Questions and answers

• Is breast augmentation right for me?

  This is a question that can only be answered in consultation with your surgeon. The aim of breast augmentation is to create a pleasing, balanced appearance in proportion to your shoulders, your rib cage and hips. This plays a large part in determining which type and size of implant is appropriate.

  • Women choose to have breast augmentations for a variety of reasons including:
  • Long-term dissatisfaction with their breast size.
  • Lack of proportion in their body shape
  • Wanting to regain or enhance breast size after having children or losing weight.
  • Wanting to correct uneven or malformed breasts
  • Restoring symmetry after breast cancer surgery
• What are the first steps?

  Before meeting with your surgeon, you may want to take the opportunity to discuss your concerns and expectations with one of our specialist plastic surgery nurses. She will give you information about this procedure and discuss what is involved in detail, including post operative care and recovery. She will show you before and after photographs of patients who have had this surgery to help you understand what can be achieved.

  As well as discussing the question of what is achievable aesthetically, your surgeon will also ask you about your medical history, examine your breasts, and photograph and measure you. Depending on your age and family history, your surgeon may recommend that you have a mammogram prior to your operation.

  There are a number of factors that you and your surgeon need to take into account. What is the overall quality of your breast tissue and will a breast lift (mastopexy) also be necessary. Where should the incisions be hidden? Should the implant be positioned under or above the chest muscles? These all have an important bearing on the desired result.

• What does the surgery involve?

  During surgery a pocket for the implant is made under each breast. Implants are inserted into the pocket to achieve the look you desire. It is very important during the operation to check the appearance 'sitting up', as well as 'lying down'. Your surgeon will do this before completing the surgery and applying the dressings or bandages. A surgical drain is usually not necessary.

  Breast augmentation is usually performed under general anaesthesia, with local anaesthetic injected during the operation to assist with postoperative pain relief.

• What is the recovery process?

  You will experience some swelling or discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off, which is managed with prescribed pain relief. Usually you are able to go home on the day of your operation, but in some circumstances your surgeon may recommend an overnight stay in hospital.

  You will return for a check -up within the first few days after surgery. You should expect some initial swelling and firmness – this is normal. Tape is applied to the healing wounds to help reduce scar formation. You will be provided with instructions on care of your surgical site and you will need to wear your surgical support bra for three to four weeks afterwards.

  Swelling normally takes up to six weeks to settle and your stitches should dissolve over three months or so. A small scar will remain either under the breast fold, in the areola, or in the natural crease under the arm. The scar’s appearance will gradually improve over three to nine months.

• When can I return to work/sport/gym?

  You should resume normal activities at a slow, gradual pace, and your return to work will depend on your occupation. Light exercise (not involving your arms) can commence after a week. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for between four and six weeks.

• Will my breasts look and feel natural?

  Yes. It is normal that they will feel swollen and firm for the first few weeks after surgery, but they will then settle.

• Are there any risks involved?

  As with any surgery, breast augmentation carries a potential risk of complications. These include reactions to anaesthesia, infection, blood accumulation or unanticipated scarring. Fortunately the incidence of these problems is very low in healthy, cooperative patients. Your surgeon will discuss this fully with you during the consultation process and provide you with information booklets that also cover all this in detail.

• Are there any long-term side-effects?

  In the past there has been much speculation about potential associations of arthritis, muscle and collagen disorders and silicone-filled devices. There is no evidence that silicone-based devices cause these diseases. Several large studies have shown that women with silicone breast implants do not have significantly higher risks for connective-tissue or immune-related diseases.

• How long do implants last?

  Breast implants are not lifetime devices and cannot be expected to last forever. Implant failure can occur after direct trauma or injury to the chest but more often failure or rupture will be spontaneous with no obvious cause. Further surgery is necessary to remove and replace an implant that has failed, however modern implants have very low rupture rates.

• How do I monitor breast health after augmentation?

  It is important to understand that there is no connection between breast augmentation and breast cancer. The implant is not placed within the breast but rather beneath it, and usually beneath the muscle on the chest wall.

  However, new breast health baselines must be established by you and your doctor after surgery. Breast cancer can still be detected in the augmented breast and routine clinical or physical examination should not be hindered by the presence of a breast prosthesis. However, breasts with implants will feel different during breast self-examinations so it is very important that you discuss this with your surgeon and know what you are feeling for.

  In addition to your monthly breast self-examinations, you should have a professional breast examination by your GP or surgeon annually.

• Can I still have a mammogram after augmentation?

  Yes, however it is very important that tell the radiologist you have breast implants before the mammogram procedure. There have been several reports of implants rupturing when the breast is compressed for mammography. It’s important to visit a radiologist who is familiar with mammography of augmented breasts. Your surgeon can suggest a suitable specialist.

• How much will it cost?

  Costs vary according to the severity of the condition, the combination of procedures undertaken, the amount of surgical time involved and the facility at which the procedure is carried out. We cannot offer an accurate cost estimate without seeing you. However we do offer complimentary no-obligation nursing consultations as a first step towards helping you understand your options and the approximate costs involved.

  A more accurate costing will be made after the first consultation.

This page provides an overview. More detailed information can be obtained during a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. Please contact the Institute for a consultation.

Pre and post operative photographs of all procedures are available to view at the Institute during your consultations.