Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeries and non surgical treatments

Surgical Procedures
Non-Surgical Procedures

Breast Augmentation
Tuberous Breast Correction
Breast Implant Revision
Breast Uplift
Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Can I Choose What Implant and Cup Size I Want?

It is your anatomy along with factors such as your height, width of your shoulders, width of your hip and chest size which determines the size of implant suitable for you. In my practice, following thorough assessment, I offer my patients a range of sizes they can choose from, the size range is based on the above factors and will provide them with natural looking results. You will also be able to try the various sizes within the range in a non-padded, non-wired bra and decide which one you prefer.

In terms of Cup size, as you know these are commercial sizing and there is no standard cup size and if you went shopping you would find that the cup size vary with every shop or bra make. The objective therefore, during the examination and sizing will be to determine what look you are trying to achieve with the surgery and not cup size.

Can I Decide What Implant Placement to Have, i.e. over or under the muscle?

No. There are various factors in your anatomy that determines the positioning of the implant and the decision should be with your plastic surgeon. Saying that, some surgeons do prefer one placement over the over, which in my opinion is NOT right. This should not be a one size fits all situation, every person’s anatomy and lifestyle is different, hence it is important for the treatment plan to be made in accordance to the anatomy and circumstances for each individual patient.

Over or Under the Muscle, Which Placement Would Help me Achieve a More Natural Look?

If the Positioningand Sizeof the implant is chosen based on your anatomy and chest measurements, then both sub-muscular (under the muscle) and sub-glandular (over the muscle, under the glands) placements should provide you with natural results. The placement of the implant should be based on the right indications.

Is Having the Implant Under the Muscle More Painful?

Yes it usually is and the recovery period is also longer when having sub-muscular placement. However, NONE of these should be the determining factors in the decision making.Pain can always be controlled with pain relief medication and the recovery and healing process is something that all patients must go through. I always advise my patients to try and return to their normal activities after one week regardless of the type of implant placement. But wait 4-6 weeks before resuming exercise and strenuous activities. The degree of Pain following surgery varies greatly between individuals but everyone find it tolerable and almost all my patients stop taking pain relief medication at day 4 post-op.

Is It True That Anatomical (Teardrop shaped) Implants Give a More Natural Result?

Both Yes and No. It all depends on the preference of the individual, the Size and Placement of the implant and how much volume you would like to achieve on the upper breast pole.

In cases where the breast tissue is significantly more in the lower pole of the breast, round implants would provide better aesthetic results, the reason being that anatomical implants already have a fuller lower pole projection.

Many of my patients have little or no breast tissue and they all ask for natural results. Many of them are under the impression that the round implants would give them a “fake look”, but that is far from the truth!

When there is little or no breast tissue present, best placement would be sub-muscular, and this means that the upper 2/3 of the implant is covered by the chest muscle, and with time, the muscles relax and give the implants a Natural teardrop shape. With the difference of having slightly more upper pole volume than the actual anatomical implant. However, this process may take up to a year for some individuals depending on how fast their muscles relax and recover post-operatively. But with Anatomical implants, you will see the results much faster, many times only within the first couple of months following surgery.

In terms of other implant placements such as, Sub-glandular (over the muscle, under the glands), Dual plane (upper half under the muscle and lower half behind the glands) and Sub-fascia (Under the fascia of the muscle) the Anatomical implant may provide a more “Natural” look however, it is important to remember that it is common to lose breast tissue, especially in the upper breast pole with ageing, gravity and following pregnancy, and sometimes it would be better to obtain volume in the upper pole of the breast by using round implant.

In summary, both Round and Anatomical implants can provide natural results, IFchosen based on the right indications.

Can Breast Augmentation Change the Shape of My Breasts?

Breast augmentation can increase or balance breast size, restore breast volume, or restore the breast shape after partial or total loss of breast tissue. It can also correct breast size asymmetry. But what it CANNOT do is to correct drooping breasts, non-size related breast asymmetries and breast deformities. In these instances, in addition to using an implant other procedures such as Lift, or some form of reconstructive breast surgery may be necessary to achieve optimum results.

Can Breast Augmentation Surgery Go Wrong?

All surgery carries risks. However, choosing an appropriately qualified and experienced plastic surgeon and following the advice given will keep risks of complications to a minimum. During the consultation, I discuss all possible risks of surgery, including implant related complications with my patients at length. It is important that you fully understand ALL the implications of surgery in order to make an informed decision.

How Long After Surgery Can I go On Holiday?

I advise my patients to NOT book any holiday until 4-6 weeks after the operation, this will allow enough time for the initial stages of the healing to take place. But it is important to understand that the healing process continues for months and for some people up to a year after the surgery, thus it is important to follow the advice and instructions given at every stage after the surgery as this will certainly impact the end results.

Will Breast Augmentation interfere with Breast Feeding?

Breast augmentation is extremely unlikely to impair lactation or interfere with breastfeeding, especially when the implants are placed in the sub-muscular position.

Do Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced?

Although some breast implants come with lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer, it does not mean that they will last forever. The reality is that no one really knows how long any breast implant will last.

Most silicone implants of today are made of a cohesive gel. This gel does not leak or break down even if the outer shell is compromised. With the two implant brands I use in my practice there is no need to change them routinely, for some they can last a lifetime but for most they need to undergo further surgery at some point of their life, for either leakage, capsular contracture (hardness of the capsule around the implant), or to simply improve the size and shape of the breasts following weight loss, pregnancy or ageing. In any event, it is safe to say that if you are happy with the implants, and they are giving you no problem, then leave them in but make sure you carry out regular self-examination of your breasts and have some type of scan every 3-4 years.

What will be impact of lipoaugmentation on Breastfeeding?

Although uncommon, some women have difficulty breastfeeding and may produce less milk following an enlargement procedure. On average, there is roughly a 90% chance that you will be able to breastfeed, on the assumption that you were able to breastfeed before the surgery. If you’ve had a baby and are currently breastfeeding, your surgeon may require you to stop breastfeeding for 3 to 6 months before surgery in order to allow the breasts to settle before your procedure.

What are the effects of drugs on lipaugmentation surgery?

If you smoke, drink alcohol, are overweight and/or take drugs for medical or other reasons, the risk of complication during and after surgery can be greatly increased. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and using all nicotine products at least six weeks before surgery.

Do I need a GP referral for cosmetic surgery?

Most cosmetic surgeons will be happy to see you for an initial consultation without a referral from your GP. But if you plan to go ahead with cosmetic surgery, your surgeon may ask your permission to contact your GP for details of your medical history.

What effect has weight gain or loss after a breast enlargement?

Significant weight gain or loss may affect the appearance of your breasts in general. Actually, it might still behave as it would have from its original site. In other words, if it would lose volume with weight loss when it was in the abdomen it will still lose volume when it is in the breasts. After all, it is difficult to predict how a specific lady’s breasts will change with weight loss.

Does breast fat grafting change mammograms?

There is no question that fat grafting causes changes (including calcification) that are visible on mammograms. There is increasing evidence that those changes are equivalent to changes seen from other breast surgery, such as reductions. Most trained radiologists are able to determine the differences between postoperative calcifications and breast cancer changes.

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