Question :

Aurora Clinics have been recommended as specialists in the field of breast enlargement surgery.

My breast augmentation surgery was carried out in London in December last year. Upon first inspection, I had a feeling that my left implant was not going to descend and it never did. After six months, I had revision surgery to manually drop the implant. I am now a few weeks post op and very unhappy with the results – my once symmetrical nipples now look very uneven and the entire breast seems to be sitting too low.

I feel that the surgeon created the pocket too low, but he is reluctant to admit this. I have lost all my faith in him now and am very keen to seek a second opinion, with the possibility of having further surgery in the future to correct this.

I will not go back to my original surgeon and would be grateful if you would agree to see me in the future or provide some advice. Thank you and best wishes.

Answer :

We are sorry that you are not happy with the appearance of your breasts following breast enlargement surgery.

Your initial surgery appears to have resulted in the muscle holding the implant in a unnaturally high position.

At the operation your surgeon may have released the muscle which would have resulted in the implant becoming lower. In your case, it sounds as though, it has descended too far and is sitting at a lower level than the other side. This would cause asymmetry in your nipple position.

Generally it is possible to correct this by stitching the fold to a similar level of the other side which will create more symmetry.

It would be advisable to schedule a consultation to discuss the best way forward for you in more detail.

If you would like to book a consultation you can do so by calling 08003285743.

We look forward to meeting you should you wish to book a consultation.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

Since having 330cc breast implants over a year ago, I have experienced mild discomfort in my left breast.

I was told that this is something which should not cause me concern as everything was fine at my six week post-operative check up. However, during the past few weeks, the discomfort has become even more noticeable with a mild ache around the circumference of my breast and a light tightness, although this is not painful.

Could you please advise the best course of action? Is it okay for me to visit a clinic which is closer to where I live or should I return to the clinic where my operation was performed?

Answer :

Thank you very much for your enquiry.

We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing some mild discomfort in your left breast. If the discomfort is getting worse, it will probably be best to arrange a consultation to assess the area and discuss the best way forward for you.

Our standard advice is that you should return to the surgeon who initially carried out your breast surgery as they know your case history, circumstances and the materials used. If this is not possible, Aurora Clinics will always be delighted to see you and have a range of expert breast implant replacement and removal specialists nationwide.

We always recommend that anybody concerned in any way about their breast implants arranges a consultation to put their mind at rest and rule out the possibility of any complications.

There is a technique known as special massage which may help to settle the area down.
We could also arrange a scan of the implant which will give us an idea as to what is happening internally.
Many thanks for contacting us. We hope to see you soon but do hope that the tenderness settles down in the interim.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

I suffer from eczema, would I be likely to experience any complications if I commenced with breast enlargement surgery?

Answer :

Thank you for your question.

Eczema itself will not cause any complications as long as you do not have too much active eczema in the breast area where the incision is made for your breast implant to rest.

For more information on this procedure please visit our website at www.aurora-clinics.co.uk where you will find a lot more information about breast implants including videos of us performing breast enlargement surgery and before/after photos.

We also have a free audio CD which you can obtain from the website. This may be useful for you to listen to and help you to make a decision regarding surgery.

Should you wish to book a consultation please call our offices on 0800 328 5743.

Best Wishes

The Team at Aurora Clinics

PIP Implants: The Background

According to a popular consumer watch website, On March 30, 2010, France’s health regulators issued a recall of all pre-filled silicone breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), a company based in southern France. The breast implant recall is said to affect an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 women worldwide. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons estimated 50,000 British women have the implants.

The PIP implants use a type of non-medical silicone for its products which is believed to seep through the implant into surrounding tissue causing the formation of small cysts. The silicone also weakens the implant making it more likely to split. Though an ultrasound or an MRI may be used to scan for such problems, it may be missed as the body tends to form a capsule around any foreign body, shielding it from such investigations. If that occurs, the leaking silicone of the older type of implants may seep unnoticed into the surrounding lymph (the body’s filtering tissue) and may cause a silica granuloma.

Now, the French justice system is to investigate a breast implant manufacturer after the death of a 53-year-old woman from lymphatic cancer on Monday in the southern French city of Marseille.  AFSSAPS, the health regulatory agency of France , found that 10 per cent of the company’s implants ruptured within a year. On average, implants should last over 10 years.

Presently, the new fourth generation implants have thicker shells that are less likely to rupture with a more cohesive silicone filling that is less likely to leak. Meaning that the dangers of the older implants are less likely to occur.

What to Do if you think you have a Ruptured Implant

Though you may have a ruptured implant that you may not know about or fear that you have a ruptured implant that ends up being normal, it is relatively straight forward to see a specialist and they can assess the area. If it turns out to be ruptured, it is a relatively simple procedure to remove the implant and clean the entire area free of silicone and replace it with the stronger, more reliable fourth generation implant.

At Aurora Clinics, we have never used PIP implants but we do have a number very experienced breast surgeons. Mr. Adrian Richards (our Company Director and Consultant Surgeon) was voted ‘Home Counties Leading Plastic Surgeon’ by The Daily Mail and ‘Leading Breast Surgeon UK by The Independent on Sunday. He is  actively involved with raising awareness about types of implants available by providing informative blogs, videos and podcasts for patients concerned they may have old PIP implants. Mr. Richards is also offering free consultations at Aurora Clinics for people worried about PIP implants with a view to replacing their implants with newer, safer varieties of breast implant.

For more information email info@aurora-clinics.co.uk  or call 0800 328 5743.

Guest Blog by

Are Breast Implants Safe for Patients who have had Breast Cancer?

In the aftermath of cancer treatments like mastectomies, many women opt to have reconstructive surgery. The most popular type of reconstructive surgery involves breast implants. Before opting for such a procedure, however, most patients are curious about the risks that are involved. A recent report by the FDA states that there is no association between such implants and breast cancer, connective tissue disease or reproductive problems. However, there appears to be a small increased risk of a specific type of lymphoma. Women who are concerned about implants may opt for lipofilling, a procedure in which fat cells from other parts of the body are injected into the breasts. Studies have shown that lipofilling does not increase the recurrence rate of cancer.

A considerable percentage of patients opt for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies; estimates range from 30 percent to 90 percent. Certain factors increase the odds that a patient will opt for this type of surgery. According to recent reports, white women are the most likely to have reconstructive surgery. Women who are under the age of 40 are also more likely to do so. Finally, patients who have private insurance coverage are more likely to opt for things like breast implants. In general, however, it seems that most patients are not overly concerned about the possible risks of these types of procedures. It is important to note that fears about breast implant recovery may make some women more reluctant to consider such procedures.

Women get implants following cancer treatments for many reasons. The most notable one is to counteract the psychological effects of mastectomies and double mastectomies. Following such procedures, women often despair over the appearances of their bodies. Negative feelings can make it a lot more difficult for women to move on following cancer treatments. Implants help to improve a woman’s body image. In turn, her overall self-esteem will improve. Clothes fit better and a woman feels less self-conscious as well. For many women, it is worth it to go through breast implant recovery in order to enjoy such benefits.

There are complications involved in breast implant procedures, and it is important for patients to be aware of them. For one thing, such implants are not designed to last throughout a woman’s life. As the FDA recently reported, implants have limited lifespan. The longer they are used, the more likely they are to be removed. It is important for women to be aware of this fact in order to avoid unpleasant surprises at later dates. Although they were removed from the market for a long time, silicone implants are available again. Concerns about leakages and ruptures have been addressed, but there are still risks involved.

After weighing the benefits and risks of breast implants, it appears that the majority of cancer patients opt to have them. Breast cancer recovery is a long and involved process. After seeing her body undergo so many changes, implants can be comforting to a woman. The good news is that the risks that are involved in terms of cancer recurrence appear to be minimal. These recent studies should be reassuring to female patients who are candidates for mastectomies and other disfiguring procedures. By regaining their figures, female cancer patients are able to regain self-esteem, self-worth and confidence. For most, those benefits easily outweigh any possible complications.

References

http://www.breastimplantinfo.org/recon/recsafe32000.html

http://cdh.uams.edu/HealthLibrary/newsdetail.aspx?id=6759&sid=1&ContentTypeID=88&ContentID=P10258&request=newsletterdetail

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/new_research/20110527.jsp

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408187_3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13883267

Dear Aurora Clinics,

I am interested in having breast enlargement surgery.

Can this procedure be performed under twilight sedation as I have a phobia of vomiting and am very wary of general anaesthetic?

Any information would be appreciated.

Answer :

Thank you for very much for your enquiry.

It is possible in some cases to perform breast enlargement surgery under twilight anaesthesia but this is only normally performed if the breast implants are placed in front of the muscle.

We have a very experienced anaesthetist who uses a very light form of general anaesthetic without putting a tube directly down the throat. This proves to be much gentler than general anaesthetic and allows patients to recover much quicker. It is a very safe option and patients are usually sat up and enjoying a meal not long afterwards.

It may be worthwhile coming in to meet us to discuss the options available for you. You can book a consultation by calling our office on 0800 328 5743 or emailing us at info@aurora-clinics.co.uk.

If you have not done so, it may be worthwhile listening to our free information CD on breast enlargement which you can obtain via our office on the number above or feel free to listen by clicking on the link provided.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

Here is a Top Tips guide by Aurora Clinics expert surgeons to put your mind at rest…

1. If your breasts feel OK and you don’t have any actual problems (which we will discuss further in a minute), you are probably best to leave your implants well alone!
2. The current brands of implants (like Nagor and Natrelle which we use at Aurora Clinics) are estimated to last about 15 years so you’ll probably need them replaced after this.  BUT we tell patients: f there isn’t a problem with the implants, you don’t necessarily need to change them. 
3. So if you had breast implants 20 years ago, your breasts are nice and soft, you’ve had an ultrasound which shows that the implants are still intact then you don’t need to change them because an operation actually has just as many risks as keeping your implants. 
4. If you have got problems, what could these problems be?*Capsulisation (basically where the implants go firm).  Normally when this happens it is the body forming a capsule (lining) around the implant which compresses, makes them go firm and often high.  So the implants become slightly higher and the breasts slightly lower.  *Rupture so if you feel there’s been a recent change, we’d normally arrange an ultrasound or an MRI to look at the integrity of the breast implant. If there is any rupture, you really should have them removed and replaced.  * Silicone granuloma (Lumps in your armpits). You have lymph glands which act as sieves under your armpit and they drain any silicone. If there is any silicone leakage from the implant, that can cause a lumpiness under the armpit.  Again, that’s a reason to remove them.  *You’re not happy with the aesthetic results of the implant.  They may have been fine but they’ve changed, maybe you’ve had pregnancies or your breast shape has changed.  In particular, we’ve seen a lot of patients who’ve had the implants put in a sub muscular position, (under the pectoralis muscle) where the implants lie high because the pectoralis muscle tends to hold the implants high and, with time, breast tissue itself goes down and this leads to a phenomenon called the “double bubble effect”.
5. If you’ve got any of the problems that I’ve just talked about, you could consider having them removed but you need to think long and carefully about the pros and cons of doing this. 

We hope that these short Top Tips for Knowing When to Remove & Replace Your Implants have been helpful. Please feel free to contact us at any time, either via the website, email or phone if you’d like to arrange a consultation or just like some advice.  Thank you.

Could you tell me the make of implants you use for breast augmentation?

I ask because I plan to have Natrelle implants in the near future. However I am aware that in 10 – 15 years time, I will have to have these removed and replaced with a different size possibly with a reduction.

If I were to have my replacement breast enlargement surgery with Aurora Clinics, would you use the same brand of implants even if they are not your usual?

Answer :

Thank you very much for your enquiry. We can confirm that we use Natrelle implants as well as Nagor and generally advise on the best type of implants according to a patients physique.

We think that you should listen to our free information CD on Breast Enlargement Surgery which discusses the pros and cons of all major types of implants.

You can hear this online in our Podcast Section.

Alternatively, you can request a CD via email at: info@aurora-clinics.co.uk

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic And Plastic Surgery Team

Dear Aurora Clinics,

Since the birth of my sons, my breasts have become extremely saggy.

Although I didn’t breast feed, I noticed that when I was lactating my cup size increased from a 34C to a 34G. After a couple of weeks, they reduced to a 34B and this is how they have remained.

I am finding it very difficult to find any bras that fit properly and provide the support that is needed as I have a lot of excess skin.

Would it be possible to have breast uplift surgery and implants carried out at the same time? If so, how much is this likely to cost?

Answer :

Thank you very much for your enquiry.

It does sound as though you would benefit from a breast uplift procedure, possibly with implants to restore volume to the upper part of your breasts.

Unfortunately excess skin, descent of the nipple and loss of volume in the bust can occur after pregnancy, particularly if your bust dramatically increased during this time.

For more information as to what is involved, please take a look through our website at: www.aurora-clinics.co.uk where you will find a lot of information and videos of our surgeons performing a breast uplift procedure.

If you would like to schedule a free consultation to discuss the best way forward for you, please do so by ringing us on: 01844 214362.

Alternatively, if you would like a more detailed opinion of the best treatment, please email some photographs to: info@aurora-clinics.co.uk and we will be happy to review them.

Many thanks for your enquiry. We look forward to seeing you in the near future should you decide to schedule a consultation.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

Breast Enlargement Surgery at Aurora Clinics: Are the Results Obvious?

Generally, Aurora Clinics aim to produce a very natural-looking bust which nobody could guess is the product of breast enlargement surgery.

Our aim is to match your bust to your shoulders and hips to create a natural, feminine figure without making you look top-heavy or matronly.

We achieve this by taking detailed measurements of the natural diameter of your breast base then subtracting a small amount of your natural breast tissue so that the implant lies slightly inside your breast tissue without extending to the sides.

Too small a breast implant or too large and wide a breast implant can extend into the outer chest area and produce an unnatural appearance.

We also tailor the height and shape of the implant very much to your unique physical characteristics.

Which Breast Implants will look Natural on Me?

As a general guide, however, we recommend the following:

• AA Cups with very little breast tissue – a shaped implant partially behind the muscle in a dual-plane position. This is because, in these cases, we need to create the shape of the bust using a shaped implant. We also need the extra coverage afforded by the muscle in the upper portion of the breast so that we do not get any unnatural shelf or ridge in this region.

• A-B Cups – if your breast tissue measurement is below 3 centimetres in the upper part of your breast but you do have a natural bust shape, we generally recommend a round implant placed partially under the muscle in a dual-plane position. The reason a round implant is recommended is because it will enhance the natural look of your own breast shape. There is a slight risk of shaped implants rotating slightly which does not happen with round implants.

• C Cups and Larger – if you have a natural breast shape and over 3cms of breast tissue in the upper portion of your bust, we would normally recommend a round implant placed in front of your muscle. This gives a slighter quicker recovery period but placing the implant in front of the muscle is only appropriate a minimum 3cms of tissue is available to cover the implant and give a natural effect without visible implant showing through the skin (ridging or rippling).

Test-Run your Breast Implants Before Breast Enlargement Surgery!

It is very important to select the right size and shape of breast implants for you. At your consultation, you should be advised as to whether silicone or saline implants would be more appropriate for you.

Rather like buying a dress, an identical outfit might look very different on various body shapes so the same approach must be taken to “trying on” breast implants. At Aurora Clinics, we specialise in tailor-making breast enlargement creations using breast implants specially selected uniquely for you. Part of this process involves a number of Sizing appointments during which you can try on different sizes of implants with a range of your own outfits. We know how important it is that you feel completely comfortable with the look that you select, so will never hurry you into making a decision.

Aurora Clinics do not endorse the artificial, “Barbie Doll” breast enlargement surgery look. By carefully matching your breast implant size and shape to your unique physique, we can ensure that nobody will ever guess that you have had breast enlargement surgery…they will be too busy thinking how amazing you look and staring at your great big smile!

To schedule a free Breast Enlargement consultation with one of our expert Aurora Clinics Surgeons, simply call us on 0800 328 5743