For the past two decades, breast augmentation surgery has been in the top 5 most requested and popular plastic surgery procedures. For those who live a life of feeling their breasts are too small for themselves personally, have changed significantly due to weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal change, ageing or in some way no longer meet personal or societal expectations - breast enhancement is a game changer! A push-up bra can only do so much, exercise and eating won’t help. If you can’t live with it, you may consider changing it. Breast enhancement procedures can be subtle or monumental, be done either by fat transfer or by breast implants.

For Dr Rozina Ali, one of the most popular female plastic surgeons in London, highly qualified in breast surgery, it is common to see patients who are not sure what they need, whether a breast lift or breast augmentation - droopy or deflated? Sometimes the answer is both! In this article, Dr Ali provides us with a list of the pros and cons of breast augmentation with implants for you to review which can help you determine if you’re ready to take the next step.

Silicone implants

In the UK, breast implants come in silicone shells with silicone gel filling and can be round or shaped or ergonomic (containing a soft gel that makes a round implant behave like a shaped one). Silicone implants are made fully of silicone, a synthetic material that feels similar to human fat. The implants have a silicone case filled with a silicone gel. Some silicone implants are more cohesive, or firmer than others. These are sometimes referred to in the popular press or social media as “gummy bear” implants.

From the patient’s perspective, many factors influence the decision about which implant type to select for augmentation and these factors vary according to the patient’s personal priorities. The look and feel of the implants, the expenses, and the safety and complication rates, all must be taken into consideration and discussed with your plastic surgeon before making a decision.

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Pros of breast augmentation with implants

Better figure and increased self-esteem

Some women naturally have smaller or undeveloped breasts, which may make them feel self-conscious or make it difficult to fit into certain styles of clothing. Breast size enhancement can give you a larger chest and more confidence including providing a proportionate body shape, correcting uneven breasts and addressing congenital abnormalities that prevent breasts from fully developing during puberty.

Choosing the size you want

Compared to breast lipofilling, breast implants can allow a significant boost in cup size. However, the implant has to sit within the diameter of your breast envelope and sit on your chest wall (breast footprint) and obviously fit with your emotional and social lifestyle. You can choose to go up only a cup size or two or choose for something more dramatic. However, always make sure to listen to your surgeon’s advice about which size will best fit your breast and body proportionately.

Breast implants last a long time but not forever

Surgery is obviously a long-term investment, however as your body changes, so too may your needs and an implant is not a lifetime device. They will likely need to be replaced or removed during your lifetime.

Cons of breast augmentation with implants

Surgical intervention will be necessary

Breast augmentation is an invasive procedure that requires general anaesthesia, and careful recovery. It is not a light undertaking.

Costs

As fat grafting breast augmentation takes longer, lasts longer and actually includes two procedures (fat harvest and fat transfer), the cost of the whole procedure is usually higher than implant surgery alone. However, breast augmentation can cost more than anticipated due to monitoring, maintenance, consultations and replacement surgery, none of which is covered by insurance.

All in all, the decision on whether or not to undergo breast augmentation is a deeply personal choice. When it comes to deciding on breast size, everyone’s body is different, so the enhancement of breast volume and appearance is a decision best made with an in-depth, personal consultation with an experienced surgeon.

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