BREAST AUGMENTATION (BREAST ENLARGEMENT)

Breast Augmentation (also known as breast enlargement, augmentation, mammoplasty breast implantation) involves placing an artificial implant into the breast in order to increase its size and to produce a degree of lift where necessary.

Breast Augmentation is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure.

Safety

There have been many scare stories in the past associated with Breast Augmentation. These have all now been largely disproved. Recent research has shown there to be very few long term health hazards.

Type of Implant

We use the cohesive silicone gel implant. This is the most expensive implant. It is designed to have a consistency exactly like breast tissue so that it can not be felt when touching the breast. The gel retains a memory and can not leak into the body.

Because of worries about silicone, various other types of implants have been introduced in recent years. These have all been withdrawn because they have been found to be unsafe.

In our view the silicone cohesive gel implant remains the implant of choice.

Incision

The incisions can be placed in a number of different locations. The most common being the infra-mammary crease which is the crease under the breast. The incision is about 5cm long and heals to be almost invisible. Other incisions such as the peri-areolar (around areola) and the axillary (under the arm) can also be used in certain circumstances.

Placement of Implant

The most usual placement is the sub mammary pocket. The implant is immediately placed behind the patients own breast tissue. The implant in no way interferes with breast function and patients with implants can breast feed normally after childbirth.

In certain circumstances, it is more appropriate to place the implant behind the pectoralis major muscle. This is normally where the patient has little or no breast tissue.

The Operation

The surgery is normally performed under general anaesthesia and requires a one night stay in hospital.

The operation can sometimes be performed as a day case using local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.

Complications

Complications are rare and are normally picked up at the time of operation. Possible complications can include bleeding, infection and encapsulation.

Post Operative

Change of dressings and/or suture removal is normally performed after 7 days at our clinic in Harley Street.

It is important to avoid any upper body exertions such as lifting for a period of 6 weeks following your operation.

This information is designed to summarise important factors concerning Breast Augmentation. At the consultation with the surgeon we would normally go into all these issues in considerably more detail.

For further information on the cohesive gel implants that we use please click here.

Breast Augmentation can now also be achieved by the injection of Macrolane under local anaesthetic.