On this website you will find dedicated pages to help you find breast augmentation surgeons in various locations throughout the UK.
About Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery, also known as breast implant surgery or enlargement or the more colloquial term boob job, is according to the NHS, the most common type of cosmetic surgery currently carried out in the UK. The NHS estimates that more than 30,000 breast procedures are carried out in the UK every year, with the majority of these operations being done privately. Of the total number of procedures carried out the NHS was used for fewer than 4,500 (2012-13), equating to less than 15% of the total number of operations.
Why are Breast Implants Used?
There are two main purposes for the use of breast implants:
- Reconstruction – The implant is used to reconstruct the breast mound after a mastectomy or injury.
- Cosmetic – To enhance the appearance of the breasts purely so that the person having the procedure is happier with size and/or shape of the breast.
As a general rule, breast augmentation that is carried out for cosmetic reasons will not be available to UK residents on the NHS and therefore would need to be paid for on a private basis.
According to the NHS the average cost of private breast implant surgery in the UK is between £3,500-5,000. These figures do not take into account the cost of any consultations or potential follow-up care.
Deciding Whether to Have a Cosmetic Breast Implant Procedure
As with any procedure there are potential risks involved and as such it is imperative that anyone looking to undergo a breast implant procedure ensures that they are well informed of both these risks and the financial costs that will be incurred.
You should speak to both your GP and breast augmentation surgeon beforehand to discuss the risks, why exactly you want the procedure, details of the procedure itself and your expecations for the surgery and outcome.
Breast Implant Types
Breast implants take the form of prosthetic (artificial) implants, and in the UK there are two commonly used types:
- Silicone gel implants – These come in liquid, gel, or a solid form similar to plastic.
- Saline implants – These take the form of sterile sea water.
The most commonly used in the UK is silicone, although each of the above have their advantages and disadvantages associated with them.
The life expectancy of both types of implants is between 10 and 15 years after which they will need to be replaced, another financial consideration to take into account when deciding whether to undergo breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Enhancement Surgery
In most cases surgery will take somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes and will be carried out while the patient is under general anaesthetic
As part of the operation an incision will be made into the skin of the breast, the location of this incision will be discussed with your surgeon prior to the procedure as there will be a resulting scar.
The implant is positioned either between your chest muscle and breast tissue or behind your chest muscle and breast tissue, and once they are in place the incision point will be stitched and dressed.
In most cases you will be able to return home either on the day of the procedure or the day after. You will then return to your regular activities over the course of the next four to six weeks.
It will, in most cases, take a few months for your breasts to settle and achieve the feel and shape that you were hoping for before the procedure.
Potential Risks & Complications
The possible risks and complications that can occur during breast augmentation surgery include:
- Infection or bleeding after surgery
- Scarring
- Shrinking of scar tissue around the implant, known as capsular contracture
- The implant splitting, known as rupturing
- The implant becoming creased or folded
- Temporary or permanent changes to the sensation in the nipple
FAQ’s
How Long will the Recovery Process Take?
The majority of breast implant procedures will take the form of day surgery so often the patient is able to return home soon after the operation. If there are any slight complications then the patient may have to stay in overnight for observations and then return home the next day. Depending on the nature of the work that the patient carries out it is often advised to take a full week off work during which time full rest should be adhered to.
There will be checkups and a gradual return to normal activity, the time frame will depend on individual health and healing times.
Suitability
A woman’s breasts can change throughout their life quite dramatically due to change in weight, ageing, pregnancy and various other factors. This can impact on confidence and as such many women opt to have surgery in order to improve their physical appearence to give them a boost to their confidence.
Suitability from a medical stand point will be discussed by your breast augmentation surgeon, he or she will assess your medical history and general health and highlight any potential concerns with you.
Breast Augmentation Cost UK
The cost of breast augmentation surgery in the UK will vary depending on where you live and the surgeon that you go with. Operational costs in London and Birmingham are much higher than they would be in say Newcastle or Liverpool and as such the cost of the procedure is like to be higher, this is not to say that the quality of the service will be any lower.
Breast augmentation surgery costs on average between £3,500 and £5,000 in the UK, although in some cases you might be able to find it slightly cheaper or additional factors may take it over this threshold. There will also be a cost for your initial consultation which is usually in the region of £100.