Breast Implant Options

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles

A breast implant is a medical device made of a medical-grade silicone outer shell and a filler of either cohesive silicone gel or a saline solution. A qualified surgeon inserts implants under the breast tissue or chest muscle during breast augmentation to enhance the size and shape of an individual’s breasts. (1)

Dr. Michael Zarrabi is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 20 years of experience helping patients achieve their aesthetic dreams. At Zarrabi Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, Dr. Zarrabi provides customized care and expert guidance to support patients when choosing the right breast implants for their anatomy and goals. To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Zarrabi, submit our online contact form or call our Beverly Hills and Santa Monica offices at (310) 584-9990.

Before and After Photos

Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3373
Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3373
Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3375
Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3375
Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3374
Breast Augmentation Before & After Patient #3374
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About Your Breast Implant Options in Los Angeles

Patients seek breast implants for a variety of reasons, whether for reconstruction after a mastectomy, replacing volume after childbirth or significant weight loss, or simply a desire for a larger, shapelier chest. The choice between saline and silicone implants is a personal one; patients can depend on Dr. Zarrabi to help them make an informed decision about which option best suits their personal anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Saline Implants

Saline implants consist of a silicone shell that Dr. Zarrabi fills with sterile saline solution to achieve the desired volume. These implants are firmer and slightly less expensive than silicone implants, and they may require smaller surgical incisions since Dr. Zarrabi can make size adjustments after placement. Many patients appreciate saline implants for their customization capabilities.

Sientra Silicone Implants

Sientra implants offer a wide range of volume, shape, and projection options, making them the silicone implant of choice at Zarrabi Plastic Surgery. Patients praise these implants for their highly cohesive gel filling, which lends a highly natural look and feel. Sientra implants resist rupture, malrotation, and rippling. (2)

Silicone implants are also the material most likely to retain their shape, volume, and positioning over time. Silicone blends seamlessly with the natural breast tissue. (3) Even if the outer shell ruptures, the cohesive gel typically maintains its shape and stays in the breast pocket. Patients who want to achieve a natural, aesthetically elegant outcome can see transformative, highly satisfying results with silicone implants.

Benefits of Breast Implants

The benefits of breast implants include:

  • Improved symmetry
  • Restored volume after pregnancy or weight loss
  • Balanced upper body proportions
  • Elevated, youthful breast projection
  • Feminized contours
  • Enhanced self-esteem and body confidence

Breast Augmentation Candidates

Potential candidates for breast implants are women who wish to enhance the shape, volume, and symmetry of their breasts for a more youthful, fuller appearance. Candidates should be in overall good health and hold realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure. Prospective patients should also be non-smokers or prepared to abstain from nicotine use. During your consultation, Dr. Zarrabi will finalize your candidacy and help you explore your implant options.

Schedule Your Personal Consultation Today

During your personal consultation, Dr. Zarrabi evaluates your breast anatomy, paying attention to skin quality, presence of existing breast tissue, underlying musculature, and symmetry. You will discuss your medical history and your goals to identify the best treatment options for you. He will review implant options, incision placement, and size/shape details in relation to your body profile, offering you expert guidance to help you feel informed. If you are ready to explore your breast implant options, submit our online contact form or call our Beverly Hills and Santa Monica offices at (310) 584-9990 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Zarrabi.

Preparation

Dr. Zarrabi will provide detailed pre-surgery instructions once you have booked your procedure. These will contain information specific to you and your procedure, but general preparation guidelines include:

  • Abstaining from nicotine and alcohol use
  • Avoiding blood-thinning medications and supplements
  • Arranging transportation to and from your procedure
  • Scheduling time off from work and activities
  • Preparing a comfortable recovery space
  • Filling all necessary prescriptions

Procedure

At the start of your breast augmentation procedure, you will receive anesthesia to keep you comfortably asleep. Dr. Zarrabi then marks the incision sites on your breasts, typically at the inframammary fold or around the areola. He creates precise incisions to place the implants either submuscularly (below the muscle) or subglandularly (above the muscle). Your own preference, anatomy, implant type, and Dr. Zarrabi’s recommendation will dictate placement.

Once the implants are in place, Dr. Zarrabi checks for symmetry and projection, then closes incisions with careful scar-minimizing techniques. He or a member of his surgical team will wrap your chest in surgical dressings and a compression garment to protect incisions, minimize swelling, and promote healing. Then, you will spend a period of time in an on-site recovery area where Dr. Zarrabi and his team can ensure your safety and comfort as you come out of anesthesia before returning home to recover.

Recovery

Once at home, be sure to rest on your back and elevate your upper body. You will be able to shower 48 hours after surgery, but you must refrain from fully submerging yourself in water for a couple of weeks as you heal. It is important to get out of bed early and often (with assistance) after the first couple of days, as gentle movement will increase blood flow and help prevent clots. Moderate discomfort may persist for a couple of weeks, but you can manage this with prescribed medication. You can return to work and other regular activities after about a week, and resume more vigorous activities after six to eight weeks or with Dr. Zarrabi’s approval. Keep all of your follow-up appointments with Dr. Zarrabi, so he and his team can evaluate your healing progress, examine your incisions, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Results

After your procedure, an increase in volume and improvement in shape and projection will be immediately apparent. As swelling and bruising gradually decrease and your implants settle into place, the final results will come into focus, and your body will soften into its enhanced shape. You will experience a more pleasing profile, a shapelier bust, and a new self-confidence as you start to enjoy your breast implants’ long-lasting benefits.

Corresponding Procedures

Many patients choose to further enhance their breast implants by including additional procedures with their breast augmentation. One of the most common options to achieve a more comprehensive breast transformation is a breast lift. Dr. Zarrabi surgically lifts sagging breast tissue and repositions the nipple-areolar complex to create a more youthful, elevated appearance. In combination with breast implants, this procedure can create a beautifully enhanced chest.

Cost of Breast Implants in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles

Dr. Zarrabi will include the cost of your breast implants in the overall cost of your breast augmentation procedure, which will factor in other variables such as surgical and anesthesia fees. Dr. Zarrabi will create a comprehensive price list during your initial consultation. He is also happy to discuss his practice’s financing options with qualified candidates.

To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Zarrabi, submit our online contact form or call our Beverly Hills and Santa Monica offices at (310) 584-9990.

FAQ

How long do breast implants last?

Both types of implants will be long-lasting, barring rupture or other complications. Saline implants typically last 10-15 years, and silicone implants can last 15-20 years before patients may require revision or removal.

Are saline implants safer than silicone?

Both saline and silicone implants are considered safe and FDA-approved. A ruptured saline implant may be easier to detect quickly, but silicone carries a lower rate of rippling.

Can I breastfeed after getting breast implants?

Submuscular placement can minimize the distortion of glandular tissue and ducts, which makes it preferable for patients who intend to breastfeed. You can further discuss the implications of breast implants on breastfeeding with Dr. Zarrabi at your consultation. What types of breast implants are available? Saline and silicone implants are the two primary implant options.

References

  1. Patel BC, Szymanski KD, Schaffner AD. Breast Implants. [Updated 2025 Nov 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441998/
  2. Calobrace MB, Schwartz MR, Kaufman DL, Gordon AE, Cohen R, Harrington J, Dajles D, Zeidler K. Safety and Efficacy of the Sientra Silicone Gel Round and Shaped Breast Implants: 6-Year Results of the U.S. Postapproval Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Jul 1;154(1):44e-56e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010953. Epub 2023 Aug 11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11195925/
  3. Swanson E. Prospective Study of Saline versus Silicone Gel Implants for Subpectoral Breast Augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002882