The official name of cosmetic breast surgery is augmentation mammoplasty. Cosmetic surgery breast augmentation is performed for multiple reasons and is used to rebuild the breast for medical purposes or to increase size of breasts for aesthetic preference.

Breast augmentation is the process by which an implant is placed behind the pectoral muscle wall or behind the breast tissue itself, of the two breasts. The incisions for the placement of inserts are determined by the attending surgeon based on the patient's anatomy. It is common for incisions to be made around the areola, or where the breast meets the chest.

Breast plastic surgery may take approximately 2 hours and may be, at the discretion of the physician, inpatient or outpatient. Typically, women receiving breast augmentation may leave the facility where their surgery took place within 24 hours. Recovery time is usually 1 to 2 weeks.