What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery is also known as breast enlargement, breast enhancement surgery or referred to as a “boob job”. This is usually performed using an implant and aims to enhance the size and shape of the breast. It can also be combined with other procedures such as breast uplift/mastopexy.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Breast enhancement surgery is perfect for those who wish to rejuvenate the breast which includes increasing volume, improving the shape and correcting breast asymmetry. Breast augmentation surgery is also suitable for those who have recently undergone breast reconstruction.
Who Is It Not Suitable For?
Breast augmentation surgery is not suitable for those who feel pressured to change their body by others. Anyone who has an extensive medical history or who smokes, though this will be discussed in greater detail in your consultation.
How Much Does A Breast Augmentation Surgery Cost?
After a consultation if you are suitable for a breast augmentation you will be given a quote. This will include the hospital, surgeon and anaesthetic fees.
What To Expect During Your Breast Enlargement Consultation?
The success of your consultation for breast augmentation in Manchester depends on your openness and honesty in relation to what troubles you and your expectations of surgery. You will be asked questions about your health, desires and lifestyle. Different breast enhancement surgeries can be tailored to your needs so we’ll go through the different types of breast augmentation techniques that will be available to you. The potential outcomes, risks and complications will also be discussed with you.
Breast enlargement involves the placement of an implant under the breast to enhance the size and shape of the breast. Incisions are usually placed under the breast at the crease but can be placed around the areola or in the armpit. Implants can be placed under the breast gland (known as sub-glandular placement), or behind the muscle. Where the implant is partly covered by muscle and part under the gland it is referred to as a dual plane breast augmentation. A consultation in Manchester regarding the risks and limitations of breast augmentation surgery will help you to choose a procedure that will meet your expectations.
What Implants Should I Have?
When having breast augmentation surgery, it is essential that you discuss the different options of breast implants that one can have. There are many variations for the implants in terms of size, shape and content of the implant. This will all be explained to you once you have your first breast augmentation consultation in Manchester.
The shell of an implant will be made from silicone as it is a sturdy material. The implants can then either be filled with saline or silicone gel. Depending on your breast enlargement goals some implants may also be coated with polyurethane foam which helps prevent capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a condition where the body reacts to a foreign object the body and causes stiff hard scarring around the implant itself, this is something that can occur when having breast enhancement surgery. Most implants also have a rough appearance as this helps to grip and not slip out of place.
There are many different types of implants but most opt for a more natural feeling implant when having breast augmentation surgery. This will mean that a silicone gel-filled implant is a favourable choice as they also perform much better than saline-filled in the long term. When you are at your breast enlargement consultation, your surgeon will explain that saline-filled implants feel less natural and are more likely to deflate and develop folds or ripples which can cause other complications later on. Sometimes you may be offered saline implants that can be adjusted post-surgery. Gummy bear implants are a new variant but are very similar to silicone gel-filled implants, the difference is that they feel even more natural and last longer.
When having breast enhancement surgery your surgeon will show you the variety of sizes of the implants at your consultation. Due to implants being designed to fit the width and height of one’s chest, your surgeon will need to use a sizing kit. This is to determine the best-suited size of the implants ready for your breast augmentation.
Breast implants can come in two different shapes, round or teardrop. Round implants will enhance the volume of the upper breast making them look a little less natural. The second variant is known as a teardrop implant as this can make for a more natural appearance without the extra volume on the upper breast. This is an important decision so discuss this with your breast augmentation surgery consultation in Manchester.
Are Silicone Implants Safe?
Breast augmentation surgery is an extremely common procedure to have and many ask whether silicone implants are safe? Breast augmentation has been around since the 1960s and has continuously been debated as to whether they are safe or not. Breast implants are made from medical grade silicone which is chemically stable. There has been no association between breast enlargement and breast cancer or cancer of any other body art. Breast enhancement surgery or implants have also no proven associated illnesses. In recent years there have been more reports of an illness called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) which is associated with breast implants which are very rare and sporadic.
Nothing lasts forever and it is well known that when one opts for breast augmentation surgery, they will often need breast augmentation revision surgery in the future to get them replaced or removed. Over time, the silicone may leak out of the implant which may cause some symptoms. This will require another operation to either get them removed or replaced. Although this is the case, there is no evidence that ruptured implants cause any type of serious illness.
Small quantities of the silicone will be taken up in the lymph gland and possibly other places as it sometimes comes off the implant. This doesn’t cause any issues usually and rarely needs removing. The risks must also be compared to the risk of another breast enhancement surgery.
Preparing For Your Breast Augmentation Surgery In Manchester
The majority of boob jobs require a general anaesthetic. Your health is of prime importance and any cosmetic surgery should be postponed if you are unwell for any reason. It is important that if anything changes with your health that you make contact with us before the breast enlargement. You should ideally stop smoking 6 weeks before breast enhancement surgery and stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements before surgery. You may need preoperative tests prior to surgery, which we will arrange if required. You will generally experience discomfort following the breast augmentation surgery and should aim to be off work for at least 2 weeks depending on the type of work you do.
Find Out More About The Patient Journey
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Boob jobs often take between 1 and 2 hours and are usually done under general anaesthetic. Incisions are usually placed under the breast at the crease but can be placed around the areola or in the armpit. Implants are then placed in the chosen pocket either under the gland, under the muscle or a combination of both. The wounds are then closed with dissolvable stitches. Breast enhancement surgery does not require you to stay overnight so you will be out the same day so make sure you have someone to take you home and look after you.
After Surgery
Once the breast augmentation surgery is complete you will usually return to the ward within an hour and you will be encouraged to mobilise. You will not usually have drains in place and you will be able to eat, drink and mobilise as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. You will feel swollen and have discomfort that will usually require analgesia. Patients often have a sense of pressure on the chest due to breast enlargement. They also feel discomfort around the outside of the implant due to the pressure effect and the skin feels tight and swollen. To ensure that you have a smooth breast augmentation recovery, you should wear a support bra and keep this in place day and night for at least 4 weeks. You may be able to go home on the same day and should keep the wounds dry for the next week. You should arrange for someone to pick you up following breast enhancement surgery and have some support at home on discharge. You will be reviewed in the clinic and the wounds checked at a week.
You should avoid any strenuous exercise in the first couple of weeks and should continue to wear a support bra for 4-6 weeks after breast augmentation surgery. You will be able to resume light exercises after a week and normal exercise by 2-3 weeks. You should be able to swim after 2 weeks and to help your breast augmentation recovery even further you should begin massaging the scar once healed. It often can take weeks and months for the final results of your breast enlargement to become apparent and this is not unusual.
Risks And Complications
The vast majority of patients are delighted with the results from breast enhancement surgery although common early complaints include a change in sensation, bruising, swelling and there is often a slight difference between the two sides known as asymmetry. Uncommon early complications of surgery for breast augmentation Manchester-based include infection, haematoma, delayed healing, extrusion of the implant, seroma formation and thickened scar. There are also uncommon risks of general anaesthesia such as respiratory/cardiac compromise and deep vein thrombosis. In terms of later complications, the most problematic is an infection. Often in these scenarios, it is necessary to remove the implants and leave things to settle before considering reimplantation at a later date (often 3-6 months). This is extremely uncommon.
Implants do change over time and all implants develop a capsule. This is a scar that forms within 6 weeks of breast augmentation surgery, it is a protective layer but it can change over time and thicken and scar. If this occurs it is called capsular contracture and can cause a change in shape and can cause discomfort and pain. The chances of having a re-operation for any reason after a breast enlargement are about 1-3% a year. So, after 10 years about 10-30% of women will have had a re-operation. Aside from the change of size; capsular contracture is the most common reason for re-operation.
Sensation usually changes following breast augmentation and the nipples may be hyper or hypo sensitive. It is uncommon to have permanent changes in sensation but can take several months to return to normal.
Although all implants can rotate within the pocket anatomical implants when they rotate can cause a change in shape. Often this is self-limiting but if this was to become troublesome it may be necessary to have breast augmentation revision surgery. This is uncommon.
You may, especially if you are thin, be able to feel the edges of the implants. This is an inevitable consequence of the operation and will not improve with time. Over time ripples or folds may be palpable especially in certain positions.
Some patients can develop intermittent swelling following breast augmentation surgery. This usually resolves but if it persists may warrant further investigation.
With time just as the implant ages so does the breast tissue. This is particularly an issue with childbirth. It may be that further surgery to tighten the skin is required such as a mastopexy at a later date and everyone undergoing breast enhancement surgery should be aware of the need for further surgery for both the implants and also the skin/breast tissue.
A combination of changes to the breast and the implant can lead to the implant looking too high or too low and for the breast tissue to hang over the implant. Over time there may be a need for a breast augment revision.
Implications For Mammograms And Screening
Breast implants push your natural breasts forward and so do not make it any more difficult to examine your breasts for lumps. You need to be aware that 1 in 10 women do develop breast cancer and if you find a discrete lump you should consult with your GP. If you find a lump or you are at an age to enter a breast-screening programme you may be offered a mammogram. You need to tell the mammography service that you have breast implants as you may require special views or potentially a different type of scan.
Implications For Breastfeeding
The ability to breastfeed should not be affected by breast augmentation. If one is unable to breastfeed after breast enhancement surgery it may be that you would have been unable to breastfeed in any case.
Are There Any Alternatives To Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The only alternative surgical technique to enlarge the breast is an autologous fat transfer or a breast augmentation fat transfer. This is a complex technique where fat is removed by liposuction from one area of the body and transferred to the breast area. The breast enlargements increase in size is usually modest and smaller than can be achieved with an implant and often patients will require several treatments to achieve a noticeable result. It is thought that our fat can be safely injected into the breast although longer-term evaluation is required to determine its safety and you should remain under follow-up with your surgeon.
Breast augmentation surgery can be combined with a range of different procedures which all depends on your needs and expectations. Some of the procedures that can be combined with breast augmentation include asymmetry surgery, Mastopexy, Mummy Makeover and much more. A standard breast augmentation will take anywhere between 60 - 90 minutes. When you go in for your first breast enhancement surgery, your surgeon will discuss everything with you such as the various procedures, how they will look and how long it will take.
How much breast implants cost does solely depends on the procedure one is having, and whether it is suitable for the patient? Due to breast augmentation surgery varying in the combinations of procedures that can be had, it is difficult to determine how much it will cost. Other factors that contribute to the cost is the type of implant that one will have and also the size of the implants. After a consultation, if you are suitable for a breast augmentation you will be given a quote. This will include the hospital, surgeon and anaesthetic fees.
