Yes absolutely. It is important to let your surgeon know if you plan to have children and breastfeed as it may influence where the incisions are made.

Capsular contracture is when natural breast tissue (from scar tissue and collagen) can form around the implants, which in time may thicken and harden the breast. This can cause discomfort and the breasts to look and feel different. 

When you have Breast Enlargement surgery, your body will usually form a layer of healthy tissue around the implant to make it a part of your body. This thin layer of natural breast tissue is called the capsule and is a natural and healthy part of the healing process. If you’re experiencing redness, inflammation or pain, you should always contact your clinic immediately. 

At The Harley Medical Group we use Mentor breast implants. Mentor, a Johnson & Johnson brand, has been producing the highest quality breast implants for more than 20 years. They are approved by the US FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), come with a 10-year warranty and exceed CE and MHRA testing standards following more than 20 years of clinical data. They are also the UK’s leading provider of implants for breast reconstruction patients. 

No. The only precautions you’ll need to take are any that you took before you had your surgery. There are many myths surrounding breast implants and flying for example, but these have no basis in truth.

A high level of aftercare is crucial after any surgical procedure, that’s why you’ll only ever deal with qualified, caring professionals at The Harley Medical Group.  From your first free consultation, to the dedicated check-ups following your procedure, you’ll have a committed nurse and surgeon team to guide you through. As our patient, we will do everything we can to ensure you have a full and speedy recovery.  Before you leave the hospital you will be given full post-operative advice, as well as a phone number you can ring 24-hours a day if you have any questions or concerns. We pride ourselves on always being there to put your mind at ease in the weeks, months and years following Breast Enlargement surgery.  We recommend that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants have an MRI three years after the procedure and every two years after that. It’s also important that you get into good habits straight away, by checking your breasts regularly for any changes in the shape, size or position of your implants.

We care about you and that’s why we use Mentor implants. We are completely confident in their high quality and very low rupture rate and that’s why they come with a Lifetime Replacement Policy for confirmed rupture. In this unlikely event, you will be entitled to free implant replacement regardless of the age of the implant. 

It’s important to understand that Tummy Tuck surgery is performed to tighten and remove the loose, excess skin gained from pregnancy or dramatic weight loss, usually leaving the Cosmetic Surgical option regarded as the best solution.

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

It is performed under a general anaesthetic and tends to take around two hours. You will be required to stay in hospital for one to two nights so your Cosmetic Surgeon can ensure you’re recovering as expected.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make an incision across the base of your stomach, from hip to hip before repairing, repositioning and tightening the damaged, stretched abdominal muscles with internal stitches.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will then remove any excess skin before pulling the remaining skin into position and stitching back into place*. This is followed by an extensive aftercare programme.
 

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

Your Cosmetic Surgery Nurse will be able to show you lots of before and after pictures during your free consultation, but you can also click to read happy patient stories.

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

As an ethical Cosmetic Surgery provider, we do not perform Cosmetic Surgery on people under 18. We do not set an upper age limit for Tummy Tuck surgery. However, the older we get the longer it takes our bodies to recover, so your Cosmetic Surgeon will assess your current physical health and medical history to ensure you’re fit and well enough to undergo surgery.
 

The results of Tummy Tuck surgery will last for many years. Our bodies change as we get older, so you may find that your skin loses some of its elasticity.

Because our bodies change dramatically during pregnancy, if you plan to have a family we recommend waiting to have Tummy Tuck surgery. However, this is not a medical requirement and is something you should discuss with your Cosmetic Surgeon.

Yes. Tummy Tuck surgery is not a recommended weight loss method as it primarily tightens loose skin on the stomach.  If you have the surgery then lose a significant amount of weight, you may find that you need to have another Tummy Tuck to remove further loose skin.

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

In some cases it can but we can’t guarantee this. Because the surgery involves pulling the skin taut and removing any excess, for some people the appearance of stretch marks can be reduced.

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

Full recovery from Tummy Tuck surgery usually takes between six and eight weeks during this time you are required to wear a light support garment. Some bruising and swelling is expected.  It’s important that you attend your post-operative follow up appointments.  You will need to take up to two weeks off work following Tummy Tuck surgery.  It’s likely you will need help with daily chores during the first week to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the lower abdominal area.  In the first six weeks you should avoid any strenuous activities.

The incision will be made as low on the abdomen as possible so any scar will sit below your hip line and be hidden by your underwear or bikini bottoms. The scar will be visible in the first few weeks but should fade quickly until it’s barely noticeable. If you’re worried about scarring, please talk to your Cosmetic Surgeon and read about our highly effective scar revision treatment.
 

*Tummy Tuck results and benefits can vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed

The risks with Tummy Tuck surgery are the same as with any surgical procedure performed under a general anaesthetic. However, your Cosmetic Surgeon will talk you through these before you make any decisions.
 

You don’t need to take any long-term precautions, however you will need to avoid any strenuous exercise in the first six to eight weeks.

It is important that your Cosmetic Surgeon is fully qualified and experienced. To ensure your Cosmetic Surgeon is reputable, ensure the clinic is registered with The Care Quality Commission (CQC) or The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). You should also look for Cosmetic Surgeons who are registered with The General Medical Council (GMC) and ask if they are carrying out Cosmetic Surgery procedures on a daily basis.

Your full and quick recovery is our main priority, that’s why you will be seen by a fully trained, qualified medical professional to understand the recovery process and aftercare. Following your Tummy Tuck procedure, you will stay in hospital overnight so we can monitor your progress and ensure you’re recovering as expected. When you’re ready to go home we’ll give you printed advice to take with you, as well as a number to call 24 hours a day if you have any questions or concerns. Follow up appointments will be arranged and it’s imperative you attend these so you can receive ongoing aftercare from your team of medical professionals.

To find out more about our procedures and treatments book a free, no obligation consultation with a member of our qualified team today.

Recovery varies from person to person, but we usually recommend taking ten days off work and avoiding sports of any kind for the first three months. You will have bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes and a splint in place for between seven and ten days after surgery. This will be removed in the clinic and we will give you ongoing advice and care. To help reduce the swelling and advise you to minimise the blowing of your nose in the two weeks following the procedure. You can expect to see the full results of your Nose Reshaping surgery after six to 12 months.

ALCL stands for Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, the full title is Breast Implant Associate Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), and is an extremely rare cancerous tumour that can potentially grow around breast implants. The occurance of ALCL affects is estimated at 1 in 300,000 breast implants or an annual incidence of 0.1 to 0.3 per 100,000 women who have implants (source: Association of Breast Surgery June 2017).

It usually appears with a sudden swelling in the breast surrounding an implant, although it can present with a mass. It usually happens many years after the implants have been placed, an average of 8 years.
 
Most cases are easily treated by having the implant removed, along with the capsule that surrounds it (total capsulectomy).

Simon Smith, our Medical Director, comments:

 “BIA-ALCL is very rare - estimated at 1 in 300,000 breast implants, and can affect  women having implants placed for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons.  It seems likely that few women are likely to change their mind about  implants, but they should have full awareness of this condition before  agreeing to implants, as part of their consent process.

Women who have implants already, certainly should not be alarmed, but  if they get a sudden swelling in their breasts, they should seek a  referral from their GP to their local breast unit, who will follow  guidelines set down by the ABS to ensure that there is no underlying serious cause for it. Treatment for BIA-ALCL is usually simple, but it must be actively managed.”

Patient safety has been and always will be our priority which is why we recommend Mentor implants.  MENTOR® Breast Implants are backed by substantial clinical data demonstrating safety and effectiveness in patients having undergone primary and revisionary augmentation and reconstruction surgeries. Mentor continues to support ongoing inquiries into the association of ALCL and breast implants.

Implants are not lifetime devices; therefore it is likely that they may need to be replaced sometime in your life. The time period varies from woman to woman. Some women need replacement surgery in only a few years while others may go 10-20 years. The accepted medical advice is that they last 10-12 years and patients should have an MRI scan after 3 years and then 2 yearly after that to monitor their implants.

Mentor Memory Gel implants has one of the best warrantees on the market "You can’t put a price on peace of mind. So neither have we".

Limited Warranty Plan for Mentor® and PERT HESE™ Silicone Gel-filled Breast Implants*

• Free automatic enrolment
• Lifetime product replacement in case of confirmed rupture
• In the case of confirmed rupture, up to €1000 of financial assistance, for a period of 10 years from the date of its implantation
• Free product replacement in the case of confirmed capsular contracture Baker grade III and IV in augmentation surgery, for a period of 10 years from the date of its implantation

** For all other MENTOR® and PERTHESE™ Breast Implants,please refer to the Mentor Lifetime Product Replacement Policy

While at The Harley Medical Group we do not recommend the use of sun-beds under any circumstances we understand that they are a popular way to prepare the skin before a holiday. We recommend waiting for six weeks (by this time you will not have to wear your sports bra) before going on the bed, and then only if your nurse and surgeon have confirmed the wounds have healed normally. The incisions must be covered for the duration and we recommend also using at least SPF25 on them for additional protection. The scars should be white before they’re exposed to the sun, new skin can pigment if exposed to UV. 

If your surgeon is happy with the way you are your healing you can fly two weeks after surgery, however at The Harley Medical Group we highly recommend you wait for at least six weeks to ensure you are fully healed. This is also a practical recommendation, until six weeks post operation of your breast augmentation you will be unable to wear a bikini, go swimming in the pool, spa or sea or lift your luggage... which doesn’t make for the most entertaining holiday.