing in breast surgery and performing hundreds of cases each year tend to provide more consistent results, and Dr. Ghaznavi performs roughly 50 breast augmentations a year on top of more than 600 across his career.
Evaluate the surgical facility as well. It is recommended to evaluate the surgical facility’s accreditation and ensure it is state-licensed or accredited by a national agency like AAASF or The Joint Commission. Reputable practices pair experienced surgeons with validated local testimonials, which points to quality care after surgery. Ask each surgeon to explain their specific technique and the team involved.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Ghaznavi
Dr. Ghaznavi brings a reconstructive foundation to cosmetic breast surgery that most Northern Virginia cosmetic-only surgeons do not have. As a double board certified surgeon, his Cleveland Clinic microsurgery fellowship and role as ASPS Cosmetic Subcommittee Vice-Chair since 2018 shape how he plans and executes each augmentation. His high-volume liposuction experience supports natural fat transfer augmentation for patients who prefer an implant-free option.
Patients from Fairfax, Ashburn, and Loudoun County choose AMG for surgical judgment and individualized planning. The practice holds 85 verified Google reviews from real patients, and the pattern across them is consistent: careful listening at the consultation, honest guidance on candidacy, and results that match the plan built at the first visit.
Meet Dr. GhaznaviFrequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
Implant augmentation uses a silicone or saline implant to add volume and can achieve a larger, more defined increase in size. Fat transfer augmentation uses liposuctioned fat from the patient’s own body for a smaller, natural increase without an implant. Fat transfer also does two things an implant cannot. It adds fullness along the cleavage line for patients who want more medial pull, and it softens visible rippling from an existing implant. The right choice depends on your goals, your body type, and how much size increase you want, and it is settled during a consultation and physical examination.
If your breasts have lost volume but sit in a good position, augmentation alone often works. If the breasts sag and the nipple sits low, a lift restores position and an augmentation adds volume. Many patients need both, which is why a breast lift with implants is a common plan. A physical examination determines which combination fits.
Most patients return to light activities within a week and to normal activities over two to three weeks. Full recovery is around six weeks, with strenuous exercise and heavy lifting restricted.
Breast augmentation is a safe procedure when it is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility. Choosing a surgeon who performs breast surgery regularly and following pre-operative and post-operative instructions lowers the risk of complications.
Implant and fat transfer results are generally long-lasting, although future weight fluctuations, pregnancies, and aging can alter the outcome over time. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy diet with regular exercise supports the result.
Yes. Augmentation is often combined with a breast lift, and with a tummy tuck and liposuction in a mommy makeover. Combining procedures can reduce total recovery time compared with separate surgeries.
Schedule a Consultation
To schedule a breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Ghaznavi, contact AMG Plastic Surgery in Herndon. The team serves patients across Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Ashburn, Reston, Tysons, McLean, Sterling, Loudoun County, and Washington DC. Book your one-on-one evaluation to review your options and take the next step.
