Every woman desires breasts that are proportionate and symmetrical, but unfortunately, many women have breasts that are too small, uneven, or disproportionate to their bodies. This can greatly impact their self-confidence and make them feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Thankfully, breast augmentation can help these women achieve a more confident and self-assured outlook by making their breasts fuller and closer to their ideal bodies. As a result, breast augmentation has become an increasingly popular procedure among women.
Breast Augmentation
However, due to its popularity, it's important to educate yourself and dispel any misconceptions about breast augmentation that may be perpetuated by the media. In this blog, we'll explore what breast augmentation entails, who makes an ideal candidate, how to choose the right surgeon, the various types of implants available, the potential risks involved, and other important information you need to know before undergoing the surgery.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, commonly referred to as a "boob job" or "augmentation mammoplasty," is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves enhancing the size of the breasts. This is achieved by placing either silicone or saline implants behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Enlargement: What's the Difference?
Breast augmentation and breast enlargement are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing.
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves increasing the size, shape, or fullness of the breasts using implants. This procedure is usually done to enhance the overall appearance of the breasts or to correct any asymmetry.
Breast enlargement, on the other hand, is a term that can refer to any method used to increase the size of the breasts, including non-surgical methods such as hormone therapy or natural supplements. However, breast enlargement can also refer to breast augmentation surgery, which involves the use of implants.
So while breast augmentation is a type of breast enlargement, not all breast enlargement methods involve surgical procedures or the use of implants.
What Motivates Women to Undergo Breast Augmentation?
There are several reasons why women opt to undergo breast augmentation, including but not limited to: • Increasing the fullness of their breasts • Improving the aesthetic balance between their breasts and hips • Obtaining symmetrical breasts • Restoring their pre-pregnancy breast appearance after giving birth.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation surgery should meet the following criteria: • They should be in good physical health. • They should not smoke or be willing to quit smoking for the recommended period. • They should not be pregnant or currently breastfeeding. • Their breasts should have fully developed. • They should be unhappy with the size, shape, or appearance of their breasts.
To ensure satisfactory results, it is crucial to understand the procedure, its potential outcomes, and associated risks. Choosing the right surgeon and facility is important, and asking questions is essential to ensure you make an informed decision.
How To Select The Right Surgeon?
When considering breast augmentation surgery, it is important to make several choices. However, the most critical decision is choosing the right plastic surgeon. Here is a checklist that can help you make an informed choice while selecting a surgeon:
- Qualifications: Look for a surgeon who are are registered members of General Medical Council (GMC)
- Comfort Level: Your personal feelings about the surgeon are crucial. It is essential to choose a surgeon you trust completely and are comfortable with. This will affect your overall satisfaction with the results of the procedure.
- Cost: The cost of breast augmentation surgery is also a crucial factor in your decision. It is important to choose an accredited and experienced surgeon who falls within your budget range.
- Experience: Choose a surgeon with several years of experience in plastic surgery. The more experience a surgeon or the hospital has, the easier it is to trust them.
- Infrastructure: Make sure that the clinic is well-equipped and that the surgeon uses the latest technology for the procedures. This ensures that the results of the surgery will be satisfying.
- Reviews: Go through the reviews and testimonials of the surgeon's past patients. This is the best way to understand the quality of their work and what the results will look like. Patients typically leave reviews on social media sites, Google, or the surgeon's website.
Manchester Private Hospital is a popular choice for many clients as it provides a range of benefits. Its facility is equipped with the latest technology and is conveniently located near Manchester city centre. The hospital focuses on providing patient-centric care, which often allows patients to return home after a short observation period in their contemporary recovery areas, avoiding the need for an overnight stay. The hospital has highly skilled cosmetic surgeons who specialize in various procedures including Breast Enlargement, Vaser Liposuction, Octoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Labiaplasty, Blepharoplasty, Facelift, and Gynecomastia, making it a top choice for those seeking these procedures in the region.
Understanding the Consultation Process for Breast Augmentation Surgery
During a consultation with a surgeon for breast augmentation surgery, it is essential to use the time wisely. Patients should aim to establish a good rapport with the surgeon, understand the procedure, and set realistic expectations for the results. The surgeon will take measurements and photos of the breasts, and discuss the patient's medical history, general health status, and any tobacco or drug use. It is crucial to be honest during these discussions as this information is necessary for the surgeon to create a personalized treatment plan. The surgeon will also inquire about the patient's desired outcome and expectations from the surgery. They will discuss the different types of breast implants available and help the patient make an informed choice based on their preferences. Additionally, the surgeon will go over the potential outcomes and risks of the surgery and advise the patient accordingly. Patients should use this opportunity to ask any questions and clear any doubts they may have. Here is a list of questions that patients can ask during the consultation:
- Am I a fit candidate for this surgery?
- What should I expect from the surgery?
- What steps should I take to prepare in the days leading up to the surgery?
- What will be my expected recovery time?
- What care should I take to get the optimal results from the surgery?
- What steps will I need to take to maintain my breasts after the surgery?
- Are there any risks or potential complications I need to be aware of?
- How will complications be handled?
- What is the cost of breast augmentation surgery?
- Will the shape of the breasts change after pregnancy?
Exploring Your Options: Different Types of Breast Implants
Selecting the perfect breast implant is crucial to achieving your desired outcome. There are different types of breast implants available, each with its own advantages and costs. The ultimate decision on the type of implant you choose will depend on your personal preferences and goals.
Here are the main types of breast implants to consider:
- Saline Implants: These have a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saltwater. Saline implants provide a uniform shape, firmness, and feel to the breasts. If they leak, the saltwater is safely absorbed by the body and expelled through urine.
- Structured Saline Implants: These are an upgraded version of traditional saline implants. They have a well-defined internal structure that makes them blend in more naturally with the breasts.
- Silicone Implants: These have a silicone outer shell filled with silicone gel. They offer a more natural feel than saline implants, making them more popular. If a silicone implant leaks, the gel will stay in the shell or escape into the breast implant pocket. It's crucial to consult your surgeon immediately if this happens since silicone is not naturally absorbed by the body.
- Cohesive Gel Silicone Implants: These are an advanced version of silicone implants. Cohesive gel silicone implants have a well-defined internal structure, making the breasts appear fuller and rounder. They also have a thicker gel consistency, making them leak-proof. This makes them one of the most popular choices of breast implants today.
Apart from the type of implant, you also need to consider the shape and size of the implants. These factors also determine how the final result will look.
Breast implants have two main shapes:
Choosing the right breast implant involves more than just deciding on the type - size and shape also play a crucial role.
Round Shaped: Women with narrow breasts tend to prefer round-shaped breast implants as they provide a symmetrical shape, resulting in a rounder, fuller appearance with a significant increase in size. These implants also have a lower risk of shifting or rotating out of the breast implant pockets, making them a popular choice among many.
Tear-drop Shaped: Cohesive gel silicone implants that have a tapered shape, also known as tear-drop shaped or form-stable implants, are designed with more volume at the bottom and a gradual taper towards the top, providing a more natural-looking breast shape. These implants are firmer, soft to the touch, and they maintain their shape even if the implant collapses. Due to their durability and natural appearance, tear-drop shaped implants have gained widespread popularity.
When selecting breast implants, size is an important factor to consider. It's important to note that breast implant size is not the same as cup size. Breast implant sizes are measured based on volume and diameter. The balance between the volume and diameter of the implants is crucial, as an excessively large volume could increase the risk of the implant moving within the breast implant pocket. Conversely, if the diameter is too wide, the implants may appear flat and lack projection. It's important to work with a qualified plastic surgeon who can help you select the appropriate implant size to achieve your desired outcome.
Modern technology has made it easier to select the perfect breast implant size for each patient. Manchester Private Hospital uses the latest pre-operative sizing techniques, including the Crisalix software, to assess the most suitable implant size for each patient. To learn more about breast implants and the techniques used by Manchester Private Hospital to help patients select the most appropriate implants for their needs, visit their website.
Before the procedure, you may be required to:
- Undergo routine blood and urine tests
- Take a mammogram to establish a baseline
- Stop smoking (if you are a smoker)
- Stop taking or adjust certain medications
- Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs as they may increase bleeding
What Happens During The Procedure?
- General anesthesia will be administered for your comfort and safety.
- After the anesthesia is administered, an incision will be made. The position of this incision will be determined by your surgeon and you during consultation. The three places where an incision can be made for a breast augmentation procedure are – the areolar curve (beneath the nipples), the inframammary fold (the area beneath the fold of the breasts), and the axillary area (the armpits).
- Once the incision is made, the implant will be placed directly under the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue. The position of the incision, the type of implant, and the position of the implant will be unique to each patient since each patient has different needs and expectations from the surgery.
- Once the implant is placed, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures, skin adhesive, and surgical tape.
Over time, the scarring will fade but not completely. The amount of scarring and the size of the implant pockets are determined by the position of the incision.
What To Expect During Recovery?
The recovery period determines the effectiveness and longevity of breast implants, so it is vital to follow your surgeon’s instructions during this period.
You will be discharged after the surgeon deems you fit to go, which mostly happens within the same day provided there were no complications. While you are leaving, your surgeon will give you specific instructions for your speedy recovery and follow-up appointments. You must follow these instructions to avoid possible complications after the surgery and to get the best possible results.
You will be given support bands and elastic garments to wear during the recovery period. You will also be prescribed medications for pain management and to improve your health during this period.
You will probably have soreness and swelling for a couple of weeks but that is perfectly normal and both will subside with time. You will likely be told to rest until you get permission to increase the amount of physical activity. Generally, it is advised to resume physical activity after 4-6 weeks, but your specific recovery period will be determined by your surgeon.
Read here more on recovery - Recovering from Breast Augmentation: A Day-to-Day Guide | Manchester Private Hospital
What Are The Possible Risks Of Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery, like any other surgical procedure, carries certain risks that patients should be aware of. While most breast augmentation surgeries are successful, complications can occur during or after the procedure, which can affect the results and patient satisfaction. Some of the risks associated with breast augmentation surgery include infection, bleeding, scarring, implant rupture, capsular contracture, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and the need for additional surgery. Before deciding to undergo breast augmentation surgery, patients should carefully consider the potential risks and weigh them against the potential benefits of the procedure. It's important to discuss any concerns with the plastic surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions to minimize the risks associated with the surgery.
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Collection of blood that may cause swelling, pain, and bruising, perhaps requiring surgical draining (Hematoma)
- Collection of blood that may cause swelling, pain, and bruising, perhaps requiring surgical draining (Hematoma)
- Infection
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Poor scarring
- Wrong or faulty positioning of the implant
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (Capsular Contracture)
- Formation of calcium deposits in the surrounding tissue, possibly causing pain and hardening (only a risk with silicone implants)
- A rare and highly treatable type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or BIA- ALCL)
- Fluid accumulation (Seroma)
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Persistent pain
- Interference with mammography readings
- Unsatisfactory results
Breast augmentation surgery has become increasingly popular as many women desire to have breasts that are proportionate and symmetrical to their bodies. Women with small, uneven or disproportionate breasts may lack self-confidence and feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Breast augmentation surgery can help these women achieve their ideal body and boost their self-esteem. However, due to the popularity of this procedure, it is important to gather accurate information about it, as there are many misconceptions about breast augmentation in popular media. It is essential to understand what breast augmentation is, who is an ideal candidate, how to choose the right surgeon, the types of implants, the potential risks and complications, and other important details before undergoing the surgery.
To minimize the risks of complications, it is crucial to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon and carefully follow their instructions both before and after the procedure. Managing expectations is also crucial for satisfaction with the results of the surgery. To learn more about the things to consider and understand the risks of breast augmentation, breast enlargement, and breast implants, click here.
What Is The Cost Of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The cost of breast enlargement in Manchester can vary across patients. It depends on various factors, such as the type of surgery performed, implants used, aftercare, and follow-ups, the need for which can be different for different people.
The cost of the surgery can be divided into two categories:
- The insertion cost (which includes the procedure)
- The implant cost
Here’s a quick reference list for breast surgery prices at Manchester Private Hospital:• Breast Enlargement/Augmentation Surgery– From £ 5,500• Breast Re-Augmentation – From £ 6,500• Mammoplasty (Breast Reduction) – From £ 7,990 (excluding histology charges)• Breast Uplift – From £ 7,990• Transgender Breast Surgery – From £ 5,750• Breast Reconstruction – Upon Consultation• Breast Asymmetry – Upon Consultation• Inverted Nipples Correction – Upon Consultation
As you consider breast augmentation surgery, it's crucial to choose a plastic surgeon who not only has the necessary qualifications but also years of experience in the field. A skilled surgeon will take the time to understand your unique needs and wishes and create a customized treatment plan to help you achieve your desired outcome. Utilizing the latest technology available, they can help you get as close as possible to the look you desire.
Breast augmentation can enhance the appearance of breasts, bringing them into balance with the rest of your body. After the procedure, many patients feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies, which can positively impact all areas of their lives. However, it's important to have realistic expectations about what breast augmentation can do for you. By communicating openly with your surgeon and being aware of the potential outcomes and risks, you can maximize the benefits of breast augmentation surgery. We hope this blog has provided you with valuable insights as you make this important decision.