Breast Enlargement & Augmentation

Medically reviewed by Simon Smith, Medical Director and Consultant Surgeon on 31st October 2018.

What is breast Enhancement surgery?

Breast enhancement surgery, also known as breast augmentation, breast enlargement or boob job, is a cosmetic surgery procedure which involves inserting breast implants to increase the size of the breasts, change their shape or make them more even.[1]

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Choose an option below to read more:

• Why do women have breast enhancement surgery?
• What happens during breast enhancement surgery?
• What are breast implants made of?
• How do I choose a breast implant size?
• Virtual breast augmentation consultation
• How much does breast enlargement cost?
• Meet our breast surgery surgeons
• Breast augmentation aftercare
• Why choose The Harley Medical Group?
• Breast enlargement finance options
• Book a free consultation

WHY DO WOMEN HAVE BREAST ENHANCEMENT SURGERY?

There are many reasons why a woman may wish to have breast augmentation surgery or have breast implants. The most common reasons include.[2]

Loss of shape after breastfeeding

Many women aged between 30 and 39 are in the middle of their childbearing years and lose breast volume after pregnancy. They may not be happy with the way their breasts appear after significant weight loss. There are no exercises that can build the volume back up, which is why breast implants popular and suitable option.[11]

Under-developed breasts

Some women may feel their breasts have not developed as much as they hoped and consider breast surgery to enhance the breast to a size they feel suitable.

Unevenly sized or shaped breasts

Uneven breasts is a common reason for women to undergo a breast augmentation. The procedure can deliver results to give a more even shape to the breasts.

Unbalanced body shape

Some women feel the upper portion of their body does not match the lower portion and breast enhancement can deliver a more balanced, preferable body shape.

Breast cancer

After undergoing a mastectomy as part of cancer treatment or as a preventative measure, breast implants may be a suitable option to reconstruct the breast.[12] Suitability for a breast implant after cancer treatment varies from patient to patient. Many of our breast surgeons practice in oncoplastic breast surgery within the NHS, as well as cosmetic and can advise on the options available to you.

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What happens during breast Enhancement surgery?

Operation Time

The operation time will vary from patient to patient and often takes between one and two hours.

General Anaesthetic

The breast enhancement operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic. Your Consultant Anaesthetist will speak to you about this on the day of your operation.

Incision

The surgeon will make an incision in the skin approximately 3 to 5cm long, usually in the crease below the breast, but incisions can also be made in the underarm or around the areola (nipple).  Your surgeon will discuss the appropriate incision in your case.

Implant

The surgeon will then create a pocket for the implant to be placed in and this can be between the breast tissue and chest muscle (sub glandular placement) or behind the chest wall muscle (sub muscular placement). Some surgeons use what is called a “dual plane” placement and in this case the implant will be placed partly behind the breast tissue and partly behind the muscle. The size and shape of the breast, the looseness of the skin and your own anatomy will determine which position the surgeon feels is the best option for you and this will be explained and discussed at your consultation.

Surgery End

The incision will be stitched and these may be dissolvable stitches rather than ones which require removing and they will be covered by dressings and then a sports type bra which you will be advised to take with you. There may be drainage tubes in place which will be removed before you go home.

Day case or overnight

You will be advised beforehand whether your surgery is being performed as a day case or if you will need to stay overnight. However, don’t forget that even day case patients can occasionally need to stay overnight if required.

From your very first consultation with one of our Cosmetic Surgeons you will have a committed nursing team to talk you through the surgery and to provide all of the support you need.

The Keller Funnel Breast implant technique

We use the Keller Funnel technique to insert and place breast implants. The Keller Funnel allows our expert surgeons to use a no-touch technique to insert the implants. Limiting the amount of contact with the skin and incision can reduce the chances of any infection incurred during the procedure.[5]

There is also evidence to suggest that a no-touch method such as the Keller Funnel technique can reduce the chances of capsular contracture.[6]

The Keller Funnel is an FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved device in the USA. The Keller Funnel is owned by Allergan, one of the world’s largest medical, pharmaceutical research and development companies.[7]

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What are breast implants made of?

Commonly, most breast implants contain either saline or silicone gel. We only use silicone gel implants manufactured by Mentor, a Johnson & Johnson company. 

Silicone implants have a silicone shell, but are also filled with a silicone gel. Most women claim silicone gel implants feel more like real breasts.[8], and this makes Silicone implants the most popular in the UK.[1]

Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile salt water solution called Saline, which is held within an implant inside a silicone shell. Some of these implants are pre-filled when they are manufactured and some are filled during the operation.

Why we only use Mentor silicone Breast Implants

The Harley Medical Group only uses Mentor breast implants for breast enhancement surgery. 

Mentor is a Johnson & Johnson company with over 40 years' experience in the field of breast aesthetics, making them world leaders in the field with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They are widely recognised as the leading manufacturer of implants for breast enlargement and augmentation surgery.

They are one of the only implants that are fully approved in the USA for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), due to the high quality and unique nature of their manufacturing process.[9]

Our 10 year Breast implant warranty

All of our Mentor implants come with a 10-year warranty for your own peace of mind. This provides you with lifetime implant replacement and money towards your surgical costs. In addition, we are so confident in our Mentor implants that we cover you, completely, for removal and replacement for three years from your date of surgery in the unlikely event you experience capsular contracture.[10]

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How do I choose a breast implant size?

Choosing a breast implant size is not as simple as just choosing a number and a letter. It is a life-changing decision and requires a lot of thought to help achieve the results aesthetically and psychologically.

Our processes for choosing a suitable breast implant size is thorough and in depth. During your initial consultation with one of our expert cosmetic surgery practitioners, you will be presented through the patient journey and all the options available to you.

At your follow up consultation, you will meet one of our highly skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeons. Your surgeon will discuss the size and shape of your existing breasts, discuss your expectations and take you through the various options available to you.

By the time you come to surgery, you and your surgeon will have agreed on which size implants will deliver the best results for you.

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Virtual breast augmentation at Harley Street, London

We are pleased to announce that we trialling the world leading Crisalix Augmented Reality Experience in our Breast Augmentation Consultations in our Harley Street clinic. For the first time, our clients will be able to experience how they may look before they have had their breast procedure.

Crisalix has made it possible for every client to have a personalised Augmented Reality consultation by combining advanced medical research and state-of-the-art information technology in an effort to optimise the level of care and treatment that you will receive.

In your consultation, our practitioners will scan your upper body using an iPad and then within a few minutes the Crisalix tool will create a 3D visualisation of the possible results and how your breasts may look post- surgery. This will give you a much better idea of the possible result you could achieve, instead of simply imagining something based on someone else’s results, because the simulation is based on your body. You can even take the 3D visualization images home with you so you can discuss the results with your family and friends to help you make the right decision for you.

You can also view breast enlargement before and after photos of real patients from The Harley Medical Group.

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How much does breast enlargement cost?

Breast surgery prices vary depending on the specific procedure and if an additional procedure is required at the same time to deliver the best results, such as in the event an uplift is performed at the same time.

The costs consist of hospital and surgeon fees, implant costs, nurse, theatre and clinical professional costs, drugs, post-surgery clothing and aftercare.

At The Harley Medical Group, all our prices quoted are final and include all costs stated above, and there will be no additions or taxes added on later.

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Our Breast Surgery surgeons

All surgeons who work with The Harley Medical Group are on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgeons and registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). All our medical experts have their GMC number listed on their profiles for our clients’ reference.

As well as GMC membership in the UK, all our surgeons have additional memberships, above and beyond these requirements. These include:

• British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (EBOPRAS)
• Royal College of Surgeons
• Medical Defence Union (MDU)

We carefully vet every consultant we work with and check deep into their records and history before welcoming them to our group. As well as a wealth of experience, all our surgeons are based in the UK, so you can rest assured we are available to you when you need us.

Our Medical Director and Consultant Surgeon, Simon Smith explains more on our expert surgeons.

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Breast Augmentation aftercare

At The Harley Medical Group, our care doesn’t stop after the surgery.

Before leaving the hospital you will be given a full guide to help you to make a full and speedy recovery, along with a phone number so that you can call any day, any time when you need us. You may require a night or short stay in hospital to have your progress monitored.

After your breast surgery you will be required to wear a post-surgical bra (similar to a sports bra) 24-hours a day, to support and protect your breasts after the surgery. Every patient is different but a full recovery is usually made between four and six weeks, returning to work after just one to two weeks depending on the nature of your occupation.

After surgery with The Harley Medical Group you are one of our patients forever, meaning that we are here for you whenever you need us.

Breast Augmentation recovery time

Breast augmentation recovery time can vary from patient to patient. The general or common timeline set out week-by-week below can give you a good idea of what to expect.

Week One

• Pain killers may be needed during this stage (avoiding aspirin).
• Initial fluid leakage is normal.
• Bruising is likely to appear.
• Discomfort and swelling is expected.

Week Two

• Pain is less common during the day.
• Bruising remains stable.
• Your stomach area may feel swollen as the swelling moves down the body.

Week Three

• Occasional pain expected at night.
• The vast majority of swelling subsides.

Week Four

• Skin numbness is common.
• Nerves will begin to wake up in the breast tissue, causing a pins and needles sensation in the nipple area.

Weeks Five and Six

• A lesser dose of pain killers may be necessary.
• The remaining 20 per cent of breast healing takes place during this period.

Week Seven onwards

• Scar tissues progressively relax and fade. Scar creams may be helpful.
• Breasts will feel softer and more natural.
• Final 5-10 per cent of swelling subsides.

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Why choose The Harley Medical Group

Quality of care and assurance

The Harley Medical Group is a trusted cosmetic surgery provider and is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care.

As part of our commitment to quality care, we have a Clinical Governance Board which is comprised of medical experts and surgeons who work with us. All our surgeons, treatments and procedures are vetted by the Clinical Governance Board.

As well as working with us, many of our expert surgeons also hold substantive posts in the National Health Service (NHS) in cosmetic and other specialities. Specialities in include oncology (Cancer Care), hand and wrist surgery, medical research and more.

The Harley Medical Group has performed thousands of Breast Surgery procedures and regularly receives excellent feedback from patients and clients.

Breast Enhancement reviews

Everyone is always so lovely! Felt at ease with such a life changing decision. All questions were always answered and I have never felt silly to ask questions.

Bethanie, Bristol Clinic

Absolutely fantastic service, great nurses, that's what makes them different to other companies, nurses available every day in most clinics and an out of hours 24/7 service.

Ursula, Liverpool Street Clinic

Warm and friendly service. I have been made to feel I can contact any of the nurse at any time with questions or queries and always had such a warm welcome. This has added to a very comfortable experience. I would highly recommend The Harley Medical Group.

Emma, Southampton

All the staff I have dealt with at The Harley Group have been very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of my boob job surgery. They have been very attentive and made me feel that my wellbeing is very important to them.

Tracy, Bristol

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Breast Enlargement Finance

We understand finance availability can sometimes be a barrier to undergoing a Cosmetic Surgery procedure. With manageable payments, we can provide a feasible solution that suits your needs. We have a range of finance options for breast enlargement available to help you pay for your procedure, ask at your free consultation and your counsellor will be happy to take you through these.

Book a free Breast Augmentation consultation

To learn and speak to a member of our team, book your free, no obligation consultation.

Book your free, no obligation consultation