BREAST ENLARGEMENT
Breast augmentation surgery can be a wonderful operation if performed well. The key thing is for patients to be well informed about the options. There are many different types of implants with differing shapes and sizes. There have been scares in the past and high profile reports in the news about poor quality breast implants and problems that can occur. As with all operations it is important to minimise the risks as much as possible whilst optimising the outcome to achieve the very best results. For many patients silicone breast implants can help them to achieve their desired goals. Good manufacturers with a long track record of success plus long follow up data are available and can enable patients to have high quality implants. Fat transfer (from the tummy, flanks or the thighs to the breasts) is also an option for some patients.
More information on Breast Implants - Click Here
BREAST ENHANCEMENT WITH IMPLANTS
How long will the operation take?
About 1-2 hour.
Will I need a general anaesthetic?
Yes, you will need to be asleep for the surgery.
How many nights will I have to be in hospital?
Usually you can go home the same day, although some patients prefer to stay one night.
How long will I need to take off work?
Generally, patients need about 1-2 weeks off work.
What should I avoid after the operation?
Patients should avoid heavy lifting and high impact exercise for about 4-6 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation? All operations carry some risks. Bruising, swelling and a tight sensation around the chest are quite common after breast augmentation. Rarely infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness of the skin or nipple and capsular contracture can occur. Very rarely (affecting ~1 in 300,000 cases of breast implants) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) can develop in association with breast implants. ALCL is a form of low grade (slow growing) cancer.
If the implant is placed under the muscle (meaning under the pectorals major muscle) then there is also the additional risk of an "animation deformity" in the future. This means that the implant may move with contraction of the muscle. During your consultation, all the risks of surgery will be explained to you in much more detail.
When will I need appointments after the operation?
You will normally be seen for an appointment at 1-2 weeks and at about 3 months after surgery to ensure that you are recovering well. The scars continue to settle and improve over time and typically fade to the normal skin colour after about 1-2 years.
How much will it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
For more information: www.baaps.org.uk/procedures/breast-augmentation
BREAST ENHANCEMENT WITH USING YOUR OWN FAT
(Using fat from the tummy or thighs).
How long will the operation take?
About 1-2 hours
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you will need to be asleep for the surgery.
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
Usually you can go home the same day, although some patients prefer to stay one night.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
There is usually some swelling, bruising and some discomfort or pain after this type of surgery. This usually settles gradually after 1-2 weeks. Generally, patients therefore need about 1-2 weeks off work.
What should I avoid after the operation?
Patients should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities and excessive pressure on the breasts for about 2-4 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation?
All operations carry some risks. Bruising and swelling are common after this operation. In addition, patients need to be aware that not all the transferred fat will survive. This leads to some loss of volume over time. Typically, anything up to 50% of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed. More rarely infection, asymmetry and bleeding can occur. Whilst removing the fat from the tummy it is also possible to damage the abdominal organs. This is a serious but thankfully extremely rare complication. Fat necrosis, oil cysts and calcification may develop within the breasts. This may make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on mammograms later in life. During your consultation, all the risks of surgery will be explained to you in much more detail.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
You will normally be seen for an appointment at 1-2 weeks and at about 3 months after surgery to ensure that you are recovering well. The scars continue to settle and improve over time and typically fade to the normal skin colour after about 1-2 years. This operation can be repeated after 6 months if needed.
