Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation Treatment
Breast Augmentation Treatment Statistics and Key Information
- Patient Satisfaction Rate
- 95%
- Average Treatment Cost
- GBP 4,500
- Number of Reviews
- 3583
- Treatment Downtime Duration
- Varies
- Number of Available Practitioners
- 92
Overview
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure where implants are placed to increase breast size, change shape, or restore volume lost after weight changes or pregnancy. Most commonly this means silicone or saline implants inserted either under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. The surgeon creates a pocket, places the implant, closes things up, and your body heals around it. Simple in theory, very nuanced in execution. Implant choice, placement, incision location, and your anatomy all matter a lot.
Goals of Breast Augmentation treatment
- Increase breast size or fullness
- Improve symmetry if breasts are uneven
- Restore volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or illness
- Help someone feel more comfortable in their body, not become someone else
Treatment Options
- Non-surgical fillers for breasts are not recommended and often unsafe
- Fat transfer can add modest volume but not dramatic size changes
- Push-up bras and padding change appearance but not anatomy
- Augmentation is the most predictable way to significantly increase size
Pros
- Immediate and noticeable change
- Long-lasting results compared with non-surgical options
- Highly customisable in size, shape, and profile
- Can significantly improve body confidence for some people
Cons
- It is real surgery with real risks
- Implants are not lifetime devices
- Recovery takes weeks, not days
- Potential complications like capsular contracture or implant rupture
Candidate & Preparation
Who is a Good Candidate
- Adults in good physical and mental health
- People with realistic expectations
- Those bothered by size, shape, or volume loss
- Non-smokers or those willing to stop smoking around surgery
Appointments & Safety
What Happens During Appointment
Surgery is done under general anaesthetic and usually takes 1 to 2 hours. You go home the same day or after one night. Follow-ups are scheduled over weeks and months.
Pain Considerations
Most people describe tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain. Discomfort is strongest in the first week and improves steadily.
Safety Considerations
Modern implants are well-studied, but risks include infection, bleeding, capsular contracture, implant rupture, and very rare implant-associated lymphoma. Choosing the right surgeon reduces risk more than anything else.
Cost & Access
Typical Prices
In the UK, breast augmentation usually costs somewhere between GBP 4,500 and GBP 8,000 privately.
Results & Maintenance
How Long Results Last
Implants don’t have an expiry date, but they’re not lifetime devices. Many last 10 to 20 years without issue. Some people never need revision. Others do. Bodies change.
Maintenance Requirements
There’s no routine maintenance schedule, but lifelong monitoring matters. Imaging may be recommended after several years. Revisions happen when issues arise, not on a timer.
Regulation & Guidelines
UK Guidelines
MHRA regulates breast implants and safety alerts. NICE guidance applies to reconstructive contexts rather than cosmetic augmentation.
FDA Guidelines
FDA regulates implant approval and safety data in the US and requires patient information checklists.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
- Breast implants and surgery are regulated in the UK
- Surgeons must be GMC registered and clinics CQC regulated
- There is a national Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry
- If something goes wrong, seek medical care immediately and contact your surgeon
