Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery works by increasing the size of your breasts using implants.

The operation itself is carried out under general anaesthetic while you’re asleep and will typically last around an hour and a half.

During the operation, your surgeon will make a small cut (incision) in the crease below the breast to create a pocket.

This pocket can either be behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle that forms part of your chest. The implant is placed in this space, and the cuts are closed with stitches. 

Breast augmentation usually takes one to two hours and requires an overnight stay at The London Clinic hospital.

Immediately after surgery, it’s completely normal for your breasts to feel sore and tight.

This will usually start to improve after the first few hours. Your care team will be on hand to give you any medication you might need for pain relief.

We always advise that you wear your post-surgery compression bra for support and to assist with the healing process.

You will feel some discomfort during your first week of breast augmentation recovery.

This can be managed well with pain relief medication. Swelling and bruising to the breasts will start to settle down during this time.

Some bleeding or leakage is normal, and we recommend that you simply rest as much as you can.

You should be able to return to work after the first week. If you have a more physically demanding job, you’ll need three weeks or more at home for the best possible healing. 

After a month, pain, swelling and bruising will generally continue to improve. There may be some tingling sensations and numbness as nerves begin to wake up. 

You can resume normal activities, including moderate exercise. Although you should still avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting at this stage, as your breasts continue to heal.  

Most women reach full recovery at around six weeks with the breasts looking and feeling much more natural. We may advise you to wear a sports bra for a minimum of three months following surgery.

It may take around six months for your breasts to take on their final shape and appearance.

The exact time it takes you to recover from breast augmentation surgery will depend entirely on you.

We will help you prepare for your surgery so you know exactly what to expect afterwards. 

Your surgeon will work with other specialists to give you advice on prehabilitation. This will include things you can do before your operation for a head start on recovery.

We’ll help you recover as fully and quickly as possible by having regular follow-ups with you.

If there’s anything you’re worried about, you can contact your care team at any time.

Implants that are ‘above the muscle’ will usually give a more dramatic look and can be a popular choice for patients who want larger implant sizes.

You might choose this option if you have some breast tissue already or if you’re restoring the fullness of your breasts.

‘Below the muscle’ is when your implant sits underneath the breast muscle. This could be a better choice for you if you have small breasts and little breast tissue.

This method gives a more subtle and natural look to your breasts.

Together with your surgeon at the consultation, you will decide on the most suitable technique for you.

Whether your implants are placed above or below the muscle is determined by your natural breast size and the look you want to achieve.

The benefits you can expect from breast surgery depend on your personal circumstances.

Your specialist breast surgeon will discuss these with you during an initial consultation. Our patients often tell us that the most popular benefits of breast augmentation include:

• Adding volume to breasts if you feel they’re too small or out of proportion with the rest of your body
• Improving the shape of your breasts
• Restoring symmetry to your breasts that might be uneven
• Restoring fullness to your breasts after pregnancy or losing a lot of weight  
• Achieving an improved and more feminine cleavage
• A more youthful look to breasts that have lost volume or elasticity with age
• Improving the appearance of your breasts after a previous breast surgery

Having breast augmentation is not a decision to be taken lightly and you may want to know about the possible side effects.

Your surgeon and care team will discuss these with you. We will make sure you’re well informed about your surgery, so you can feel confident in knowing what to expect.

The most common temporary side effects of breast augmentation surgery are:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Swelling
• Soreness and tenderness 

Some complications of breast enlargement surgery can include:

• Changes in your nipple sensation
• Infection of the implant
• Leakage or rupture of your implants
• The implants moving out of place
• Formation of tight scar tissue around your implants, known as capsular contracture
• Fluid or blood accumulation in your breast implant pocket 

It’s important for you to be aware of the risk of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). This is a rare type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants.

It affects 1 in 24,000 women who have breast implants. Most cases are treated by removing both the implants. You will be made fully aware of this condition at the consultation.