Breast enlargement
Breast enlargement
Breast Augmentation is an operation to enlarge the breasts, which can be life-enhancing. This popular and very successful procedure helps patients wishing to increase the size and fullness of the breasts and/or remove some minor drooping. Patients tend to be those that have either always had small breasts or those that have lost breast volume following children. The decision for surgery should be considered very carefully, especially when there is no underlying biological disease present, as any surgical procedure has the potential risk of serious complication.
Implants are by far the commonest way of enlarging the breasts but an alternative is to perform fat transfer, sometimes called lipomodelling or lipofilling. This involves injection of fat taken from elsewhere on the body, into the breast. This may be an appropriate method of augmentation in a few people but is not suitable for most and often needs more than one session. It can also be carried out in conjunction with implants.
Implants are made of a silicone shell and most commonly filled with silicone but can be saline (salt water). They can be round or teardrop (anatomical) shaped and have a textured or smooth surface. The implants can be placed on top or below the chest wall muscle depending upon the amount of breast tissue present. Mr Agrawal will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Medical photography is requested before and after surgery and kept as part of the patient’s clinical record.
Sebbin implant product catalogue
Mentor Product Catalog for Tissue Expanders, Breast Implants and Sizers
Length of surgery- The operation takes 1-2 hours depending on the implant placement and complexity of the case. Can be done as a day case or overnight stay in hospital.
Post-op dressings- Stitches are dissolvable. The wounds which are generally in the crease below the breasts are covered most commonly with steristrips and a waterproof dressing. It is important not to get the wounds wet for 48 hours after surgery and the dressings will be usually removed a week later.
Drains- These are not commonly required and often only used when the implants are placed under the muscle and kept in for 1-2 days.
Bras & Stockings- Patients should bring 1 or 2 soft (non underwired) sports bras in the estimated/planned new cup size into hospital with them. Front fastening zip bras can often be easier to manage. TED (anti clot) stockings are provided by the hospital and should be worn for 1-2 weeks after surgery to minimise clot complications.
Time Off Work & Exercise- Patients should allow an initial period of 2 weeks to recover. Most patients can go back to work after this time but can vary based on what job is being done. Heavy manual work and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.
Driving- Patients should be able to drive by 7-10 days. They should have no restriction of movement, be pain free and feel confident in their ability to perform an emergency stop (in order not to invalidate car insurance)
Potential Complications
Unsightly scars, infection, bleeding and clots in the legs/lungs can arise with any type of surgery. Implants are mechanical devices and prone to complications like “cars”. They can leak or rupture, harden, ripple and can exacerbate any pre-existing asymmetry. A capsule (scar tissue) is formed by the body around an implant which starts off paper thin but can thicken and tighten over time and this capsular contracture remains the commonest reason for an implant needing to be removed or exchanged. Teardrop implants can move out of position if they rotate. Altered nipple sensation, inability to breast feed are unusual sequelae and rarely an allergic type response- breast implant associated illness can arise. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a very rare form of cancer that can be predominantly associated with textured implants with an estimated incidence of 1 in 16500 implants sold. Implants can also decrease the sensitivity of standard mammograms. They may need to be replaced in the long term but can be left alone if not causing any problems.
If you smoke, stopping at least six weeks before the operation will help to reduce the risk of complications.
Patients who have breast augmentation tend to be very pleased with the results, however, it is important that they have realistic expectations. They need to understand what can and cannot be achieved, the limitations of surgery and the long term consequences of having breast implants.
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If you would like to get in touch to ask our team any questions or you would like to book an appointment please contact us via the details below.