Breast Enlargement

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

Breast enlargement is by far the most popular procedure requested by women. The number of women undergoing breast enlargement has barely wavered throughout the last twenty years, and in fact continues to rise.

Why do women seek breast enlargement?

• In order to feel more feminine

• To look better in certain types of clothes

• To help get back their figure

Who is suitable for breast enlargement?

• Women who have only ever developed small breasts

• Women who have lost breast size following weight loss

• Women who have lost breast size following breast-feeding

• Women who have lost a breast through cancer or other disease

• Women who have failed to develop one or both breasts

What to think about at this stage

It is important that before you see the surgeon, you consider what you are trying to achieve from your surgery. In particular, you must decide how large you want your breasts to be. There are technical considerations for many women as to how large the surgeon can make any particular women’s breasts, and the aim should always be to create a sensible end result that is in harmony with the women’s figure and build.

How is breast enlargement performed?

• The operation is usually performed under general anaesthetic

• It takes about thirty to forty minutes

• Most patients stay in hospital for one night

• If your work is not physical, expect to return to work after one week

• Expect to be back to normal physical exercise within four to six weeks

As with most surgical procedures, there are many options, depending upon the patient’s wishes, technical considerations and surgeon preferences.

At consultation, Mr Rezai will advise upon the best option for you. However, basically, there are three incision types:

• Around the lower half of the areola

• In the natural crease under the breast

• Through the armpit – axilla

Having made the incision, the implant can be placed either:

• Between the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle lying over the ribs, or

• Between the pectoral muscle and the ribs themselves

Nowadays, the choice of implant is really between cohesive silicone gel and saline. Following the UK Government’s recent Independent Review Group’s report on the safety of silicone breast implants, the great majority of surgeons and patients choose silicone.

We advise that you visit the IRG’s web site at www.silicone-review.gov.uk

Following the operation

As with all surgery, you must expect to feel bruised and sore. Your breasts are likely to be swollen. You may be asked to sleep on your back, and to avoid straining or bending for a few weeks. You will also have to wear a support bra. Most patients are able to fully resume normal activity within three to four weeks.

As with all scars, the scars will fade over a period of time. In many women, they heal to form very faint white lines. However, it is important to remember that no surgical scar ever totally disappears.

Risks & Complications

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the very safest of medical procedures. However, all patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is absolutely free from risk.

For further information concerning the risks and complications associated with Breast Enlargement, please refer to Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation.

At Consultation, Mr Rezai will discuss these risks with you. Breast augmentation does not usually interfere with breast-feeding.

Breast augmentation does have implications for mammography for screening for breast cancer. However, there are special X-rays that can be taken to avoid this problem.

How long will the results of your breast enlargement last?

For the great majority of women, the results of their augmentation are permanent. However, women who opt for larger implants may find that their breasts sag rather more as they get older.