Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation in London with top cosmetic surgeons

Centre for Surgery offers breast augmentation in London; also known as breast enlargement, we use silicone breast implants to add volume, shape, and symmetry to small or asymmetrical breasts. Enlargement can be an effective option for women who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts. Our London breast augmentation clinic situated at 106 Crawford Street, Marylebone, was recently inspected and rated by the Care Quality Commission as good across all five domains of care.

Centre for Surgery has pioneered the ClearField™ bloodless technique for breast augmentation. You’ll experience less bruising, less swelling and a much quicker recovery. 

Often after pregnancy and breastfeeding, women’s breasts tend to sag. Ageing also leads to sagging or shrunken breasts and 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. The changes can be subtle or dramatic depending on the chosen breast implants.

The most commonly used combination is round, high profile, microtextured implants using the inframammary approach. We also use the Keller funnel as standard in all breast implant procedures. The Keller funnel is a special insertion sleeve which means the resulting scar is much smaller than traditional methods. All these innovations have enabled Centre for Surgery to pioneer the ‘secret scar’ breast augmentation. Augmentation mammoplasty is the medical term for a breast augmentation procedure.

All breast implants come with a ten year warranty for both capsular contracture and implant rupture. You’ll also be reviewed by your specialist surgeon on a regular basis during the first twelve months after your procedure to monitor healing and recovery. Our after-care support package for breast surgery is truly comprehensive. We’ll be calling you regularly to check up on how you are doing along with regular assessments by our expert nursing team and your surgeon.

You may also wish to combine breast augmentation with a breast uplift or fat transfer to the breasts. We offer all the options – not just breast implants, by surgeons trained in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

All our surgeons are on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery. The Royal College of Surgeons of England has an excellent information resource on cosmetic surgery.

• Significant experience in all types of breast augmentation – round implants, shaped implants, under or over the muscle
• We own and manage our own surgical facilities. Properly performed breast enlargement surgery takes time and should not be rushed. Our surgeons perform a maximum of three breast enlargement procedures per day, although in practice it is often just two – morning and afternoon. We do not cram 7-8 procedures into one day like other providers. You want your surgeon to be well-rested and mentally and physically sharp to perform breast surgery and get the very best results. In addition, we offer TIVA anaesthesia, the most advanced anaesthesia method available
• Our surgeons live and work in central London. We don’t work with ‘fly-in, fly-out’ surgeons from Italy. This is very important because whilst your surgeon takes all precautions to minimise complications, complications can and do occur and our surgeons are readily available to manage any issues if and when they arise. How to choose your plastic surgeon
• Our surgeons use the Keller Funnel as standard

One reason we are particularly proud of:

• We are the only provider in the UK to use exclusively single use items for your breast enlargement procedure. By eliminating reusable surgical instruments – our surgical site infection (SSI) rate is less than 0.1%! Probably the lowest rate in the UK.

Our surgeons are known for their artistry and strive to help women to natural and beautiful breasts. Our surgeons believe that the key to a successful outcome is the surgeon-patient relationship. Before committing to proceed with a clinical decision, your surgeon will spend time getting to know about personal goals and preferences in detail. This might sometimes require a second follow-up consultation. Our surgeons provide the safest and most natural looking breast implant procedures in London and the south-east.

At consultation, after a detailed explanation of the various methods and discussion of the implants, your surgeon will perform Crisalix imaging. Crisalis provides a starting point to establish what needs to be achieved to reach the desired goal. A range of different implant sizes and types can be trialled. By visualising the potential outcome, you may have a more clearer idea of what can be achieved and thus more confidence in proceeding with surgery. Once you are satisfied with having all your questions answered, the surgeon will determine if a breast augmentation is the right procedure for you. A detailed treatment plan will be formulated and this will be forwarded to your patient coordinator will then prepare your procedure quotation and also discuss finance options if this would be of interest to you to help spread the repayments.

Our surgeons are full members of:

All patients had tiny inframammary incisions and dual plane technique with implant being both below the muscle and above the muscle in the lower aspect of the breast.

• Enhanced breast size and volume in harmony with your body size and chest width
• An improvement in breast symmetry
• Correction of pre-pregnancy size and shape of breasts following childbirth
• Improvement of shape following substantial weight loss
• Improvement in breast aesthetics
• Clothing may appear more dramatic with the new silhoutte
• A possible increase in self-confidence

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 from Sebbin for optimal outcomes. Sebbin have a superb reputation built up over 30 years, and our surgeons love the natural feel and consistency they offer along with the rock solid warranty with coverage for both capsular contracture and implant rupture. We only work with the best implant manufacturers and our patient satisfaction rate reflects this – more than 99.3%.

During your consultation at our London centre, your surgeon will be able to help you choose the best breast implants for you. This will depend on a number of factors, such as breast implant size, shape, composition and placement. This will be carefully chosen to create the breast size and shape for your body type. 

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.

The optimum breast implant profile

What is a 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.

Choosing your Breast Implant Size and Shape

The choice of breast implant size is the biggest decision you will have to make before undergoing surgery.

Many women think that implant volume is often linked with bra sizes – A, B, C, D etc. The volume of an implant is actually measured in cc’s. The patient and surgeon can therefore fine tune the exact size implant to each woman’s body shape. Implants are available in a very wide variety of sizes and shapes and women can therefore have a great deal of choice in the choosing the ideal sized implant. Breast implant sizers are not 100% accurate in determining the actual appearance of an implant but are very useful as a general guide to helping women choose the correct sized implant for the best results.

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.

Centre for Surgery is a proud supporter of OneTogether.

OneTogether is a collaborative partnership between leading UK professional organisations with an interest in the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI). The mission of OneTogether is to promote and support the spread and adoption of international best practice guidelines contained in 7 key recommendations to prevent SSIs across the entire surgical patient pathway. Our surgeons actively put into action their 7 key recommendations at all stages of your care from start to finish.

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. Breast enlargement, 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. Breast enlargement 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 breast enlargement to gain a natural appearance.

If you are just starting to explore the possibility of breast enlargement, 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 breast enlargement 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 enlargement 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 effects of smoking on healing after surgery

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

If you are an appropriate candidate for breast augmentation, you may be interested in learning about our finance options.

Breast Augmentation 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 their 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

Prior to booking an appointment, make sure you know about the risks of travelling overseas for surgery and seeing an unqualified surgeon.

Preparing for breast augmentation

At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons believe that the success of any breast implant procedure can be improved with proper patient preparation. We always strive to go above and beyond to make sure that all our patients are fully prepared for breast implant surgery – physically, mentally and emotionally. At your breast enlargement consultation, your surgeon may use 3D imaging analysis of your breasts to determine the most appropriate size and shape of implant to get the best breast augmentation results.

Breast augmentation has traditionally been performed with the insertion of silicone breast implants beneath the chest wall muscle. This allows better coverage of the breast implants especially in those with thin skin when the implant edges may be able to be seen. The use of the ‘under the muscle’ approach is not without risk with risks including more risk of bleeding and more pain after surgery with a prolonged recovery.

Composite breast augmentation is a new technique which involves the simultaneous insertion of breast implants above the muscle and targeting lipofilling (fat transfer) using your own body fat harvested from another area such as the abdomen, hips or thighs.

The breasts take on a more natural shape and not the ‘fake’ look with the best of both worlds – predictable increase in volume from implants with a more natural appearance from lipofilling. Although the technique takes longer to perform, it is ideal for slimmer women who do not wish to have implants placed beneath the muscle and also desire a more natural appearance to their breasts.

Composite Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation step by step

STEP 1: An incision is performed under the breasts (inframammary incision). Thanks to the Keller Funnel, this incision has become smaller over the years – sometimes measuring 3.5cm or less.

STEP 2: Forming the new breast pocket. A pocket will be created either on top of or under the chest muscle. This pocket is specailly designed to match the dimensions of the new breast implants to be inserted.

STEP 3: Insertion of breast implants with Keller Funnel. The Keller Funnel facilitates a ‘no-touch’ insertion technique which has many advantages compared to older manual techniques. Contamination is minimised with the Keller Funnel.

STEP 4: Incision closure.  The surgeon will use a 3 layered closure for maximum security using dissolvable sutures. There is therefore no need for potentially uncomfortable suture removal 1 week later.

STEP 5: Application of post-surgical bra. A specially designed bra with a breast band will be applied at the conclusion of the procedure.

Note on implant placement

Breast implants can be placed over the pectoralis muscle (subglandular) or under the pectoralis muscle (dual-plane). Technically only the upper part of the implant is under the muscle in the dual plane technique with the lower not covered by the pectoralis muscle. The position of the implant above or below the muscle will influence the final appearance of your breast enhancement and depends on a number of factors including the amount of breast ptosis (or sag). Implants placed in a fully submuscular position is used for breast reconstruction surgery.

Implant placement: sub-glandular vs dual-plane

There are pros and cons to both sub-glandular and dual-plane 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 smoother recovery time with less pain
• Edges of the implant may be more visible
• X-rays of breasts may be more difficult
• This placement is not recommended for very slim patients

Dual-plane placement:

• Has a more natural appearance, with emphasis on the cleavage area.
• Best of both worlds of implant being both under the muscle and over the muscle in the lower part of implant
• 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

The Keller Funnel ‘No-Touch’ technique At Centre for Surgery, we use the Keller Funnel ‘no-touch‘ technique for our breast augmentation surgeries. This involves using a device – the Keller Funnel – to insert the implant. This replaces the need for the surgeon to touch the implant and use their hands to insert it.

There are many benefits to the Keller Funnel technique, including:

• Small incisions
• Easy to insert the implants
• Can get a better placement within the breast pocket
• There is less contact, meaning less chance of capsular contracture occurring
• Surgery can be performed quicker

BIA-ALCL

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, otherwise known as BIA-ALCL, is a rare cancer which is associated with breast implants. This occurs, on average, eight years after the implant placement. This is considered a rare cancer, and there are about 300 cases worldwide. This occurrence highlights the importance of surgeon’s following the 14 point plan. This is a plan that surgeons follow when they are inserting breast implants. This plan works to lower the risk of bacteria – which can cause capsular contracture – attaching to the implants. This plan helps to give patients peace of mind knowing that the risk of complications is lowered and a successful outcome is more likely.

The average breast augmentation recovery takes between one to weeks. A subglandular placement of implants will result in a quicker recovery (often just a few days) compared to a dual plane approach ( a week). Most women feel well enough to return to work in 3 to 5 days.

Centre for Surgery have pioneered the ‘secret scar’ breast augmentation in the UK. This has been made possible with use of the Keller Funnel – a revolutionary insertion device. Centre for Surgery use the Keller Funnel as standard for all breast implant procedures.

How to speed up recovery after cosmetic surgery

Thanks to TIVA anaesthesia, you will be able to return home the same day, once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off – this is often very rapid due to the favourable side effect profile of the medicines used during anesthesia.

You may feel some minor discomfort around the incision site for a couple of days. Getting back to your normal routine is an important step in the healing phase.

Subglandular implant (over the muscle) placement recovery generally takes only a few days, while dual plane implant insertion (under the muscle) may take closer to a week due to stretching of the chest wall muscle over the implants.

Light exercise should be avoided for one week and it is important not to do too much too soon – always build up slowly. More strenuous exercise can be commenced after 6 to 8 weeks but always check with your surgeon first. You may notice some redness or swelling around the treatment site for a week or so. It is recommended that you keep the scar out of direct sunlight, or use SPF 50+ sunscreen if travelling to sunny climates. Make sure to avoid smoking throughout the recovery period in order to avoid any delays or complications with wound healing and to get the best possible result.

A specialist surgical bra should be worn following breast augmentation. A bra band is often also applied to allow the implants to settle into the optimal position on the chest. Your surgeon will let you know at your 6 week follow-up appointment when you can resume wearing an underwire bra.

View our collection of breast augmentation before and after images to get an idea of what can be achieved following your procedure.

Combined augmentation mastopexy.

What kind of breast implant is right for you?

What to expect after a breast augmentation?

Day case breast surgery in London

Optimum recovery after breast augmentation surgery

How to choose the best surgeon for breast augmentation

How to choose the best breast implant size

Pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast enlargement

How to improve breast augmentation healing

Medical advances have continued to make breast augmentation a very safe procedure. However, as with any medical procedure there are risks involved. To maximise the chances of a successful outcome, always be sure to choose a fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeon operating from a fully accredited medical facility – Centre for Surgery tick both boxes.

Possible complications:

• Anaesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Surgical site infection
• Delayed wound healing
• Skin textural changes
• Fluid collection (known as a seroma)
• Temporary or permanent nerve damage
• Breast asymmetry
• Capsular contracture
• Implant malposition
• Hypertrophic or keloid scars
• Requirement for corrective surgery

Implant exchange

Breast implants do not have an expiry date but even modern implants are not designed to last forever. Latest generation breast implants used at Centre for Surgery can last for 10-15 years or more without any issues. The most common reason for seeking breast implant exchange is a desire to change an aspect of breast appearance. Less commonly, implant exchange may be required to correct problems such as wrinkling or rippling of the implant shell, capsular contracture, implant rupture and implant displacement. Breast implants and the surgical techniques used to insert them have undergone continual refinement over the last 10-15 years which allows patients to keep their implant for longer. Sebbin breast implants used at Centre for Surgery have an advanced highly cohesive, semi solid gel material. If the outer shell of the implant were to be damaged in some way, then the contents of the the implant remain fully inside the implant shell and does not leak out in any way.

Our aftercare programme was recently described as ‘outstanding’ by our regulator, the Care Quality Commission. 

Our postoperative support team phone all our patients the day after their breast implant procedure and then every other day thereafter for the first two weeks. The proactive nature of our postoperative support gives every patient the best opportunity for a smooth postoperative recovery free of complications. In many cases if complications were to occur, their impact is markedly lessened by early detection, prompt clinical assessment and correct treatment. Where a patient expresses concern to our team over the phone, then we often call patients in the same day for assessment with one of our expert nursing team. Even if there is no significant issue, the careful explanation and calm reassurance provided by our team can help to alleviate any worries you may have experienced.