Breast enlargement (breast augmentation) surgery

Breast enlargement surgery, more commonly called a boob job, is an operation to add silicone or saline implants into your natural breasts to make them larger and enhance their shape.

Is breast enlargement surgery safe?

Breast enlargement surgery with either saline or silicone implants is perfectly safe, which is why it is a popular surgery for people that want larger breasts.

A silicone breast implant is the most common type of implant in the UK. According to the NHS, a silicone breast implant is less likely to wrinkle and feels more natural in your body than a saline breast implant. Saline breast implants are more likely to become smaller over time and absorb into your body (this is not dangerous, but the implant will need to be removed and replaced).

We offer both saline and silicone breast implants. You should discuss the pros and cons of each type of breast implant with your surgeon, along with the size and shape of your implants and where they will be placed (either behind your breast, or behind your breast muscle). Your consultant will be able to provide you with detailed information about your surgery during your initial consultation, and help you decide which type of implant will be right for you.

Your breast implants will either be made from silicone or saline.

There are three main types of breast implants:

Silicone gel (soft) implants

These are pre-filled with silicone and less likely to wrinkle or ripple than saline. They are also known for feeling more natural than other implants. Silicone soft gel implants can rupture and spread into your breast tissue. This is not dangerous, but will need to be removed.

Silicone gel (firm) implants

These are also less likely to wrinkle or ripple than saline. Because they are filled with a firmer gel, they are less likely than a soft silicone implant to move and rotate inside your body.

Saline implants

A saline implant is a less commonly used implant for breast enlargement surgery. Saline implants typically feel less natural than silicone implants, and are more likely to rupture. This is not dangerous, but the ruptured implant will need to be removed and replaced.

Your consultant will ensure you have all the information you need about each type of implant, and that you receive the type of implant that best matches your needs.

Why might you need breast augmentation?



People have breast enlargement surgery for many reasons, including:

• Changes to your breast shape
• You might have noticed your breasts have got smaller or have changed shape after you’ve lost weight or been pregnant.
• Lack of symmetry across your breasts
• You might have one breast that is smaller than the other, and would like to correct this lack of symmetry.
• Unhappiness with the size of your breasts
• You might feel unhappy with the size and shape of your breast(s).

What are the benefits of breast enlargement surgery?

There are many benefits to having breast enlargement surgery. The procedure can:

• Improve your self-confidence
• Correct unevenly shaped or sized breasts
• Improve the shape of your breasts more generally
• Help your breasts look and feel firmer and fuller
• For thousands of women in the UK each year, the main benefit of having breast enlargement surgery is that it helps improve their confidence which, in turn, helps significantly improve their quality of life.

What does breast enlargement surgery involve?

Breast enlargement surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes around 90 minutes.

Your consultant will usually want to place the implant directly behind your breast, as this typically offers the most natural result. However, if you are slim and do not have enough breast skin and tissue to cover the implant, they might recommend placing the implant behind your pectoral muscle, which lies behind your breast. This will prevent the outline of the implants from being noticeable.

Your consultant will begin the procedure by making a small incision on the crease under your breast. They will then create a pocket inside by separating your breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue in your chest. They will then insert the implants through each incision. After the implants have been positioned correctly, your consultant will close the incision with dissolvable stitches.

They will then place a dressing over your stitches to protect them from becoming infected.

Dissolvable stitches disappear in around seven to ten days. Non-dissolvable stitches need to be removed around a week after surgery.