Before and After Gallery: Breast Augmentation

Female patient in her 20s underwent an awake revision breast augmentation to improve the appearance of her breasts. She wanted fuller volume with a smoother, more natural shape. Her prior surgery was performed elsewhere, and she specifically sought Dr. Kim for his awake approach to revision breast implant surgery. The revision breast augmentation was performed using only local anesthesia (no general anesthesia, no IV sedation, no intubation), allowing her to remain fully awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Dr. Kim’s awake breast augmentation avoids the risks associated with general anesthesia, including life-threatening blood clots and memory loss. His minimal bleeding method significantly minimizes the risk of capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue causes the breast to harden and distort. His approach leads to faster recovery, minimal downtime, and more natural-looking, softer results. Dr. Kim’s advanced breast technique includes creating an internal bra using the patient’s own tissue to support the implants, improving long-term results and breast shape.

This patient underwent awake breast augmentation surgery. Awake plastic surgery using only local anesthesia (without general anesthesia or IV sedation) is the safest way to have surgery, as it does not place the patient at risk of the complications associated with general anesthesia—such as blood clots, postoperative pain, prolonged recovery, and memory loss. Dr. Kim uses his minimal bleeding technique for breast surgery, where he preserves blood vessels during dissection. Bleeding will cause tissue inflammation, capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the breast), and compromise postoperative results. It also increases infection rate. Dr. Kim’s technique results in the fastest recovery with minimal to no downtime and softer, natural-feeling breasts. The ‘no recovery’ breast augmentation allows patients to resume their normal activities right after surgery. This patient was alert and awake throughout her procedure without feeling pain or discomfort. She achieved a natural-looking, enhanced breast size that beautifully complements her frame.

Patient underwent an awake breast lift and augmentation to achieve a fuller and more youthful breast shape. The breast lift (mastopexy) elevated the sagging breast tissue and repositioned the nipples to a higher position. The breast augmentation added volume and fullness to her breast shape. Dr. Kim performs these surgeries using local anesthesia, thereby avoiding the risks associated with general anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation, such as blood clots and memory loss. Dr. Kim also performs a ‘bloodless’ surgery where he meticulously avoids blood vessels, as bleeding causes inflammation and capsular contracture (hardened and distorted breast). Dr. Kim’s ‘bloodless’ technique results in the fastest recovery with minimal to no downtime, no need for prescription opioid medications, and the most natural-looking results. This patient was fully awake during her surgery, experienced no pain or discomfort, and was able to walk out of the operating room unassisted. Most of Dr. Kim’s patients resume their normal routines right after surgery. The post-op photos show how the awake procedures restored breast shape and added volume, especially to the upper pole (top part of the breast), creating a rounded and lifted appearance.

Asian female in her 40s wanted fuller breasts that would achieve her aesthetic goals as well as suit her active lifestyle. After consulting with Dr. Kim about her desired appearance and surgical options, they chose an implant size and surgical approach (areolar incision) that would do both – be aesthetically appealing and not impede her range of motion. She underwent awake, bloodless breast augmentation surgery under local anesthesia, which resulted in quicker recovery without narcotic pain medication and softer, supple breasts. The after photos show no visible scars and fuller, natural-looking breasts that are proportional to the patient’s overall frame.

Female in her 30s with naturally smaller breasts wanted to enhance her breast size. She wanted natural-looking results that would be proportionate to her body frame. She received awake breast augmentation surgery under local anesthesia. Dr. Kim performs this procedure using a local anesthetic which allows the patient to be fully awake during surgery. Dr. Kim’s approach does not subject the patient to the risks and dangers of general anesthesia or sedation. This patient did not experience pain during surgery and was able to recover immediately. The after photos show natural-looking results that complement the patient’s body shape and frame.

Caucasian female in her 20s received breast augmentation surgery under local anesthesia. Dr. Kim uses local anesthesia on all breast surgeries such as breast augmentation, breast lift, breast revision, and breast reduction. Dr. Kim performs bloodless dissection as a patient’s blood pressure remains constant/unchanged during surgery. His no bleeding technique prevents capsular contracture (hardening of the breast tissue) and inflammation. Whereas with general anesthesia, there are significant changes in a patient’s blood pressure during and after surgery which causes bleeding. The use of local anesthesia avoids anesthetic risks and ensures patient safety and the quickest recovery possible. This patient was fully awake during surgery and resumed normal activities almost immediately after surgery.

Female in her 20s underwent awake breast augmentation surgery with Dr. Kenneth Kim. His expertise in the use of local anesthesia for breast augmentation allows the patient to be fully awake during surgery. Patients are not subject to the well-known risks and complications of general anesthesia (e.g. blood clots, cardiac arrest, permanent memory loss). By undergoing awake breast augmentation, the patient was able to recover quickly and safely without any side effects. The after photos show enhanced breasts that are fuller, balanced, and proportionate to her frame.

Female in her 20s wanted breast augmentation surgery to increase the size and shape of her breasts. She consulted with Dr. Kim because he performs this procedure using local anesthesia, which is the safest way to have breast enlargement surgery. She was fully awake during surgery and was able to relax without feeling any discomfort. The use of local anesthesia ensured a fast recovery with no downtime. The after photos show natural-looking, fuller breasts that are proportionate to the patient’s frame and the placement of the implants also created optimal cleavage.

Female in her 20s with naturally smaller breasts wanted larger breasts that would complement her body proportions. She wanted a surgeon who specializes in awake breast augmentation and awake plastic surgery. Dr. Kim places the utmost importance on patient safety and has an aesthetic sense and deep understanding of body proportion and harmony. He performs breast augmentation using awake, local anesthesia, thereby avoiding the dangers of general anesthesia. The procedure created beautiful, natural-looking breasts for this patient and added balance to her figure.

Asian female in her 40s wanted breast enhancement surgery to increase the size of her breasts. Breast augmentation is ideal for patients with naturally small breasts seeking fuller and shapely breasts. This patient underwent breast augmentation under local anesthesia (no general anesthesia) and was awake during the procedure. Dr. Kim’s minimal bleeding technique to breast surgery resulted in faster recovery and softer breasts. The after photos show the transformation from smaller breasts to larger, natural-looking results that balance her proportions.