Why Miami Is a Top Destination for Breast Plastic Surgery

Miami is known for more than its turquoise waters and vibrant nightlife. 

Each year, thousands of people fly to Miami for breast surgery, often passing over practices closer to home. Why? Because Miami boasts one of the highest concentrations of board-certified plastic surgeons in the country, making it a top destination for aesthetic transformation. 

But patients also come for another reason: standing out among the practices up and down the coast is PURE Plastic Surgery, where three of the city’s most qualified surgeons come together to offer a full menu of breast procedures, from breast augmentations and lifts to reductions, revisions, and implant exchanges. 

Double-board-certified with uncompromising standards, our surgeons consistently draw patients from across the country due to their specialization, experience and commitment to safety. 

Why Patients Travel to Miami for Breast Surgery

Miami isn’t just home to “a lot” of plastic surgeons. It’s home to the most plastic surgeons per capita in the United States, with 3.9 surgeons per 100,000 residents. 

Surgeons flock to Miami for its beautiful, subtropical climate and to surround themselves with other experts, honing their skills with the best in the industry. Patients come to take advantage of the competitive market and the abundance of expertise that can be found here. 

In a market this saturated, board certification is a given, so the focus shifts from “Are they qualified?” to “Are they the right fit for my goals?” Patients considering surgery can look beyond baseline credentials and evaluate qualities that will shape their outcomes in nuanced ways, including aesthetic style, surgical philosophy, technical execution and judgment. 

How Miami’s Culture Has Shaped Its Standard of Breast Surgery

A Diverse Patient Base

Miami draws patients from many cultural backgrounds and a wide range of body types. Surgeons who work in this city have had to learn to adapt to these varied circumstances and goals, and because of this, have more diverse skills and a broader view of possible results. They are more culturally sensitive and have a keen judgment that allows them to personalize their surgeries more effectively. 

High Volume of Breast Procedures

Outcomes in breast surgery improve with frequent practice. The more a surgeon performs a specific operation, the more predictable their results become. Miami practices handle a steady caseload of augmentations, lifts, reductions and exchanges, and surgical teams stay sharp and practiced. This volume also exposes surgeons to uncommon cases and allows them to manage situations that a lower-volume practice may not encounter. 

Emphasis on Balanced Results

Today, patients are looking more for cosmetic surgery results that enhance their features, but don’t make them look exaggerated. The emphasis is on natural-looking enhancements, and Miami has a higher volume of surgeons who have a conservative touch and use techniques that create a more natural breast shape. 

The Range of Breast Procedures Available in Miami

Breast surgery in Miami covers a wide range of procedures. Here are the main options patients consider at PURE: 

• Breast Augmentation: Breast augmentation uses implants to add or restore volume. Patients can choose between saline or silicone implants, including options from Motiva and Natrelle, depending on their goals and preferences.
• Breast Lift: Breasts that settle lower with age or weight changes can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift. 
• Breast Reduction: Heavier breasts often cause back and shoulder strain. Breast reduction removes excess tissue, providing relief while addressing cosmetic concerns. 
• Breast Lift With Augmentation: A combined approach lifts the breasts and enhances size or shape with implants in one operation, ideal for patients with both sagging and volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss.
• Fat Transfer to the Breasts: For a more natural approach to breast augmentation, your own tissue can be used to add volume via fat transfer. Dr. Vidal and Dr. Wegerif offer this approach for patients who want a more subtle result. 
• Alloclae Fat Transfer: Off-the-shelf donor fat can also be used to add subtle volume to the breasts without undergoing a round of liposuction first. 
• Breast Implant Exchange: Existing implants are swapped for new ones when a patient wants a different size or material, or when an implant has ruptured.
• Breast Implant Removal: Some patients choose to have their implants removed entirely as their goals or comfort change. A lift can accompany removal to address loose skin left behind.
• Breast Revision: When an earlier operation leaves issues like asymmetry or capsular contracture, revision corrects them. Capsular contracture refers to hardened scar tissue that forms around an implant.
• Areola and Nipple Reduction: A stretched areola or an elongated nipple can be reshaped to better match the breast. These surgeries can be paired with other breast procedures or performed on their own to address specific concerns.
• Gynecomastia: Enlarged male breast tissue can be reduced with gynecomastia surgery, which removes excess fat and glandular tissue to create masculine contours.

The Surgeons at PURE Plastic Surgery

PURE Plastic Surgery has three double-board-certified plastic surgeons under one roof. This means each holds certification from two separate surgical boards, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS). It also means they are “classically trained,” having completed a full general surgery residency before specializing in plastic surgery. Compared to the shorter, more integrated pathways that are common today, this gave them extensive foundational training and a highly versatile skillset. 

Dr. S. Alexander Earle

Dr. Earle founded PURE Plastic Surgery. He studied at Princeton, attended medical school at NYU and completed his plastic surgery residency at Duke before joining the Cleveland Clinic in Florida. He led the World Association of Gluteal Surgeons as president and was voted one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons every year from 2014 to 2024. He also developed PURE’s signature Smart Aesthetics™ approach and hosts a weekly Instagram Live answering patient questions.

Dr. Natalia Vidal

Dr. Vidal topped her class at Ponce School of Medicine. She completed two fellowships, one in burn and reconstructive surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and another in plastic surgery at the University of Miami. She serves as secretary of the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons and treats patients in English and Spanish. Her work centers on breast surgery and post-pregnancy changes. She also has vast experience with breast volume loss following significant weight loss, restoring more balanced and shapely proportions. 

Dr. Garrett Wegerif

Dr. Wegerif served as chief resident during his general surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, then completed a three-year plastic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico. He performs the drainless tummy tuck, a technique few surgeons in Miami offer that takes away the need for post-surgery drains. His breast and body work centers on natural, long-lasting results.

What Out-of-Town Patients Should Know Before Booking Breast Surgery in Miami

At PURE Plastic Surgery, we regularly treat patients who fly in from all over the world. We’ve got our process down to a science, with the goal of making the experience as smooth as possible at every step, but traveling for surgery still requires a little extra preparation. The more you plan before you arrive, the easier it is to focus on your recovery once you are here.

Booking Breast Surgery at PURE

Your first step is a consultation. Virtual consultations are available, free with a coordinator, and any fee for a surgeon consultation goes toward the cost of surgery if you book.

Next comes your personalized quote and booking. Our coordinators provide a quote tailored to your exact procedure, including any add-ons. Once you have your quote, you can book your surgery with a 10% or 20% deposit. If you put down 20%, the full amount is refundable up to 45 days before surgery. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit and Affirm. 

After securing your date, our team will walk you through everything you need to gain medical clearance before surgery, including labs and blood work. If you smoke, vape or use any tobacco products, now is the time to quit immediately. Because nicotine is so detrimental to your healing and results, your procedure will be canceled if you test positive on the day of surgery. 

Plan to arrive at least two days before your operation for a pre-op appointment, then stay about a week after for a follow-up on day five. This appointment is important for checking your progress and answering any questions before you leave. The five-day window also helps reduce the risk of blood clots when traveling, which is highest immediately after surgery. 

Learn More About the Booking Process

What to Pack for Breast Surgery Travel

Packing for breast surgery is about making sure you’re comfortable during the recovery process. To that end, we recommend bringing soft, loose clothing and skipping the tight jeans or dresses. Bonus points for zip-ups or button-downs, so you don’t have to lift your arms overhead. Light hoodies, pajama tops, and wide-leg pants are all good options, along with slip-on shoes.

Before you leave, consider the small moments that occur throughout your day, like getting dressed, reaching for your charger, and settling into bed at night. What items are staples in your routine that you’d be disappointed to leave behind? While our team will give you procedure-specific instructions before you travel, a little planning ahead can help you feel more confident and prepared once you arrive in Miami. 

Preparing for Plastic Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide

Start the Conversation With a Consultation in Miami, FL

Ready to get started? The first step is a consultation, in person or through the virtual tool on the PURE Plastic Surgery website. We will talk about your goals, recommend an approach, and provide a quote. Call 305-230-4326 or contact us online to get started. If you are from out of town, please visit our out-of-town patients page to begin.