Breast Augmentation in Turin, Italy

In short. Breast augmentation increases the volume of the breast and improves its shape, with silicone gel implants or, in suitable cases, with fat grafting using your own fat. Volume and shape are chosen starting from your measurements, the quality of your skin and the structure of your chest. The operation takes one to three hours, under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, in Turin, Italy.

Who it is for

Breast implants can address a wide range of problems of breast size and shape:

a breast that has not developed enough (breast hypoplasia);
a breast that has lost volume after pregnancy, after major weight loss or simply with time;
some breast asymmetries and congenital shape deformities.

You may be a candidate if you are over 18, in good physical health, emotionally stable and have realistic expectations of what plastic surgery can achieve. The only way to know for sure is a consultation.

When I do not recommend surgery

when the main problem is a sagging breast: an implant alone does not lift it, and a breast lift, with or without an implant, is needed;
when the volume you want is out of proportion with your chest and tissues, because a natural, stable result would not be possible;
when you are planning a pregnancy soon or your weight is not yet stable;
when health conditions are not under control, or expectations are not realistic.

Planning the operation

There are three essential choices: where the scar will be, where the implant will be placed and which type of implant to use. They depend on your anatomy, on the result you want and on some personal preferences. We assess each of them together to design a surgical plan tailored to you.

Choice	Options
Incision	In the fold under the breast (inframammary), along the lower edge of the areola (periareolar) or in the armpit (transaxillary). The choice depends on the size of the areola, the shape and density of the breast, the definition of the fold, the implant and your preferences.
Implant position	Under the muscle (submuscular), under the gland (subglandular) or dual plane.
Implant type	Round, anatomical (teardrop) or "hybrid" in shape, meaning a shape between round and anatomical, with low, moderate or high profile (projection for a given base width). Not to be confused with "hybrid augmentation", which combines an implant with fat grafting.

Placing the implant under the muscle gives more coverage of the implant, softens the upper part of the breast for a more natural transition from collarbone to nipple, helps long-term stability, considerably reduces the rate of capsular contracture and reduces the influence of the implant on mammography.

To keep the incision as short as possible and insert silicone gel implants with a minimal-touch technique, I use the Keller Funnel, a smooth, low-friction insertion device.

Choosing the size

Choosing the right size starts at the first consultation. Your wishes are combined with precise measurements of your chest and an assessment of your tissues, using a selection method developed by Dr John B. Tebbetts (USA), to define a range of possible sizes. At a pre-operative visit you try a series of trial implants (sizers) in a special bra, to find the size and proportion that suit you. During surgery, sterile sizers are used to confirm the choice and, if needed, refine it.

The operation

Breast augmentation is performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, managed by a specialist anaesthetist, and takes one to three hours. Before surgery you have the routine pre-operative tests. With local anaesthesia and sedation you usually go home the same day, without driving (someone can drive you, or you can take a taxi); with general anaesthesia, the next day. The operation takes place in Turin: at Aesthetic Clinic when no overnight stay is needed, or in a private hospital when I prefer you to spend the night in a hospital setting.

Recovery

When	What
First days and weeks	The breast may look a little higher than normal: it settles into position over a few weeks. You wear a special bra, which I will tell you when to stop wearing.
After about a week	You can usually resume routine activities.
After 2 to 6 weeks	You can resume sport, depending on the technique.

If you live abroad: plan to stay in or near Turin for the first check-ups after surgery, and until I confirm you are ready to travel. See also International patients.

Risks and limits

Breast augmentation is a surgical operation and has risks, which we discuss together at the consultation:

in the short term: haematoma, infection, changes in nipple sensation, asymmetry and scars more visible than expected;
over the years: capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant), implant rupture, changes in position or shape, and the possibility of further operations to replace or remove the implants;
rare conditions linked to implants: breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare lymphoma of the capsule around the implant, reported mostly with textured implants; other rare cancers of the capsule have also been reported. Symptoms such as late swelling or a lump around the implant should always be checked.

Implants are not lifetime devices: they need regular check-ups over the years, including the breast examinations recommended for your age. An implant does not lift a sagging breast.

Breast augmentation with your own fat

In suitable cases the breast can be enlarged with fat grafting: fat is taken with liposuction from areas where it is in excess, processed and injected into the breast. The increase in volume is more limited than with an implant, and part of the grafted fat is reabsorbed. Whether it is right for you is assessed at the consultation.

What patients say

“My experience with Dr Maggi changed my life. Breast augmentation combined with a lift increased my self-esteem and gave me a confidence I had not felt for years.”
— S.C., Turin

Real patient reviews, translated faithfully from Italian; cuts are marked […]. The original Italian reviews are on the testimonials page and on GuidaEstetica.

How much does breast augmentation cost?

The cost depends on the technique, the type of implant, the anaesthesia and the type of stay. Because every case is different, I define it after the consultation, in a personalised written quote that also shows the first available date for surgery.

Frequently asked questions

How long does breast augmentation take?

From one to three hours, under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation.

When can I go back to my usual activities?

Routine activities can usually be resumed after about a week; sport after 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the technique.

How is the implant size chosen?

By combining your wishes with precise measurements of your chest and an assessment of your tissues. Before surgery you try sizers in a special bra, and during surgery sterile sizers are used to confirm the choice.

Breast augmentation in Turin, Italywith implants or your own fat

Breast augmentation before and after photos