Breast Augmentation in Reading: Cost and Recovery

Yes. Boob job is the everyday name for breast augmentation. At City Medical Centre it is done with round or anatomical implants that the surgeon chooses with you at the consultation.

Breast enlargement adds volume with implants. A breast lift (mastopexy) raises sagging breasts and removes excess skin. Which one suits you is decided at the free consultation.

Several procedures fall under mammoplasty: augmentation (volume increase with implants), reduction (excision of extra tissue and skin), mastopexy (lift of sagging breasts), reconstruction (after mastectomy) and asymmetry correction. The right method is chosen for each patient according to her wishes and the surgeon's advice.

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Complications rarely happen when all recommendations are respected. Possible ones are hematoma or seroma, wound infection, reduced or increased sensitivity of the nipple, capsular contracture, aesthetic asymmetry, wound separation and tissue necrosis.

The results of mammoplasty are long-lasting: roughly 10–15 years after augmentation (until the implants are replaced) and 5–10 years after a lift or reduction. Weight, pregnancy, skin aging and gravity all influence how long they last. Wearing supportive underwear and managing your weight help maintain the result.

Whether you can breastfeed after mammoplasty depends on the kind of surgery. After augmentation via an under-breast or armpit incision with the implant placed under the muscle, lactation is usually preserved, since the glandular tissue is not damaged. A lift or reduction carries a higher risk because ducts may be cut. Talk this over with your surgeon beforehand.

Implant choice considers material (silicone looks most natural, saline is used less often), shape (round or anatomical teardrop), surface (smooth or textured), size and profile. The surgeon will choose the best option for your anatomy and wishes.

During the operation the patient is under general anaesthesia and feels nothing at all. For the first 1–3 days there may be moderate discomfort, relieved by painkillers. By day 5–7 pain is much lower, and by weeks 2–3 discomfort passes. Report severe pain to your doctor straight away.

Work without physical exertion can be resumed after 7–14 days. Light walks after 1–2 weeks. Fitness and swimming after 4–6 weeks, strength training after 3 months. Pool and sea after 4–6 weeks. Compression garments are worn for 4–6 weeks. Exact timing depends on how you recover.

Scientific evidence does not show that mammoplasty increases breast cancer risk. Implants do not lead to cancer. After surgery, stay on top of regular screening through self-exams, mammography and ultrasound. Always let the examining doctor know you have implants.

A C-section does not rule out mammoplasty, but full recovery of the body must come first. Wait 6–12 months or more after giving birth and after you stop breastfeeding. Before surgery, you must have a surgeon's consultation and check-up.

Mammoplasty leaves scars, yet a skilled surgeon makes them minimal. Incisions are made where they are hidden: under the breast, around the areola or in the armpit. Scars are reddish at first, and within 6–12 months they fade until they are almost invisible.

Slight asymmetry early on, in the first weeks after surgery, is normal and is due to swelling and uneven healing. If the difference in shape or size persists after 3–6 months, get examined by your surgeon to identify the cause.

Breast and nipple sensitivity may change for a time after mammoplasty, going down or up. The cause lies in irritation of nerve endings. In the majority of cases sensitivity is restored within 3–12 months. If nothing has improved after a year, consult your surgeon.

Hormonal drugs (contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy) do not affect implants themselves, but they can cause swelling or a change in breast tissue volume that alters the appearance for a time. Always inform your surgeon about them ahead of surgery.