Breast augmentation in Berlin
with an implant or autologous fat

Breast augmentationInfo at a glance

Duration of the surgeryapprox. 1 hour, surgery under general anesthesia
AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia
hospital stayoutpatient or 1 night
After the surgery6 weeks postoperative compression bra
Socially acceptableafter 1-2 weeks
CostsStarting at €8,500 for outpatient treatment + anesthesia costs; starting at €9,000 for inpatient treatment
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There is no such thing as the “perfect” breast—it is as unique as every woman herself. Some women want a subtle augmentation for a more natural silhouette, while others desire more volume and fullness. Still others wish to regain their previous breast shape after pregnancy or weight loss.

Important: Breast augmentation is available for individuals 18 years of age and older, but should not be performed until physical growth is complete.

Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for Breast Augmentation?

I am Dr. Juliane Bodo, a board-certified specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Berlin-Charlottenburg. I have been performing breast augmentation procedures for nearly 20 years—at my own licensed private clinic, with a team consisting entirely of women.

Many women who come to see me have hesitated for a long time. Not because they’re unsure about their decision—but because they’re looking for the right doctor. Someone they can trust. Someone who listens, provides thorough advice, and performs surgery with the highest level of technical skill.

Breast augmentation is not a routine procedure that every doctor can perform equally well. Choosing the right surgeon is crucial—for the outcome, for your safety, and for your long-term well-being.

For me, breast augmentation doesn’t begin in the operating room, but during the consultation. I take my time—typically an hour—to fully understand your wishes, your anatomy, and your expectations. We use a 3D simulation system during this process: you can see your potential results even before the surgery. You can try on trial implants right away.

  • Individual analysis: Every breast is unique – asymmetries or differences in tissue require tailored techniques.
  • Expertise & experience: Detailed knowledge of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves is essential for a safe and aesthetic result.
  • State-of-the-art surgical techniques: A combination of various methods to ensure optimal placement and durability of the implants.

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation may be an option for a wide variety of situations:

  • Desire for a subtle enhancement to achieve a more natural silhouette
  • Desire for more volume and fullness
  • Restoring the Breast's Original Shape After Pregnancy or Weight Loss

Whether an implant or your own body fat is the best option for achieving your desired results depends on the desired increase in volume, the amount of fat available, and your personal priorities—more on this in the next section

What are the different methods of breast augmentation?

There are essentially two proven methods available: breast augmentation with silicone implants and breast augmentation using the patient’s own fat (lipofilling). Both procedures are performed regularly at my clinic and are explained in detail in the following chapters—here is an overview to start with.

Breast Augmentation with Implants

Breast augmentation with silicone implants is the most commonly performed procedure worldwide for cosmetic breast reshaping. Implants can not only enlarge small breasts but also correct asymmetries and harmonize the shape of the breasts. They allow for a more pronounced increase in volume that can be customized to your individual needs and are the right choice if you’d like to go up more than one cup size or if you have limited amounts of your own fat tissue available. I use only high-quality brand-name implants with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Breast augmentation with autologous fat

In this procedure, the body’s own fat is harvested from another area of the body (e.g., the abdomen, hips, or thighs), processed, and injected into the breasts. The result feels natural because it is natural tissue—with no foreign materials involved. This method is suitable for a subtle, natural augmentation of up to one cup size and also offers the added benefit of body contouring at the donor site. Since some of the transplanted fat may be reabsorbed, two procedures are usually necessary.

In short—implants for noticeably more volume, and autologous fat for a subtle, completely natural result with added body contouring. I’ll discuss which method is best for you personally during our consultation.

In-Depth Consultation & 3D Simulation Before Surgery

During your initial consultation, we'll take plenty of time to conduct a detailed analysis and simulation:

  • Biodynamics System: Try on different sample implants directly in a bra.
  • 3D Simulation: See your possible final result even before the surgery.
  • Precise measurement of the breast and joint planning of the surgical technique.

Duration of the consultation: approx. 60 minutes – no obligation for treatment.

It's important to me to answer all your questions and, above all, to ensure that you're truly satisfied with your decision. Depending on your preferences, I can also advise you on alternatives such as a Breast lift.

Breast Augmentation with Implants: A Detailed Look

What types of implants do I use?

I use only high-quality brand-name implants with a manufacturer’s warranty. You can choose from implants by Polytech, Sebbin, and Motiva. For women who are particularly active in sports, I recommend B-Lite implants upon request—they are up to 30 % lighter and reduce strain on the breasts over the long term.

Round Implants

Round implants create a fuller, more pronounced cleavage. They are the right choice if you want beautiful, full breasts with a stunning cleavage. Since they do not have a fixed orientation, they can move freely within the body without affecting the results. Round implants are available in various diameters and different projections—ranging from low to moderate, high, and extra-high profile. Depending on the projection, the implant will appear flatter or more pronounced.

Anatomical Implants (Teardrop Shape)

If your desired breast is to look as natural as possible, teardrop-shaped, so-called anatomical implants are the better choice. They mimic the natural shape of the breast – with more volume in the lower area and a gently sloping upper pole. They are also available in various projections and in different base shapes: round, transversely oval, or vertically oval. These variants make it possible to model the transition from the breast to the chest wall with a particularly precise fit – even in cases of asymmetry.

In total, I have more than 200 different implant models at my disposal. Making the right choice is the key to achieving the result you desire – and we will make that choice together. The decisive factor is always your individual starting point: the shape and size of your breast, the condition of your skin, and, of course, your personal wishes. A detailed consultation and an open discussion about your ideas are the prerequisite for a result that truly suits you.

All of the implants I use are made of cohesive silicone gel—they retain their shape even if the shell is damaged. According to recent studies, newer models with nanotexturing or micro-polyurethane foam also reduce the risk of capsular contracture.

Where is the implant placed?

The choice of implant position is critical to the long-term outcome.

  • Under the pectoral muscle (submuscular): My preferred method. The implant is better covered, does not sag in the long term, and the result looks more natural. Particularly recommended when there is little natural breast tissue.
  • On the pectoral muscle (subglandular): Suitable when there is sufficient natural tissue. The surgery is less invasive, but the risk of a visible implant outline is higher.
  • Under the muscle fascia (subfascial): An interim solution that provides slightly more coverage than the subglandular location.
  • Dual-plane technique: The implant is placed partly under and partly over the muscle. This method combines the advantages of both positions and is used for certain breast shapes.

How is the implant inserted? The incision technique.

There are three proven approaches:

  • Inframammary fold: My preferred approach. The incision is approx. 3–4 cm long, the glandular tissue remains completely untouched, and the scar later lies discretely in the natural fold.
  • Areola: The scar is very inconspicuous. Since the incision goes through glandular tissue, there is a low risk of reducing the ability to breastfeed – this approach is therefore not suitable for all patients.
  • Armpit: No scar on the breast itself. This approach is only useful for smaller implants.

Which approach is right for you will be discussed together during the consultation.

Insight into our clinic – this is how a breast augmentation with me works.

Breast Augmentation with Autologous Fat: A Detailed Look

Who is this method suitable for?

  • Desire for a gentle, natural enlargement of up to one cup size
  • Preference for not using silicone implants
  • There is sufficient body fat on the abdomen, hips, or thighs
  • Body contouring at the donor site is desired at the same time
  • A shorter recovery time is preferred

Approximately 500 ccm of fat tissue is needed per breast. You don't need to gain weight for this—the fat can be harvested from various parts of the body.

Procedure—From Fat Harvesting to Injection

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts about 1.5 hours. It is an outpatient procedure—you can go home the same day.

  1. Fat removal: using water-jet-assisted liposuction (Body-Jet® procedure) from the abdomen, hips, or thighs, through tiny, barely visible incisions.
  2. Fat Processing: The harvested fat is purified in a special lipocollector—blood, fluids, and damaged cells are filtered out. Only viable, intact fat cells are then transplanted.
  3. Injection into the breast: The processed fat is injected layer by layer using a fine cannula and from various directions to ensure that the cells receive a good blood supply. The glandular tissue remains completely unaffected—the ability to breastfeed is preserved.

What You Should Know Before Surgery

A mammogram or ultrasound is required before the procedure to ensure that there are no tissue abnormalities. Another mammogram one year after the procedure is also recommended—since transplanted fat cells can eventually lead to small calcifications that are visible on a mammogram.

Advantages of the Method

  • Completely natural results—no foreign bodies, no risk of capsular fibrosis
  • Double benefit: more breast volume, less fat at the donor site
  • Very small scars—about 3 mm at the donor sites
  • Shorter recovery time than with implant surgery
  • Ready to socialize immediately; can resume sports after 6–8 weeks

Things to Keep in Mind

This method is technically more challenging than implant surgery, and the increase in cup size is limited to about one cup size. Since fat cells are sensitive and some may be broken down by the body over time, two procedures spaced at least three to six months apart are usually necessary—each additional procedure is billed separately. During the consultation, I’ll tell you openly and honestly whether this method is right for you.

Risks & Potential Complications

Risks Associated with Implants

  • Capsular fibrosis: Hardening of the capsule surrounding the implant—rare but treatable; may require a second surgery.
  • Implant displacement: possible during the first 6 weeks if the breasts are subjected to improper strain; wearing a support bra is essential.
  • Numbness: a temporary change in nipple sensitivity that usually returns to normal after a few months.

Risks Associated with the Autologous Fat Transfer Method

  • Fat Resorption: Some of the injected fat may be broken down by the body over time—which is why two procedures are usually necessary.
  • Fat necrosis: In rare cases, fat cells may die and form small, usually harmless areas of hardening in the tissue, which can raise questions during imaging studies.
  • Asymmetries: Since fat accumulates at different rates in each breast, slight differences in volume may occur.

General Surgical Risks (Both Methods)

  • Post-operative bleeding and swelling in the first few days—normal and easily treated with medication.
  • Infections—very rare thanks to sterile techniques and thorough follow-up care.
  • General surgical risks—such as thrombosis or reactions to anesthesia—are explained in detail during the preoperative consultation.

I will discuss all risks with you personally and in detail before the surgery—no question will be left unanswered.

What can I do for you?

  • Natural shape & harmonious volume: The implants compensate for missing volume without altering the natural shape of the breast. About two-thirds of the implant are covered by pectoral muscle fibers.
  • Gentle surgical technique: Thanks to the minimally invasive procedure with a scar-sparing skin incision, there are hardly any postoperative complaints. Early physical resilience is possible – ideal for active women.
  • Stability & Minimal Scarring: A special four-layer suturing technique ensures the implant remains securely in place and prevents it from shifting—even during weight training or running.
  • Preservation of the ability to breastfeed: The mammary gland remains completely untouched with my preferred incision technique.

Postoperative Care

After implant surgery

You should wear a support bra day and night for 6 weeks. During the first 10–14 days, you should rest, avoid exertion, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. After 2 weeks, you can resume daily activities, but you should still avoid straining your chest muscles (exercise, heavy lifting, or working with your arms above your head). Once the bandages are removed, I recommend applying scar cream and massaging the area daily.

After autologous fat transfer surgery

You should wear a sports bra for 6 weeks. Light daily activity is possible after just a few days, but you should wait at least 6 to 8 weeks before resuming exercise and start gently at first—strenuous activity can impair the growth rate of the transplanted fat cells. Please also avoid dieting or significant weight loss in the weeks following the procedure: A stable body weight is the most important factor for achieving a beautiful, long-lasting result.

Costs at a Glance

  • Breast augmentation with implants: starting at €8,500 for outpatient procedures or €9,000 for inpatient procedures, plus anesthesia costs in each case.
  • Breast augmentation with autologous fat: starting at €5,500 per procedure, plus anesthesia costs. Since two procedures are recommended in most cases, this should be taken into account when planning.

You will receive a transparent, customized cost breakdown during your personal consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation in Berlin

With implants, a silicone prosthesis is inserted—this allows for a more significant, freely selectable increase in volume, but carries implant-specific risks such as capsular contracture. With lipofilling, only the patient’s own fat tissue is used—no foreign bodies, no capsular contracture—but the increase in size is limited to about one cup size. Those who desire more volume are better off with an implant.

There are three methods for inserting the breast implant:

  • Most commonly, the incision is made in the inframammary fold. This is very gentle on the breast. In addition, the glandular tissue is barely touched.
  • Rarer, yet still frequently chosen, is the incision along the edge of the nipple. The scar is very inconspicuous, but there is a low risk of impairing the ability to breastfeed. Women who have recently become mothers or still want to become mothers therefore mostly decide against it.
  • We only use the incision in the armpit for smaller implants. Larger silicone implants can shift, and above a certain size, it is technically almost impossible to place the implant precisely through this incision.

We'll discuss which method is right for your desired breast surgery during our in-depth consultation.

A distinction is made between implant placement above (prepectoral/subglandular) or beneath the pectoral muscle (subpectoral/submuscular). There is also the subfascial placement, where the implant is placed beneath the muscle fascia (connective tissue). This allows us to achieve slightly greater coverage than with pure subglandular implant placement.
When placing the implant under the pectoral muscle, we also differentiate between placement completely under the muscle or only under the pectoralis major muscle (the large chest muscle). Once the muscle is detached, there are additional options for variation—for example, the dual-plane technique grades 1-3: partly under and partly above the muscle.

Whether an implant is placed above or below the muscle depends on the patient's own tissue, skin thickness, and the choice of implant model. I generally recommend placement under the pectoral muscle, as it is better covered there in the long term and does not slip out of place.

We typically perform breast augmentation under general anesthesia. While it would be possible to use local anesthesia for the breast, this would require injecting larger amounts of anesthetic, which would alter the tissue and make it easier for the implant to shift out of place. Since it is not really possible to numb the ribs (bones) with local anesthesia, placing a breast implant under the muscle under local anesthesia is very uncomfortable. For this reason, local anesthesia would only be an option if the implant were placed on top of the muscle. We also administer sedatives intravenously during the procedure. I do not recommend this approach; however, if there are valid reasons against general anesthesia, it would be possible in consultation with the anesthesiologist.

The surgery usually takes about an hour. If the breast augmentation is combined with a breast lift, the duration increases accordingly. The postoperative stay in the clinic is typically 24 hours, meaning an overnight stay for monitoring. Of course, the surgery can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Depending on how the surgery goes, you can be discharged home about 3 hours after the procedure accompanied by a trusted person. However, since every patient reacts differently to the anesthesia, we recommend staying one night in our comfortable private clinic for aftercare. There is good food and an extensive TV and video program. The team takes care of you around the clock, and while you sleep, the night nurse watches over your well-being. Should unexpected pain or discomfort occur, we are immediately on hand. Who has that kind of service at home?

With implants, yes—despite the use of scar-minimizing techniques, though the scars are usually only a few centimeters long and become barely visible over time. With the autologous fat transfer method, the scars at the donor sites are particularly small, measuring about 3 mm.

During the consultation, you will be asked about allergies, pre-existing conditions, and similar issues. Blood clotting disorders and pregnancy must be ruled out. Depending on the implant’s location and size, you may experience pain in the breast area during the first 4–5 days after surgery, possibly accompanied by mild swelling. We can alleviate these symptoms with mild medication.

During the first 6 weeks after treatment, until the implants have integrated, improper postoperative behavior can cause the implant to shift. For this reason, it is important that you wear the special bra and avoid straining the chest muscles.

The risk of capsular contracture (hardening of the implant) is very rare with the implants we use today. During the wound healing process, the body forms a capsule around the implant. This stabilizing tissue is usually very soft and feels natural. In rare cases, this capsule can harden, which can cause the implant to become deformed. Capsular contracture is treatable, but only through a further surgery.

As with any surgical procedure, other risks include inflammation, thrombosis, numbness, or bleeding. We will explain all possible complications to you in detail before the surgery.

After the breast surgery, you must wear a support bra day and night for about six weeks. You should rest and avoid any exertion for the first 10–14 days. During this time, we also advise against the use of nicotine and alcohol. After 2 weeks, you can resume your daily tasks, but avoid heavy strain on the chest muscles (sports, heavy lifting), bouncing or jumping, as well as prolonged work with your arms raised above your head. Please avoid lying on your stomach during this time. After the plasters are removed, we recommend applying cream and massaging the scars daily for aftercare – if necessary, with special scar care products that you can obtain from us.

A serious, officially approved, and above all sustainably effective method for non-surgical breast augmentation does not exist, even though many women wish for this out of fear of scarring after a breast augmentation. Filling the breast, for example, through the injection of hyaluronic acid or other so-called fillers, including Macrolane breast augmentation, has the decisive disadvantage that the effect wears off very quickly and, under certain circumstances, the treatment has to be repeated every one to two years. Currently, no hyaluronic acid breast augmentation is approved in Germany.

Breast augmentations using saline injections have only a very short-term effect and carry the risk of severe pain and a veritable sagging or stretching of the breast. Therefore, the procedure is not officially offered or performed in Germany.

Breast augmentation with implants: starting at €8,500 for outpatient procedures or €9,000 for inpatient procedures, plus anesthesia costs in each case.

Breast augmentation with autologous fat: starting at €5,500 per procedure, plus anesthesia costs. Since two procedures are recommended in most cases, this should be taken into account when planning.

If there are no complications, implants can remain in place for a lifetime—routine replacement after 10 years is no longer necessary with modern implants. With autologous fat transfer, fat that has successfully taken root is permanently retained, but it behaves like normal body fat and can decrease or increase with significant weight fluctuations.

Breast implants are neither harmful to babies nor do they entail any other restrictions. The vast majority of women can breastfeed without restriction after breast augmentation. Testimonials show that only about 1 to 3 percent of patients complain of problems. These occur mainly when the nipple has not yet regained its former sensitivity after surgery. In principle, however, we advise waiting until after childbirth and the end of the breastfeeding period for breast augmentation if a pregnancy is planned.

For very slender women without sufficient fat deposits, for patients who wish to increase their breast volume by several cup sizes, and in cases of unclear breast findings or recent changes detected on mammograms.

Authorized by Dr. Juliane Bodo

Last updated on September 1, 2026

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