Ballerina Breast Augmentation: Subtle Breast Enhancement Explained

While breast augmentation continues to be one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, the end goal of many patients is changing. The more augmented “bigger is better” approach to breast augmentation (highly popular in the 90’s) is giving way to a preference for results that appear more natural. Many women now seek a look that complements their figure rather than dramatically transforming it.

This changing preference has led to the rise of what is being called “ballerina breast augmentation,” a term used to describe a subtle enhancement that creates a youthful, perky, and proportionate appearance. Rather than aiming for maximum volume, these women opt for smaller breast implants. The focus of this aesthetic is to enhance the breasts while maintaining balance and harmony with the patient’s overall body shape. The trend has become especially hot for women how experience a loss in breast volume after loosing weight via GLP-1 medications.

What Is Ballerina Breast Augmentation?

Ballerina breast augmentation is not a new breast augmentation technique, but rather a term describing a specific aesthetic goal. The look is often associated with patients who have a slender, athletic, or petite frame and want a modest increase in breast size that feels completely in sync with their body proportions. The driving goal is a final result that looks and feels as natural as possible.

Key characteristics of the results of ballerina breast augmentation include:

• A subtle increase in volume, often limited to just one cup size
• A lifted, youthful breast position
• A soft, natural slope and gentle projection
• Breasts that appear proportional to the body frame

How Does Ballerina Breast Augmentation Differ from Traditional Breast Implants?

The primary distinction between traditional augmentation and ballerina augmentation is the motivation of the patient.  Traditional breast augmentation often aims for a more dramatic transformation with noticeable cleavage and a larger cup size. In contrast, ballerina breast augmentation prioritizes a “barely-there” or “is she or isn’t she?” result that blends seamlessly with the rest of the body.

From an implant perspective, traditional augmentation typically utilizes larger sized implants and/or implants with a high-profile to maximize fullness and projection. This achieves an enhanced result, often where the breasts are somewhat out of proportion with the rest of the body. Ballerina augmentation typically uses smaller implants with a low or moderate profile to achieve a softer, more natural slope. Surgeons may also use tailored placement and incision techniques to enhance elegance and avoid a “done” look.

Best Breast Implant Types for a Natural, Ballerina Look

Like any breast augmentation procedure, ballerina breast augmentation can be fully customized to meet the needs of each patient. While this equates to a variance in the types of implant used, common choices for Ballerina augmentation include:

• Small to Moderate-Sized Implants: Designed to create a modest increase in size without overwhelming the frame.
• Low or Moderate Profile Implants: Provide a gentle slope rather than a prominent projection.
• Silicone over Saline: While both options are safe, silicone is often preferred for its softer, more natural feel, which aligns with this aesthetic.
• Fat Transfer Augmentation: In some cases, the patient’s own fat can be used alone or in combination with small implants for a completely natural, subtle result.

Why Smaller Implants Are Popular After GLP-1 Weight Loss

The rise of medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® has led to significant weight loss for many patients. While this transformation can be life-changing, it often comes with a decrease in breast volume and changes in skin elasticity.

Ballerina breast augmentation is a great way to restore lost volume that occurs with GLP-1 weight loss while maintaining a look that matches a leaner, toned frame. For patients seeking a graceful, proportionate “ballet body” aesthetic, this procedure offers a natural complement to their weight loss results. It is a way to feel complete in their transformation without an overly enhanced look.

How Is Ballerina Breast Augmentation Performed?

Ballerina breast augmentation follows the general steps of a traditional augmentation, with both procedures being performed under general anesthesia.

The procedure starts with the creation of several incisions, often made in discreet locations like the crease under the breast (inframammary fold) or along the edge of the areola. These sites allow for precise implant placement while minimizing visible scarring. Incision placement can depend on many factors including patient anatomy, implant choice, and personal preferences.

Once the incision is made, the surgeon creates a small pocket for the implant. This pocket can be placed either under the pectoral muscle (submuscular) or directly behind the breast tissue (subglandular). Submuscular placement is often recommended for ballerina breast augmentation as it creates a more natural slope, extra implant coverage, and a softer feel—especially in patients with thinner breast tissue.

After the implant is carefully positioned to achieve desired symmetry and optimal shape, the incisions are closed with layered sutures to promote healing and reduce tension on the scar. Surgical tape or small bandages may be applied for added support. In most cases, the entire surgery takes about one to two hours and patients can return home the same day.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Subtle Breast Enhancement?

Ideal candidates are women who are overall health and often have a lean, slender, or athletic frame and want a natural-looking enhancement rather than a dramatic change.

Often these are patient who:

• Seek to restore lost volume from weight loss (especially GLP-1 weight loss), pregnancy, or normal aging
• Wish to correct naturally small or asymmetrical breasts
• Are active individuals who want to maintain comfort and mobility with minimal size increase

Good candidates are also in good physical health, have realistic expectations, and desire the subtler nature of this result.

Benefits of Ballerina Breast Augmentation

Ballerina breast augmentation offers a variety of advantages for patients who want a refined, proportionate enhancement. While many women choose this option for its natural-looking results, there are several additional benefits of “going small” worth noting:

• Quicker Recovery: Because the implants are smaller and require less stretching of the breast tissue, patients often experience less discomfort and faster healing compared to larger augmentations.
• Better For Active Lifestyles: This approach is ideal for athletic or highly active individuals who want to avoid the added weight and movement that can come with larger implants.
• Lower Complications Risk: Smaller implants are less likely to cause visible rippling, significant stretching of the skin, or long-term changes in breast position.
• Better Long-Term Proportions:  As the body changes with age, weight fluctuations, or hormonal shifts, the subtle increase in size is more likely to stay in harmony with your figure over time.

Ballerina Breast Augmentation Recovery

Ballerina breast augmentation recovery is typically smooth and often easier than traditional breast augmentation recovery. Post procedure, most patients may experience some degree of soreness, swelling, and tightness in the chest. Any pain or discomfort can be managed by pain medication and often resolves completely within three to five days following surgery. In fact, many patients find that the smaller implants used in ballerina augmentation result in less post-operative tightness and discomfort, which can make recovery feel easier.

Support garments such as a surgical bra may be provided to help control swelling and keep the implants in their proper position while healing. Patients are often advised to wear this garment continuously for the first few weeks to enhance comfort and healing.

Activity restrictions are important for optimal healing. Most patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, and movements that strain the chest muscles for at least three to four weeks. Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery to promote circulation.

Because the focus is on smaller, proportionate implants, many patients enjoy a faster return to normal activities and less downtime overall, with most patients return to work and normal daily activity within 5 days of the procedure. Activity restrictions are important for optimal healing. Most patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, and movements that strain the chest muscles for at least three to four weeks.

While the initial results will be visible right away, the breasts may appear slightly high or firm at first. Over the next several weeks, the implants will “drop and fluff,” settling into a softer, more natural position. Most patients see their final results of the procedure within two to three months.

Daniela Atencio, MD is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with fellowship training in cosmetic surgery. She learned from nationally renowned plastic surgeons and obtained extensive training in the entire spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. Dr. Atencio’s surgical interest is focused on face and breast aesthetics, as well as body-contouring surgery. She has extensive training and experience in both surgical and non-surgical modalities.

Disclaimer: The contents of the Westlake Dermatology website, including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified professional.