There are four main incisions that can be used to insert breast implants, and depending on the type of implants you are having you may be able to have an incision that leaves almost no visible scarring.  The incision that is favoured by most surgeons is the inframammary, the incision is made along with crease under the breast, giving the surgeon very easy access to insert the implants, however this leaves a long scar in the crease of the breast.  Periareolar incisions involve cutting around the lower half of the areola, the surgeon will cut throught he breast tissue to create a pocket for the implant.  While this will leave a scar around the nipple, it will ususally be very thin as the skin around nipples heals very well.  Making the incision in your armpit is known as a transaxilliary incision.  This is a more complex incision to make, however it also produces the most natural results with the scars being virtually invisible once they have healed.  The final incision is the transumbilical.  This incision can only be used with saline implants as the incision is made in the belly button, where the surgeon then burrows under the skin up to the breasts where the implants are then inserted, as saline implants are filled once they are in place they are the only implants possible to use for this technique.

Deciding on the type of incision you would like depends on many things. The type and shape of implant being the main factors for consideration.  Some clinics may not offer the incision site you would like, this could be due to the surgeons having a preferred method with which they have achieved optimum results.  Your surgeon will be able to discuss all the options with you to help you decide what is right for you.  Surgeons have a wealth of experience that puts them in the position to be able to advise what they feel would give you the results you want based on things such as the size of breast implants you want, your body shape and size, how well your skin heals and of course, the techniques they have had the most success with.

Some of the more outdated misconceptions are those such as “Only Lap dancers and porn stars have boob jobs”, “Only the rich and famous can afford to have breast enhancement surgery”, “Enhanced breasts always look fake”. As the celebrity culture has increased and more and more women in the spotlight who we relate to as “one of us” has surgery and talks openly about it the more we realise that breast augmentation is available to all of us in the UK, and there is no stigma about having it anymore – it is now almost seen as accessorising!
Other common misconceptions still carry weight when deciding whether or not to go ahead with breast enhancement surgery as those such as “silicone implants can burst and kill you” and “breast implants rupture all the time”. There was a lot of bad press around silicone implants in the ‘90’s however, a lot of research has gone into safety of silicone implants and the implants that are on the market today are very safe, they have stronger shells and are definitely not deadly should a highly unlikely leak occur. Implants don’t rupture all the time, however, if an implant was to rupture you can guarantee it will be splashed all over the internet and women’s magazines with all sorts of stories about other ruptures with titles such as “UK breast augmentation nightmares” or “My boob job hell”.
The fact is that millions of women have had breast implants, but we never hear the millions of success stories that go with these procedures, it is only when there is a problem that there is a sudden rush of stories of those that have gone wrong, creating the illusion that implants are rupturing around the country everyday. Breast implants are made to be hard-wearing, safe and reliable, all breast implants have a life-expectancy which on average is about 10 years, this is to ensure they stay safe and in the perfect shape for your body.

A lot of women feel amazingly self conscious about their breasts, usually because they feel they are too small, and therefore their figure is not “womanly” enough. Feeling like this can lead a woman to spend hours obsessing about their clothes not fitting right, or thinking that people are commenting about them behind their back. Breast augmentation is often seen as the best way to stop these thoughts and feelings and, if you go to a reputable clinic and have a responsible surgeon who is willing to address all aspects of your desire to have breast augmentation in the UK, this can often be the case.

As a society, we have an almost unhealthy obsession with the way we look. This is fed by the media and celebrities who always look amazing and are portrayed as figures we should aspired to, both in lifestyle and physical appearance. Women want to feel good, no matter what they are wearing, from a little black dress to jean and a t-shirt. Feeling that your body is in proportion with curves in all the right places is intrinsic to achieving inner confidence with yourself. Breast augmentation clinics throughout the UK can help you achieve this and make your day to day life less daunting as you face the world with a beautiful figure. After all, we all know that self-confidence is the key to happiness and success.

One very important thing to remember is that every woman is different, and while you may aspire to a celebrity who has, say a D cup you must realise that this may not be suitable for you – you may well achieve the same stunning results with a B or C cup. This is something your surgeon will be able to advise you on during your pre-surgery consultations where your body shape and size will be assessed along with your physical and mental health and the perfect implants will be recommended to you. Realising that an implant that is too small will disappoint just as an implant that is too large will look totally out of place is key. The aim of breast augmentation is to achieve your optimum breast size, not your maximum, ensuring you have stunning results without people necessarily noticing you have had surgery.

While you may lack confidence in yourself, it is imperative that you have confidence in your surgeon. Don’t be afraid to take a list of questions with you to your consultation, in fact if you want to, take a friend – a good surgeon will have no problem with you having someone with you to help you remember everything you have been told and maybe ask questions you have forgotten or simply didn’t think of. Your surgeon should have your best interests at heart so if at any time you have doubts, walk away – there are plenty of breast augmentation clinics in the UK and you may find the next one you visit has the perfect surgeon for you.

Small breasts – you may feel that your breasts are small and would like to increase their size by a cup or two, this is a realistic expectation and the results of surgery are more than likely to fulfil your desire.

You feel your clothing doesn’t fit well – you would like larger breasts to make you feel your clothes fit well and you fill tops amply with a respectable cleavage, again the results of surgery will fulfil this type of expectation.

Having had children you feel your breasts have lost their youthful perkiness and long to have back the fuller breasts you had pre-childbirth. Breast augmentation is perfect for this and you will be very happy with the results.

You have managed to successfully lose weight, however this has led to your breasts becoming slightly saggy meaning your are not 100% happy with your new figure – UK breast augmentation clinics can give your breasts a new lease of life to go with your new svelte figure.

There is a common misconception that breast augmentation surgery is purely to increase the size of breasts, however in some cases reducing the size can enhance a woman’s relationship with her breasts – this is more commonly known as breast reduction surgery, however is still cosmetic surgery and therefore still comes under the category of augmentation or enhancement within the UK.

However, having breast augmentation in the UK is not an option for everyone, and having a full consultation with your surgeon is the only way to determine whether breast augmentation is for you. Ideally you should be 18 or over, not pregnant or breast feeding, in good physical health, be psychologically stable and have realistic expectations about improving your appearance.

The first step towards breast augmentation surgery will always be a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. A full assessment of your breasts, body shape, general physical and mental health, medical history, expectations for surgery and desired outcome will be undertaken. Your surgeon will then talk you through the types of implant and surgical procedures they feel will best suit you.

You also have to be willing to adhere strictly to the after care regime in order to achieve the best optimum results from your surgery, which will mean making a few minor adjustments to your lifestyle for a few weeks post-surgery. There are also a some pre-surgery guidelines which your surgeon will strongly recommend you follow to make sure your procedure goes smoothly and your recovery is speedy. These include things such as eating a good diet while avoiding some foods, along with reducing your alcohol intake and if you are a smoker, cutting down or ideally stopping completely as smoking significantly hinders the healing process.

Here are price guides from 2 clinics offering breast augmentation in the UK:

Transform

“Transform have carried out more breast enlargement procedures than any other UK cosmetic surgery provider.”

Transform offer you a free consultation and even offer you the opportunity to try some of the implants under your clothes to get an idea of size! They are proud of their use of the latest breast augmentation
techniques along with a comprehensive aftercare programme which is included in the price.

Breast augmentation with Transform costs from £3,495 – they offer 12 months interest free credit or a “buy
now pay later” option which offers you a 6 month payment holiday after which time you can pay the balance
owing or take 36 months at 15.9% APR.

Mybreast

“With our hand-picked team of world-class, UK certified plastic surgeons, Mybreast cares for patients who seek safe, natural results in breast reshaping.”

Mybreast are specialist breast augmentation, UK based clinics who only carry out breast surgery. They offer
a very personal service and admit that they may cost more than other clinics for this very reason. A nice touch is their Homecare Kit which contains essential oils and herbal tea for relaxation, arnica and rosehip
oil to maximise healing, and a support bra essential for getting optimum results throughout the healing
process.

Mybreast charge £25 for a one-to-one consultation, then prices start from £4,250, including implants and
aftercare. By paying a £275 deposit you can take advantage of a 6 month interest free finance plan, or a 12
or 24 month finance plan at 9.9% APR.

As with any finance, all breast augmentation finance packages are subject to approval and terms and conditions, all of which can be found on the providers websites.

One of the things you will discuss with your surgeon is the type of implant you will have for your breast augmentation. In the UK there are a variety of implants available, and depending on your surgeons assessment of your body shape and the size of breast you would like, they will recommend the type of implant they feel will best suit you.

Breast implants either have a smooth or textured surface, with a textured surface believed to help reduce the risk of capsular contracture (see “What are the possible complications of breast augmentation?”). It was originally said that silicone implants would last a lifetime, however recent report indicate that a silicone implant has an average lifespan of 18 years and the newer saline implants have an approximate 12-14 year lifespan.

Again, your surgeon will recommend the type of implant that will be suitable for you. The range of breast implants available is ever increasing, and to date the following are available:

Silicone implants date back to 1962 when they were first used for breast augmentation. UK surgeons are confident of the safety of silicone implants and continue to use them despite media scares over possible health implications. Silicone gel is soft and pliable and makes for a perfect breast implant filling. There is no conclusive evidence to link silicone breast implant leakage to any health problems, and the development of stronger shells has increased the safety of these implants.

Cohesive Silicone Gel implants have an outer shell that is composed of several layers of durable silicone to significantly reduce the risk of any kind of implant rupture leading to leakage. If the shell were to rupture the silicone inside is such a thick, cohesive consistency it would not leak into the surrounding area or loose its shape. These type of implants have an almost memory foam type capability which means they return to their original shape, reducing the risk of the shell rippling or folding.

Saline implants have a silicone elastomer shall which is semi-permeable. Saline implants offer a good choice to those concerned about possible rupture and leakage of their implants as the fluid used is basically an mixture of salts and water thereby easily and harmlessly absorbed into your body. If a saline implant ruptures, it will be easily noticed as it looses volume fairly quickly.

There are two types of shape when it comes to breast implants:

Round breast implants give the shape most commonly associated with “Baywatch babes”, a pert, round breast that holds it’s shape when lying down. While it is a popular conception that these implants give a fake look, it is in fact possible to achieve a totally natural look with these implants providing you have a suitable body shape and your surgeon places the implants suitably.

Teardrop (or Anatomical) breast implants, widely reported to be the breast augmentation implant UK celebrity Victoria Beckham has had, were designed to give a more natural looking shape. From the front they have an oval shape, while from the side they have an almost pear shape, with more volume at the bottom, as a natural breast would have. All teardrop implants come with a textured surface to ensure the implant stays in its intended position after surgery.

Breast augmentation is a commonly performed operation, and the risks involved are minimal. However, it is always important to be fully aware of any risk, no matter how small so you can make a fully informed choice about your breast augmentation in the UK.

Any kind of surgery, cosmetic or not, carries the risk of reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding and blood clots however years of surgical technique development and anaesthetic refinement means the occurrence of these risks are minimal. More specific to breast augmentation are the following:

Capsular contracture – when any kind of foreign object is inserted in your body, it naturally builds a wall of scar tissue round it. This tissue will begin to shrink however the rate and extent to which it does this varies from person to person – if your scar tissue shrinks significantly your breast may start to feel hard and possibly become painful. If this does happen and your discomfort becomes to sever, further surgery can resolve this. Modern implants have come a long way in preventing capsular contracture by having textured shells, your surgeon will be able to advise you on the type of implant that is best for you. Capsular contracture is the most common complication of breast augmentation, UK surgeons estimate this affects around 1 in 10 women.

Ruptured implants – basically, as the description implies, if an implant develops a split or hole it is deemed as ruptured. Thankfully ruptured implants have nearly become a thing of the past, with modern implants have much thicker walls with more sophisticated materials, meaning they are a lot stronger. However, if in the rare event your breast augmentation implant did rupture you may not need medical treatment. This all depends on what your implant is filled with and how your body reacts to it. Saline implants are a sterile solution of salts and water which you body can safely absorb.

If your implant ruptures, it means that a split, or hole, has developed in the casing of the implant. When implants were first developed, they had very thin walls, and rupturing was common. Modern implants, which have been available in the UK since the 1990s, rupture much less frequently. It does not always mean that you will require medical treatment. It will depend on what your implant is filled with, and how your body reacts to it.

If a saline implant ruptures, it will not cause you any problems. This is because your body can safely absorb saline because it a sterile solution of salts and water. Silicone however poses slightly more problems if it begins to leak. Generally any silicone leaks will remain in the capsule your body has formed round the implant (as described above) however sometimes it may spread outside of this capsule and into the breast tissue itself which can cause small lumps to develop. These lumps are known as siliconomas. While these pose no proven threat to health, if silicone leakage spreads to the muscles in your armpit or around your nerves, the siliconomas can cause discomfort. If this happens you may need to have these lumps removed.

If your silicone gel implant begins to leak, the silicone will normally remain inside the capsule of scarring that your body forms around the implant (see capsular contracture above).

Nipple sensation – one of the main concerns of women having breast augmentation in the UK is loss of nipple sensation. It is common for your nipples to feel more sensitive for 3-6 months after surgery, and in rare cases this sensitivity becomes painful resulting in women seeking advice from their GP on how to deal with this pain. Around 1 in 7 women find their nipples actually become less sensitive following surgery. As with all concerns regarding breast augmentation, UK surgeons will always offer you a pre-surgery consultation which will allow you to ask all the questions that are on your mind.

Many celebrities openly admit to having had breast augmentation, UK celebrities included. One of the most well known to have had a boob job is Pamela Anderson, who shot to fame in her stunning red lifeguard swimsuit in Baywatch. As the years passed more and more women in the spotlight underwent surgery. No-one can have escaped the phenomenon that is Jordan’s bust! Bringing breast augmentation to the UK with a bang, Jordan, now more often than not going under her real name of Katie Price, has gone full circle with her bust size. Starting out as a glamour model with a B cup, she has had a succession of operations and while there is some speculation as to her final cup size, FF seems to be the most commonly quoted. Earlier this year she underwent a breast reduction, taking her down to a much more practical C cup.

The enormity of Jordan’s breasts at their biggest highlights one of the most important points to consider when having breast augmentation and that is the size of your implant. Your surgeon will be able to recommend the best type and size of implant to suit your needs and body frame, listen to your surgeon, they know what they are talking about, after all you are paying them for their expertise.

Jordan’s tale is fascinating to follow, just when we thought they couldn’t get any bigger they did. However, it is important to remember that she also had the time and the money to have numerous operations and also to be able to have corrective surgery if things went wrong. For most women having breast augmentation in the UK, it will mean one operation to achieve their desired breast size and shape. It is also very important to remember that you are actually undergoing major surgery, and while techniques are ever-improving and recovery times are ever-decreasing you cannot lose sight of the fact you are having a general anaesthetic and surgery that is going to require you to take time out from your day to day schedule in order to recover fully.