Breast enlargement (implants)
Breast enlargement, also known as breast augmentation or breast implant surgery, gives you a new, fuller and uplifted look. It is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK and satisfaction with the procedure is very high. It’s a very rewarding because most women find confidence in their improved appearance, and this can have a huge and positive impact on their lives.
Most women nowadays are keen to avoid the oversized ‘glamour model’ or artificial look once associated with implants. I therefore specialize in creating a more subtle enhancement to make your new breasts look natural and in proportion to your body, if that is what you are looking for.
- Women choose breast augmentation for a variety of reasons, and it’s a highly personal decision. Some women simply want to enhance their appearance with a larger bust, whilst others feel it will boost their confidence and self-esteem. After implants women often describe that their clothes fit better, they can finally fill out those shirts and dresses well, and they gain freedom in what clothes they can wear.
- Mums often notice that they’ve lost volume from their bust after pregnancy, breast-feeding or weight loss. They have implants to restore the former shape and size of their breasts, make them look younger, and to get them to a point not too far off of where they were before kids.
- Frequently women are concerned that the left and right breasts are different sizes (breast asymmetry) and augmentation with implants of a different volume in each side can be a very good way to even them up. Occasionally a woman may consider her breasts to be unusually shaped (e.g. tubular breast), and this can be improved with implants to create a more “normal” breast appearance.
- Most women are suitable for the procedure, and I will advise you fully on what is best for you. For some breast implant surgery needs to be combined with additional procedures to ensure a good result, for example, a breast uplift.
- I recommend that any woman choosing breast augmentation should carefully think through their decision and should never choose breast implants to please someone else or to meet another person’s expectations. I don’t routinely advise breast implants for anyone under 18 years of age, although sometimes such procedures are justified for young women to correct severe breast asymmetry, genetic chest deformities, or severe under-development.
- Breast enlargement or augmentation procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic (asleep), and typically takes one to two hours.
- Its usually day surgery, so you should be able to go home the same day as the procedure. You may stay one night in hospital if you prefer.
- The implant is usually placed underneath the breast tissue and on top of the chest muscle. Sometimes the implant is placed partly beneath the chest muscle to provide extra padding over the top part of the breast. I may try out different sizes of implant during the procedure to make sure the size is exactly right for you.
- There is a short scar that is designed to lie in the crease under the breast, and all the stitches are dissolvable, so they don’t need removing.
- I’ll see you in clinic about one week after the operation to make sure everything is going well, and will give you comprehensive aftercare instructions on when you can resume normal activities and exercise.
Recovery is usually relatively quick and any discomfort should be easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Typically you need two weeks off work and it’s six weeks before you return to full exercise. - I recommend you wear a sports bra (no underwired bras) 24/7 to support the breasts for 6 weeks afterwards.
- Breast enlargement will give you a new, fuller and uplifted look.
- The scars usually heal very well and should be almost unnoticeable when they’ve fully settled. The scar starts off as a thin 5-6cm long red line disguised in the crease under the breast, and over the next 6 months to two years this scar fades and softens.
- Nipple and breast numbness is quite common after breast augmentation surgery, and usually recovers over a few weeks, but occasionally this is permanent. Some women report increased breast and nipple sensitivity.
- For some very slim women there may be relatively little breast tissue padding over the implants, so they may be able to feel the edges of the implants, but this shouldn’t be visible. Occasionally implants are put partly under the chest muscle to provide extra padding, and I’ll discuss whether this is suitable or appropriate for you.
- Breast implants don’t last a lifetime so you should expect that you’ll need them replaced or removing at some stage in the future. The usual expected lifespan of an implant is around 10-15 years. Over time, you may notice the breast implants change shape, one breast might start to look different from the other, or sometimes the tissue around the implant hardens, but if the implant has not changed in any way it does not automatically need replacing.
The British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons has produced a guide to breast augmentation, which is available here (download)
Before and after images - Breast Enlargement
These are images of real people having their procedure perfomed by Christian West. They have kindly given permission for use of their photographs to show others the expected outcomes following surgery.
BREAST ENLARGEMENT - ROUND IMPLANTS UNDERNEATH BREAST (SUB-GLANDULAR PLANE)
BREAST ENLARGEMENT – ROUND IMPLANTS UNDER BREAST (SUBGLANDULAR PLANE)
BREAST ENLARGEMENT – ANATOMIC (TEARDROP) IMPLANTS UNDER BREAST AND MUSCLE (DUAL PLANE)
BREAST ENLARGEMENT – ROUND IMPLANTS UNDER BREAST (SUBGLANDULAR PLANE)
BREAST IMPLANT REPLACEMENT WITH BREAST UPLIFT – ROUND IMPLANTS UNDER THE BREAST
BREAST ENLARGEMENT WITH UPLIFT – ROUND IMPLANTS UNDER THE BREAST (SUBGLANDULAR PLANE)
