Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation (bilateral breast augmentation or BBA) is an operation to enlarge the breasts. It can be a life-enhancing procedure. However having a breast enlargement is a big decision. It is major surgery with potential risks, and the result you may hope for cannot be guaranteed. This writing will help you understand the procedure better. It will also explain the risks of the operation both in the short and long term. If you have any further questions after your consultations and reading the writing, please ask your surgeon.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is usually done by inserting an implant beneath the breast to make it look larger. It will enlarge breasts that have always been small, but can also be used to fill out breasts that used to be larger. An example would be breasts that have emptied out, perhaps following pregnancy. Breast augmentation will reshape breasts to some extent. The procedure can also be used to correct breasts that are of unequal size. An alternative to enlargement using an implant, is to perform fat transfer, sometimes called lipomodelling, lipofilling or fat grafting. This involves injection of fat taken from elsewhere on the body, into the breast area. Fat transfer may be an appropriate method of augmentation in a few people but is not suitable for all. This technique often requires more than one episode of surgery. It can be also be used in combination with an augmentation. Patients who have breast augmentation tend to be pleased with the results, however, it is important that you have realistic expectations. You need to understand what can and cannot be achieved, the limitations of surgery and the long- term consequences of having breast implants.

Aims to discuss how you should go about the process of a consultation and getting advice about a possible operation. It explains the surgery and what is involved including the various techniques that can be used.  It gives detailed information about breast implants and alternatives.  It explains the recovery process and what you can expect after the operation.  It explains in detail the possible risks and complications that can arise after breast augmentation surgery.  It explains what you can expect in the long term if you go ahead with breast augmentation. Whilst this writing is quite detailed, it is intended to complement a consultation and informed consent process with a surgeon who can explain what is appropriate for you and what you might expect from surgery. Every patient is different and the surgeon will explain what can be achieved for you. This writing will help let you make an informed decision.

What is my next step?

There are different ways to seek a consultation and your GP may be able to help with information about surgeons local to you. Some patients will choose to approach a private hospital or clinic directly and this is fine. If you do this, you should ensure that your initial consultation will be with the surgeon who will be doing the operation. Your surgeon will normally seek permission to write to your GP following your consultation. You should expect to pay a fee for your consultation. At your consultation you will be asked what is bothering you about your breasts and about your expectations from the surgery. It is important that you share all of your previous medical information with your surgeon. You will be examined and measurements taken of your breasts. Some discussion will follow about implant shapes and possible sizes and the position of the pockets that are to be made for the implants to sit in behind your existing breast tissue. To help give you an idea of the potential result some surgeons will use implant sizers in a bra. Others may use 3D photography. Although this can be helpful for you to have an idea of what you may look like after surgery, it is only a guide. It is important to realise that the same implant can look very different in different people. You should be told about the operation, the expected outcome and possible risks and complications. You should be given a ‘cooling-off’ period of at least 2 weeks before having surgery, and you should be offered a second consultation, before the operation. You should not feel rushed into surgery.

How much will it cost?

Before your consultation it should be possible to obtain an approximate cost for the surgery from your local private hospital or the surgeon’s secretary. It is also normal to charge for your initial consultation(s). After your consultation(s) and if you are planning to go forward with surgery, you should be given a written quote regarding the cost of the planned care. You should avoid any deal in which you are asked to pay any form of non refundable deposit. In addition, you should not be offered a financial inducement to proceed, and you should .