A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that enlarges the breasts by the insertion of a silicone implant underneath either the breast or muscle (in thinner women).

Women undergo breast augmentation to enlarge the size of their breasts because they feel they are too small or they have dropped or become empty after pregnancy, with advancing age or weight loss. Implants can also be used to correct asymmetry or in post mastectomy breast cancer reconstruction. Excessive sagging of the breast may require removal of the excess skin giving uplift (mastopexy). This is sometimes combined with an implant to increase size.

I use silicone implants. Some of the newer products on the market (such as Macrolane implants) have proven to be damaging to the breast. More recently fat transfer has been performed to augment the breast in my opinion the risk of this are unknown and may interfere with mammogram assessment.

Silicone implants have been used for breast augmentation for more than 30 years and have the only reliable long term data. For an independent review on silicone implants visit: www.silicone-review.gov.uk.

I use a small incision under the breast which normally heals very well and gives easy and accurate access to the breast. In approximately 90% of cases I use a novel partial muscle splitting approach (bi-planar pocket) which avoids the 'fake look' which often occurs following insertion of the implant directly under the breast. Evidence suggests that this technique also prevents the rapid drooping of the breast by keeping the supporting breast ligaments intact. The implant size is decided in the clinic using trial prosthesis in your bra. The risks and expected outcome will be discussed with you.

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