Despite the fact that it's typically performed on an outpatient basis, in a "surgi-center" rather than a hospital, and under relatively light, short-lived anesthesia, don't kid yourself—breast augmentation is major surgery. And it's a whopper of a time-out. Here's what to expect from both the procedure itself and the subsequent recovery period.

Prior to the operation, several key decisions will already have been made with your doctor: type of implant (saline or silicone); ballpark size (saline implants are filled onsite and are subject to change pending the surgeon's final decision; last-minute adjustments can also happen with silicone); incision site (armpit, nipple, breast crease, or, less commonly, belly button); and placement site (either above or below the pectoral muscle).

Once you're sedated and on the table, your surgeon will enter the incision site and slice through skin, tissue, and muscle, separating the muscle from the chest wall in order to create a pocket in which to place the implant. At this point, sterile "sizers" will be inserted to act as temporary placeholders. Once the surgeon is satisfied that he has determined the correct size, the placeholders will be removed and actual implants inserted. Saline implants, which are placed in deflated form, will be filled. You will then be lifted into a seated position to allow the surgeon to assess symmetry. If all is copacetic, the incisions will be stitched closed and you'll be wheeled into recovery. In total, the procedure will take from one to three hours.

Post-surgery, expect a fairly brutal 48 hours. Prescription pain medication will alleviate a chunk of the discomfort. But you'll be swathed in gauze and may have drainage tubes attached to the incision site to siphon off excess fluid. You will not be up and about for several days. While recovery varies from patient to patient, full physical activity—whether that means hoisting a hefty toddler or hitting the gym—will not be viable for at least one month.