Breast Enlargement (Augmentation) Surgery & Price Guide

Anyone who would like permanently larger breasts with a rounder shape and potentially a more symmetrical look can benefit from breast augmentation.

Similar to many types of plastic breast surgery, breast augmentation aims to enhance the size and shape of the breasts by giving them a fuller and more contoured look by placing a breast implant into the body.

Breast enlargement surgery can:

• Restore breast volume lost due to ageing, weight loss, or pregnancy
• Create a more contoured breast shape
• Reconstruct breasts after mastectomy (complete removal of one or both breasts)
• Balance asymmetrical breasts
• Fit better into many types of clothing

The price of breast augmentation surgery can vary between £4500 to £6000. On average, you can expect to pay around £5000 for breast enlargement in the UK. There are various factors that could contribute to price fluctuations, such as

• Surgeon experience
• Chosen Hospital
• Anaesthetist expertise
• The complexity of the procedure for an individual's case
• Amount of hours required in surgery for each patient's case
• Additional combined procedure requirements, for example, the addition of an uplift.

In order to get a tailored price adapted to each personal case, patients will need to be examined by a surgeon in consultation to ensure that the procedure can be done considering their individual needs. A patient's personalised price will be all-inclusive and take into account all of the patient's needs; the tailored breast augmentation price will cover:

• Highly rated CQC hospital cost
• Surgeon's experience (BAAPS/BAPRAS)
• Anaesthetist time and expertise
• Any overnight stays that are required
• Follow-up appointments and aftercare

Consultations, like all plastic surgery consultations, are free with no obligation. A breast enlargement consultation will allow patients to ask all their questions, get to know the surgeon better, and the surgeon able to assess them and make the patient aware of the possible outcomes of their breast augmentation surgery.

Patients cannot typically get a breast enlargement on the NHS. There are some rare cases when it may be possible, usually either as part of reconstructive surgery or if they have very uneven-sized breasts.

If patients have had a lumpectomy or mastectomy to combat breast cancer or as a preventative measure, then the NHS may deem them eligible for a kind of breast enlargement surgery for reconstructive reasons.

It can also depend on where in the United Kingdom you live. But if patients are interested in having breast enlargement surgery, in general, it is unlikely that the NHS will cover the procedure.

Breast enlargement surgery is a major surgical procedure and can leave patients needing to recover for six weeks and wait up to 6 to 12 months to see the final result. It is never encouraged for anyone to rush into this procedure, and it is important that every patient has given it proper consideration before beginning their journey.

Finance options for breast enlargement surgery

Breast enlargement surgery is available to patients who either intend on self-paying or through a payment plan.

Self-paying patients include those willing to pay with their savings or those who are seeking financial plans from external providers or banks. We also offer a financing option available for patients interested in paying in monthly instalments for their procedure.

Medbelle financing can be paid back over the course of up to 5 years on a monthly basis. Patients are welcome to make additional payments as and when they like.

To be eligible for Medbelle finance, patients need to be:

• Over 18 years of age
• Working a minimum of 16 hours a week
• Living in the UK for the past three years

For more advice on financial planning and funding breast enlargement surgery or more information about any of the issues raised on this page, a Patient Care Adviser can help.

Is breast enlargement surgery covered by insurance?

If patients wish to have breast enlargement surgery with us, it is currently not possible to fund this through private medical insurance.

Breast enlargement surgery, also known as breast augmentation, remains the most popular surgery in the UK. However, not everyone is eligible for breast enlargement surgery. This is because safety is always the number one priority for any surgeon, who will first check that the patient fulfils certain criteria before they can be deemed eligible for the breast enlargement procedure.

How does age affect breast enlargement surgery eligibility?

Patients are required to be over the age of 18 years old in order to move forward with the breast enlargement procedure. It is highly unlikely a surgeon would move forward with the breast enlargement procedure on a patient under 18 years old, even with parental consent.

How do height and weight affect breast enlargement surgery eligibility?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is an important indicator to a surgeon if a patient is a candidate for plastic surgery procedures.

Patients with a BMI over 30 are at an increased risk of complications occurring during and after the surgery and, therefore, are highly advised to reduce their BMI prior to surgery to reduce risks.

It's best to reach a goal weight prior to surgery, as weight fluctuations following the procedure can affect the results of the surgery. So, if patients are currently gaining or losing weight, it's important to discuss their goals and time frame with their Patient Care Adviser.

How does smoking affect breast enlargement surgery eligibility?

The use of nicotine and tobacco products, including vapes, can increase the risk of complications occurring during the surgery and negatively affect the healing process and results.

For this reason, surgeons require patients to be completely smoke and nicotine-free prior to surgery and for patients to agree to remain off nicotine products until at least six weeks post-op.

Nicotine in the body reduces oxygen in the blood and constricts circulation, both of which are required for wounds to heal quickly. A wound that takes a long time to heal is at a much higher risk of infection and uneven scarring.

Read more on all the reasons you should stop smoking before surgery.

How do children/pregnancy/breastfeeding affect breast enlargement eligibility?

If patients have had children, they'll need to ensure they have adequate support at home during the recovery period, as they'll find they won't be able to lift the little ones for a few weeks following surgery.

Furthermore, patients probably won't feel up to cooking, cleaning or dashing around doing the school run, so it's important they have friends and family to rely on. The same applies to time off work. An office job will typically require five days to a week off, whereas a more physical job will require longer off to recover.

Any individual who has recently given birth must wait at least three to six months before having any breast surgery, including breast enlargement. If the patient is breastfeeding, they'll need to wait until they have stopped producing milk for at least three months too.

When pregnant, the body goes through physical and hormonal changes in preparation for birth and breastfeeding. These hormones increase the size of the breasts and can darken and enlarge the size of the areolas and nipples.

Further hormonal changes following birth increase milk production and engorge the breasts, making them larger. In the months after breastfeeding, the breast tissue becomes less engorged, and the new shape and position of the breasts are often more droopy (due to excess skin) and feel like they have less volume.

If patients are planning on having children in the future, the surgeon may advise them to wait until after they have completed their family before they move forward with the procedure. This is due to the fact that any fluctuations to the breasts from weight gain or pregnancy may negatively affect the results.

Breast cancer

For patients with breast cancer, it can be recommended that they have a partial or complete mastectomy (removal of all or some breast tissue). This is a very personal decision that is discussed with the patient’s medical team and family.

A mastectomy is more likely to be offered to patients that have multiple or a very large tumour, previous breast cancer removal, and the presence of the BRCA gene.

Following a mastectomy, patients may consider breast implants to restore the look and shape of their breasts. This is often known as breast reconstruction. There are various options available for patients, such as implants alone or in combination with other surgical techniques. These can be an effective way to help restore the breast to its desired shape and look.

Reconstruction with implants may require two stages. During the first stage, an expander is inserted either under the chest muscles or just underneath the skin. Over regular visits with your doctor, saline is inserted to expand the area. Once enough space is created and everything is well-healed, patients can have surgery to insert implants. It may be possible for some patients to combine the two stages into one.

Poland syndrome

A rare congenital defect known as Poland syndrome can cause underdevelopment of the chest wall and breasts, leading to apparent asymmetry. To offset this, many patients opt for breast reconstruction. The treatment is tailored to individual patients, and for those with moderate to severe deformities, one breast implant or two can be recommended.

Breast enhancement surgery often takes between 60 to 90 minutes. Before surgery, patients must follow the guidance from their surgeon regarding eating, drinking and taking medications the night and weeks before.

Selecting a highly trained and experienced surgeon will ensure they are using the most tried and tested methods. This includes the use of the Keller Funnel to place breast implants. Learn about the benefits of the Keller Funnel for breast enhancement here.

Types of breast implant shapes

There are two common breast implant shapes. Depending on the type of results the patient wants from breast augmentation, the surgeon can use round or anatomical-shaped breast implants.

Round implants provide more overall volume to the breast and are a good option for patients who want more cleavage and volume in the upper part of the breast.

Anatomical implants are also known as teardrop breast implants. Their shape mimics the shape of natural breasts.

This breast implant shape is a good option for those who want a more natural-looking final result from breast augmentation.

Types of incisions for breast enlargement surgery

The surgeon will take great care when placing incisions during breast augmentation to make sure the final results are not distracted from by scarring.

There are three possible types of breast enlargement incisions:

• Transaxilary at the armpit (least common)
• Periareolar around the bottom half of the nipple
• Inframammary at the crease of the breast (most common)

Types of breast enlargement surgery techniques

There are three possible places in the breast where a breast implant can be placed.

Subglandular/Submammary implant

This method places the implant over the chest muscle and under the existing breast tissue.

Pros of subglandular implant placement:

• More defined breast shape after recovery
• Slightly less invasive surgery compared to other methods
• Somewhat shorter recovery period compared to subpectoral implants
• Potentially less uncomfortable recovery compared to other implant placements
• Less implant movement when using the chest muscles

Cons of subglandular implant placement:

• More likely to interfere with mammograms than subpectoral implants

Subpectoral implant

This method places the breast implant under the chest muscle, also called the pectoral muscles or pecs.

Pros of subpectoral implant placement:

• Less likely to be felt or obviously seen upon recovery and can provide a more natural-looking result compared to submammary implants
• Less likely to interfere with mammograms than submammary implants

Cons of subpectoral implant placement:

• Slightly more invasive surgical procedure compared to submammary placement
• Longer and potentially more uncomfortable recovery period compared to submammary implants

Dual-Plane implant

As the name suggests, the dual-plane method combines the two previous methods and places the breast implant under both the breast tissue and chest muscle at once. This is also called the bi-planar method.

Pros of dual-plane implant placement:

• Reduced risk of rippling
• Less likely to see or feel the implant at the top of the breast
• Provides a fuller lower part of the breast compared to subpectoral implants

Breast implants cannot correct the look of severe breast sagging, also called breast ptosis, as seen in the image below.

If patients have sagging breasts, the breast augmentation may need to be combined with a breast uplift in order to get patients the results they want. Learn more about breast enlargement and uplift here.

Some patients do not like the invasive nature of breast augmentation because of silicone or saline breast implants. While the possibilities for breast enhancement are limited without a standard implant, there are options, including fat transfer. Learn more about fat transfer breast enlargement and auto-augmentation breast enlargement.

What to expect during the breast enlargement surgery consultation?

The breast augmentation consultation will last between 15 to 60 minutes. It will take place either in the surgeon’s private practice or a consultation office. Questions patients will likely be asked during their consultation include:

• What's behind the desire to have the surgery?
• What are the expectations and desired outcomes from surgery?
• Any current or past medical conditions?
• Any allergies?
• Any past surgeries?
• Medications, vitamins or herbal supplements?
• Personal or family history of breast cancer?
• What were the results of any mammograms or biopsies?
• Smoke use, use e-cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use drugs?

The surgeon will also examine and measure the breasts. They may also take photos of the breasts that will remain a part of a patient's private medical record.

The measurements they will take include:

• The size of each breast
• The shape of each breast
• The quality/thickness of the skin on each breast
• Nipple and areola placement

These measurements will help them determine:

• If breast augmentation is the right choice
• If the results desired from breast surgery are possible
• What methods and techniques will they need to use to get the results wanted

Who are the ideal candidates for breast enlargement surgery?

Breast augmentation may be an option for patients looking to enhance the size and shape of their breasts. The ideal candidate for breast enlargement surgery is likely:

• Over 18 years old
• Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• Realistic with their expectations
• Physically healthy
• Emotionally prepared for surgery
• Unhappy with the current look of their breasts
• A non-smoker or has not smoked or used nicotine products for at least six weeks before surgery

What are the risks and complications associated with breast enlargement surgery?

As with any surgery, breast augmentation has risks and complications associated with the procedure.

The surgeon will discuss all the risks and complications associated with breast enhancement surgery with the patient during the consultation. Choosing a highly experienced BAAPS/BAPRAS surgeon will reduce the chance of any risks and complications occurring during or following breast enhancement surgery.

The risks and complications associated with breast enlargement surgery include but are not limited to:

• Bleeding & bruising
• Excessive and/or keloid scarring
• Numbness or altered sensation after healing
• Tissue necrosis
• Seroma
• Infection
• Unintended folding or creasing on the breasts
• Capsular contracture
• Breast implant rupture
• Sagging
• Asymmetry
• Lateralisation or movement of the breast implants to the side of the chest
• Double bubble or a second fold on the breast
• Unhappiness with final results
• A very small risk of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

What is Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)?

BIA-ALCL is an extremely rare type of cancer of the lymph glands. It is not breast cancer. It is associated with some types of textured silicone breast implants.

Treatment involves surgical removal of the breast capsule and implant and, in some cases, chemotherapy. If BIA-ALCL is caught early enough, treatment is curative. If patients have any questions or concerns about BIA-ALCL, speak to the surgeon.

What to expect after breast enlargement surgery?

During the consultation, surgeons will give the patient-specific instructions regarding their preferred method of aftercare for breast enlargement surgery patients.

Patients are usually able to return home the same day or day after the surgery. Before they are discharged from the hospital, a follow-up appointment with the surgeon will be arranged so they can return within two weeks to track the recovery and have their stitches removed (if they are non-dissolvable stitches). Patients will not be allowed to drive themselves home from the hospital, so make prior arrangements for transport; they will also require assistance from a chaperone in the first 24 hours after surgery.

Patients should expect some discomfort in the days following immediately after their breast enlargement surgery. As the treatment area heals, they may experience bruising, swelling or burning sensations around the breasts. This is completely normal. Patients may well feel tired and nauseous from the general anaesthetic. Drink lots of water or clear fluids and take some time to rest. Do not drive or engage in any strenuous activity during this time.

Post-operative appointment

Before leaving the hospital, a post-operative appointment will be arranged so patients can meet with their surgeon within the following two weeks. During this appointment, the surgeon will examine the breasts, remove any non-dissolvable stitches and address any surgical complications.

As part of the breast enlargement aftercare process, the surgeon will give specific time frames and advice regarding things such as time off work, sports and exercise, driving, etc. These time frames can differ greatly from surgeon to surgeon. It is, therefore, important to follow the specific advice that the surgeon gives, as it is specific to the individual patient's recovery.

Below are some general guidelines and information about breast enlargement aftercare.

Time off work

The time patients need to take off work after breast enlargement surgery depends on the type of work they do.

If the job requires any level of manual labour, patients may have to take a minimum of one full week off. If lifting heavy objects, reaching for objects above the head, or very strenuous physical work is required, then some patients may need four weeks off work.

If the work is relatively low or no impact and requires only work at a desk, patients may only need to take four or five days off work. No matter the role, even light-impact duties should be avoided for at least one to two weeks.

Return to sports & exercise.

Although patients will need to rest after the surgery, it is important that patients do not stay in bed all day. Even though they will have had surgery on the chest, occasional light walks every day can help prevent blood clots from developing in the legs.

While patients should keep lightly mobile, they should only return to regular exercise on the surgeon's guidance.

Driving

Patients will not be able to drive immediately after their breast enlargement surgery because they will still be slightly under the influence of anaesthesia. Patients will, therefore, need to arrange for a family member or friend to take them home after the procedure.

Driving may also be difficult or impossible for up to a week after surgery. This is because breast enlargement surgery impacts the muscles in the chest necessary to push and pull the wheel. Even if it is comfortable to drive in the week following the surgery, the NHS recommends avoiding driving for at least one week after surgery to ensure patients do not hurt themselves or slow their healing.

Post-operative bra

After the breast enlargement surgery, patients may have to wear a post-operative compression garment for anywhere from two to four weeks. The amount of time they will have to wear this "recovery bra" depends on the surgeon’s advice. The compression garment can be vital in the early days of breast enlargement aftercare as it helps reduce swelling and bruising and helps achieve the best result possible.

Scar care

Patients should expect some scarring from breast enlargement. The scars will initially be sensitive and quite noticeable. But over time and with proper scar care, they will fade away.

Patients should keep their scars out of direct sunlight for the next 12 months. Sunlight can discolour and darken the scars, which is known as hyperpigmentation. This may lead to them being more visible in the future. If patients do expose themselves to the sun, use a high-factor sunscreen.

The treatment area should also be kept clean and dry following the breast augmentation procedure. Bathe using warm water and soap before dabbing them dry with a clean towel. Do this regularly to avoid a build-up of bacteria.

Patients may feel that the incisions become irritant or itchy. Once the incisions have healed, use unscented moisturisers or bio-oil to prevent the wounds from drying out. Try to avoid scratching them, as this may irritate the healing area.

There are a number of different techniques that the surgeon may recommend to help you heal the scars after the breast enlargement. These include:

1. Scar massage – once the scars have fully healed, patients can gently massage the scar, preferably with a scar cream or oil.
2. Silicone creams/gels/sheets – the surgeon may recommend using a silicone-based product for 6 to 12 months after the scars have healed completely to help lighten the colour of the scar and help it fade.
3. Avoid exposing the scars to the sun or sunbeds, and use a high-factor sunscreen to protect the skin and avoid hyperpigmentation (darkening of the scar's colour).

The surgeon will advise patients specifically on how to take care of their scars.

Recovery timeline

As with any surgical procedure, the first few weeks of recovery are crucial to obtaining the best results. The most important advice on offer is to follow the surgeon’s advice as closely as possible. That said, this general timeline can still be useful to give an insight into what to expect after having breast enlargement surgery and how much time patients should plan for taking it easy and allowing their body to rest.

1-2 days after surgery

• Patients may still feel tired and drowsy
• Expect bruising, swelling and soreness around the treatment area
• Do not engage in any strenuous aerobic activities or exercise
• Bathe with caution, avoiding showering during this time and wash the treatment area with warm, clean, soapy water and a sponge instead
• Unless instructed otherwise by the surgeon, wear your post-operative bra at all times during this period
• Rest well, drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy diet

3-4 after surgery

• The anaesthetic should have worn off by this point, but patients should continue to take pain medication as per the surgeon’s instructions
• Take a few short strolls around your house or outside. This can prevent blood clotting
• Avoid physical exercise or sexual activities during this time
• Continue to follow the surgeon’s post-operative advice as closely as possible
• Sleeping may be more comfortable in an upright position as it can take the strain off your breasts and help to reduce swelling
• Inspect the scars frequently and continue throughout the healing process

1-2 weeks after surgery

• Some stretching and light movement may now be possible, but nothing which puts too much strain on the breasts
• Patients will have a post-operative follow-up appointment with the surgeon, who will track healing and continue to give aftercare advice
• If the stitches are non-dissolvable, patients will have these removed during the follow-up appointment
• Most of the severe swelling and soreness should have passed, but it is likely the breasts will still be somewhat swollen, tingling or numb
• Patients may re-engage in sexual activities if they wish

3-4 weeks after surgery

• Most of the discomfort should have passed by now
• The post-operative bra may now be worn less frequently or not at all, depending on the surgeon’s instructions.
• Stretching, light aerobic exercises and cardio may now be possible again, but listen to the body and don’t push yourself too hard.
• As before, avoid ball sports, contact sports or heavy lifting
• Patients can expect some numbness or altered sensations around the treatment area
• Continue to inspect the scars regularly. Keep them clean and dry and out of sunlight

Six weeks after surgery

• Patients should be able to resume sports activities and exercise regularly. Heavy lifting and workouts are possible too, but always remain careful and listen to the body. Patients can undo all the hard work if they push themselves too far
• Pain and sensitivity to the treatment area is now unlikely but not totally uncommon

3-6 months after surgery

• Swelling, numbness and a lack of sensation are possible but should have fully passed by this point.
• The final results are often now visible

Final results

Although patients will see an immediate difference in the size of their breasts after surgery, it may take two to nine months before they are able to appreciate the full cosmetic results of their breast enlargement. Swelling and some slight shape differences may persist for up to nine months.

It is important to keep in mind that exact recovery times vary from patient to patient. Timing is different for each patient, and each surgeon gives different advice and timelines. Therefore, it is important to follow all the post-operative advice the surgeon gives.

The recommended amount of time you need away from work after a breast enlargement depends on what type of work you do. Overall, it is important to avoid any strenuous activity in the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to decrease your risk of swelling and other complications that could impact your results.

If your job includes a lot of physical activity, especially any lifting, moving objects above your head, or any generally high-impact activity, your surgeon will likely tell to you to take at least one full week off.

If your job is relatively low or no impact, for instance, some office work, you may only need to be away for 4 to 5 days. In any case, you should avoid light duties that could raise your heart rate for at least 1 to 2 weeks.

Major weight loss or weight gain may affect the look of your breasts with or without implants.

Drastic weight gain is, in general, less noticeable with breast implants when compared to weight loss. The loss of fat in the chest and breasts tends to make breast implants more noticeable. Keep in mind, however, that the visual or aesthetic impact of weight fluctuation varies from patient to patient. It is recommended that you should be at an optimum and steady weight before you consider having a breast enlargement procedure. This can help prevent any aesthetic issues arising as a result of rapid weight loss or gain.

Surgeons strive to get you great results following breast enlargement surgery. However, further surgery may be required for a number of reasons. In rare cases, complications such as capsular contracture or implant rupture will require surgery after breast enlargement surgery. Aside from possible complications, some patients also choose to have further surgery in order to change the size, shape, or type of implant they have.

Patients are encouraged to be honest with their surgeon about what they expect to see in the mirror following surgery so your surgeon can let you know the realistic outcomes.

Although a rare complication, some women do find they have difficulties or are unable to breastfeed after a breast enlargement procedure. However, if you were able to breastfeed before your procedure, you will likely still be able to breastfeed after healing.

Breast enlargement can be done in several ways, some of which are more likely to preserve the ability to breastfeed. These include making incisions (cuts) under the breast or in the armpit or having the implant placed under the chest muscle. These measures may help prevent damage to the milk ducts and nerves in your breasts.

Smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, and/or taking recreational drugs increases the risk of complications during and after surgery.

All BAAPS/BAPRAS surgeons strongly recommend that you stop smoking and use of all nicotine products at least six weeks before your operation. This is because smoking reduces blood flow throughout your body, which in turn slows healing times and can even increase the likelihood of developing complications like infection or necrosis.

When operating near delicate and small parts of the body like the nipples during a breast augmentation, the reduction in blood flow caused by smoking can reduce the chance that the skin heals well or even prevent this skin from ever regaining healthy blood flow at all, causing the tissue to die off and leave the area prone to infection and in a poor aesthetic state. In general, smoking increases healing times, increases the likelihood of infections and other potential health and results in damaging complications.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol before and after surgery is also discouraged by our surgeons because of its relation to overall poor health and lowered immune response. Patients who drink large amounts of alcohol before surgery also increase their risk of complications by two to three times. These risks include increased bleeding, increased likelihood of developing an infection, and possible interactions with medications given to you before or after surgery.

Recreational drugs can have a wide range of effects on the body and can, therefore, impact your surgery and results in a variety of ways. This is why it is recommended you be honest with your surgeon about any drug use and follow their instruction to stop any use before your surgery and throughout aftercare.

Modern breast implants are designed to mimic the feel of natural breasts. Silicone gel implants, especially highly cohesive silicone gel, have a more natural feel than saline implants because the silicone gels can be designed and manufactured to feel like breast tissue, whereas the sterilised saltwater in saline implants can only ever have the texture of water.

It is understandable to be worried if you have PIP implants. These were the implants that were made in France with an unapproved silicone gel, which made the implants more prone to leakage and rupture. If you know that you have these implants, we would advise you to speak to the clinic where you had the breast implant surgery done and seek advice from your GP. You can also read more about PIP Implants.

Although the implants are more prone to rupture, they have not been found to be damaging to general health. Therefore, replacing the PIP implants is often a personal choice made alongside a healthcare professional. If you do choose to keep the implants, you should make yourself aware of the symptoms of a rupture. Equally, it is advised that you have an annual check-up with a doctor to ensure you are not suffering from any complications.

Your surgeon will not perform breast implant surgery if:

• There is an active infection anywhere in your body
• You have existing cancer or pre-cancer of your breast and have not received adequate treatment for these conditions
• You are currently pregnant or nursing
• You're under 18 years old
• You have a medical condition that would increase the risks of elective surgery.

In these cases, surgeons do not recommend breast implant surgery. This is because it may interfere with the treatment of active infection or cancer and the safety of the pregnancy or nursing. These factors may also affect the healing process after the surgery. 

Although unlikely, there may be other factors preventing you from getting breast implants. If you have any outstanding questions about your eligibility for a breast augmentation procedure, you should speak with a surgeon and explain your situation.

Some patients will not want to change the size of their breasts and may simply be unhappy with the shape or symmetry. As a result, replacement implants may not be needed. There are other surgical options available, such as a breast uplift procedure. It is advised that you are clear with your surgeon about what you are hoping to achieve. Your surgeon can then provide you with advice as to whether new implants are needed or if other treatment options are possible.

Sometimes, patients may be slightly unhappy with the results of implant surgery soon after the operation. This is because it takes time for the breast tissue to settle and the bruising and swelling to go down. It can take up to six months before you will be able to see the final results. Therefore, it is recommended that you wait at least six months after having implant surgery before making decisions about having a breast implant replacement procedure for cosmetic reasons.

It is also recommended that you get your implants checked by a specialist at least every 8-10 years in case your implants do need replacing.

All of the information found on our website is sourced from highly reputable experts, government-approved authorities and is widely used by healthcare professionals.

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/breast-enlargement/ NHS
• https://baaps.org.uk/patients/procedures/1/breast_augmentation British Association Of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
• Understand.com Understand
• https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient-care/cosmetic-surgery/about-your-procedure/breast-enlargement/ Royal College of Surgeon England
• http://breastreconstructionawareness.org.uk/procedures/poland-syndrome/ Breast Reconstruction Awareness
• https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/reconstruction-fact-sheet Cancer.gov
• https://www.nfcr.org/blog/mastectomy-and-breast-reconstruction-what-breast-cancer-patients-should-know/ National Foundation for Cancer Research