The procedure in detail
Breast enlargement surgery is generally performed under general
anaesthetic. The procedure takes around one hour to perform and
patients may be able to go home the same day.
Breast augmentation surgery is performed by making a fine
incision in the crease-line beneath the breast itself (sub-mammary
route), or through the armpit (axillary), or around the underside
of the nipple area (periareolar). In the UK the sub-mammary
incision method is generally favoured, though any decision is made
on the basis of a patient’s personal preference, in conjunction
with the surgeon’s advice and judgement. The implant can be
positioned in one of two places within the breast cavity in order
to push the breast forward and to enlarge the original breast
volume.
The two potential sites are:
a) In front of the pectoral muscle. This route is typically
chosen when a patient has sufficient skin and breast tissue to give
good natural looking coverage over the breast implant.
b) Behind the great pectoral muscle. This route is typically
chosen when a patient has insufficient skin and breast tissue to
give a natural looking coverage over the breast implant. This
method is often favoured for very slim or particularly flat chested
women.
Recovery
It can take up to 14 days for initial swelling and bruising to
settle to an acceptable appearance, but residual swelling will
settle down gradually over several months. Typically the fine
incisions and subsequent scars that are made by performing this
procedure are well hidden in the natural breast crease, or arm pit,
or in the pigmented margin (areola) surrounding the nipple area.
Every surgeon's breast augmentation procedure technique can differ
slightly and wounds can be sutured (stitched) with either
dissolvable or removable fine line sutures, or by surgical glue.
Sutures are typically removed 10-14 days following surgery.
What are the risks?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing
complications. However, cosmetic surgery is usually undertaken
voluntarily and only when a patient is in good health. Therefore,
the probability of experiencing complications from this kind of
surgery are substantially lower than those who undergo surgery due
to ill health.
General risks such as bleeding, infection and asymmetry and
scarring will be discussed openly at consultation, as well as our
scrupulous efforts to manage and minimise these risks to their
lowest possible potential. However there are also specific risks to
this procedure that need to be considered. These are:
Capsular contracture (hardening) - Modern day
implants have ensured that the risk of capsular contracture has
never been so low; however, capsular contracture is still the most
common complication experienced by women following breast
augmentation. Capsular contracture occurs when the human body puts
a wall of scar tissue (fibrous capsule) around an implant. This
scar tissue can then thicken and shrink and is noticed by the
patient as an apparent hardening of the breast implant. Where a
capsular contracture becomes noticeable or unsightly to the
patient, remedial surgery to correct this problem can be
performed.
Rupture rates and life expectancy of breast implants
- Recent advances in implant technology and manufacture
mean that breast implant ruptures are highly unlikely. A true
evaluation of the life expectancy of modern-day implants is
difficult to predict accurately, as new implants may have the
potential to last a lifetime, but they have not been in use for
long enough to produce proof to substantiate such a claim.
Consequently, the Department of Health asks manufacturers and
plastic surgeons to advise women that they may need to consider
renewing their implants after a ten-year period.
Scarring - Scars resulting from breast
augmentation surgery are typically fine and insignificant once the
healing process is complete. However, very occasionally a scar may
heal abnormally and become thick, raised and painful
(hypertrophic). This condition can be treated with a special
dressing or with anti-inflammatory injections or occasionally with
corrective surgery, although results cannot be guaranteed.
Infection and rejection - It is important that
all patients quickly recognise any signs of infection, such as
excessive pain, fever or offensive wound discharge. Antibiotics
given during your operation will help reduce this risk to a
minimum, as will meticulous attention to your personal hygiene. On
very rare occasions a patient’s body may be unable to cope with the
introduction of a foreign body (such as a breast implant) and a
resulting infection may lead to a total rejection of the new breast
implant.
Changes in breast sensation - It is typical for
most patients to notice an alteration in breast sensation following
surgery. These changes usually subside when the breast has fully
recovered from surgery. Occasionally, patients report that their
nipples or breast skin remain either more or less sensitive in the
long term following surgery.
Palpability - Women with very little natural
breast tissue should be advised that the rim of the breast implant
may be visible or detectable to touch (palpable). Your surgeon may
recommend placing an implant behind the pectoral muscle to minimise
this effect if he believes that the implant ridge would appear
unsightly.
General issues
Implants do not interfere with a woman’s ability to breast feed.
There is no known association between breast cancer and breast
implants.
Mammography - Women with breast implants should
inform any future radiographer that they have breast implants, so
that the most appropriate method of breast screening and
mammography can be performed.
Travelling at high altitudes - Breast implants
are not subject to strain, pressure or rupture when travelling in
an aircraft or at high altitudes.
Smoking - Heavy smokers may be precluded from
having breast implant surgery due to their increased risk of
infection and rejection complications.
Contact us
To find out more about treatments and services at the Pinehill
Hospital, please contact us via our online form or on:
01462 427207