Breast enlargement surgery – also known as breast augmentation surgery or boob job – is a procedure that is appropriate for patients looking to increase the size and fullness of their breast(s) and / or to correct minor sagging.
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Deciding if breast enlargement surgery is right for you
Women who opt for this surgery are usually those who have always had small breasts, or those who have lost breast volume after having children. Having this surgery can lead to increased self-confidence and an improved body balance, with the breasts feeling in more proportion with the rest of the body. Another option to breast augmentation surgery is breast lift surgery, which is a procedure to correct sagging breasts.
We are often asked by clients if they will need a breast lift as well as implants to achieve upper pole volume. This depends on the current degree of upper pole volume and the degree of droopiness. Breast implants will give good upper pole volume but will not correct the droopiness of the breasts. A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, will give the breasts a good shape but will not correct an empty upper pole. You may wish to consider an augmentation-mastopexy if one or more of the below apply:
- You wish to increase the size of your breasts in addition to elevating their position on the chest wall
- You need a breast lift but also want more “upper pole” fullness in the breasts than a mastopexy can provide on its own
- You desire to receive a breast augmentation but have more breast droopiness than can be corrected with implants alone
- You have moderate to significant volume loss and excess skin present in the breasts as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or massive weight loss.
We’re also asked by clients if they will still be able to breastfeed following the procedure. Most women can still breastfeed normally after an augmentation. In a typical breast augmentation, a cut is made in the inframammary fold, which is the crease under your breast, and an implant is placed either behind or above the pectoral muscle, which lies below the breast tissue. This procedure doesn’t involve the ducts, or the areas of the breast involved in milk production.
Whatever the reasons for considering this procedure, only you can decide if it’s the right option for you. Mr Sherif Wilson FRCS (Plast) will take great care in talking you through all of your options, but the end decision must always come from the person who may have the surgery.
What does this procedure involve?
Technically referred to as a mammoplasty, breast implants are used to enlarge or improve the shape of the breasts. A breast implant consists of an outer shell and a filling material, which is most often silicone gel or sometimes salty water (referred to as saline). Some implants are round and others are shaped more like a natural breast referred to as tear drops or anatomical implants. Either can give excellent results. The manufacturers life expectancy of implants is 10 or more years, and whilst we do provide breast implant exchange surgery, they can stay in without problems for a much longer time.
Implants can be placed either directly behind the breast (known as subglandular placement), or behind the breast and chest wall/muscle (known as submuscular placement). Mr Wilson will help you decide on the most appropriate implant to use as well as the best position. This depends on a number of factors including the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your existing breast tissue and skin, and the size you would ideally like your breasts to be following surgery.
The surgery takes between one and one-and-a-half hours, and is done under general anesthetic. The implants are usually inserted using an incision under the breast at the crease. Once the pocket has been created, the implant is inserted and the incision wounds are stitched.
Before and after gallery
Going home after this surgery
You may be able to go home the same day after surgery, but many patients will spend one night in hospital. Patients are recommended to take around two weeks off work immediately after the operation in order to ensure they recuperate fully, and are advised to refrain from any heavy lifting for the first few weeks. At a month most patients can resume most exercise. At six weeks, patients are generally completely healed and can resume all exercises.
Mr Wilson will advise that you must wear a supportive bra during the first few weeks after the operation. Usually, a non-wired sports bra will be able to provide enough support, however there are bras designed purposefully for the post-surgical period that can be purchased. They will help to make your breasts comfortable and supported, aiding the healing process.
What are the risks of this surgery?
All breast enlargement procedures carry the risk of bleeding or infection. These risks are both less than 1%, but if they do occur will result in reoperation. Hardening, or encapsulation, around the implant is also a potential risk, and up to 10% of women over a ten year period will experience this problem. Implants are made to be very tough, but the envelope can gradually fail and a leak can occur. This is not usually a serious event, but once detected will necessitate removal and exchange of the implant.
Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
Since 2014, a condition called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in association with breast implants has been identified. The risk of this is extremely small. It is not a breast cancer itself, but is associated with the scar tissue or capsule laid down by the body around a breast implant. Cases of BIA-ALCL have occurred between 2-28 years after breast implant insertion with the average time being 8 years. It is most likely to show up as a swelling around the implant causing an increase in size of the breast (a seroma). It can usually be successfully treated by an operation to remove the implant and the capsule of tissue surrounding it.
Because it is so rare, International organisations are sharing data and information about this condition. Most of the cases worldwide have occurred in women with textured breast implants, with higher numbers of BIA-ALCL seen in women with implants that have a coarser texture than those with a finer texture.
It is important to ask your surgeon what the most up-to-date recommendations are. Breast implants continue to be considered safe, with safety approval from Government organisations such as the UK MHRA and USA FDA. They continue to be used in breast reconstruction patients following treatment of cancer worldwide. For more information, please see the links at the end of this booklet.
Breast Implant Illness (BII)
Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used by patients who have breast implants and experience a variety of symptoms that they feel are directly connected to their silicone breast implants. BII is not a medical diagnosis and there is no proven association with breast implants. The symptoms include tiredness, “brain fog”, joint aches, immune-related symptoms, sleep disturbance, depression, hormonal issues, headaches, hair loss, chills, rash, hormonal issues and neurological issues.
There is currently no scientific evidence to confirm this proposed link or any diagnostic test to show that a patient suffers from such a condition. Research continues in this area to establish if all of the symptoms that patients describe can be brought together into a single diagnosis. Some patients do report that their symptoms improve if their implants are removed but this is not true for all. More guidance on BII can be found on the Gov.UK and Fda.gov websites.
How much does this surgery cost?
Depending on the type of procedure you require, the cost of this surgery can vary.
These are guide prices and are subject to change following an initial consultation with Mr Wilson, where a bespoke quote will be provided, specific to each patient.
The prices include one Covid swab at the hospital of your procedure. This Covid swab will need to be performed 72 hours prior to your admission and the hospital will book this with you directly upon receipt of your surgery booking. You will be required to completely self-isolate between the time of the Covid swab to the time of your admission to the hospital.
At Nuffield Bristol Hospital
From £5,470
At BMI Bath Clinic
From £5,390
At Winfield Hospital (Gloucester)
From £5,890
At St Josephs Newport
From £5,530
There are finance options available which you can find information about on the Spire, BMI and Winfield hospital websites respectively.
Testimonials
Sherif invites his clients to leave a review about the service he provided on Google (Bristol and Gloucester), as well as Doctify, RealSelf and I Want Great Care.
Please visit the Testimonials page for the very latest, or click on the links directly below this contact form.