Try Breast Implants Before You Buy Them

In the more than 50 years since Timmie Jean Lindsey underwent the world's first breast implant surgery, millions of women — more than 300,000 annually — have followed suit in boosting their busts. While techniques and materials have evolved over time, New York-based plastic surgeon Norman Rowe may have revolutionized the art of augmentation with the development of his "InstaBreast" and forthcoming "vacation breasts" procedures.

Dr. Rowe's "InstaBreast" technique has been touted as a way for those considering implants to get a feel for what it would be like to have surgery without actually going through with it. Rowe does this by injecting saline into the breasts, creating the feel and appearance of an augmented chest. After roughly 24 hours, the saline is absorbed into the body, and the breasts return to their original state.

"You can use 3-D imaging and put implants in bras," Rowe told ABC News. "But it's another thing to see what the weight will actually feel like and what it will be like to live with the new breasts."

Rowe's "InstaBreast" procedure takes just 20 minutes, and costs around $2,500 — just a fraction of the cost of implants. Again, though, it needs to be stressed that "InstaBreast"-plumped boobs last just a day, while implants last years.

Dr. Norman Rowe

Rowe's goal is to have "vacation breasts" ready by 2016, allowing patients to get that larger look for up to three weeks. Maybe this try-before-you-buy option will help patients to avoid breast buyer's remorse later on.