The procedure involves inserting implants filled either with saline solution (salt water) or silicone gel, under either the breast tissue or under the muscle against the chest wall. It will be performed under a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation, and the operation itself will take approximately one and a half hours. Thereafter, a hospital stay may be required, depending on your individual situation.

As with all operations, there are risks involved in breast augmentation surgery. Although the risks are unlikely, it is important to weigh them up against the potential benefit of the surgery. Discuss each of them with your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand the potential complications and consequences. Complications associated with the surgery: Scars There will be scars from the surgery. These will usually be red at first, then purple, and then fade to become paler over 12 to 18 months. Occasionally, scars may become wider, thicker, red or painful and you may need to have surgery to correct them. Bleeding Bleeding around the implant (haematoma) is unusual but possible, and you may need another operation to stop the bleeding. Bleeding usually happens immediately after, or soon after, surgery. Before the surgery your surgeon will discuss any medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, and it is important to control high blood pressure. Seroma This is where fluid collects within the breast cavity. It may need to be drained by having a needle through the skin, or by having another operation, and can affect the final result. Infection If you get an infection of the wound or around the implant you may need antibiotics or another operation to remove the implant. It is normal to wait at least three to six months for the infection to clear before a new implant is inserted. Extrusion This is where deep stitches poke out through the skin. These can easily be removed. Swelling, bruising and pain There will be some swelling and bruising of the breasts after the operation, and this can take weeks to settle. There may be long-term pain, but this is uncommon. Asymmetry This is where the breasts are not symmetrical. Increased or reduced sensation After the surgery, most patients will get some alteration in the sensation in their breasts, most commonly numbness near the scar and oversensitivity of the nipples. Loss of sensation to the nipple, though rare, may be permanent. Rarely, the loss of or increase in sensation can affect breastfeeding. Damage to deeper structures Although rare, the surgery can damage deeper structures, including nerves, blood vessels, muscles and lungs. This damage may be temporary or permanent. Unsatisfactory result Sometimes, patients are not satisfied with the result of their breast augmentation surgery. This may be to do with the look or feel of the breasts, or the breast shape not meeting expectations. It is very important that you talk to your surgeon, before you have the surgery, about the size and shape you want, and whether this can be safely achieved with a good outcome. Change over time The appearance of the breast will change as a result of aging, pregnancy or other circumstances not related to your surgery, such as putting on or losing weight. You may need further surgery or other treatments to maintain the results of the breast augmentation. Many patients choose breast augmentation because they feel the skin on the breast is loose or saggy, and they want the implant to fill the skin out. You should bear in mind that large implants are heavier and the weight of them can make the breast droopy in the future, and so you may need a further operation. Sometimes, having a breast uplift would be preferable to using an overly large implant. Allergic reaction Rarely, local allergies to tape, stitches or solutions have been reported. If you have an allergic reaction you may need extra treatment. Complications associated with the implant Capsular contracture It is normal for a scar or capsule to form around the implant. This usually feels soft and looks natural. In about 10% of patients, the scar contracts around the implant and feels firm. If this happens, the breasts can feel tender and look abnormal, and you may need an operation to replace the implant. After 10 years, about 10 to 30% of women will have had another operation, and painful or unsightly capsular contracture is the most common reason for this. Noticable implants Slim patients may be able to see or feel the edges of the implant. With time, ripples or folds may be noticeable. Very occasionally, teardrop implants can rotate behind the breast. These can usually be pushed back into position gently, but if the problem is persistent, an operation may be needed. Implant failure Occasionally implants can leak. This can be as a result of their age, an injury or a tight capsule. Normally the leak is contained within the capsule and does not cause a problem. If the size, shape or consistency of the breast changes as a result, a further operation may be needed to replace the implant. Breast droopThe breast may droop over time due to the weight of the implant.

A breast enlargement procedure is likely to cost between £5,500 and £7,000 when you choose IMAI, depending on your individual requirements.

Our surgeons will give you a thorough physical examination and discuss your medical history, to ensure that this procedure is safe for you and will produce the results that you desire. At IMAI, we offer a patient experience like no other at this consultation, were you receive the benefits of two surgeons and their specialist expertise in just one consultation.

You should expect to take two weeks if you opted for round implants or three weeks if you opted for teardrop implants to recover after a breast enlargement procedure, avoiding any heavy lifting and wearing a sports bra for extra support as you heal. Confirmed times that you can return to usual daily exercise regimes will be discussed during your follow up appointment with the surgeons, as these will tailor to each individual’s requirements.

The decision to undergo breast enlargement should be well informed, taking into account the potential risks to your health and the financial cost. At the IMAI, you will have the benefit of bunch of qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeons, working together with a personal and professional approach, in order to give you the best advice for your individual circumstances.

Implants are placed either behind the breast (middle image opposite) or behind the muscle the breast sits on (image on the far right). Putting implants behind the breast is the simplest option. Putting implants under the muscle gives more padding in very slim women. Your surgeon will discuss which is best for you. Implants are usually inserted through a cut in the crease under the breast (the inframammary fold). They can also be inserted through a cut in the armpit or around the areola. Sometimes, a drain (a tube attached to a bottle or bag) is left in to drain away any fluid or blood. This is removed after a day or two on the ward. ** If you wich to view the whole process please clink the link below for an animated video-Courtesy of IMAI.

Medical silicone is used safely in many medical devices, including breast implants. Your body will form a layer, called a capsule, around the implant. Sometimes, the capsule can thicken and tighten around the implant. This is called capsular contracture and it can change the shape or feel of the breast. If this happens, you might need further surgery to remove the capsule. Breast augmentation is not linked with breast cancer or other cancers. There have been reports of a condition called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) occurring with breast implants, but this is extremely rare and does not seem to be as serious as ALCL occurring in other places. Over time, some silicone may leak out of the implant. This does not cause ill health, but it might cause lumpiness or pain, and you might need surgery to remove and replace the implant. Over time, the implant may become more noticeable, particularly if it is large.

Mild droopiness can be improved by breast augmentation surgery. If your breasts are droopy but the right size for you, you can have a breast-uplift operation without an implant. This surgery is called a mastopexy. With this surgery, the nipple is lifted and the breast tissue and skin is tightened through cuts around the areola and under the breasts. Sometimes, both implants and lifting are needed, either at the same time or in two separate operations.

A simple alternative to breast augmentation is to wear padded bras. The only alternative surgical technique to enlarge the breast is lipofilling. This is where fat removed by liposuction from another part of the body (such as the hips or thighs) is injected into the breast area. Because only a relatively small amount of fat can be injected at a time, and some of the fat is reabsorbed into the body, you would need several injections to get a permanent enlargement. Your own fat is the only substance that can be safely injected into the breast. Other materials have been tried, and then banned. Do not allow anyone to inject anything other than your own fat into your breasts.