Breast Enlargement

The procedure

The procedure takes approximately one hour. It is normally carried out under general anaesthesia to make you sleep through the entire procedure. Twilight anaesthesia can sometimes be used. Preferences can be discussed with your surgeon at the time of consultation, and your consultant anaesthetist will be present throughout surgery to be certain you are comfortable and pain free.

The recovery period

Surprisingly there is very little discomfort, although there may be some post operative swelling. You will be advised to wear a properly fitted support bra night and day for two weeks, which will support the breasts and aid the healing process.

Although you will be up and about on the same day of surgery your surgeon will advise you when you can resume your daily routine. To permit proper healing you should avoid overhead lifting for three to four weeks. The decision regarding when you should return to work and fully resume normal activities depends on how fast you heal and how you feel. However, most patients return to work within seven to ten days. You can attend the gym and participate in sports after approximately six weeks.

The eventual size of the breasts is discussed between yourself and your surgeon during the initial consultation, achieving the appearance you have planned together.

Your new breasts should look and feel completely natural – the implants are compatible with normal breast tissue sharing similar texture and general characteristics. They will not affect fertility, pregnancy or your ability to breastfeed. However, if you have nursed a baby within the year prior to surgery you may produce milk for a few days post-operatively. This may cause discomfort but can be treated with medication prescribed by your surgeon.

After the procedure, most women adapt instantly to their new shape and rarely give a second thought to their implants.
As the purpose of the procedure is to make breasts as attractive as possible, the scars are kept as small as possible and made either around the nipple, under the crease of the breast, or in the armpit.

Type of implant

Breast implants are made with either a smooth or textured surface which have traditionally contained either a silicone gel or salt water solution known as saline.

Anatomically Shaped Silicone Cohesive Gel. This unique shape retaining cohesive silicone gel maintains its original natural looking shape. The anatomical shape of this implant increases the balance between your breasts and your hips, creating an overall hip-slimming effect and a more desirable figure. Anatomically shaped implants represent an advantage in design and manufacturing technology.

This does not mean that traditional round implants cannot be effective. It means that you now have a choice.

Silicone. Silicone implants have been successfully in use since 1962. Silicone gel has an excellent texture as a filling material because it is soft and pliable and allows for natural movement. The latest type has a textured surface which is less likely to cause hardening or capsule formation. The possibility of silicone implant interfering with the standard mammography can be overcome easily by informing your radiologist about the presence of the implant, he or she can alter the technique to obtain the optimum result.

Will I experience any problems?

In the majority of cases, there are no post-operative problems.

What is a capsular contraction?

In a few patients following the operation the body builds a wall of firm tissue round the implant. Rarely this can contract causing the implant to feel firm, known as a capsule. This can be manipulated or cut out by your surgeon in a manner which breaks up the capsule and the breasts regain their softness.

Are there any long-term risks?

Cancer of the breast has been extensively researched. Results of this research show that there is no evidence that breast implants increase the chance of future development of breast cancer.

Can implants leak?

Concern has been raised in the media about the possibility that leakage of silicone gel from silicone implants can cause health problems. Actually the amount of silicone that leaks through the shell of modern implants is very small and there is no medical evidence of health problems being associated with it. However alternatives are available.

Other cosmetic enhancements for breasts

Breast reduction – Many women are happy to have large breasts but others regard them as a nuisance, attracting unwanted attention. Large breasts can also be extremely uncomfortable and physically restricting. Breast reduction can solve these problems, bringing psychological relief and eliminating physical distress. The procedure aims to remove excess breast tissue making the breasts smaller and improving their shape. The nipple is repositioned and the lower part of the breast removed to make it smaller. The skin is then tightened to form the new breast. There is visible scarring, but this becomes less noticeable with time and should not be visible if a bikini is worn.

Breast uplift – Breast feeding and weight loss can lead to breasts sagging and an uplift is designed to restore breasts to their former, more youthful shape and tone, without altering their size. The procedure involves repositioning the nipple and removing excess skin caused by stretching.

How much will it cost?

Your best investment is an individual consultation with a surgeon you trust. Cosmetic Surgery is usually a life-time investment. Cheaper is not necessarily better or even as good. Our patients are treated as individuals, and costs do vary from person to person dependant on their individual needs. However, the total cost of your procedure will be quoted at the consultation, fully inclusive with no hidden extras.

Should I have breast surgery?

Only you can answer that question. Be sure you are doing it for the right reasons: your own sense of self confidence and self esteem. No matter what anyone else thinks, if you are happy with your appearance there is no reason to have it changed. So before making that decision, attend a consultation, get the facts. Be realistic in your expectations and make an educated decision that is right for you.

Aquaplane Breast Augmentation (ABA)

The Warwick Clinic is the first in London and the UK to introduce this pioneering new technique, developed by the University Hospital based plastic surgeon, Mr. R Das-Gupta FRCS, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, and member of BAAPS. This technique creates a larger breast based on fat transfer, however the uptake of fat is improved not only by careful and precise technique, but also by utilizing a new concept.

The Concept

Fat up take within the breast is notoriously unreliable, several methods have been tried to enhance uptake, including selecting out Mature Stem cells using the Cytori system, and by expanding the recipient surface area using pre surgical suction with the Brava system. Both of these techniques are expensive, cumbersome and time consuming.

Aquaplane

The idea is to pre-expand the fat layer under the breast tissue prior to fat transfer by infiltrating the breast with Klein Solution. This both provides anesthesia, as well as expanding the surface area of recipient breast, thus enhancing fat uptake. This means that effective treatment can be undertaken in one or two sessions rather than three or four. It is more effective, more natural, and less time consuming.

Results

Usually only a modest one cup size increase will result from fat transfer techniques, however there is no need to worry about implant complications, or replacement of the implants, normally recommended every 10-15 years.

Fat Transfer to the healthy breast and breast cancer risk.

There is as yet no correlation between fat transfer breast enhancement and breast cancer. There are doctors concerned about calcification in the transferred fat mimicking breast cancer changes, we therefore would always recommend pre operative routine breast screening, which we will arrange for you.

Price

The technique is usually performed as a General Anesthetic day case procedure, with a top up treatment under local anesthetic. The total cost is from £7200, Consultation fee to discuss this complex treatment or if unsuitable alternative breast enlargement treatments with our consultant is £100. Standard breast enlargement is suitable for the majority of patients, this treatment is only suitable if there is enough donor fat (to liposuction from, e.g. thighs or abdomen), and if the aim is for only a one cup size enlargement.