Breast Augmentation in San Antonio: Cost, Recovery, and What to Expect in 2026
By Dr. Michael Baumholtz, MD, FACS Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Published October 8, 2026
Breast augmentation in San Antonio starts at $8,200 at Baumholtz Plastic Surgery, with the final figure depending on implant type and whether a lift is combined with it. Most patients return to desk work within a week and resume full exercise at around six weeks. Implants settle into their final position over roughly three to six months.
📌 Key takeaways
- Starting price is $8,200, and a complete quote should include the facility, anaesthesia and follow-up visits.
- Implants are measured in cc, not cup sizes your frame determines what a given volume looks like.
- Most patients take about a week off work, with full exercise at roughly six weeks.
- Implants are not lifetime devices. Plan for the possibility of future surgery.
- Insurance does not cover cosmetic augmentation, and this practice does not bill insurance.
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What Breast Augmentation Costs in San Antonio
Breast augmentation at Baumholtz Plastic Surgery starts at $8,200. What moves the number up is usually the complexity of the operation rather than the implant itself.
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Implant type | Silicone implants generally cost more than saline |
| Adding a lift | A combined augmentation and lift is a longer, more complex operation |
| Operating time | Facility and anaesthesia fees scale with time in theatre |
| Correcting asymmetry | May require different implants per side or additional reshaping |
| Revision surgery | Priced separately — see breast implant revision |
What your quote should include
When comparing surgeons, compare totals rather than headline figures.
- Surgeon’s fee for the operation itself
- Facility fee for the accredited surgical suite
- Anaesthesia and the anaesthesia provider
- Implants and any manufacturer warranty
- Garments and post-operative supplies
- Follow-up appointments through your recovery
Current pricing for all procedures is listed on our financing and pricing page. Cherry financing is available with approvals up to $50,000.
Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by insurance, and this practice does not bill insurance. Patients pay directly, with financing available for those who prefer to spread the cost.
Choosing Your Implants: What Actually Matters
Three decisions shape your result, and none of them is “what cup size do I want.”
Saline or silicone
- Silicone implants are filled with cohesive gel and are generally described as feeling closer to natural breast tissue.
- Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement, which allows a smaller incision, and a rupture is immediately obvious.
- FDA age minimums apply in cosmetic cases: 18 for saline and 22 for silicone.
Size is measured in cc, not cup size
Implants are sold by volume in cubic centimetres. Cup size depends on your chest width, your existing tissue, the implant profile, and the bra brand you happen to buy.
Two women with identical 350cc implants can wear different cup sizes. This is why sizing is done by measurement and sizers at consultation, not by naming a letter.
Placement: over or under the muscle
Implant position affects shape, recovery and how the breast behaves over time. The right choice depends largely on how much natural tissue you have to cover the implant.
Thin tissue usually favours placement under the muscle, which reduces visible implant edges and rippling. Your anatomy decides this more than preference does.
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Breast Augmentation Recovery, Week by Week
Recovery is more predictable than most patients expect, but the timeline below is a guide rather than a promise. Dr. Baumholtz gives every patient instructions specific to their surgery.
Days 1 to 3
- Tightness and pressure across the chest are the most common descriptions, more than sharp pain.
- Arrange help at home for the first 48 hours, particularly for anything overhead.
- Short walks are encouraged from the first day to reduce clot risk.
Week 1
- Most patients come off prescription pain medication within a few days.
- Desk work is realistic for many patients toward the end of week one.
- Driving resumes once you are off prescription medication and can steer comfortably.
Weeks 2 to 4
- Swelling begins to settle and the breasts start to soften.
- Light activity resumes gradually, with no lifting or chest exercise.
- Implants sit high at this stage. This is normal and temporary.
Weeks 4 to 6
- Most patients return to full exercise around six weeks, once cleared.
- Upper body training is typically the last thing added back.
Months 3 to 6
- Implants “drop and fluff” into their final position as tissue relaxes.
- Scars begin maturing, fading over the first year.
- This is when results are judged — not at week three.
Read more about the procedure itself on our breast augmentation page.
What Breast Augmentation Will and Won’t Do
Implants add volume. They do not lift.
If your breasts have descended and you want them higher on the chest, an implant alone can make them look fuller but lower. That is the most common mismatch between what patients expect and what augmentation delivers.
- Volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss → augmentation often works well alone.
- Sagging with reasonable volume → a breast lift is the operation that addresses position.
- Both → augmentation with a lift, which Dr. Baumholtz will discuss as one operation or two.
- Asymmetry → common and correctable, though perfect symmetry is not a realistic goal for anyone.
Risks and the Long View
Breast augmentation is a well-established operation with a strong safety record, and it is still surgery.
Risks include bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, implant malposition, rupture, and capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant.
Implants are not lifetime devices. Many women keep the same implants for a decade or longer without issue, but some will need revision at some point. Plan for that possibility rather than assuming one operation is the end of it. [STAT 2 — reoperation rate with source].
What to Expect at Your Consultation
A good consultation is mostly measurement and conversation, not a sales presentation.
- Discussion of your goals and what you want your result to look like in clothes.
- Physical examination and measurement of chest width, tissue thickness and breast position.
- Sizing with implant sizers so you can see volumes on your own frame.
- A recommendation covering implant type, size range and placement, with the reasoning explained.
- An itemised quote and a discussion of financing if you want it.
Thinking about breast augmentation in San Antonio? Dr. Baumholtz offers in-person and virtual consultations, including second-opinion appointments if you already have a quote.
Book a consultation or call +1 210-880-3708. View before and after photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does breast augmentation cost in San Antonio?
Breast augmentation at Baumholtz Plastic Surgery starts at $8,200. The final price depends on implant type, whether a lift is combined with it, and operating time. Ask for an itemised quote covering the surgeon’s fee, facility, anaesthesia, implants and follow-up visits.
How long does breast augmentation recovery take?
Most patients return to desk work within about a week and resume full exercise at roughly six weeks once cleared. Swelling settles over the first month, and implants reach their final position between three and six months after surgery.
Is breast augmentation covered by insurance?
No. Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by insurance, and Baumholtz Plastic Surgery does not bill insurance. Patients pay directly, and Cherry financing is available with approvals up to $50,000.
What size breast implants should I get?
Implants are measured in cubic centimetres rather than cup sizes, and the same volume looks different on different frames. Size is chosen at consultation using chest measurements, tissue assessment and implant sizers, so you see the result on your own body.
Will breast augmentation lift my breasts?
No. Implants add volume but do not reposition the breast. If your breasts have descended, an implant alone can look fuller but still low. A breast lift addresses position, and the two procedures are often combined.
How long do breast implants last?
Implants are not lifetime devices. Many women keep the same implants for ten years or more without problems, but some need revision surgery for rupture, capsular contracture or a change in preference. Plan for the possibility of future surgery.
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
Many women breastfeed successfully after augmentation, particularly when the incision avoids the areola and milk ducts are preserved. No surgeon can guarantee breastfeeding ability, so tell Dr. Baumholtz at consultation if future breastfeeding matters to you.
When can I exercise after breast augmentation?
Walking starts immediately. Light lower-body activity usually resumes in the first few weeks, and most patients return to full exercise including chest and upper-body training at around six weeks, once their surgeon clears them.
Do breast implants affect mammograms?
Implants can obscure some breast tissue on a standard mammogram, so tell the imaging centre you have implants. Additional displacement views are used to image more of the tissue. Continue routine screening on your normal schedule.
Why do my implants sit so high after surgery?
High-sitting implants in the first weeks are normal. Chest muscles and tissue are tight after surgery and relax gradually. Implants settle into their final position over three to six months, a process often described as dropping and fluffing.
About the author. Dr. Michael Baumholtz is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, certified in both Plastic Surgery and General Surgery, with more than two decades of surgical experience. Read his full profile.
