Breast Enlargement (Augmentation) Surgery
If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your breasts, breast enlargement surgery (also known as augmentation) may be the right choice for you.
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the UK. Many thousands of women safely undergo the procedure every year, changing the shape and size of their natural breasts for a more desirable look. Our expert team of highly skilled surgeons at Aurora Clinics have performed breast enlargement surgery for thousands of satisfied women to date.
At our clinics, we only ever use the highest quality Allergan, Nagor, Mentor or Polyurethane implants. And because we know how important it is to feel confident about your new shape, our surgeons always listen carefully to understand the look you are trying to achieve.
After coming to us for a free consultation, it might be that you go home and think of more questions you’d like to ask. This is the best way for you to be absolutely sure you are making the right choice for you.
Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, please click here to find out more about Breast Augmentation and The Private Clinic. World renowned plastic surgeon Mr Adrian Richards is part of The Private Clinic expert team.
Considering Breast Enlargement surgery?
There are many reasons for choosing to enlarge your breasts. Here are some of the benefits you can expect:
- Breasts which are symmetrical and in proportion with your frame
- Increased self-esteem and body image
- Looking and feeling better in clothes and underwear
- More confidence
Our aim at Aurora Clinics is to create a very natural appearance following your breast enlargement surgery, with your bust being proportionate to your hips and shoulders so that you look feminine and natural rather than top heavy. Many of our patients find that their self-esteem is significantly improved after their breast enlargement surgery and that they are able to choose from a wider variety of clothing styles.
How will it impact on your life?
Prior to their breast enlargement surgery many patients would use padding to balance or enhance their bust, something which they happily stop doing after their breast enlargement surgery. Many patients feel that their self confidence and body image is greatly increased following surgery.
An additional benefit of breast enlargement surgery is that many of our patients feel able to return to activities which they felt too embarrassed to undertake before their surgery, such as swimming and exercise regimes. This is primarily because they feel more confident wearing swimwear and sportswear which can be very unforgiving at hiding imperfections.
It is also common for patients to find they have increased confidence in the bedroom after their breast enlargement surgery and we would recommend discussing this element with your partner before undergoing the operation.
Is Breast Augmentation right for you?
Most people who come to Aurora Clinics seeking surgery fall into one of two categories:
- Women who have not developed breasts they are happy with, or who have developed asymmetrical breasts, with one significantly larger than the other.
- Women who have lost volume in their breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. This may be accompanied by downward movement of the nipple. In this case, if the nipple sits below the crease of the breast, a breast uplift may be appropriate.
If either of these apply to you, you may be a suitable candidate for breast enhancement.
Most people considering breast enlargement surgery do weigh up the benefits versus the potential risks of having the surgery.
When weighing up these pros and cons it might be helpful to listen to some of our patient testimonials which show previous patients discussing honestly why they decided to have the operation, their experience of the procedure at Aurora Clinics and how they feel about their final appearance following their breast enlargement surgery.
Breast Enlargement FAQs
Information Video Guide
We have created a free information video guide on breast enlargement surgery, which lasts over an hour and discusses the process from choosing a surgeon, to the best implant for you, the operation itself and your recovery as well as the final results. This video guide can be requested by clicking here.Before and After Photos
We generally advise that you have a good look at before and after photographs prior to a consultation and bring both photos you admire and ones you dislike to your initial consultation.Patient Testimonials
Not only can hearing about other peoples' experiences be very helpful in deciding whether or not to go ahead with the surgery, it can also alleviate any fears you may have and help you to be fully prepared for the operation and recovery period. We would advise that you listen to a number of testimonials as everybody has a very different experience and this will enable you to gain the broadest perspective.If you are lucky enough to know someone who has recently undergone a breast enlargement procedure it can be very helpful to talk to them in person to hear why they decided to have the operation, how they chose their surgeon and their personal experience of the whole procedure including the surgery itself and their recovery afterwards.
Patient Reviews
There are a number of independent review sites which allow patients to review both the plastic surgery company as well as the surgeon itself. The most popular ones are Trustpilot and Realself.During the research process you are likely to think of certain questions specific to your surgery. Before an initial consultation it is wise to write down a list of these questions or topics you would like to discuss with your surgeon as it can be easy to forget these during your appointment.
We generally advise that you have a good look at before and after photographs prior to a consultation. Although it is not an exact guide to the final appearance of your breasts after surgery, it is a good rule of thumb that if you find someone who shares similar characteristics with you and you admire the appearance of their breasts after surgery, then a similar size and shape of breast implant might be appropriate.
It can also be helpful to bring along these pictures, ones you both admire and dislike to your consultation. This helps your surgeon develop the best idea of what you want to achieve from your breast enlargement surgery.
It can also be helpful to bring along these pictures, ones you both admire and dislike to your consultation. This helps your surgeon develop the best idea of what you want to achieve from your breast enlargement surgery.
You can research your breast enlargement surgeon by checking the General Medical Council which lists all qualified plastic surgery specialists in the United Kingdom. You should particularly check to see if your surgeon is listed on the surgery specialists register.
Other web resources which can be useful are the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons which lists all fully registered plastic surgeons who specialise in cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK. Surgeons who register for BAAPS have usually, in most cases, been a consultant plastic surgeon in the UK and have to publish and record their yearly activity which is assessed.
It is also worth researching your plastic surgeon online prior to your consultation. There are a number of websites that allow you to see reviews of your surgeon: Some surgeons perform breast enlargement surgery infrequently and we at Aurora Clinics would recommend that you choose a surgeon who performs at least ten of these surgeries per month at minimum. This is because it is crucial that your surgeon specialises in this type of surgery in order to produce the best results.
In most cases it is advisable to have consultations with at least two plastic surgeons to give you the best idea of the best approach for you and also gives you the opportunity to decide which surgeon makes you feel most comfortable.
Other web resources which can be useful are the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons which lists all fully registered plastic surgeons who specialise in cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK. Surgeons who register for BAAPS have usually, in most cases, been a consultant plastic surgeon in the UK and have to publish and record their yearly activity which is assessed.
It is also worth researching your plastic surgeon online prior to your consultation. There are a number of websites that allow you to see reviews of your surgeon: Some surgeons perform breast enlargement surgery infrequently and we at Aurora Clinics would recommend that you choose a surgeon who performs at least ten of these surgeries per month at minimum. This is because it is crucial that your surgeon specialises in this type of surgery in order to produce the best results.
In most cases it is advisable to have consultations with at least two plastic surgeons to give you the best idea of the best approach for you and also gives you the opportunity to decide which surgeon makes you feel most comfortable.
The initial consultation is one of the most important aspects for anyone considering having a breast augmentation. In this consultation it is very important that you feel you have time to adequately explain to your surgeon your aims from surgery. Aims will vary from person to person and will depend very much on your type of physique, the clothes you would like to wear and the aesthetic outcome you would like following your operation.
It is important that you develop a good rapport with your surgeon and that they understand fully what you hope to achieve from the operation and also your desired appearance. In some cases you may meet a non-medical specialist in the first instance, but at Aurora Clinics our philosophy is that your first appointment will be with the surgeon to discuss the best type of breast enlargement surgery for you; in particular:
It is very useful to bring along some pre-prepared questions to make sure that you have all of these answered. It is also a good idea to take a notebook and pen with you so you can also record the answers you are given.
We would also encourage you to bring along pictures showing the type of bust that you would like following surgery and some of your own clothing in various styles to see how they might look with different implants.
It is important that you develop a good rapport with your surgeon and that they understand fully what you hope to achieve from the operation and also your desired appearance. In some cases you may meet a non-medical specialist in the first instance, but at Aurora Clinics our philosophy is that your first appointment will be with the surgeon to discuss the best type of breast enlargement surgery for you; in particular:
- The best type of breast implants for you
- Whether your implant should be shaped or round
- Whether the implant would be placed behind or in front of the muscle
- Whether you would need any other procedures, such as an uplift
- how many breast augmentation/enlargement procedures they perform per year.
- how many of these patients have required further surgery (e.g. – to adjust the size of their implants).
- how many patients have developed capsular contracture following surgery.
- how many patients have developed other problems following surgery, such as infection or bleeding.
- to show you before and after pictures of patients whom they have treated
- if it's possible to talk to any patients whom they have treated recently in order to get a first hand experience of what is involved
- what are the follow up arrangements and whether, if you do have any problems following your operation, your initial payment would cover this
It is very useful to bring along some pre-prepared questions to make sure that you have all of these answered. It is also a good idea to take a notebook and pen with you so you can also record the answers you are given.
We would also encourage you to bring along pictures showing the type of bust that you would like following surgery and some of your own clothing in various styles to see how they might look with different implants.
Your sizing appointment will involve you seeing and trying breast implants of various sizes and shapes. It's important to realise that breast implants come in different heights and widths as well as shapes and that the same implant will have a very different appearance on different physiques.
At Aurora Clinics we pride ourselves on our breast sizing appointments and spend at least an hour with you looking at various sizes and shapes. We would encourage you to come in with different tops and clothes you will wear to see how the implants will look in different outfits. Some surgeons will incorporate the sizing appointment with your initial consultation.
We can also offer you a 3D Crisalix simulation of your breasts with different sizes and shapes of implants to give you an idea of how you may look following surgery.
Click here for more information on what to bring to your sizing appointment.
At Aurora Clinics we pride ourselves on our breast sizing appointments and spend at least an hour with you looking at various sizes and shapes. We would encourage you to come in with different tops and clothes you will wear to see how the implants will look in different outfits. Some surgeons will incorporate the sizing appointment with your initial consultation.
We can also offer you a 3D Crisalix simulation of your breasts with different sizes and shapes of implants to give you an idea of how you may look following surgery.
Click here for more information on what to bring to your sizing appointment.
We at Aurora Clinics would recommend you have at least two weeks to think after your initial consultation before you decide whether or not to go ahead with your breast enlargement surgery. Playing some of our previous patient testimonials might help you to make a decision.
The early breast implants had a very thin, smooth silicone shell with a fluid, gel-like silicone within them. Since then, with each generation of implants, the shell has become more robust and the silicone gel inside it has become more cohesive. Cohesivity is the stiffness of the silicone and over the years the silicone has moved from being a liquid gel to more of a firm gel with the consistency of a Turkish delight. The advantage of a firm gel is that it is much less likely to run and move to other areas of the body should the shell of your implant become compromised.
Over the years there have been significant improvements to breast implants and not only are the breast implants made of stronger, more robust materials and contain more solid, cohesive silicone, they have also developed many more shapes, sizes and profiles.
Over the years there have been significant improvements to breast implants and not only are the breast implants made of stronger, more robust materials and contain more solid, cohesive silicone, they have also developed many more shapes, sizes and profiles.
Teardrop shaped implants aim to mimic the breast shape, with a natural teardrop shape being flatter in the top portion and more rounded at the base of the implant. Some surgeons feel that teardrop shapes give a much more natural appearance to the bust as they aim to replicate the shape more accurately than the round implants.
A potential disadvantage of the teardrop implants is that they can rotate, causing distortion to the bust. Your surgeon would counsel you fully as to the risks of this prior to the surgery.
A potential disadvantage of the teardrop implants is that they can rotate, causing distortion to the bust. Your surgeon would counsel you fully as to the risks of this prior to the surgery.
Round implants and shaped implants come in different heights. The height of an implant is how much it protrudes from your chest, known as the profile of your implant. Many of the more old-fashioned implants were very low profile and nowadays many implant manufacturers produce a variety of different profiles. These range from wider, less high implants which are generally used on people wishing to have a natural appearance who have a relatively wide chest base to more high-profile implants that are used predominantly on people with a narrower chest base who still wish to have a full breast appearance following their surgery.
We recommend looking at our extensive gallery of breast enlargement surgery before and after pictures. If you find previous patients with a similar build and breast shape to yours then these can give you the best possible idea of how different implants will look on you.
During your consultation it is very important that you fully discuss the variety of different implants with your surgeon and that your surgeon also takes the time to show you a wide variety of implants so that you can understand the differences between them and why one may be more appropriate for you than another.
We recommend looking at our extensive gallery of breast enlargement surgery before and after pictures. If you find previous patients with a similar build and breast shape to yours then these can give you the best possible idea of how different implants will look on you.
During your consultation it is very important that you fully discuss the variety of different implants with your surgeon and that your surgeon also takes the time to show you a wide variety of implants so that you can understand the differences between them and why one may be more appropriate for you than another.
The risks of breast enlargement procedures are fully discussed in our breast enlargement video guide which you can obtain for free by submitting an enquiry form.
The risks following breast enlargement surgery can be divided into two: the general risks of any operation and the risks associated particularly with breast enlargement surgery.
The risks following breast enlargement surgery can be divided into two: the general risks of any operation and the risks associated particularly with breast enlargement surgery.
General risks
- Deep vein thrombosis
- pulmonary embolism
- Reactions to the anaesthetic
- Allergies to some of the drugs used during the surgery
Breast enlargement specific risks
- Internal bleeding
- Infection
- Capsular Contracture
During the lead up to your breast enlargement surgery it is best to reduce or stop smoking and try to get as much rest as possible in the week prior to the operation. It is important to avoid medication such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Nurofen in the two weeks before the surgery. This is because these can increase the risk of bleeding by thinning your blood slightly. Other medications, such as St John's Wort, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba and Arnica should be avoided in the two weeks prior to the surgery, although Arnica can be very useful in helping to resolve any bruising you may experience after the operation.
- Do not eat anything for six hours prior to your operation. The reason for this is that you need to have an empty stomach before any general anaesthetic to prevent the risk of vomiting or inhaling the stomach contents.
- Don't chew any chewing gum for six hours before surgery as this can increase the acid secretion in your stomach in a very similar fashion to food.
- Drinking water is fine up until two hours before your surgery, then nothing until after your operation.
- Avoid applying any body lotion on the day of the surgery as this can interfere with the sticky heart lead tracing and cautery pads which will be applied during your procedure.
- Remove all jewellery that it is possible to remove before surgery, although with items such as belly-button piercing we can tape the area down to avoid any interference with the surgical apparatus.
- We would advise that you remove nail varnish before your surgery as you will have a machine attached to one fingernail to measure your blood oxygen saturation.
- We would also recommend that you avoid excessive makeup on the day of surgery.
Before your operation, your surgeon will come in to see you and will discuss his plans for your surgery and answer any last minute queries you may have regarding your breast enlargement procedure. Your surgeon will then, if they have not already, take photographs of your bust from different angles and will also draw on you, outlining in most cases the margins of the pocket they plan to use for the breast implant and also the incision. This gives your surgeon the best idea of where to place the implant to give the most natural appearance. You will then be asked to sign a consent form which gives your permission for the breast enlargement procedure to be completed.
There will be some waiting prior to the operation and you will be given a pre-med to settle your nerves. It would be a good idea to bring a book, MP3 player or laptop and DVDs to entertain yourself whilst waiting.
It is also possible to choose what music plays during your surgery and we enjoy listening to a wide variety of music whilst we operate! If you provide your MP3 player to your surgeon they will make sure that your selected music is played in theatre. If you would like a specific playlist please put together a playlist lasting approximately 90 minutes which we can then play during your operation.
Unless you prefer not you will be given a pre-medication which makes you slightly sleepy and relaxed. You will then be taken down to the operating theatre and gently put to sleep by a general anaesthetic; a small injection in the back of your hand. In many cases a numbing cream will be used on the back of your hand so that you do not feel any pain from the injection.
Most breast enlargement procedures last between one and one and a half hours and when you wake up from your surgery you will be in no pain because local anaesthetic will have been placed in your breast area to numb the region.
Immediately following your surgery you will wake up with a specially designed surgical bra in place. Some patients report feeling a tightness in their breast tissue, but no significant pain. This may develop into mild to moderate discomfort depending on your physique and pain threshold. If you have had your implants placed behind the muscle, you may experience slightly more pain in the first few weeks following surgery. You may also find that one breast may be slightly more swollen or firm than the other and this is nothing to worry about initially.
You will be given something to drink and eat and be encouraged to mobilise yourself as soon as possible. Some people choose to stay overnight following their operation, whilst other people prefer to return home that evening as they feel happier convalescing in a familiar environment. It is important to rest after your breast enlargement procedure and not drive during the week following the operation to allow your breasts to heal in the best possible way.
You will be given something to drink and eat and be encouraged to mobilise yourself as soon as possible. Some people choose to stay overnight following their operation, whilst other people prefer to return home that evening as they feel happier convalescing in a familiar environment. It is important to rest after your breast enlargement procedure and not drive during the week following the operation to allow your breasts to heal in the best possible way.
The most commonly used approach in the UK is via an incision placed in the fold underneath the breast. Other incisions, such as through the armpit, underneath the bottom of the areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple) and through the tummy button are less commonly performed types of breast enlargement incision in the UK.
Therefore if you are having a straightforward breast enlargement you will likely have a scar approximately in your inframammary fold. If you are having an uplift procedure as well then the scarring may be more extensive but this will be discussed during your consultation.
At Aurora Clinics we now offer the revolutionary short scar breast enlargement using the Keller Funnel which means a scar as short as 4cm, less trauma and it reduces the chance of infection and capsular contracture.
Therefore if you are having a straightforward breast enlargement you will likely have a scar approximately in your inframammary fold. If you are having an uplift procedure as well then the scarring may be more extensive but this will be discussed during your consultation.
At Aurora Clinics we now offer the revolutionary short scar breast enlargement using the Keller Funnel which means a scar as short as 4cm, less trauma and it reduces the chance of infection and capsular contracture.
On the day after your surgery you will be discharged with painkillers and an appointment date for one week following your operation. Should you have any concerns before this one week appointment you should contact us immediately.
During the first week it is important to gently walk about and mobilise your legs to minimise the risk of any blood clots in your calves. We advise you to avoid driving during the first week and also any strenuous activity which could raise your blood pressure thereby increasing your risk of bleeding.
Most people take one week off work following surgery until their first post-operative appointment. Some people with manual jobs which involve lifting take two weeks off following the surgery. It is unusual to require longer than this off work.
It is important to have some support at home, particularly if you have young children. If you do have young children who require lifting then you will need help with that and with taking them to and from school. It is not essential to have someone with you 24 hours a day at home, but it is key that you have someone to support you during this period. As you will be unable to drive for a week and therefore not be able to perform the school run it is wise to make childcare arrangements for the period immediately after your surgery. Most people need at least a week off childcare after their surgery.
After two weeks you will be able to resume light exercise and, if you are working out, we recommend that you concentrate on the lower body and gentle aerobic exercise rather than high-grade upper-body physical exercise involving the pectoralis major muscle.
If you need to you can book in for a two week follow up appointment with one of the nurses to check that all is well but most patients find this is not necessary.
After 6 weeks you should be completely back to your normal activities.
During the first week it is important to gently walk about and mobilise your legs to minimise the risk of any blood clots in your calves. We advise you to avoid driving during the first week and also any strenuous activity which could raise your blood pressure thereby increasing your risk of bleeding.
Most people take one week off work following surgery until their first post-operative appointment. Some people with manual jobs which involve lifting take two weeks off following the surgery. It is unusual to require longer than this off work.
It is important to have some support at home, particularly if you have young children. If you do have young children who require lifting then you will need help with that and with taking them to and from school. It is not essential to have someone with you 24 hours a day at home, but it is key that you have someone to support you during this period. As you will be unable to drive for a week and therefore not be able to perform the school run it is wise to make childcare arrangements for the period immediately after your surgery. Most people need at least a week off childcare after their surgery.
After two weeks you will be able to resume light exercise and, if you are working out, we recommend that you concentrate on the lower body and gentle aerobic exercise rather than high-grade upper-body physical exercise involving the pectoralis major muscle.
If you need to you can book in for a two week follow up appointment with one of the nurses to check that all is well but most patients find this is not necessary.
After 6 weeks you should be completely back to your normal activities.
It is very normal to experience emotional side effects following this surgery. It is normal to feel very euphoric on the day following surgery and 2-3 days later feel very tired. This is due to a combination of the adrenaline surge you will likely experience before your surgery and as a result of the anaesthetic medication. Generally patients will continue to feel a little bit tired over the week immediately following surgery, but they rapidly recover and are feeling relatively normal by 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Your first follow-up appointment will be one week after your surgery when you will come into the clinic and the nursing staff will remove the brown tape over your incision and trim the ends of any residual soluble stitches. The brown tape will then be re-applied and you will be able to wear a comfortable support bra, although we do not recommend an underwired bra at this stage as the wires can press against the scars causing discomfort.
We would encourage all patients to schedule an appointment for a follow up appointment six weeks after their breast enlargement surgery. Most patients do not have any residual discomfort by this point. Photographs will be taken at this appointment and we can provide you with copies of your before and after photographs if you would like them. All of the follow up appointments are included in the initial cost of surgery.
After your six weeks follow up it is unlikely that you would return to Aurora Clinics until your first annual follow up with our team. These yearly follow up appointments will consist of your surgeon checking the incision and the firmness of the breasts to ensure that no capsular contracture has taken place. If there are any concerns at one of your annual follow up appointments your surgeon can arrange either an ultrasound scan or MRI scan of your breasts to assess them internally. These yearly check ups are also free of charge.
Most of our patients do come back for their yearly follow up appointments, although if you have any concerns in the interim there is the 24 hour helpline for you to call to make an immediate appointment.
We recommend that all patients attend their annual breast enlargement surgery follow up appointments without fail, especially at the 15 year mark when a full assessment of your breasts will be made.
We would encourage all patients to schedule an appointment for a follow up appointment six weeks after their breast enlargement surgery. Most patients do not have any residual discomfort by this point. Photographs will be taken at this appointment and we can provide you with copies of your before and after photographs if you would like them. All of the follow up appointments are included in the initial cost of surgery.
After your six weeks follow up it is unlikely that you would return to Aurora Clinics until your first annual follow up with our team. These yearly follow up appointments will consist of your surgeon checking the incision and the firmness of the breasts to ensure that no capsular contracture has taken place. If there are any concerns at one of your annual follow up appointments your surgeon can arrange either an ultrasound scan or MRI scan of your breasts to assess them internally. These yearly check ups are also free of charge.
Most of our patients do come back for their yearly follow up appointments, although if you have any concerns in the interim there is the 24 hour helpline for you to call to make an immediate appointment.
We recommend that all patients attend their annual breast enlargement surgery follow up appointments without fail, especially at the 15 year mark when a full assessment of your breasts will be made.
The next step
We always encourage people to do as much research as they can when considering cosmetic surgery, so for more information on breast enlargement surgery:
- Watch our patient videos and hear about surgical experiences first hand
- Read our online Trust Pilot and Real Self reviews
- Watch our surgeon videos covering frequently asked questions
- See before and after photographs in our extensive gallery to compare and contrast results with your body shape
- Get in touch and we will email you information on our surgeons and clinics and how to book a free no obligation consultation.
Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, a nationwide group of clinics with over 35 years of experience specialising in Cosmetic Surgery and Skin and a Trust Pilot 5 star rating. For comprehensive information, before and after photos and costs on Breast Augmentation procedures click here.
Our expert Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards is the Medical Director for The Private Clinic. Clinics are located in Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Glasgow, London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.