Breast Enlargement (Breast Augmentation)

There are multiple reasons why a woman may choose to have breast enlargement surgery. It may be a confidence thing and you may decide to have your breasts enlarged because they make you self conscious as you feel they are too small. Some women decide to have a ‘boob job’  if their breasts have lost volume and become smaller after pregnancy or changed shape after losing weight. Some women opt to have a breast augmentation as correctional surgery if their breasts are different sizes.

This is an important topic, that should be discussed within the initial consultation , as best type of implant for your breast augmentation will differ depending on your individual needs and circumstance.

Silicone implants are the most commonly used implants within the UK. Saline implants, although less commonly used, are also an option.

Here is a rough guide of both types.

Silicone gel implants

These type of breast implants are made with either a firm or soft silicone gel. If they are filled with firm gel are also known as cohesive gel implants. Some implants have a polyurethane coating.

Pros: Silicone implants are usually less likely to wrinkle than with saline implants.  The softer implants give a more natural feel compared to the firmer ones. It is claimed that implants coated in Polyurethane reduce the risk of capsular contracture or the rotation of the  implant.

Cons: If the implant ruptures and its filled with soft gel, the silicone could spread out into your breast tissue and result in siliconomas. This is not as common if the firmer implants are used, but it must be considered that the firm gel implants do not feel as natural. Some patients may find they have a temporary skin reaction to implants coated in Polyurethane.

Saline solution implants

Pros: In cases where the implant ruptures, the saline solution is safely absorbed by the body.

Cons:  Saline solution implants are more likely to deflate  or rupture than silicone implants. They also tend to deflate slowly over time. Saline implants are more likely to wrinkle or fold that silicone implants. Finally these types can feel less natural than a soft silicone implant.

What type of breast implants does Mr El Gawad use?

Mr El Gawad offers breast enlargement in Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton and Newton Le Willows using Mentor, Nagor and B-Lite Implants.

No your new breast implants will not last a lifetime and will need replacing at some point in the future.

Although it does differ among cases, you should expect to have to have further surgery after about 10 years.

During breast augmentation surgery the implants will be placed either between the breast and your chest muscle or alternatively behind the muscle. It depends on your individual case on which of the two locations will be best. Therefore this is something that will be discussed with your surgeon during the consultation when your unique needs will be taken into consideration. Please use the following as a rough guide for the reasons on each placement.

The implant may be placed between your breast and the muscle:

• for a more natural location
• to experience less discomfort and pain.
• your chest muscle will not be damaged.

The implant may be placed under the muscle:

• for extra tissue coverage
• there is less risk of capsular contracture or rippling with this method.

If you’ve had breast enlargement surgery, you can still able to have mammograms to check for breast cancer. It is worth noting however that the implants can make it a bit harder to do the screening.  If you have to have a mammogram, it is important that you tell your doctor that you have breast implants as well as what type they are. If they are aware of the implants they will be-able to book you in with a radiographer who is experienced who will use a special technique to take different images of your breasts.

It is also worth noting that implants that have been placed under your chest muscle generally cause less of a problem with mammography than implants that have been placed directly under the breast tissue.

In most cases yes it’s still possible for you to breastfeed with implants.  It does depend on the size of the implant, the placement and the type of breast surgery that you’ve had, therefore its advisable that you mention this to your surgeon in the initial consultation. But usually If the cuts are made under the fold of the breast or alternatively through the armpit, there shouldn’t have any problems associated with breastfeeding after surgery.

If you decide to go ahead and have a breast enlargement in Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton or Newton Le Willows: with world class plastic surgeon Mr El Gawad, it is vital that you have one or more consultations before a date for surgery is booked.  Important information is covered during this initial appointment and it is an opportunity for you to find out what will happen before, during and after the operation, what pain you may experience, and to ask any other questions that you may have.

Your body will be reassessed by Mr El Gawad before surgery takes place and photographs taken for your records. Your surgeon will mark the position of the intended surgical cuts on your breasts with a special surgical pen before you go in theatre.

Other considerations to help healing after surgery include:

•  It is recommended that you do not smoke up to eight weeks before your surgery. This is due to the fact smoking can significantly affect the rate of recovery.
• You are advised to stop taking the contraceptive pill for four to six weeks before surgery to reduce the chances of you suffering from blood clots (thrombosis). It is vital that you make sure that you use a different method of contraception.

Breast augmentation surgery is done under general anaesthesia. This means you will be totally asleep during the operation.

If you are having a general anaesthesia with Mr El Gawad in Manchester, Liverpool or another one of his clinics you will be asked to avoid food and drink for several hours before your breast enlargement surgery takes place. However, it’s extremely important to follow the advice that your anaesthetist gives you that will be relevant to your unique circumstances.

Mr El Gawad will mark the areas on your body with a special surgical pen to indicate the areas that will be operated on.

Once you are in surgery the following may occur.

• A cut will be made in your skin. This is usually in the crease below the breast but it could also be around the nipple or in the armpit.
• The implant will be inserted.  This could be above or below the chest muscle (see next post for more details).
• Your surgeon will then close the wound and it will be covered with a dressing

Breast enlargement surgery usually takes two to three hours in theatre. You may be required to stay in hospital for up to a day to check everything is ok.

After your breast surgery you will be prescribed painkillers. This will help to relieve any discomfort and pain as your anaesthetic wears off . Do not be alarmed if your chest feels tight after surgery or if your breasts and ribs feel particularly tender. This is completely normal and to be expected.

After you have been discharged from hospital after breast enlargement surgery, it is advised that you wear a sports bra. You will be required to wear this for up to 3 months after surgery to help reduce any swelling and bruising.

You will not be able to drive after breast augmentation surgery therefore someone would need to drive you home.

Having an general anaesthetic can leave you woozy and disorientated.  Therefore it is usually recommended that you have someone  you trust to stay with you for 24 hours after leaving hospital.

You will be able to remove your sports bra while you shower.

The stitches from your operation will need to be removed after approximately a week. If you have had dissolvable stitches they will disappear on their own and will not need to be removed.

Immediately after surgery you may find that your breasts look too high, but this usually settles down after a few weeks as they settle into the final shape.

Most people find they need to take a week or two off work after having breast augmentation surgery. Although this does depend on the job you do and people who have higher intensity jobs will need to take longer off work that say someone with a office job.

You will be advised to avoid doing any strenuous activities and lifting anything heavy for the first few weeks after your surgery. It is likely to take up to six weeks before you can completely get back to normal.

Although breast implants are very tough in their structure, they are sometimes known to rupture. When this happens a hole or split appears in the shell, letting the contents leak out. It’s important to note that when this happens it not usually serious. In a lot of cases you will not notice there has been a problem.

When a leak occurs it usually stays within the ‘capsule’ of scar tissue that surrounds the implant. On some occasions however, you may notice that the shape of your breast has changed or suddenly appears to be smaller. In other cases a lump might appear.

Although this leakage is not thought to be harmful, it’s still important that you seek advice from your doctor if you suspect that this has happened. You may be invited to have a scan to determine if any damage has occured; if this scan determines that the implant has ruptured, it may be advised that you have the implants removed and replaced with a new one.

Price of breast enlargement in Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton and Newton Le Willows clinics with Mr El Gawad.

Breast Augmentation Cost. £5440

This usually happens in the early few hours to few days. This may require a visit back to theatre.

This usually happens in the first few days. This may need a course of antibiotics or in severe cases we might need to take the implants out.

This may need frequent dressings and would leave a stretched scar. The scar could be revised at a later stage.

This should improve on its own in few months time. However, it could be permanent.

This means that you could feel/see the folds in the implant under your skin. This has no significant clinical importance but you need to know about. Also, there is very little to be done to improve it.

This means that the breast/implant drops down by gravity/weight. That is normal within limits. In extreme cases, we might need further surgery, either to remove the implants of breast lift. This would be with extra cost and NOT covered by the original fees.

This means that the capsule around the implant starts misbehaving, i.e; squeezing the implant as well as the breast tissues. This could be tender/painful and/or distort the breast shape. This could need further surgery.

This means that the breast moves with moving your shoulders. This happens when the implant is put under the muscle.

This is a serious complication but fortunately enough quite uncommon. You have a lifetime implant warranty which will cover the price for the new implant should this happen.