BREAST TREATMENTS
For many people, the size and shape of their breasts influence how they feel about themselves. After assessment, recommendations of treatment will be tailored to your needs and wishes.
BREAST ENHANCEMENT WITH IMPLANTS
How long will the operation take?
About 1 hour
Will I need a general anaesthetic?
Yes, you will be asleep.
How many nights will I have to be in hospital?
If you are recovered from the anaesthetic, you may be able to go home the same day, although some people prefer to stay one night.
How long will I need to take off work?
You will need two weeks off work. I recommend a front fastening post surgical bra for support after surgery. This should be one chest size larger than your normal fitting (eg a 36 if you are usually a 34) and your preferred cup size. Please see the ‘Garments’ page for the type required.
What should I avoid after the operation?
Avoid heavy lifting and high impact exercise for 4-6 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Bruising, swelling and tightness are common after the operation. Rarely infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, implant distortion or change in position, permanent numbness of the skin or nipple and capsular contracture can occur. A rare cancer, anaplastic large cell lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma has been associated with breast implants.
When will I need appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 1 and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result.
Scars continue to settle for 18-24 months.
How much will it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
For more information: www.baaps.org.uk/procedures/breast-augmentation
BREAST ENHANCEMENT WITH AUTOLOGUS (YOUR OWN) FAT
How long will the operation take?
About 90 mins
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you are asleep for the operation
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
If you are recovered from the anaesthetic, you may be able to go home the same day, although some people prefer to stay one night.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
Swelling, bruising and some pain are usual for the first 2-3 days afterwards and gradually improve over the next 10 days. You will need two weeks off work. I recommend a front fastening post surgical bra for support after surgery. This should be one chest size larger than your normal fitting (eg a 36 if you are usually a 34) and your preferred cup size.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You should avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks and avoid pressure on the area for 2 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Apart from early bruising and swelling, there can be reabsorption of up to 50% of the fat over the first few months. Rarely infection, asymmetry, bleeding, fat necrosis, oil cysts, benign calcification may develop which can be associated with mammogram changes.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 1 and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result. Procedure can be repeated after 6 months if needed.
How much will it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
For more information:www.baaps/procedures/fat-transfer-to-breast
BREAST REDUCTION
How long will the operation take?
About 2 hours
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you are asleep for the operation
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
You need to stay in hospital one and rarely two nights after the surgery.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
Swelling, bruising and some pain are usual for the first 2-3 days afterwards and gradually improve over the next 10 days. You will need two to three weeks off work. I recommend a front fastening post surgical bra for support after surgery. This should be one chest size larger than your normal fitting (eg a 36 if you are usually a 34) and your preferred cup size.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You can walk straight after the surgery and do gentle exercise after 4 weeks. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 6 weeks after surgery.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness of the nipple are common. Infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness, nipple / areolar loss, delayed healing, fat necrosis are uncommon.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 1 and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result. Scars continue to settle for 18-24 months.
How much does it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
For more information: www.baaps.org.uk/procedures/breast-reduction
BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)
How long will the operation take?
About 90 minutes
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you are asleep for the operation
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
You need to stay in hospital one night after the surgery.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
Swelling, bruising and some pain are usual for the first 2-3 days afterwards and gradually improve over the next 10 days. You will need two to three weeks off work. I recommend a front fastening post surgical bra for support after surgery. This should be one chest size larger than your normal fitting (eg a 36 if you are usually a 34) and your preferred cup size.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You can walk straight after the surgery and do gentle exercise after 4 weeks. You should avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks after surgery.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness of the nipple are common. Infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness, nipple / areolar loss, delayed healing, fat necrosis are uncommon.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 1 and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result. Scars continue to settle for 18-24 months.
How much does it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
MALE BREAST REDUCTION (GYNAECOMASTIA)
How long will the operation take?
About 90 minutes
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you are asleep for the operation
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
If you are recovered from the anaesthetic, you may be able to go home the same day, although some people prefer to stay one night.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
Swelling, bruising and some pain are usual for the first 2-3 days afterwards and gradually improve over the next 10 days. You will need one to four weeks off work. I would recommend a compression vest to reduce the risks of swelling after surgery.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You can walk straight after the surgery and do gentle exercise after 4 weeks. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 6 weeks after surgery.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness of the nipple are common. Infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness, nipple / areolar loss and seroma are uncommon.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result. Scars continue to settle for 18-24 months.
How much does it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »
For more information: www.baaps.org.uk/procedures/gynaecomastia
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
How long will the operation take?
About 4 - 8 hours
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you are asleep for the operation
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
You need to stay in hospital 3 - 6 nights after the surgery
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
Swelling, bruising and some pain are usual for the first 2-3 days afterwards and gradually improve over the next 10 days. You will need four to twelve weeks off work. I would recommend an abdominal support garment and post surgery bra for support.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You can do gentle exercise after 4 weeks. It may take up to 12 weeks for you to recover enough for heavy lifting and strenuous activity.
What are the risks of the operation?
Any operation carries some risks. Bruising, swelling and numbness of breast skin and donor area are common. Infection, bad scarring, problems with the reconstruction, asymmetry, bleeding, seroma are uncommon. In some cases there is a problem after the surgery and you will need to back to the operating theatre to try and correct any issues. In 50% of people the problem can be resolved. In 50% out persists and if the circulation to the flap is insufficient, the flap may have to be removed the the reconstruction unsuccessful. In this case, alternative reconstructive techniques can be used.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
Review at any time if you have any concerns. Routinely at 1 and 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery to assess final result. Scars continue to settle for 18-24 months.
How much does it cost?
A general guide on fees is available here »