Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation in London

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 in London has 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 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. 

You may also wish to combine breast augmentation with an uplift or fat transfer to the breasts.

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, 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. The surgeon will employ 3D reconstruction techniques to show you what the results 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 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.

Brest Implant Size and 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.

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 7key 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. 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

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

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

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.

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

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
• 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

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 recovery period will vary depending on which procedure was undertaken to repair the scar.

Non-surgical options will have little to no recovery period, and you will be able to return to your usual day-to-day life directly after the procedure. You may notice some redness or swelling around the treatment site. It is also recommended that you keep the scar out of direct sunlight, or use SPF 50+ sunscreen.

Surgical options will involve a longer recovery period, although you will be able to return home the same day, once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You may feel some discomfort around the incision site. If dissolvable stitches were not used, you will have to visit the clinic again to have the stitches removed. You will have to avoid any strenuous physical exercise in order to avoid damaging the new scar. It is also recommended that you sleep with your head raised to reduce swelling, and avoid sleeping on your front or sides.

Make sure to avoid smoking throughout the recovery period in order to avoid any delays or complications with wound healing.

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