Small Breast Augmentation in Santa Barbara, CA
Not every woman seeking breast augmentation wants a dramatic transformation. For patients who prefer a subtle, proportionate enhancement, just enough to feel more balanced and confident, small breast augmentation may be exactly the right approach. At the boutique plastic surgery practice of Dr. Sara Yegiyants in Santa Barbara, this goal is one she hears often, and one she is exceptionally well-equipped to address.
Whether you are looking to add a modest amount of volume, correct mild asymmetry, or restore fullness lost after pregnancy or weight changes, Dr. Yegiyants takes the time to understand your specific aesthetic goals and builds a surgical plan that fits your body, not a template.
What Is Small Breast Augmentation in Santa Barbara, CA?
Small breast augmentation is specifically aimed at achieving a modest, natural-looking increase in breast size and fullness. Rather than a significant size change, the focus is on subtle volume, improved proportion, and a result that looks and feels like your own.
Like all breast enhancement surgeries performed by Dr. Yegiyants, a small augmentation involves the placement of an implant or the use of fat transfer to enhance the shape and size of the breast. The same surgical precision and personalized planning that goes into any augmentation applies. The difference is simply in the degree of change you are seeking.
What Are the Best Options for Small Breast Augmentation in Santa Barbara, CA?
Dr. Yegiyants offers two primary approaces for patients seeking modest enhancement.
Both saline-filled and silicone implants are available in a wide range of sizes, including smaller profiles well-suited for subtle augmentation. Silicone implants are often chosen by patients who want results that feel closest to natural breast tissue. Dr. Yegiyants uses only state-of-the-art, FDA-approved implants and will recommend the specific type and size that best complements your natural breast architecture.
For patients who want a modest increase in size with an entirely natural outcome, breast fat grafting is an excellent option. Fat is removed from another area of your body via liposuction and transferred to the breasts. This approach is generally chosen by patients seeking a small size increase and a soft, natural look and feel with no implant required.
During your consultation, Dr. Yegiyants will evaluate which option aligns best with your anatomy, goals, and desired outcome.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Small Breast Augmentation?
You may be a strong candidate if you:
- Want a subtle increase in breast volume without a dramatic change in appearance
- Have naturally small breasts and would like better proportion with your frame
- Have experienced mild volume loss after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
- Have mild breast asymmetry you would like to reduce
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome
- Prefer a result that looks natural and is not obviously “surgical”
Candidacy is always determined on an individual basis. Dr. Yegiyants will review your health history, examine your breast tissue and skin, and discuss your goals thoroughly before making any recommendations.
Meet Dr. Yegiyants
Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in surgical and non-invasive procedures. Learn more about Dr. Yegiyants and why you should choose her for your next procedure.
How Does Dr. Sara Yegiyants Approach Implant Placement?
One reason Dr. Yegiyants is a particularly strong choice for patients seeking natural-looking, modest results is her preference for subfascial implant placement, a technique in which the implant is placed beneath the fibrous connective tissue (fascia) that covers the pectoral muscle, rather than beneath the muscle itself.
Research supports that subfascial placement offers a more comfortable recovery and reduces certain complications associated with subpectoral placement, such as animation deformity and implant shifting. Importantly, because there is no muscle pressure on top of the implants, subfascial placement can achieve better projection and perkiness even with smaller implants, making it an especially appropriate technique for patients seeking subtle enhancement.
Dr. Yegiyants is the only plastic surgeon in the Santa Barbara area who preferentially performs subfascial breast implant placement.
What Can I Expect During Small Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery typically lasts about one hour and is performed under general anesthesia in Dr. Yegiyants’ state-of-the-art operating room. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning you will return home the same day.
The surgical incision can be made in the crease under the breast, around a portion of the areola, or in the armpit (trans-axillary approach). The best incision location for you will depend on your anatomy, implant type, and whether any concurrent procedures are planned. Dr. Yegiyants carefully selects incision placement to minimize visible scarring, and incisions are typically closed with sutures that dissolve on their own.
What Can I Expect During Recovery and Aftercare?
Recovery from breast augmentation is generally well-tolerated, and most patients are able to return to desk work within approximately one week. Strenuous activity, including running, weightlifting, and swimming, should be avoided for about six weeks following surgery. Gentle walking is encouraged early in recovery to support circulation.
You will go home in a surgical bra or compression bandaging to support healing, and Dr. Yegiyants recommends wearing a supportive garment day and night during the initial weeks of recovery. She and her team will provide you with specific aftercare instructions and will be available to you throughout the healing process.
What Results Can I Expect?
Small breast augmentation is designed to produce results that are proportionate and natural-looking, an enhancement that complements your existing figure rather than overshadowing it. Many patients find that their results improve their clothing fit, their sense of physical balance, and their comfort in their own skin.
Results are long-lasting. Modern implants do not have a set expiration date, and many patients enjoy their results for many years. If you choose fat transfer, results are also intended to be long-term, though individual healing factors can influence how much volume is retained. Dr. Yegiyants will give you an honest, conservative picture of what to expect at your consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next steps towards booking a procedure? Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey with Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS.
Why Choose Dr. Sara Yegiyants for Small Breast Augmentation in Santa Barbara, CA?
Dr. Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS, is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and the only female cosmetic surgeon in Santa Barbara. Her credentials include board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, and a certificate in Surgery of the Hand. She completed a plastic surgery residency at the University of Illinois Chicago and a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the University of Miami.
What sets Dr. Yegiyants apart is the rare combination of rigorous surgical training and a formal education in the visual arts, a foundation that informs her approach to proportion, symmetry, and aesthetic outcome. Breast augmentation is one of her signature procedures, and her boutique practice model means that every patient meets directly with Dr. Yegiyants from the first consultation through every follow-up appointment.
In 2025, Dr. Yegiyants was honored with the Dr. Fred Kass Healing Through Compassion Award from the Breast Cancer Resource Center, recognizing her commitment to patient care that extends beyond the operating room.
How Do I Schedule a Small Breast Augmentation Consultation?
If you are considering a small breast augmentation and want to work with a surgeon who will truly listen to your goals, Dr. Yegiyants welcomes you to schedule a personal consultation at her Santa Barbara practice.
Her boutique approach means you will not wait in a crowded waiting room. You will meet with Dr. Yegiyants directly, discuss your goals openly, and leave with a clear understanding of your options and what to expect.
Contact us online or call us to request your consultation. Financing options are also available.
Small Breast Augmentation FAQs
What is the difference between small breast augmentation and regular breast augmentation?
Small breast augmentation uses the same surgical techniques as standard breast augmentation, implants or fat transfer, but focuses on a modest, subtle increase in volume and size. The goal is a natural-looking result that improves proportion rather than creating a dramatically larger chest. Dr. Yegiyants customizes every procedure to each patient’s individual goals.
Am I a candidate for fat transfer instead of implants if I only want a small increase?
Possibly. Breast fat grafting is generally well-suited for patients seeking a modest size increase and a soft, natural result. Candidacy depends on whether you have sufficient donor fat available for transfer and what your specific aesthetic goals are. Dr. Yegiyants will discuss both options with you during your consultation.
Will a small implant look natural on my frame?
Dr. Yegiyants’ preference for subfascial implant placement combined with her background in visual arts and her individualized approach to implant selection is specifically designed to achieve results that are proportionate and natural-looking. She will study your body’s natural contours to recommend implants that complement, rather than overshadow, your figure.
How long will my recovery take?
Most patients return to desk work within approximately one week. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for about six weeks. Dr. Yegiyants will give you a personalized recovery timeline based on your procedure and individual health factors.
Will there be noticeable scarring?
Dr. Yegiyants carefully selects incision placement to minimize visible scarring. Common locations include the crease under the breast, around part of the areola, or in the armpit. She works to leave skin as smooth and natural-looking as possible, and incisions are typically closed with dissolving sutures.
Can I combine small breast augmentation with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients choose to combine breast augmentation with a breast lift for improved shape, or include it as part of a broader mommy makeover. Dr. Yegiyants will help you evaluate whether combining procedures makes sense for your goals and recovery.
How do I get started?
Call our Santa Barbara office at 805-682-1731 or contact us online to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Yegiyants. You can also review patient before-and-after photos in our gallery to get a sense of real results.