Breast Augmentation in Chicago, IL
Breast augmentation at our Chicago practice enhances breast size, restores symmetry, and improves overall body balance. Using saline or silicone implants, Dr. Elias Gikas delivers natural-looking results that reflect each patient’s goals. With his decades of experience, your outcome is both safe and beautifully tailored.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic breast surgery that uses saline or silicone implants to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. It’s one of the most commonly performed procedures in the US.
Many patients choose breast augmentation surgery after pregnancy, weight loss, or to correct natural asymmetry. Others simply want a more balanced or fuller silhouette. Whatever the motivation, the goal is consistent: to help you feel more confident in your body.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast enlargement offers more than just a physical change—it can affect how you feel in your clothes, in photos, and in day-to-day life. Patients often describe a renewed sense of self after surgery.
Benefits include:
- Fuller breast volume and improved cleavage
- More proportional balance between the upper and lower body
- Restored shape after pregnancy, nursing, or weight loss
- Better fit in clothing and swimwear
- Improved body confidence and self-image
Some patients pursue cosmetic augmentation, while others seek reconstructive benefits after surgery, trauma, or weight changes. Dr. Gikas addresses both with precision and care.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Implants?
Ideal candidates for breast implants are:
- In good physical and emotional health
- At or near a stable weight
- Non-smokers or willing to quit before and after surgery
- Fully developed (typically age 18+ for saline, 22+ for silicone)
- Clear about their goals and realistic in expectations
Many of Dr. Gikas’s patients have had children or experienced changes in breast volume due to aging or weight fluctuations. A breast augmentation consultation is the best way to explore your options with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
The Difference Between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants
There are two primary types of implants used in breast augmentation procedures: saline and silicone.
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater. They’re inserted empty and then filled, which allows for more adjustability and smaller incisions.
Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. Many patients prefer the texture and look of silicone.
Dr. Gikas offers both types and will guide you based on your anatomy, desired outcome, and safety profile. He uses only FDA-approved implants and performs surgery at accredited facilities with board-certified anesthesiologists.
How to Choose the Right Breast Implant Size
Choosing implant size is a collaborative process. Dr. Gikas will consider:
- Your height, weight, and chest width
- Skin elasticity and current breast volume
- Lifestyle and activity level
- Desired look (subtle enhancement vs. dramatic change)
The goal is harmony—not just going bigger, but going better. During your breast implant size consultation, Dr. Gikas may use imaging or sizing tools to help you visualize results.
Breast Augmentation Incisions and Placement Options
There are several ways to place breast implants, and each method is carefully matched to your goals and anatomy.
Incision Locations
- Inframammary: along the crease beneath the breast (most common)
- Periareolar: around the lower edge of the nipple
- Transaxillary: hidden in the natural folds of the armpit
Placement Options
- Subglandular: above the chest muscle
- Submuscular: beneath the pectoral muscle (provides more tissue coverage)
Dr. Gikas selects incision type and placement method based on safety, symmetry, and long-term results. His surgical planning minimizes visible scarring and promotes optimal healing.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited outpatient facility. The procedure typically takes one to two hours.
Step-by-step:
- Dr. Gikas makes the agreed-upon incision
- He creates a precise pocket for the implant
- The saline or silicone implant is inserted and positioned
- Incisions are closed with layered sutures for minimal scarring
Because Dr. Gikas is board-certified with over 25 years of surgical experience, every step of your breast augmentation procedure is carefully planned with safety and precision in mind.
You may also explore complementary procedures, such as liposuction or a Mommy Makeover, for a more comprehensive transformation.
Recovering From Breast Augmentation
Recovering from breast augmentation is typically smooth and manageable with proper care. Most patients return home the same day as surgery and start to feel better within just a few days. It’s common to experience some tightness, swelling, and soreness during the early stages of healing.
Light activities are usually comfortable within three to five days. Most patients can return to work within about a week, although this timeframe may vary depending on the physical demands of their job. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least four to six weeks to allow the body to heal correctly.
As your body adjusts and the swelling subsides, your results will continue to refine. Dr. Gikas provides clear postoperative instructions and schedules follow-up visits to help ensure your recovery stays on track.
Results and Longevity
Results are visible immediately, but continue to improve over the next few months as your body heals. Most implants last 10-20 years, though some patients choose to replace or revise them earlier. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve your breast augmentation results over the long term.
Cost of Breast Augmentation in Chicago
Breast augmentation cost varies depending on:
- Implant type (saline vs. silicone)
- Surgical technique and complexity
- Facility and anesthesia fees
- Any combined procedures
Dr. Gikas will discuss exact breast implant pricing during your private consultation. We also offer financing options to make surgery more accessible.
Before and After Breast Augmentation Results
Dr. Gikas takes pride in producing beautiful, natural-looking outcomes for his patients. View our Before and After Breast Augmentation Photos to see real patient transformations.
View Breast Augmentation Gallery
Why Choose Dr. Elias Gikas for Breast Augmentation in Chicago
Dr. Elias Gikas is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 30 years of experience in the field. He’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
His approach is defined by careful planning, artistic technique, and genuine patient care. Every consultation is detailed, honest, and focused on realistic, safe results. Most procedures are performed at accredited surgical facilities with board-certified anesthesiologists for optimal safety and comfort.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
Schedule a Breast Augmentation Consultation in Chicago
Ready to enhance your confidence with beautifully proportioned breasts? Schedule your private breast augmentation consultation in Chicago today with Dr. Elias Gikas.
