Breast augmentation, otherwise known as breast enlargement or a ‘boob job’, can be an effective option for women who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts.
Centre for Surgery have pioneered the ClearField technique for breast augmentation.
Often after pregnancy and breastfeeding, women’s breasts tend to sag. Ageing also leads to sagging or shrunken breasts. In these cases, breast implants are a good solution. If one has to undergo mastectomy, then breast implants can be used to regain the natural body shape.
There are various options with regard to the size and shape of the breast implants. Round or shaped, smooth or textured, high profile and low profile.
Not looking for breast augmentation? Centre for Surgery offers a range of other breast procedures, including composite breast augmentation, breast asymmetry, capsular contracture, breast implant revision and symmastia repair.
BREAST AUGMENTATION AT A GLANCE
Anaesthesia type: ClearSleep
Procedure time: 1-2 hours
Recovery time: 5-7 days
Which type of breast implant is right for me?
As one of London’s top cosmetic surgery practices, we use only the highest quality CE-marked silicone breast implants for optimal outcomes.
During your consultation in Harley Street, London a number of factors, such as breast implant size, shape, composition and placement will be carefully chosen to create the breast size and shape for your body type. The surgeon will employ 3D reconstruction techniques to show you how the result could look like.
Silicone breast implants are approved by the UK medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA). Silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that holds uniformly together and is available in different densities. A silicone implant has a more natural, pliable quality that more closely resembles natural breast tissue than saline breast implants which are no longer used in the UK.
Breast Profile
What is breast profile?
The profile of a breast implant refers to how much the implant protrudes forward from your chest wall.
A low profile implant is very flat, while a higher profile implant will protrude forward (stick out) from your body and create a more prominent breast.
While some patients prefer the bubbly appearance of high profile implants, those wishing for a more natural look should choose a medium plus profile implant.
Implant Size and Implant Shape
The choice of breast implant size is the biggest decision you will have to make before undergoing surgery.
The surgeon will need to assess if you have sufficient tissue to cover and hide your chosen implant size especially if you are very slim. If the size you have chosen is too big, the implant edges may become visible following your surgery.
Breast implants can be round or teardrop. Most women prefer smooth round implants because they provide more fullness in the upper half of the breast.
When should you consider breast augmentation?
Common reasons for undergoing breast augmentation include:
Aesthetic – Many women choose to have breast augmentation surgery simply to improve the appearance and/or size of their breasts. Cosmetic motivators are common for women who feel their breasts are too small, too misshapen or even asymmetrical. It is not uncommon for women who have had children to seek out breast augmentation to increase lift and reduce sag. This surgery, when performed by a skilled surgeon, can dramatically improve and enhance breast appearance. When breast augmentation is performed for cosmetic reasons, a self-esteem improving factor also tends to come into play. The surgery itself is not a panacea, but it can have a big impact on self-esteem.
Reconstruction – Some women elect to have breast augmentation surgery following a mastectomy. Although reconstruction is not 100 percent necessary following mastectomy, this surgery can give cancer survivors a more natural appearance and help them overcome self-esteem issues that can arise as a result of mastectomies.
Replacement – Many breast augmentation procedures are performed to replace existing implants that were put in place either for cosmetic or medical reasons.
Correction – Women who face congenital deformities in their breasts often opt for augmentation to gain a natural appearance.
If you are just starting to explore the possibility of surgically enhancing your breasts, you may not have thought much about your reasons for wanting to do so at this point. You may simply know that you want larger breasts. In itself, that is as valid a reason for undergoing breast augmentation as any other. As you learn more about the procedure and your options, especially through the consultation process, you will want to continue to examine your reasons for wanting to enlarge your breasts. Once you have become fully acquainted with the benefits, risks, and costs associated with the procedure, and you feel confident that you want to proceed for you and not due to any external pressures, your candidacy for breast augmentation will depend on your health, your goals, and the establishment of reasonable expectations.
The art of achieving a breast enhancement based on the individual needs of each patient requires the expertise of an experienced and skilled surgeon. If any of the above concerns affect you, you may be an ideal candidate for surgery. Having performed thousands of breast implant surgeries, our surgeons are highly experienced and compassionate plastic surgeons with extensive training and experience in the field of breast augmentation.
Who should consider breast augmentation?
All patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with breast augmentation surgery
Healing is better if patients refrain from or quit smoking.
The breast augmentation procedure is performed purely for cosmetic purposes, to help improve one’s image and self-esteem.
Suitable patients for breast augmentation include those who have:
- Micromastia – small breasts
- Breast asymmetry
- Loss of breast volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Changes in breast shape or size after weight loss
Candidates who are not suitable are those who:
- Are below the age of 18 years
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, as results may change
- Have had radiation therapy
- Have an infection in your breasts
Consultation
The surgeon will discuss with you all the possibilities that are appropriate for your body and determine what is the best implant approach for your breasts and personal goals.
The decision to have breast augmentation is a major step for most women and extremely personal. The surgeon therefore always guides and supports his prospective patients through every stage of this process. During an initial consultation at our clinic, you will discuss your reasons for wanting breast augmentation and you will undergo a thorough medical check-up.
The consultation begins by having an opportunity to discuss your ideas, concerns and expectations about the breast implant procedure with your surgeon, and ask any relevant questions you may have.
Your breast augmentation surgeon will:
- Take a focused history and examine you
- Explain the breast augmentation procedure
- Take your needs and preferences into account when deciding on the most appropriate treatment option for you
A breast augmentation surgeon can be either from a plastic surgery or general surgery background (a declared specialist interest in breast surgery). Both specialities are fully trained to perform breast augmentation.
Procedure
Implant placement
Breast implants can be placed over the pectoralis muscle (sub-glandular) or under the pectoralis muscle (sub-muscular). The position of the implant above or below the muscle will influence the final appearance of your breast enhancement.
Implant placement: sub-glandular vs sub-muscular
There are pros and cons to both sub-glandular and sub-muscular placements. Depending on your needs and your body shape, these will help you decide which placement is best for you.
Sub-glandular placement:
- Has a more spherical appearance, making the breasts look more round and unnatural
- Has a shorter operation time
- Has a smoother recovery time
- Edges of the implant may be more visible
- X-rays of breasts may be more difficult to analyse
- This placement is not recommended for very slim patients
Sub-muscular placement:
- Has a more natural appearance, with emphasis on the cleavage area
- The operation takes longer
- Patients may experience more discomfort in recovery
- The edges of the implant are less visible
- X-rays are easier to analyse
- This placement is suitable for thin patients
It will take about a minimum of six weeks for the skin on your breasts to completely stretch out for the breast implants to settle in a position.
You will experience swelling, bruising and discomfort for the first few days for which the surgeon will prescribe pain medication to most patients. 10 days after your surgery you may go back to your normal routine but it is best to avoid extensive workouts until you are fully recovered.
Here at Centre for Surgery in London, our surgeons suggest breast massaging routines to be added to your healing regime for the implants to become softer in time. This massaging routine can help the breast implants to be in place quicker, therefore speeding up the recovery process.
We have learned that most women are concerned about the difference in breast sizes during the recovery period so it is important to keep in mind that every individual heals at their own pace and you may not have completely healed to see the end result.
Surgeon-led and managed care throughout for a truly personalised approach
Our innovative ClearSleep anaesthesia technique
Comprehensive aftercare programme
Financing options available
Call us on 020 7993 4849 / 0900 – 2000 Mon – Sat
Am I an ideal candidate for breast augmentation?
Besides the most common reason to get breast augmentation that is to improve self-esteem and body confidence, other requirements include people who asymmetrical breasts, drooping/sagging breasts, reconstruction following a mastectomy, replacing existing implants, and correcting congenital deformities in their breasts.
What are breast implants made of?
Within the U.K, implants are made of silicone. This is approved by the UK medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA). Saline is no longer used within the U.K. Silicone implants are full of a silicone gel, and closely resembles natural breast tissue.
What breast implant shapes are there?
There are two options for implant shapes – teardrop and round. Teardrop implants result in a more natural looking breast, as most of the volume is at the bottom of the implant. Round is often considered the more popular choice and will give a fuller appearance, particularly in the cleavage area.
How do I choose the right implant size and shape for me?
A number of factors, such as existing breast size, shape and your expectations will have to be taken into consideration to create the breast size and shape for your body type. At Centre for Surgery, the surgeon will employ 3D reconstruction techniques to show you how the result could look like.
What size of breast implant is right for me?
Your desired size depends a number of parameters. Cup size alone is not the most suitable measure. Your breast augmentation surgeon will allow you to try on a bra in your choice of size along with a sample implant to find the ideal size. This way there is less room for misinterpretation and a higher chance that you will be satisfied with the outcome.
Are breast implants safe?
There are always risks with any type of surgical procedure but for the most part, breast implants are extremely safe. The number of women getting breast augmentation in the UK has steadily increased over the last 10 years with relatively few complications.
Will I have to stay overnight?
Breast augmentation is a day procedure. The procedure will be performed under ClearSleep anaesthetic. You will be able to return home the same day, once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
You will not be allowed to drive home. You will need a responsible adult to accompany you home. We can also arrange for a chaperone service to drive you home at an additional cost.
What is the recovery period like?
You will experience swelling, bruising and discomfort for the first few days and pain medication can be prescribed. A breast massaging routine is recommended to speed up the healing process.
Will I have scars after the surgery?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure and there will be scars after the procedure. The surgeon can reduce the appearance of scars with properly placed incisions. Depending on how the surgery is done, an incision is made along the natural crease below the breast – the infra-mammary approach.
Will I lose sensation in my breasts after breast augmentation?
Loss of sensation may occur. The placement of the implants beneath the breast and / or muscle tissue involves division of some of the sensory nerves to the breast.
Is breast augmentation surgery going to hurt?
A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure and does involve the possibility of pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. In the first 72 hours after breast augmentation, you will be most comfortable if you use ice and head elevation on 2-3 pillows. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications that will reduce pain leaving you feeling comfortable. After 72 hours of rest and elevation, you may begin to increase activity gradually. Many women are driving at one week after their operation.
When can I start exercising again?
You can resume light exercises after two weeks. After four weeks you should be able to resume all activities except heavy lifting. You will be able to resume all physical activities, including heavy lifting, after six weeks.
When can I start driving again?
You should avoid driving for the first week after surgery. After this point, if you are still taking strong pain medication, you will not be able to drive, as this will affect your reflexes.
You will need to have someone to drive you home after your surgery, as you will not be able to drive after having ClearSleep anaesthetic.
Are there alternatives for breast augmentation?
Yes, alternatives include procedures such as breast lift and natural breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Centre for Surgery has the most comprehensive warranty programme for breast implant surgery in the UK
1 – Lifetime product replacement warranty in event of rupture of implant shell not related to the surgical technique that requires another surgical operation from the date of original implantation.
2 – Lifetime product replacement warranty due to severe capsular contracture (grade 3 or 4) from the date of original implantation.
3 – Compensation of up to £500 in case of rupture during the first 5 years after the date of implantation.
4 – Change of volume and model possible under certain conditions*
5 – Applies to all breast implant procedures from 1st January 2017
*In case of change of model, the difference will be billed if the price of the new model is higher than that of the model removed.