Breast Augmentation in Denver: An Honest Guide From a Female Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
If you've been researching breast augmentation for any length of time, you know how quickly the information gets overwhelming. Different surgeons, different implants, different opinions on everything from incision placement to implant size. It can be hard to know what's actually true and what's just good marketing.
This guide is written to cut through that. Dr. Aline Rau, a board-certified, aesthetic fellowship-trained, plastic surgeon and founder of Amavi Aesthetic Surgery in Greenwood Village, Colorado, walks you through the decisions that actually matter: implant types and brands, placement options, what recovery genuinely looks like, and how to know you're in the right hands. Not a sales pitch. A straightforward guide from a surgeon who has had this conversation hundreds of times.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation uses implants, or fat transfer, to increase volume, improve shape, or restore fullness to the breasts. It's the most commonly performed aesthetic surgery in the United States, and for good reason: whether your breasts have changed after pregnancy, lost volume with age, or simply never developed the way you hoped, the results can be genuinely life-changing.
Every surgical plan at Amavi is tailored to each patient. No two patients are the same. No two plans should be either.
Implant Types: Silicone, Saline, And Gummy Bear. What's The Difference?
| Silicone Implants | Filled with a cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. The most popular choice for patients seeking a natural look and feel — available in a range of profiles and shapes to suit different body types. |
| Saline Implants | Filled with sterile salt water after placement, which allows for a smaller incision. They tend to feel firmer than silicone, with one clear advantage: if a saline implant leaks, the body absorbs the solution harmlessly and the change in appearance is immediately visible. |
| Gummy Bear Implants | Technically called form-stable or highly cohesive silicone implants — they hold their shape even when cut in half, which is where the name comes from. Teardrop-shaped and designed to mimic the natural slope of the breast, making them an excellent choice for patients seeking a subtle, anatomical result. |
Not All Implants Are Created Equal. Here's What We Use at Amavi.
At Amavi Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Aline Rau works with a carefully curated selection of the most trusted implant manufacturers in the industry: Motiva, Mentor, Sientra, and Natrelle. Each brand is chosen for its safety profile, aesthetic range, and long-term outcomes data.
Which brand is right for you? During your consultation, Dr. Aline Rau will recommend the best implant type and brand that best fits your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.
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Motiva implants have become one of the most talked-about options in aesthetic surgery in recent years. Their progressive gel technology gives them a uniquely natural movement and feel that closely mirrors breast tissue, and their surface technology is designed to minimize complications. For patients seeking the most anatomically refined, natural-feeling result, Motiva is a great implant of choice. |
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Mentor implants are one of the most extensively studied implants available, with decades of safety and outcomes data. They offer a wide range of shapes and profiles, making them a reliable option for patients across a broad spectrum of body types and goals. |
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Sientra implants are exclusively available through board-certified plastic surgeons, meaning they cannot be purchased or placed by providers without the appropriate credentials. Their High Strength silicone gel is designed for long-term shape retention and a natural feel. |
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Natrelle by Allergan is one of the most recognized names in breast augmentation globally. Their INSPIRA collection offers a range of round implants designed to deliver consistent, natural-looking fullness across a variety of patient profiles. |
Breast Augmentation Without Implants: The Fat Transfer Option
Fat transfer breast enhancement is an alternative for patients seeking a more subtle, natural enhancement without implants. At Amavi Aesthetic Surgery, we offer two options for fat transfer breast augmentation.
Traditional Fat Transfer
Traditional fat transfer breast augmentation is a two-step process and uses liposuction to harvest your own fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, which is then strategically injected into the breasts. It is the ideal choice for women who want a moderate increase in volume with the added benefit of body contouring. There are some limits worth understanding with this option:
Volume Limitation: Limited by the amount of body fat available for transfer
Results and Logevity: Fat transfer results depend on the fat survival rate
alloClae
For patients who are very lean, post-GLP-1 weight-loss, or simply want to avoid liposuction, Amavi Aesthetic Surgery also offers alloClae™, a breakthrough alternative to traditional fat transfer. It utilizes purified donor-derived fat tissue to restore volume and refine contours with minimal downtime.
If you are seeking a significant increase in size, implants remain the more predictable option. But if you want subtle, natural fullness or minor asymmetry correction, fat transfer can be an excellent fit.
What to Expect: From Your Consultation to Recovery
The Consultation
Your consultation is a one-on-one conversation with Dr. Aline Rau. At Amavi, our consultations are 75 minutes. This is your time, and your time only, to talk through your goals, your medical history, any concerns, and to ask as many questions as you may have. Dr. Aline Rau will perform a physical assessment and walk you through your options, including implant type, size range, placement, and incision location. There's no rushing.
The Procedure
Breast augmentation at Amavi is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes two hours. Implants are most commonly placed through an incision in the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast), which keeps scarring discreet and gives Dr. Aline Rau the most precise control during placement.
The Recovery
Most patients return to light daily activity within one week and resume exercise at four to six weeks. Here's a general timeline:
Soreness and tightness are completely normal. You'll go home in a surgical bra with post-op instructions to follow closely. Most patients are most comfortable resting with their upper body slightly elevated.
Most patients feel well enough to move around the house and handle light tasks. Driving is not recommended until you are off pain medication. A follow-up appointment with Dr. Aline Rau is typically scheduled this week.
Swelling gradually decreases and you'll start to see your results coming into focus. Keep in mind that implants take three to six months to fully settle — what you see at week two is not the final picture.
Most patients are cleared for full exercise and unrestricted activity at six weeks. By three to six months, implants have settled into their final position and your full result is visible.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation in Denver Cost?
The cost of breast augmentation in Denver varies based on several factors: the type of implants used, anesthesia fees, and the surgical facility. At Amavi, pricing is discussed in detail during your consultation. We provide a customized, transparent surgical quote outlining your personalized plan.
We also proudly partner with PatientFi to offer flexible monthly payment plans, ensuring your body-contouring journey is affordable.
The Amavi Difference: Why So Many Women in Denver Choose Dr. Aline Rau For Breast Augmentation
Every breast has a footprint — the base diameter of your natural breast tissue, which maps to the width of your chest. The goal is to find the implant that fits within it and creates balance with your frame, your height, and the rest of your body.
No two women have the same starting point. The shape of your chest wall, the position of your nipples, the amount of existing breast tissue, and the elasticity of your skin all influence the surgical plan. Dr. Aline Rau accounts for all of it.
Before any recommendation is made, Dr. Aline Rau listens. What bothers you? What have you always wanted? What do you want to avoid? The surgical plan comes after that conversation, not before it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most patients return to light activity within one week and full exercise by six weeks. Implants take three to six months to fully settle into their final position.
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Implant size is determined by your chest measurements, the amount of natural tissue you have, and your aesthetic goals.
Dr. Rau uses a structured sizing process to help you find the range that fits your frame and vision.
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Yes. Breast augmentation does not interfere with milk ducts or nipple sensation.
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Implants can be placed above (subglandular) or under the chest (pectoralis) muscle (submuscular). What may be best for you is best determined during your consultation because there are several things to consider before you make the final decision.
The pectoralis muscle does not need to be stretched when the implant is placed above it, making it a less painful option with a shorter recovery. It may also be a better option if you workout regularly or lead an overall active lifestyle.
Dr. Aline Rau will recommend the approach that best fits your anatomy.
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This is one of the most common questions asked, here is a quick at-home nipple-to-crease test (the position of your nipple relative to the breast crease):
If your nipple sits at or above the crease, implants alone can typically deliver a full, lifted-looking result.
If your nipple has dropped below the crease, an implant will add volume but won't correct the sagging or positioning, you may need a lift to achieve the shape you're after. Skin laxity and the amount of volume loss also play a role.
This is exactly the kind of assessment Dr. Aline Rau makes during your consultation.
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Ready to Start Your Breast Augmentation Journey?
Dr. Aline Rau approaches each patient with honesty, precision, and artistry, ensuring you feel heard and empowered.
We proudly partner with PatientFi to offer flexible monthly payment plans, ensuring your breast enhancement journey is affordable.
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Serving Denver & The Rocky Mountain Region
Amavi Aesthetic Surgery is conveniently located in the heart of the South Denver corridor. We are proud to serve patients throughout the Greater Denver Metro area.
