Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, also known as a boob job, breast enlargement or breast implants is the UK’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for women.
Breast enlargement is a surgical procedure to enlarge or reshape the breasts. It involves the addition of a breast implant via a small incision under the breast. It is typically requested by women who seek to alter the shape and size of their breasts to achieve a fuller appearance.
A breast enhancement procedure is often selected by women who may have a naturally smaller breast size. This may be due to a decrease in the size of their bust following pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
Whatever your reasons are for wanting a larger breast size, our expert Consultant Breast Surgeons will work with you to ensure that you receive reassurance and honest advice about your breast surgery options and breast implant choices. Finding your confidence and happiness after your operation is what we work hard to achieve.
What happens at a Breast Augmentation Consultation?
During your consultation, you will talk about your goals and expected outcomes as well as hearing recommendations from your surgeon about the ideal implant type, size, and shape. They will detail what to expect from your breast enlargement procedure whilst also informing you of all risks associated with breast implant surgery.
Your breast enlargement decisions
There is an entire range of options and decisions that you will be required to make for your breast enlargement procedure. Our breast surgeons are experts in helping you to understand the differences and pros and cons of each one so that you can make an informed decision.
There are many different reasons why patients choose to have breast enlargement surgery. These include personal preferences and lifestyle changes. A breast enlargement procedure is most suitable for patients with small boobs / breasts. Common reasons include:
- Increase fullness and/or size of breasts.
- Breast asymmetry can be improved if different sizes are used.
- May improve sagging (an additional breast uplift may be needed for considerable sagging)
- Can help increase lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss.
- Feeling confident in your clothing.
There are several types of breast implants. The most commonly used are saline breast implants or silicone implants.
In the UK, silicone implants are the popular choice. Silicone is a safe and durable material that is able to achieve a natural look and feel to the breasts.
Saline implants are breast implants that are filled with sterile salt water. They are not commonly used in the UK. Saline implants are known to be more visible under the skin compared to silicone and can feel hard and firm.
Breast Implants are sized by CC which stands for cubic centimetres not by cup size. Most patients have an idea in their mind about which cup size that they want to be, together with that information and after being measured, our expert surgeons can provide recommendations for which size of implant they feel is going to give the best result.
The same sized implant on two different patients can give hugely different results as it all relies on the patients existing breast tissue, body frame and the amount of available skin.
Breast Implant’s come in a variety of different shapes which will give different results. Round implants are the most popular choice in the UK as they are very well suited to the majority of patients. Round implants can give volume to both the upper and lower breast due to their spherical shape.
Teardrop implants or anatomical shaped implants are used when a more natural result is wanted. The implants will give more volume to the bottom of the breast and are ideal for patients who have very little natural breast tissue in order to achieve a natural result.
As well as different sizes and shapes, breast implants also come in a variety of different profiles. The most common four are low profile, medium profile, high profile, and extra high profile. The profile of a breast implant determines how wide the base of the breast implant is. The correct profile for the patient usually depends on the width of the chest so that the implant does not exceed the width of the breast giving an unnatural appearance.
Breast implant placement refers to where the breast implant sits within the chest, traditionally over (sub glandular) or under (submuscular) the breast muscle were the two options. Over or in front of the muscle is when breast implants are placed over the chest or pectoral muscles, it is the most straightforward option and is known to have a quicker recovery time. Under or below the muscle is when implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle. It is a common placement for patients who don’t have a huge amount of existing breast tissue to help achieve a more natural result.
However surgical techniques have advanced a lot since then and more often than not, what was known as under the muscle is actually being performed as a dual plane placement which is where the upper portion of the implant is placed under the pectoral muscle, but the lower portion is left uncovered. This variation lessens the risk of implants feeling high and tight on the chest and a less complicated procedure.
There are a selection of different breast implant incisions sites, but under the breast within the inframammary fold is the most commonly used in the UK. The majority of our surgeons use a Keller funnel to insert the implant meaning the incision is usually between 3-5cm. A Keller funnel is a device used by breast surgeons to insert the breast implant into the chest pocket without the need to touch it. This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination as well as reducing the size of the incision required.
Other breast enlargement incisions include the arm pit (transanxillary Incision), nipple (periareolar incision) and belly button (trans-umbilical breast augmentation /TUBA).
The breast enlargement incision will be closed using dissolvable stitches which are commonly used in many medical procedures. This means you will not require the stitches to be taken out, but our team of nurses will be able to check on the stitches at your follow-up appointments should you feel concerned.
Patients who have asymmetric or tuberous breasts will require a more personalised approach to their breast enlargement surgery depending on what results they are hoping to achieve.
Our breast surgeons are very experienced in tailoring their procedures to ensure that patients get the best results. Patients may require additional breast uplift or reduction procedures or different sized implants to help correct the asymmetry.
Breast asymmetry or Tuberous Breasts can be corrected as part of a breast augmentation procedure however, complete symmetry cannot be guaranteed after any type of breast surgery procedure.
Breast Enlargement Consultation
Your first step on your breast enlargement journey is to meet with one of our Consultant Plastic Surgeons.
At your consultation they will be able to provide information on:
- The types of breast implants available.
- The difference between tear-drop and round implants.
- Whether you want the breasts implants under or over the muscle.
- The ideal breast size and shape that will best suit your frame.
Your surgeon will then:
- Review your medical history and family history.
- Examine and measure your breasts.
- Recommend an implant type, size and position.
- Discuss your expectations from surgery.
- Detail the risks and complications of breast enlargement surgery.
- Go through the aftercare and recovery process.
Some of our surgeons will also perform a Crisalix 3D Imaging Scan to show you what the proposed procedure will look like so that the shape and size of implants can be decided upon before the procedure takes place. (Available at our Harley Street and Northampton clinics)
You will then be allocated a dedicated patient coordinator who will be your point of contact should you wish to go ahead with the procedure.
During your journey, you may decide to have a number of consultations with your plastic surgeon and their nursing team before deciding to go ahead with surgery.
Pre-Operative Appointment
In the interests of patient safety, all our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Following your breast enlargement consultation your medical history will be reviewed and the pre-operative nurse will advise on pre-operative tests which are going to be most appropriate for you. Most breast enlargement pre-operative assessments include a blood test, MRSA swabs, urine test and a blood pressure test.
They will also advise you of any precautions you need to take in the days or weeks leading up to your breast enlargement procedure and advise on any medication that you should stop taking ahead of your procedure.
Breast Enlargement Surgery
On the day of your operation, the medical team will ensure you are comfortable. Your breast augmentation is performed under general anaesthetic and will take 1 hour. You will be given an admission time which usually involves you arriving an hour before the agreed start time of surgery.
Once admitted:
- The medical team will record your blood pressure and prep you for surgery.
- You will meet with the breast surgeon who will go through the procedure again and answer any questions.
- Pre-operative photos will be taken.
- Your chest will be marked up and ready for surgery.
The Procedure
- General anaesthetic will be administered by the anaesthesiologist.
- Your breast surgeon will make a 3-5cm incision in the skin usually in the inframammary fold.
- A pocket will be created within the breast for the implant to be placed within, this will be either between the breast tissue and chest muscle (over) or behind the chest wall muscle (under).
- An implant sizer may be used to help create the pocket and compare implant sizes.
- The majority of our breast surgeons will use the Keller Funnel™ device to place the implant into the breast pocket. This specialist medical device means that the implant is not touched during the procedure and is a less traumatic insertion method for silicone gel implants. The use of a Keller funnel also means patients will have a shorter incision length compared to implants that are inserted by hand.
- The incision will then be closed with dissolvable stitches and covered with tape.
- A surgical bra will then also be placed onto the patient which will need to be worn during your recovery period.
- You will then be taken to recover in a recovery room for 1-3 hours.
- Once the surgeon and medical team are happy that you are safe you return home, you will be discharged and allowed to leave accompanied by a family member or friend.
Breast Enlargement Aftercare
A member of our nursing team will call you usually the day following your procedure to ensure you are feeling comfortable and recovering. You will have been given details of our dedicated on-call nurses who can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you have any worries or concerns during your recovery time.
We advise that you take 1-2 weeks off work to recover. The week following your procedure you should be resting and taking it easy, but please do not spend all your time stationary. It is important to keep active and make sure to get up for regular short walks. You should arrange for someone to help you around the house and to help with childcare if necessary.
Exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks post-procedure and your surgeon will be able to advise you on this.
You will be required to attend a series of follow-up appointments at The Look Younger Clinic with a nurse and then a 6-week check-up appointment with your surgeon. At this stage, you should be back to your everyday activities and your surgeon will be able to advise you on anything that you are unsure of or have questions about.
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