Ballerina Breast Augmentation: Subtle, Elegant Breast Implants (With Photos!)

Posted on March 4, 2025 | by
Petite young woman in elegant underwear near white wall

“Ballerina” Breast Augmentation is a popular term that describes a modest approach to breast augmentation. This technique caters to those who want a subtle, elegant breast enhancement that complements the natural body frame while maintaining graceful proportions. Here, Boston plastic surgeons Dr. Alannah Phelan and Dr. Fouad Samaha explain how they achieve timeless results for patients looking for a petite breast augmentation.

What is Ballerina Breast Augmentation?

The term “Ballerina” breast augmentation is inspired by the aesthetic of dancers, athletes, and those who prefer a minimalist augmentation that harmonizes with the body’s natural lines. The goal is not to create dramatic fullness, but rather to softly enhance shape and symmetry while preserving a natural movement and an elegant, feminine appearance. This technique is ideal if you would like to keep the same wardrobe, but to feel more confident in how you fill out your clothing. 

Who is Ballerina Breast Augmentation Great For?

This breast augmentation technique is particularly ideal for:

  • Active women who want a modest increase in breast size while maintaining mobility and a natural aesthetic.
  • Women with lean, petite, or naturally small frames who desire proportional enhancement without overwhelming their body shape.
  • Those who want a “barely-there” look, optimizing the natural shape and contour of their breasts instead of creating significant size increases.
Before and after breast augmentation with small implants
This 42-year-old patient had 350cc (left) and 325cc (right) silicone implants placed under the muscle. These implants were perfectly sized to achieve beautiful symmetry and to fill out her breast envelope without appearing augmented. See additional angles and uncensored photos in our Gallery.

Ballerina breast augmentation continues to increase in popularity as more women want to restore the perkier, defined breast appearance they enjoyed before pregnancy, breastfeeding, or age-related breast changes. 

Ballerina breast augmentation can be achieved with modest implants or fat grafting for seamless integration with natural tissue and effortless results. 

How Dr. Phelan & Dr. Samaha Perform Ballerina Breast Augmentation

Our surgeons personalize each breast augmentation procedure so that the results align with your body type and maintain effortless grace. During the consultation at our Boston plastic surgery office, your surgeon carefully evaluates breast shape, chest wall structure, skin elasticity, and your preferences to determine the best surgical plan with either breast implants or fat transfer breast augmentation. 

Ballerina Breast Augmentation with Implants

For patients who choose implants, your surgeon thoughtfully recommends a range of small to moderate-sized implants that would subtly enhance volume and give your breasts a shapely contour. From these options, we will help you select the right implants for you. 

The most common implant choices include:

  • Low-profile or moderate-profile implants to achieve a natural-looking volume increase rather than a dramatic cup size increase
  • Smooth silicone implants that move naturally with the body
  • Motiva® smooth silk implants for patients who desire the most natural look and feel to their implants

For a Ballerina breast augmentation in Boston, our plastic surgeons customize the implant size and shape to add just enough shape and volume to keep your breast enhancement understated without excess volume. 

Ballerina Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

For those seeking an even more organic enhancement, fat grafting can be an excellent alternative or complement to small implants. The fat transfer breast augmentation technique involves:

  1. Harvesting unwanted fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks using gentle liposuction.
  2. Processing and purifying the fat to retain the highest-quality fat cells.
  3. Injecting the fat into strategic areas of the breasts at precise depths to enhance shape, symmetry, and volume.

Dr. Phelan and Dr. Samaha meticulously place the fat injections to fill out the breast envelope, focusing on enhancing the breast upper pole for a youthful contour and cleavage. Using fat transfer for a Ballerina breast augmentation achieves a soft, natural look and feel and generally about a half-cup size increase. 

Before and after petite breast augmentation with fat transfer
This 42-year-old patient wanted to improve breast deflation and sagging following a 90 lb weight loss. Her goal was to improve breast shape and cleavage in a bra, but she was not interested in breast implants. She underwent a vertical mastopexy (“lollipop”) with 210cc of fat transfer to each breast. View her full results in our Gallery.

For patients who have breast sagging, your surgeon first performs a breast lift to tighten the skin and raise the breast mound to sit naturally higher on the chest before proceeding with the augmentation. 

While the term may be trending, this technique is not new. Both Dr. Phelan and Dr. Samaha have extensive experience in breast enhancement techniques that align with your frame and achieve the look you desire, including petite or “Ballerina” breast augmentation with both fat transfer and breast implants. 

Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation in Boston

To learn more and explore your options for a Ballerina breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Phelan or Dr. Samaha at Boston Plastic Surgery. Please call 617-786-7600 or fill out our online contact form and will reach out to you.

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